ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville officially has its first Latino member of its Board of Trustees, a Newark resident and former state assemblyman, administrators announced Tuesday.

Wilfredo Caraballo, a public advocate, attorney and former state assemblyman will serve a two-year term on the Belleville hospital's governing board. Caraballo and his wife Belinda live in Newark, the hospital stated. "This is a historic, major step forward for our institution and for the Latino community that receives care at Clara Maass" said Thomas Ortiz, medical director of the hospital's Center of Excellence for Latino Health.

"It is quite an honor to serve, and I look forward to helping to move the mission of Clara Maass forward" Caraballo said. According to a news release from Clara Maass:

"In 1995, Caraballo was elected to New Jersey General Assembly representing the 29th Legislative District. Throughout his tenure, which ended in 2007, he served in many leadership roles that included Speaker Pro Tempore, Parliamentarian, Chairman of the Utilities and Telecommunications Committee and the Regulated Professions and Independent Authorities Committee. He also co-chaired the New Jersey Legislative Task Force on Higher Education and was the Vice Chairman of the Transportation and State Ethics Committee. "Currently a practicing attorney at the law firm of Gaccione, Pomaco P.C. in Belleville, Caraballo received an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from St. Joseph's College and a Juris Doctorate from New York University. In 1986, he was a Distinguished Visiting Professor at New York University School of Law, and at Seton Hall Law School, Caraballo was a Professor of Law and Associate Dean from 1975 until 2016.

"As Public Advocate for the State of New Jersey from 1990 to 1992, Caraballo managed five government divisions entrusted with representing the public before the Board of Public Utilities, issues affecting the developmentally disabled and those affected by mental health issues, as well as general advocacy on behalf of the citizens of the state. He also served as a Public Defender, and helped to ensure that services provided by the Public Defender's Office were consistent with statutory mandates.

"Caraballo is a member of the Board of Trustees of Robert Treat Academy Charter School and he was also appointed as a member of the Newark Public School's Advisory Board in 2005; he was also elected in 1987 to the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education. He is a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association."