Appointed as the first maternal and child health cabinet member in the U.S. Governor Murphy’s cabinet
trenton – Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy today announced the appointment of Lisa Asare as president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Innovation Authority. The announcement was made today at the first public board meeting in Trenton, which officially marked the beginning of the authority. The nation’s first Maternal and Child Health Innovation Authority (MIHIA) is tasked with overseeing the New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Innovation Center, based in Trenton, and is a government initiative that will continue the important work that fosters New Jersey in 2015 and beyond. Become a department. Murphy administration. This role marks the beginning of the country’s first ministerial-level role in supporting maternal and child health.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Asare as president and chief executive officer of the Maternal and Child Health Innovation Authority.” said Governor Murphy. “Lisa’s track record supporting the state’s mothers, infants, and families over the past 20-plus years makes her the ideal candidate to oversee the state’s progress in maternal and child health. Her work to lead the agency I am confident that will continue to move our state in the right direction for years to come.”
“We are honored to work closely with Lisa Asare, who has been instrumental in the success of our Nurture NJ initiative.” First Lady Tammy Murphy said. “The strategic plan she co-authored is guiding us in establishing New Jersey as a national model and gold standard for maternal and child health, especially as we move closer to breaking ground on the Center for Maternal and Child Health Innovation in Trenton.” I can’t think of a better person to lead our agency at this time. Our state’s mothers and babies are in Lisa’s wonderful hands, and she will ensure Nurture NJ’s important work goes beyond our administration. We guarantee that it will continue to exist.”
“Today’s Board meeting marks a major milestone in the years of work by countless partners who are dedicated to improving maternal health across the state. In New Jersey, we respect and value women and mothers. , the work of this committee serves as an expression of those values.” the first lady continued.
“I am honored to be appointed as the first Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MIHIA.” Lisa Asare, incoming president and chief executive officer, said: “It is my life’s work to provide programs that focus on the health and well-being of birthing individuals, children, and families. I am passionate about advocating for communities that face disparities and inequalities when it comes to all aspects of the foundation. Step into this role and join the momentum of many mother advocates across the state. It is an honor and a full-circle moment for me to be able to do this. I would like to thank Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the Board of Trustees for entrusting me with the opportunity to continue to serve New Jersey families in this new capacity. We are deeply grateful to our members and look forward to providing innovative approaches to birthing individuals, infants, and communities across New Jersey.”
Lisa Asare has spent more than 20 years working in various public service positions at the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services. Most recently, Asare served as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health Services, where she oversaw the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, which manages New Jersey Family Care, oversees the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and leads efforts for the Department of Human Services. Did. First Lady Tammy Murphy’s New Jersey Development Initiative. In addition, Mr. Asare supported a foundation that provides relief for children with serious illnesses.
Previously, Asare served as the assistant director of the Family Health Services Division at the Department of Health, where she oversaw the division providing public health programs and services, including maternal and child health, specialized child health, early intervention services, and WIC nutrition services. , and SNAP eds. In this role, she co-authored the First Lady Developing New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Strategic Plan, released in January 2021, to make New Jersey the safest and most equitable birth and parenting state in the nation. It served as a blueprint for baby. Today’s meeting brings us one step closer to implementing one of the more than 80 recommendations in the Strategic Plan, specifically:
- Recommendation 3.3 – Establish a center in the state capital focused on innovation and research in maternal and child health through partnership with the state’s academic, funder, business, and religious communities.
In addition to her local and state efforts, Asare currently serves as chair of the board of directors for the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP).
Asare holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in public health from Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences. She also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Rutgers School of Public Health, the President’s Award from the New Jersey Public Health Association, and her 2023 Maternal and Child Health Director of the Year Award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
In July 2023, Governor Murphy signed the New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Innovation Center Act, establishing the New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Innovation Authority. In December 2023, the Governor and First Lady announced six public commissioners and representatives from several state departments who will serve on the Authority’s Board of Directors.
- Shakira Abdul Ali, MSOD, Principal Managing Consultant/Owner, Alchemy Consulting LLC, Former Director, Trenton Department of Health and Human Services
- Rosalie Boyer, First Lady of Greater Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and Co-Founder of Salvation and Social Justice
- Dr. Damari Campbell-Oparaji, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Health, Rutgers Medical School, New Jersey, Physician, Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Dr. Barbara George Johnson, Vice President for Foreign and Urban Policy Studies, Kean University
- Andrea Martinez Mejia, Greater Newark Healthcare Coalition Executive Director
- Maritza Raimundi-Petroski, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Prevention Programs, and Community Engagement, New Jersey Children and Families Association
- Secretary Sarah Adelman, New Jersey Department of Human Services
- New Jersey Department of Health Secretary Caitlan Baston
- Dr. Brian Bridges, New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education
- Holly Rowe, Director, Office of Strategic Support and Policy, New Jersey Department of Workforce Development
- Katherine Shuter, First Deputy Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Children and Families
- Tim Sullivan, CEO, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
- Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance
- Dr. Philip Bonaparte, Physician and Senior Pastor of New Hope Church of God
The original lead sponsors of PL2023, c.109, also known as the “New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Innovation Center Act,” were Senator Shirley Turner and Representative Verlina Reynolds Jackson. The bill’s second major sponsors were Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz and Representative Shanique Speight.
“Lisa Asare’s trajectory at the Department of Health spans more than 20 years, and her accomplishments there speak volumes of her dedication and passion for advancing women’s health equity.” said Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz. “I look forward to Lisa Asare’s leadership and will do everything I can to help improve maternal health outcomes for all women in New Jersey.”
“I congratulate Lisa Asare on her leadership. I am pleased to see the Office of Maternal and Child Health Innovation move forward.” Sen. Shirley Turner said. “This is a major step towards ensuring the health and success of every mother and baby in our state. We are thrilled that our capital city will experience improvements in maternal and child health outcomes and that all regions We are proud to be a center for best practices in maternal care that gives babies a healthy start in life.”
“Lisa’s deep knowledge of maternal and child health issues, combined with her decades of experience as a public health executive, makes her the perfect person to lead the Office of Maternal and Child Health Innovation.” said Councilor Valina Reynolds-Jackson. “I am confident that under Lisa’s leadership, our agency will make great strides in dismantling the systemic barriers that exist for too many mothers and babies of color.”
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Asare as president and CEO of the newly formed authority. It helps implement innovative solutions to ensure health outcomes.” Said Rep. Shanique Speight. “With Lisa at the helm of the agency, we will continue to work with communities, government agencies and outside organizations to take bold steps to reduce health disparities.”
Click here for photos of Lisa Asare.
