For Immediate Release
June 5, 2007
Contact: Laura Buffum
732-751-7537
lbuffum@meridianhealth.com

MERIDIAN HEALTH WELCOMES DAVID SIEGEL, M.D., AS NEW SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS AND MEDICAL AFFAIRS

Neptune, NJ - Meridian Health has announced the appointment of David M. Siegel, M.D., J.D., FACEP, FACP, and FCLM, as senior vice president of Clinical Effectiveness and Medical Affairs for Meridian Health, which encompasses Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, and Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.

In this role, Dr. Siegel will serve as the key physician leader for Meridian Health in all initiatives related to patient quality and clinical excellence, working in collaboration with Meridian's management, medical and clinical staffs. He will oversee clinical initiatives related to promoting and establishing best practices to continue Meridian's state and national reputation for excellent patient care.

"I am very excited to join the exceptional team at Meridian Health and look forward to working with Meridian's physicians and staff in providing the very best care for patients in the Monmouth and Ocean Counties," explained Dr. Siegel. "Meridian's hospitals are rated by the state as having the highest quality of all Monmouth and Ocean County hospitals. With a strong vision and commitment to continued improvement, I feel confident that Meridian will continue to lead in the region and the state."

Board certified in both internal and emergency medicine, Dr. Siegel brings over 25 years of experience to Meridian Health, serving in various clinical leadership positions at hospitals and health care institutions throughout the United States. Most recently, he served as a consultant with the firm of Siegel Consulting, working with physicians and hospitals nationwide on patient care process redesign and quality improvement projects.

He is a member of numerous medical and legal professional associations including the American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and American Bar Association. He has also contributed to several national emergency medicine publications, journal articles and research studies; and chairs the EMTALA Technical Advisory Group, which provides recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services on appropriate revisions to national emergency medical policy.

"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Siegel to the Meridian Health family and our community," says John K. Lloyd, FACHE, president and CEO of Meridian Health. "Dr. Siegel has earned a national reputation for his vast experience and expertise and will be incredibly valuable in advancing Meridian's continuing journey in clinical excellence and quality care we provide our patients."

Dr. Siegel completed his undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania; earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Siegel also has earned a doctor of jurisprudence degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

He and his wife, Deborah, have relocated from Florida to Red Bank.

About Meridian Health
Meridian Health is a family of not-for-profit health care organizations comprising Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and Meridian Partner Companies that include home care agencies, long-term and assisted living communities, ambulatory care, ambulance services, and occupational health located throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties. Meridian Health was the first health care organization in the nation to achieve the prestigious Magnet designation for its nursing staff at each of its partner hospitals and has been named one of the best places to work in New Jersey for two consecutive years. For more information, please call the Meridian Health Line at 1-800-560-9990 or visit us on the web at www.meridianhealth.com.

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