By Joshua Burd
RWJBarnabas Health has created a new position focused on its physical footprint and construction activities, tapping a veteran health care real estate executive to fill the role.
The health system on Wednesday said Stephen K. Barry, formerly of Rendina Healthcare Real Estate, will serve as its executive vice president of facilities management and real estate development. In the new role, he will lead day-to-day facility management, oversee all major construction projects at the system’s acute care and ambulatory locations and manage a comprehensive plan to optimize and expand its ambulatory footprint.
He will report to John Doll, RWJBarnabas Health’s chief operating officer, while leading a team dedicated to managing and maintaining facilities and real estate holdings across the system.
“As RWJBarnabas Health continues to grow and establish its ever-increasing role as an anchor institution in New Jersey, Steve is a seasoned leader who will help us optimize our physical space to support our dedicated staff in better serving the needs of our patients and community members,” Doll said. “His background and expertise are uniquely suited to fulfill the needs of this new position, which will evolve over time as our system continues to expand access to care.”
Barry joins RWJBarnabas Health following 18 years at Rendina Healthcare Real Estate, where he served as president and formed and maintained close relationships with leading health systems and physician groups across the nation, according to a news release. During that time, he tailored solutions for clients that focus on ambulatory strategy and market share growth, while creating and executing the Jupiter, Florida-based firm’s growth strategy for expansion into new markets and forging partnerships with real estate services firms.
His experience during his tenure included development, leasing and property management, RWJBarnabas said, adding that he drove the development of more than 1.5 million square feet of outpatient facilities. Previously, he spent two years as an analyst with J.P. Morgan in New York.
A current member of the ULI Health Care and Life Sciences Council, Barry collaborates with industry leaders on matters related to the finance, development and operations of acute care and specialty hospitals, medical office buildings, outpatient centers, ambulatory care facilities and life science and research facilities, the news release said. He graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s in finance.
