Aaron F. Hajart has been appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Medical Center, effective January 1, 2026. The announcement was made by RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest academic health system. Hajart currently serves as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the 592-bed teaching hospital and will succeed Patrick Ahearn after his more than 25 years of service.
In his upcoming role, Hajart will oversee the continued development and operations of Community Medical Center (CMC), aiming to provide high-quality care for Ocean County residents and neighboring areas.
Bill Arnold, Executive Vice President and President of the Southern Region at RWJBarnabas Health, said: “Aaron is a respected leader with a deep understanding of hospital operations, care delivery, and our commitment to the patients we serve. His proven ability to work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and care teams to strengthen performance and keep patients at the center of every decision will help CMC continue to transform healthcare in Ocean County.”
Community Medical Center recently received recognition as a High-Performing Hospital on U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 list for Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. It also earned an “A” grade in The Leapfrog Group Fall 2025 Hospital Safety Grades.
Hajart joined RWJBarnabas Health in 2022 as Senior Vice President for Service Line and Practice Integration in the Southern Region before becoming COO in 2023. In this capacity, he worked on improving communication within the hospital, reducing readmission rates, expanding key services such as gastroenterology, oncology, maternal care, and advancing recruitment efforts for physicians. A search is planned to fill his current position once he transitions to CEO.
Before joining RWJBarnabas Health, Hajart was COO at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus. He holds a Master’s degree from Amberton University and a Bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University. He became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives in 2021.
“I am honored to lead Community Medical Center and to work alongside our dedicated physicians, nurses, and staff,” said Hajart. “Together, we will continue to strengthen access to care, enhance the patient experience, and serve our community with excellence.”
RWJBarnabas Health serves over five million people each year across New Jersey through its network of hospitals and affiliated physicians operating at more than 700 locations statewide. The system collaborates with Rutgers University—including its cancer institute—and provides programs addressing social determinants such as food insecurity and housing needs while being one of New Jersey’s largest private employers with more than 45,000 employees.
Community Medical Center offers advanced medical services including robotic-assisted surgery platforms like da Vinci Xi for various procedures as well as specialized cancer treatment options through partnerships with organizations such as Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.
For additional information about Community Medical Center or RWJBarnabas Health visit their official websites.
