RWJBarnabas Health has announced the appointment of Dr. Abraham P. Houng as chief academic officer at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC). Dr. Houng will continue to serve as medical director of The Burn Center at CBMC, a role he assumed in February 2025.
Richard L. Davis, president and chief executive officer of CBMC, stated, “Since rejoining CBMC in February 2025 as medical director of The Burn Center, Dr. Houng has continued to distinguish himself as an outstanding and respected surgeon, inspiring excellence and advancing the delivery of burn care in the region. In the additional role of chief academic officer, he will focus on initiatives that reflect our commitment to excellence in medical education, clinical training, and scholarly achievement.”
Dr. Houng commented on his new responsibilities: “I am looking forward to partnering with all of our faculty and trainees, along with our colleagues at Rutgers Medical School, as we work together to advance the academic mission of Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.” He plans to introduce new academic initiatives aimed at strengthening residency training programs, expanding educational innovation, collaborating with the Nursing Department for new educational opportunities, and enhancing research activities at the Medical Center.
Dr. Houng’s background includes specialization in burn treatment, burn surgery, and surgical critical care. Before returning to CBMC earlier this year, he was part of Weill Cornell Medical College’s Department of Surgery within the Division of Burns, Critical Care and Trauma at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. He also held positions as fellowship director and associate program director for surgery training programs there.
Previously at CBMC—then known as Saint Barnabas Medical Center—Dr. Houng served as attending surgeon and associate program director while also working with Burn Surgeons of Saint Barnabas.
His academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering from Columbia University; a master’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania; and a medical degree from Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School. He completed his general surgery residency at Saint Barnabas Medical Center followed by fellowships in burn surgery and surgical critical care at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Houng is involved with several professional organizations such as the American Burn Association, American College of Surgeons, and Society of Critical Care Medicine. He has contributed articles to peer-reviewed journals and authored book chapters.
