Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Ije Akunyili, MD, MBA, MPA, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer at Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility
Feb 20, 2026
Ije (E.J.) Akunyili, MD, MBA, MPA, FACEP, emergency physician and Chief Medical Officer at Jersey City Medical Center, leads clinical transformation and community health. He discusses building a mortality and safety council. He outlines women’s health initiatives, residency expansion, innovation partnerships like remote cardiac monitoring, and strategies for throughput, surgical growth, and addressing social determinants.
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Mortality And Safety Council Drives Outcomes
- Building a mortality and safety council dramatically improved outcomes at Jersey City Medical Center.
- They paired standard escalations with real-time data and transparency to lower mortality and HAIs.
Target C-Sections And Breastfeeding For Maternity Quality
- Reduce first-time C-section rates and expand breastfeeding support to improve maternity outcomes.
- Invest in women's health leadership and research to sustain best-in-class maternity care.
Historic Expansion Of Graduate Medical Education
- Jersey City Medical Center expanded residencies and added rheumatology and gastroenterology fellowships.
- Dr. Akunyili highlighted this growth as key to creating physicians who often stay local and serve the community.