Through the leadership of President and CEO James Gonzalez, MPH, FACHE, LNHA, Broadway House has evolved into a facility that provides world class care to people with complex medical needs, including HIV/AIDS. Here, Jim reflects on his remarkable career.
Are you really retiring?
Yes and no. My overall plan is to spend more time with family and friends, enjoy boating on the Jersey Shore, and travel.
However, my success in life is a tribute to the many individuals who invested in and supported me throughout my career, and I feel compelled to continue that journey for others. So, I will continue to participate as a member of the admissions committee of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and will soon be joining its faculty as an instructor in healthcare administration. In addition, I will continue to serve as Chairman of the St. James Health Center located in the Ironbound section of Newark, and I’ve also recently joined the Board of Trustees for the VNA Health Group, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit independent providers of home health, hospice, and community-based care serving New Jersey and northeast Ohio.
In the Star Trek television and movie series, Mr. Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) famously said, “Live long and prosper.” Words for me, as well as others, to live by.
What’s your biggest career accomplishment?
I’ve spent 40 years working in healthcare—with 25 years as President and CEO of Broadway House. Much of my career has been in urban areas, especially here in Newark at Broadway House and also as President and CEO of University Hospital for four years. Many Broadway House residents require highly specialized and complex care that transcends traditional healthcare. So early on, I recognized the importance of connecting with and assisting a myriad of agencies and community groups that we could partner with in positive ways to provide the breadth of support our residents require to heal and live healthy lives in the community. Thanks to these partnerships, Broadway House is now nationally recognized for providing a continuum of care that truly changes lives.
Of course, none of that happens without a highly effective and dedicated in-house team. Building a solid team of individuals to help support my objectives in making the organization a great success has always been a top priority. At no time was this more important than during the COVID-19 pandemic. The success of the amazing clinical and support team members at Broadway House who stepped up to the plate and dedicated themselves during this difficult time to ensure the safety of our residents— and of each other—was inspiring and saved many lives.
Broadway House has faced many challenges.
We have had some challenging times over the past 25 years. When I look back, I’m proud that together we maintained and sustained the organization and day-to-day operations, while remaining positive and resilient to overcome obstacles. I’ve tried to remain humble and focus on partnering with team members and the Board for the value and expertise they bring to the table.
Ultimately, it’s all about Broadway House residents. Witnessing the lives that this organization has saved since 1995 has been remarkable. Individuals often come to us at death’s door, weak, malnourished, and in poor health. Many were written off by other healthcare practitioners. Through the caring and commitment of the Broadway House team, many of these people were able to improve their health status and return to the community.
Any words of wisdom for Broadway House staff?
Continue to believe in the mission of the organization. Sustain the compassion and strength it takes to work with our residents who challenge us every day. Continue to excel in your talents and skills as caregivers. And above all, believe in giving back, doing the right thing, and caring for others who cannot care for themselves.
Parting thoughts?
I retire with the knowledge that Broadway House is in good hands. Over the past five years, Donnamarie Lynch has brought passion and commitment to her role as Director of Human Resources, followed by her promotion to Chief Operating Officer. She is driven by her focus on operations and the need to support and encourage our staff members to be the best they can be. Connecting with community partners, agencies, and educational systems to enhance the level of service we provide is a strong suit for Donnamarie. Her outstanding management skills and attention to detail helped Broadway House through the pandemic, and will be vital to the continued success of the organization.
