May 15, 2025- Hackensack Meridian Health announced a new leadership structure upon the planned retirement of Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mark Stauder, effective July 2, 2025. Stauder will transition to an advisory role before fully retiring later in the year.
Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, a 30-year veteran of HMH, will succeed Stauder as COO, effective July 2, 2025. Sparta’s experience within the network, including his leadership as President of the Northern Market and President & Chief Hospital Executive of Hackensack University Medical Center, positions him to transition into the role seamlessly. As COO, Sparta will lead the operational and management functions for our acute care hospitals, children’s and specialty hospitals, patient care services, clinical Joint Ventures, ambulatory services, facilities and construction, real estate, and network-wide clinical services and service lines. He will also assume the role of president of the HMH Hospitals Corporation and Hackensack Meridian Ambulatory Care Boards.
Sparta began his career at HMH as a staff physical therapist and has steadily progressed through various leadership roles. His accomplishments include spearheading the development of the Helena Theurer Pavilion at Hackensack University Medical Center and expanding ambulatory and urgent care services in the northern region.
To further optimize operations and enhance collaboration, HMH has eliminated the Regional President role and created two new positions: President, Acute Care Hospital Division, and President, Specialty Hospitals and Clinical Services.