President & Chief Executive Officer
A seasoned executive who has devoted over two decades to transforming health care organizations, Saad Ehitsham is President & CEO of Atlantic Health, headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey. With more than 550 sites of care, revenue of $5 billion, and an award-winning team of 24,000 caregivers, the nationally recognized health system delivers high-quality, compassionate care to over half the state, a vibrant region of 9.5 million people.
Drawing on expertise acquired over a distinguished career spanning the nation, Saad is known for his acumen in both for-profit and not-for-profit hospital and health care systems. His broad knowledge and operational proficiencies were developed while mastering the daily challenges of diverse roles such as nurse and Chief Nursing Officer, professor of healthcare administration, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Executive Officer.
Saad’s demonstrated ability to elevate quality and safety is grounded in his patient-centric mindset and collaborative relationships with clinical leaders. His success in acute care operations, strategic planning and market growth, physician and team engagement, medical education, finance, and philanthropy earned him national acclaim as one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare. He was honored with an Exemplary Service Award by the American College of Healthcare Executives, and in 2023, was named Healthcare Administrator of the Year by Northwest University of Charlotte.
Before joining Atlantic Health, Saad served as Senior Vice President & President of Acute Care Operations for Novant Health, a $10B health care network headquartered in Winston-Salem. Saad previously served as System Chief Operating Officer at Central Florida Health, as Chief Executive Officer with Health Management Associates, Inc. in Tennessee, as Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations for Via Christi Wichita Hospitals & Clinics in Kansas, and as Chief Operating and Chief Nursing Officer with Ardent Health in New Mexico.
Saad is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served on numerous boards, including the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Board, United Way of Central Carolinas, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the Journal of Healthcare Management. A trustee of Queens University Charlotte, he is an Adjunct Professor in the Master of Healthcare Administration Program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Saad holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Baylor University, a Doctor of Health Administration from Central Michigan University, and graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Healthcare Administration.