Newark, N.J.-based University Hospital named Judith Persichilli, BSN, RN, acting president and CEO Dec. 13.
Ms. Persichilli will succeed outgoing CEO John Kastanis, whose resignation will take effect Dec. 14. Mr. Kastanis' departure comes after three infants died during a bacterial outbreak in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, which started in October.
The hospital's board of directors said Ms. Persichilli will focus immediate efforts on ongoing patient safety and care quality initiatives, along with regulatory requirements, employee safety and employee engagement.
"Over the last several months, we have worked alongside Judy as she prepared her report for charting a new path at University Hospital. During that time, it became clear that she is the optimal leader to begin implementing these recommendations," University Hospital Board Chair Tanya Freeman said in a press release.