Chief Medical Officer

Saint James Health

Newark, NJ

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Lead Clinical Excellence in a High-Growth Enviornment

Recruiter Contact

David Haasch | Managing Director

Overview

Centermark Placements has been retained by Saint James Health to recruit a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) as the organization enters its next stage of growth and expansion across Newark and the surrounding communities.

Founded in 2016, Saint James Health has rapidly grown from a single clinic into one of New Jersey’s leading Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), providing high-quality, affordable care to residents regardless of ability to pay. The organization delivers comprehensive services including primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, dental care, and chronic disease management, supported by programs in HIV treatment, health education, and prevention.

Saint James Health also operates a 340B pharmacy program, mobile outreach clinics, school-based health services, and street medicine initiatives that extend care directly into the community. With several new sites and service expansions underway, this is an exciting time to join the organization and make a meaningful impact.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

  • Lead Clinical Excellence in a High-Growth Environment

    The organization is entering a major phase of expansion — growing from four clinic sites today to six by 2026 and eight by 2027. With that growth comes the opportunity to strengthen quality systems, unify care standards, and elevate provider collaboration across all locations. As CMO, you’ll guide this evolution, ensuring that rapid growth is matched by clinical excellence, operational consistency, and a shared commitment to patient-centered care.

  • Shape the Vision and Structure of Clinical Leadership

    You’ll have broad autonomy to define how the company’s clinical leadership operates — establishing reporting lines, decision-making frameworks, and communication rhythms that promote accountability and collaboration. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll design systems that empower teams and align them around clear goals for quality, access, and provider engagement.

  • Partner with a CEO Who Values Clinical Insight and Innovation

    Reporting directly to the CEO, you’ll work side-by-side with an executive leader who values medical perspective to guide organizational strategy. You’ll have a meaningful voice in strategic planning and operational design — with the latitude to propose, pilot, and refine new approaches that enhance care delivery and provider engagement.

  • Lead the Next Evolution of Quality and Performance Excellence

    You’ll build on established quality programs by aligning UDS metrics with provider scorecards, embedding performance feedback into daily huddles, and turning goals into shared habits. Your leadership will strengthen accountability and foster a results-driven culture that celebrates progress and teamwork.

  • EPIC-Based Environment

    The health center operates on the EPIC electronic health record platform, providing integrated data, streamlined workflows, and a shared view of performance across all sites. As CMO, you’ll leverage EPIC’s analytics to identify trends, close quality gaps, and ensure decisions are guided by real-time insight.

  • Unify Multiple Sites Under One High Standard of Care

    You’ll standardize protocols, improve communication between locations, and ensure that every patient — regardless of site — experiences the same high standard of care. Your work will bring cohesion and consistency to a growing footprint while preserving the organization’s mission-driven culture.

  • Champion a Team-Based Model That Empowers Every Provider

    The organization values collaboration among physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — recognizing that team-based care expands access and enhances the patient experience. You’ll foster an environment where every provider works at the top of their license, supported by clear expectations, communication, and mutual respect.

  • Administrative-Focused Role

    This role allows you to dedicate most of your time to administrative leadership, with approximately one day per week of patient care to stay clinically grounded.

  • Earn Competitive Compensation — with Meaningful Performance Bonuses

    Your success in quality, engagement, and organizational growth will be recognized financially. The company offers a well-structured bonus plan tied to measurable outcomes — something few FQHCs provide. In addition to performance incentives, the role includes a robust benefits package with CME support (40 hours and $5,000 allowance), 20 days of PTO, paid sick time, malpractice coverage, license and DEA renewals, and 100% employer-paid health insurance.

  • Work for a Financially Stable Organization with a Strong Hospital Partner

    The organization operates from a position of financial strength — sustained by consistent grant funding, a large and growing patient base, and a strategic partnership with RWJBarnabas Health. This collaboration enhances access to specialty care, strengthens referral coordination, and connects providers with hospital-based resources and expertise. Few community health organizations combine mission-driven primary care with the backing of a major health system, giving the CMO a strong platform to build integrated care pathways, expand programs, and drive sustainable growth.

  • Build a Culture Where Providers Feel Supported and Valued

    You’ll help shape how the organization’s hard-working clinicians experience their workday — from communication and scheduling to recognition and performance support. The goal is to create a culture where providers feel heard, engaged, and aligned with the organization’s mission.

  • Shape the Future of Community Health in Newark

    This is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy — leading a team that delivers equitable, compassionate care to thousands of underserved residents in one of New Jersey’s most diverse urban communities. Unlike rural FQHCs that struggle to attract patients, this organization serves a city where the need is constant and growing. The CMO will guide how care is organized, resourced, and scaled to meet that demand — ensuring every patient receives the highest standard of community-based care.

Partnership with RWJBarnabas Health

The partnership between Saint James Health and RWJBarnabas Health signals a major leap forward for health equity and access across New Jersey—especially in historically underserved communities.  This partnership isn’t just about combining resources—it’s about rethinking how healthcare is delivered in New Jersey. It’s bringing vital services closer to where people live, reducing friction in accessing care, and focusing on prevention and social determinants to improve long-term outcomes. For New Jerseyans, it means more equitable access, better coordination, and a more resilient health system rooted in community.

Background Profile

  • Board-certified MD/DO with NJ license (or eligibility), ideally in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine

  • Proven clinical leadership experience, having led teams as a Medical Director, Site Lead, or equivalent, with the ability to align providers around shared goals and deliver measurable results.

  • Focused on quality and outcomes, you use data and structure to drive improvement in care delivery and patient experience.

  • Skilled at engaging and developing providers, you build trust, mentor effectively, and set clear expectations that raise performance.

  • You foster a culture of mutual respect and shared purpose, where physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants work together as equals in pursuit of exceptional care.

  • Operationally savvy and strategically minded, you think beyond medicine to improve workflows, systems, and organizational efficiency.

  • Deeply committed to mission-driven care, with experience in FQHCs, community health, or safety-net systems preferred—but shared values and passion for access to care matter most.

  • Experienced in serving complex or high-need populations, with exposure to HIV or infectious disease programs seen as a plus but not required.

  • Collaborative and approachable in your leadership style, fostering transparency and teamwork across departments.

  • Highly organized and execution-oriented, bringing strong project management skills to drive initiatives with healthcare leaders, providers, and staff—both internally and externally.

Living in Newark, NJ

Newark offers a unique mix of urban vibrancy, cultural diversity, and accessibility that makes it one of the most dynamic places to live and work in the region. As New Jersey’s largest city, Newark has evolved into a thriving hub for healthcare, education, and the arts—while remaining just 15 minutes from Manhattan by train.

Cultural & Lifestyle Highlights

  • Arts and Entertainment: Home to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Prudential Center, and the Newark Museum of Art, Newark offers Broadway-caliber performances, world-class concerts, and museum exhibits year-round.

  • Dining & Neighborhoods: The Ironbound District is famous for its Portuguese, Brazilian, and Spanish restaurants, while neighborhoods like Downtown Newark and University Heights are seeing new investment, coffee shops, and rooftop venues that add to the city’s growing cultural scene.

  • Parks and Recreation: Newark features more than 60 parks, including Branch Brook Park, home to the largest collection of cherry blossoms in the United States, and quick access to outdoor escapes like the South Mountain Reservation, the Jersey Shore, and the Appalachian foothills.

Connectivity and Convenience

  • Newark is one of the most connected cities in the Northeast, offering Amtrak and NJ Transit access, PATH trains to Manhattan, and Newark Liberty International Airport within minutes of downtown.

  • The city is also a regional academic center, with Rutgers University–Newark, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and Seton Hall Law School anchoring a large student and faculty population that enriches the community.

Education & Schools

  • Newark’s public school system is steadily improving, with several schools—such as Science Park High School, Technology High School, and Ann Street School—consistently ranked among New Jersey’s top public schools.

  • The city also offers a wide range of public charter schools, many recognized nationally for innovation and performance, including North Star Academy, KIPP Newark, and Robert Treat Academy.

  • Families seeking private and parochial options will find excellent choices nearby, such as St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, Mount Saint Dominic Academy, Seton Hall Preparatory School, and Newark Academy in Livingston.

  • For higher education, Newark’s proximity to major universities—including Rutgers, Princeton, Seton Hall, and Columbia University—offers outstanding academic and professional development opportunities.

Affordability & Community

  • Compared to New York City and nearby suburbs, Newark offers more affordable housing, shorter commutes, and a lower cost of living, while maintaining access to major metropolitan amenities.

  • Ongoing revitalization has brought new housing, schools, and community development, blending historic neighborhoods with modern living spaces.

  • Newark’s residents take pride in their diverse, community-oriented culture, where professionals in healthcare, education, and social services can make a lasting, visible impact.

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