TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Health Commissioner Raynard E. Washington has announced a new executive leadership team that will help lead the Department of Health’s efforts to expand access to care, improve public health and oversee the state’s healthcare system.
The appointments include Neil Eicher as deputy commissioner for Health Systems, Raquel Mazon Jeffers as deputy commissioner for Population Health and Susan Loughery as deputy commissioner for Care and Treatment Services. They join Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Services Dr. Novneet Sahu, Chief of Staff Thalia Sirjue, Chief Operating Officer Kelly Anderson-Thomas and Chief Counsel Kimberly Jenkins, who will continue serving in their current roles.
“This team brings broad experience, diverse perspectives, and deep roots across New Jersey,” said Commissioner Washington. “Together we’ll make measurable progress on the things that matter most to residents—expanding access to care, lowering costs, and protecting the health of our children and communities.”
The executive leadership team oversees the department’s four core branches and agency-wide operations, supporting the Sherrill administration’s priorities of improving healthcare access and affordability, protecting children’s health and strengthening the effectiveness and transparency of state services.
The Department of Health employs more than 6,000 people and is responsible for protecting public health, operating New Jersey’s four state psychiatric hospitals and overseeing healthcare facilities statewide.
Washington also thanked Nashon Hornsby for his service as the department’s inaugural deputy commissioner for Population Health. Hornsby will remain with the department as assistant commissioner for the Division of Health Promotion.
The department also announced it is organizing the Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness, established under Executive Order No. 6 and funded through the fiscal year 2027 state budget.
Eicher joins the department after more than 15 years with the New Jersey Hospital Association, where he most recently served as vice president of policy. He will oversee licensing, inspections and regulatory enforcement for approximately 2,400 licensed healthcare facilities, including the Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency.
Mazon Jeffers brings more than 30 years of public health experience, most recently serving as co-director of the Community Health Acceleration Partnership. She previously held leadership positions with the New Jersey Department of Human Services and The Nicholson Foundation. As deputy commissioner, she will lead initiatives focused on reducing health disparities and improving population health.
Loughery, who joined the Department of Health in 2024, was promoted from assistant commissioner of the Division of Behavioral Health Services. She will oversee care and treatment services, including operations at the state’s four public psychiatric hospitals and efforts to improve long-term care and healthcare facility quality.
Sahu will continue leading the Public Health Services branch, overseeing communicable disease prevention, environmental and occupational health, emergency preparedness, emergency medical services, laboratory services and support for local public health agencies.
Sirjue remains chief of staff, overseeing the department’s more than 6,000 employees and a combined state and federal budget of $2.8 billion. She previously directed New Jersey’s COVID-19 contact tracing and testing programs during the pandemic.
Anderson-Thomas continues as the department’s chief operating officer, overseeing human resources, fiscal services, information technology, workforce development and facility management. She previously helped establish the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission and led the state’s COVID-19 testing program.
Jenkins will continue serving as chief counsel, overseeing the Office of Legal and Regulatory Compliance and serving as the department’s legal liaison with the Office of the Attorney General.
Washington began serving as acting health commissioner on Jan. 20, was confirmed by the New Jersey Senate on March 23 and was sworn in as commissioner by Gov. Mikie Sherrill on June 1.
