The Physician as Leader

As the face of medicine continues to change, this career physician and executive offers a synergistic approach to meridian health’s continuum of care

by Jessica Jones-Gorman
Photos By Amessé Photography

When Dr. Michael Lospinuso joined the orthopedic surgical team at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in 1990, his chosen specialty was on the cusp of some considerable advances.

“It was an extremely innovative era for complex spinal surgery, and there were some cutting-edge procedures just starting to develop,” Dr. Lospinuso recalled. “We worked extremely hard to establish those services here in New Jersey, with great support from this institution and this hospital, which that same year earned designation as a Level II Trauma Center. It was because of that support that we were able to take care of so many patients with serious spinal cord injuries.”

Dr. Lospinuso, who completed fellowships at the Hospital of Special Surgery and Memorial Sloan Kettering before coming to Jersey Shore, explained that he chose spinal surgery because of its intricacy.

“I never had that lifelong passion to be a surgeon,” he noted. “But I was fascinated by the meticulous detail and the challenge of working with the spine. You’re using microscopic fields, with a small margin of error, measured in millimeters, but the result produces such a tremendous thing for the patient.”

As his discipline gained importance during the early 1990s, Dr. Lospinuso built his practice. The Orthopaedic Spine Institute now has offices in Red Bank, Wall, Toms River, Freehold, and Manahawkin. He has also earned the role of Chief of Spinal Surgery at Jersey Shore Medical Center. “I’m proud of the legacy that we’ve built at this institution,” he said. “More and more services gravitated here and we’ve been able to provide the residents of New Jersey with amazing spinal care.”

And as the field of orthopedic surgery grew and changed, so did Lospinuso’s role with the hospital system he served. In 1995, he became vice chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Chief of Subsection Spine Surgery in 1996. He joined the Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Foundation Board and served on the Operating Room, Peer Review, and Medical Executive Committees. He also served as treasurer, vice president, and then president of the hospital’s medical and dental staff.

When Jersey Shore University Medical Center merged with Riverview and Ocean Medical Centers in 1997 to create Meridian Health, Lospinuso was named to its Corporate Foundation Board and later served on the Corporate Finance Committee, Professional Corporate Care Committee, Meridian Hospital’s Board of Trustees, and the Meridian Corporate Board of Trustees. In June of 2016, when Meridian merged with Hackensack University Health Network, he was named to the Hackensack Meridian Corporate Board of Trustees.

“The multiple leadership roles I’ve played over the years speaks volumes about the changing face of the physician in today’s heath care climate,” said Lospinuso. “The intent of Hackensack Meridian Health is to blend the clinical side of hospitals with the business side, and that is where many of my administrative services rest,” adding that he views this new era of physician as leader as the ultimate combination of all of his medical training and clinical experience.

“I’ve been honored to work in the operating room for so many years taking care of one patient at a time,” Lospinuso said. “Now, in this leadership role, I am able to care for patients at the clinical level as well as the system level. Here, the leadership decisions I’m making have the ability to change the lives of many, not just one.” And with rapid changes currently happening in the health industry, he sees even greater value in that leadership role.

“In this new climate, our healthcare networks have become more narrow,” Lospinuso said. “And you have people in a corporate boardroom deciding what course of treatment is best and most cost efficient for a patient. But I’ve lived the life of a physician and surgeon for 30 years and I understand the particular needs of doctors and patients. When we talk about the cost of equipment or tests, it’s easy to dismiss something as too expensive and unnecessary, but having a practicing doctor in the room changes that perspective. I often use my clinical expertise to stress the importance of quality care. I honestly view that as my most important role.”

Dr. Lospinuso also maintains a focus on training future healthcare providers.

“Future generations of physicians and providers will be delivering healthcare in a completely different way than we are today,” he said. “And my role within Hackensack Meridian can help ferry that process. We are currently in the midst of developing Seton Hall Medical School with

“When we talk about the cost of equipment or tests, it’s easy to dismiss something as too expensive and unnecessary, but having a practicing doctor in the room changes the perspective. I use my clinical expertise to stress the importance of quality care. I view that as my most important role.”

our first class slated to enter in 2018. It’s unique, because entry-level students will be a mix of prospective doctors, nurses, and technicians. It’s fashioned with a true team approach, because that is how we’ll be delivering care in the future.”

The hospital system is also focused on continuing to provide a continuum of care across all of its hospital campuses and tertiary centers.

“We have it all here; New Jersey patients do not need to travel outside of the state to receive the best,” Lospinuso said. “And there is such unbelievable drive within this institution to offer the highest level of excellence to each and every patient who walks through the door.”

“My transition from clinical to leadership has been a great ride,” Dr. Lospinuso concluded. “I’ve had great experiences taking care of patients and offering different complex procedures, which I still continue to offer today. Every one of those cases and challenges molded me to move forward in this leadership role. I love what I do because I am able to make a difference.”