The Atlantic Health System announced Saad Ehtisham as its new president and chief executive officer, effective July 30.

Ehtisham currently serves as senior vice president and president of Acute Care Operations for Novant Health, a network of 19 hospitals and 900 sites across North Carolina and South Carolina.

One of New Jersey’s largest healthcare networks — and Morris County’s largest employer — has recruited its new chief executive officer from an even larger organization in the Carolinas.

The Atlantic Health System on Friday announced Saad Ehtisham as its new president and chief executive officer, effective Wednesday, July 30. He will replace current Atlantic Health president and CEO Brian Gragnolati, who oversaw strategic expansion while coping with the COVID pandemic during his 10 years at the helm.

Described in the announcement as “a distinguished leader who has guided and transformed health care organizations for more than two decades,” Ehtisham currently serves as senior vice president and president of Acute Care Operations for Novant Health, a network of 19 hospitals and 900 sites across North Carolina and South Carolina.

“Patients and families across our region deserve the very best care — cutting-edge treatments and therapies that are as accessible, affordable and convenient as they are healing,” Atlantic Health System Board Chair Laura Ann Kelly stated in the announcement. “After a comprehensive national search, we are delighted to welcome Saad to our broad community and grateful that his thoughtful, seasoned leadership will now guide our talented team.”

Headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Novant Health saw more than 7 million patient visits annually. With a $10 billion portfolio, Novant employs about 41,000 employees, including more than 8,600 independent and employed clinicians.

By contrast, industry reports list Atlantic Health as the third-largest healthcare system in New Jersey, with nearly $3.5 billion in patient revenues and a workforce of 21,000, including more than 6,800 affiliated physicians.

The not-for-profit system offers more than 550 sites of care, including eight hospitals: Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, Newton Medical Center in Newton, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, and CentraState Medical Center in Freehold.

The new CEO’s first priority may be addressing a nearly $1 billion expansion proposal that was announced last year but then scaled back in the spring after some negative feedback from the surrounding community.

Ehtisham’s expertise is in not-for-profit and for-profit health care organizations, encompassing acute care operations, strategic planning and market growth, physician engagement, nursing, graduate medical education, financial performance, and philanthropy.

He earned a Doctor of Health Administration degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration, Master of Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Baylor University.

“I am honored and deeply grateful to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead a renowned health system that is setting standards for health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the New York metropolitan area,” Ehtisham stated.

Gragnolati will transition to the role of Board Advisor for Atlantic Health System. He succeeded Dr. David Shulkin, who left in 2015 when President Obama nominated him to be the new Under Secretary for Health, Department of Veterans Affairs.

Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty, reacting to the announcement, said “I extend my deepest gratitude to Brian Gragnolati for his extraordinary leadership and service. Brian has been a transformative figure not just for Atlantic Health, but for the entire region.”

Kelly also expressed gratitude for Gragnolati, describing him as Atlantic Health’s “north star,” and praising his “commitment to a seamless leadership transition that prioritized patient care and the well-being of our team.”