Long-Time CarePlus NJ CEO to Retire, Successor Announced

CarePlus NJ, a provider of integrated primary and behavioral health services for adults and children, announced that its board of trustees has selected Brigitte Johnson as its next president and CEO, effective January 2, 2023.

Johnson will succeed the retiring Joe Masciandaro, who founded the organization in 1978.

Johnson joined CarePlus NJ in 1998 as a director. In 2001, she was elevated to the role of vice president, then senior vice president in 2016, before becoming executive senior vice president of corporate affairs in 2019. In her various roles, Johnson has provided oversight and input on operational decisions involving legal, financial, budgetary, employee relations, expansion, development, and compliance. She also manages the organization’s legal affairs as in-house counsel.

For the past 14 years, Johnson has also served as lead counsel on the legal formation of 3 not-for-profit subsidiaries of CarePlus NJ—the CarePlus Foundation, CarePlus Workforce Solutions, and Paradigm Therapeutic Day School. She also served as lead counsel in the formation of the separate 501(c)(3) Care Plus Bergen for its bid and contract negotiation to manage the former Bergen Regional Medical Center, which now operates as Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.

Johnson also serves as executive director of Care Plus Workforce Solutions, which provides employment and training opportunities for disabled and economically disadvantaged individuals.

“Throughout her tenure with our organization, Brigitte has distinguished herself as a leader excelling in a variety of roles and demonstrated her relentless passion and ability to provide strategic counsel in complex situations,” Masciandaro said in a news release announcing the transition. “With her guidance, we have been able to enhance and expand our delivery of mental health and addiction treatment services and emerge from the pandemic even stronger.

“I am pleased with the board’s selection and more than confident that Brigitte will carry on CarePlus NJ’s mission and continue to expand upon the breadth and depth of comprehensive services we offer while remaining true to our roots as a community provider.”

In 4 decades at the helm of CarePlus NJ, Masciandaro has guided the organization with an emphasis on 4 pillars of behavioral healthcare: primary care, mental healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, and access to social support services. Under his leadership, the organization has developed several treatment models that support an integrated approach to care. Masciandaro helped CarePlus achieve several notable designations, such as Community Mental Health Center, SAMHSA Primary Behavioral Health Care Integration, Joint Commission Behavioral Health Home certification, and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.

“For 45 years, Joe has been a tireless mental health advocate, a political force, and an exceptional leader,” CarePlus NJ Board of Trustees Chair Jeremy Piccini said in the release. “The values he instilled when founding CarePlus NJ in 1978 will continue to guide the organization for decades to come. We will always be grateful to Joe for serving as a compassionate leader and a true pioneer in integrated behavioral healthcare, continually finding innovative ways to ensure the most vulnerable populations receive the critical mental healthcare and support services they need.”

Reference

CarePlus NJ announces next generation of leadership. News release. CarePlus NJ. November 29, 2022. Accessed November 29, 2022.