NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Two men have been tapped to take the reins from the recently departed president and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s New Brunswick and Somerset campuses, according to the medical group.

Michael Antoniades, who took the helm last spring, recently resigned from RWJ-Barnabas Health. A media representative for the company, Alex Bagasevich, said officials declined to offer further detail.

John Gantner, a 14-year veteran of the hospital, will take over as president and CEO of the New Brunswick hospital, according to a press release. He most recently served as executive vice president and chief integration officer, a role in which he was responsible for smoothing the merger of Robert Wood Johnson and Barnabas.

Sign Up for New Brunswick Newsletter Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. You have successfully signed up for the TAPinto New Brunswick Newsletter.

“John is an exceptional leader with over 25 years of executive leadership positions in health care finance and operations,” Barry H. Ostrowsky, president and CEO for RWJ-Barnabas Health, said in a statement. “His significant experience within health systems and previous 14-year experience at RWJUH, along with is extensive knowledge of New Jersey, make him well suited to this dynamic and innovative role.”

Gantner returned to the company earlier this year, after serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer for BayCare Health System. The $3.8 billion healthcare system consists of 12 hospitals in southwest Florida, according to the announcement.

He also was an executive vice president for Meridian Health System. Prior to that, Gantner worked for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, “major” financial services and consulting firms, making partner at Ernst & Young, according to the press release.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the physicians and staff to lead our system’s nationally distinguished academic medical center to unsurpassed quality and patient outcomes,” he said in a statement.

Gantner earned his undergraduate degree from Lehigh University and a graduate degree from the institution’s business school. The South Seaside Park resident is a certified public accountant, a managerial accountant and a member of “several professional organizations,” according to the announcement.





He has also served on several boards.

At the Somerset branch, meanwhile, Anthony Cava is poised to become president. The Boonton Township resident came to work for the hospital in 2015 as chief administrative officer.

He has worked in health care administration for more than 30 years, according to the hospital.

Antoniades, the former hospital president and CEO, oversaw both campuses, in New Brunswick and Somerset. It’s unclear why Robert Wood Johnson decided to split that set of responsibilities among the two new presidents.

Antoniades couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.