David P. Tilton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Announces His Retirement From AtlantiCare

David P. Tilton, MBA, FACHE, announced today that he will retire as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of AtlantiCare, the largest southeastern New Jersey health system, on June 30, 2016 after 29 years leading the organization in key roles. Tilton plans to remain active on a national level, advocating for quality and performance excellence in the healthcare industry. He was named president and CEO in 2007 succeeding his mentor, George Lynn. Tilton had served as AtlantiCare’s executive vice president and chief operating officer since 2005 after 12 years as president of both AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center campuses.
AtlantiCare Board of Trustees announced that Lori Herndon, RN, BSN, MBA, AtlantiCare’s executive vice president and AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center president and chief executive officer, has been named Tilton’s successor, effective July 1, 2016.
Tilton was instrumental in quality advancement and the development of AtlantiCare as a regional health system, which was established in 1993. A hallmark of Tilton’s leadership has been his focus on the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Triple Aim goals of improving the patient experience, improving the health of populations and making healthcare more affordable and efficient. In pursuit of excellence, he led the organization on a quality journey that resulted in AtlantiCare’s recognition as a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient in 2009, the nation’s highest presidential award for quality.
As a Baldrige Award recipient, Tilton embraced the role of mentor, speaking with national and international healthcare leaders to share best practices and help identify opportunities for improvement related to organizational culture, results, leadership, customer and employee engagement, innovation, process management and social responsibility.
“David has been an incredible chief executive, guiding AtlantiCare successfully through a period of unprecedented transformation of the healthcare industry. His clear vision and emphasis on execution has resulted in a high-performing and financially strong organization that exceeds our community’s expectations,” said Gene Arnone, chairman, AtlantiCare Board of Trustees.
With Tilton at the helm, AtlantiCare experienced robust growth of services across the region, expanding to six major campuses and nearly 90 sites, enhancing clinical programs and securing key affiliations. He more recently led the reorganization of AtlantiCare’s structure, governance and organizational strategy around population health management. Under his leadership and strategic planning, AtlantiCare became a member of Geisinger Health System (GHS) in 2015.
“Under David’s leadership, AtlantiCare became an early adopter of population health, helping to innovate how we care for our patients. Fortunately, that strategy led AtlantiCare to us. I am grateful for his support and guidance during my first year as Geisinger’s CEO and know he’ll continue to make contributions to our industry,” said David Feinberg, M.D., president and chief executive officer, Geisinger Health System.
Tilton will continue to serve on the Board of the Health Research & Educational Trust, an affiliate of the American Hospital Association (AHA). He is included in Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2013, 2014 and 2015 lists of Hospital & Health System CEOs to Know. NJ Biz named Tilton one of the 50 Most Powerful People in Health Care in New Jersey in 2010 and again in 2015 as a leader “who will shape health care as federal legislation continues to reshape the industry.” Under Tilton’s leadership AtlantiCare was included in Modern Healthcare’s 2010 “Best Places to Work in Healthcare,” received nursing Magnet designation three times and earned the Premier Cares Award. The Greater Atlantic City Chamber honored Tilton as its 2014 Business Leader of the Year.
“I have been humbled to lead an organization that is committed to excellence as well as to our patients, to each other, and to the communities we serve. I am equally proud of the culture of caring we have built—AtlantiCare family members, board, physicians, and volunteers are here to make a difference each and every day, one person at a time. I have worked with Lori for many years and have great confidence in her ability to lead AtlantiCare. She is deeply committed to our patients, this community and the AtlantiCare family,” said Tilton.
Herndon, who served in executive roles for the system since 2007, is a key member of the team overseeing strategic clinical and process integration with Geisinger Health System. She has developed centers of excellence at selected campuses and overseen clinical affiliations in her role as CEO of the medical centers. Under her tenure, AtlantiCare completed numerous expansion projects, including the opening of the Center for Childbirth; a Satellite Emergency Department and ambulatory campus at Hammonton; the new George F. Lynn Harmony Pavilion, Atlantic City campus; and most recently, the renovation of Mainland campus. Herndon also co-chairs AtlantiCare’s Community Advisory Group, comprised of current and former patients, current and former staff, and other members of the community. She has been honored numerous times for her work in the community and has served on many notable community boards throughout her career.