AtlantiCare adds three trustees to board amid expansion
AtlantiCare appointed three new trustees including healthcare finance executive Claire Zangerle and emergency medicine physician Dr. Brian Parker to fill board vacancies.
The appointments include Claire M. Zangerle, a healthcare finance executive with 25 years of experience; Daniel Farrell, former CEO of Cape May County utility operations; and Dr. Brian M. Parker, a practicing physician specializing in emergency medicine.
Zangerle brings extensive knowledge of healthcare financial management from her tenure at several mid-Atlantic health systems. Her appointment comes as AtlantiCare faces ongoing pressure to manage costs while expanding services across Atlantic and Cape May counties.
“These appointments strengthen our governance structure at a critical time for our organization,” said AtlantiCare CEO Lori Herndon in a statement. The health system operates facilities from Egg Harbor Township to Cape May Court House.
Farrell’s utility background offers a different perspective on infrastructure management, which could prove valuable as AtlantiCare evaluates facility upgrades and energy costs across its network. The system operates two main hospitals plus numerous outpatient centers throughout the region.
Dr. Parker’s clinical experience in emergency medicine aligns with AtlantiCare’s focus on acute care services. Emergency departments have become increasingly important revenue centers for health systems, particularly in markets like South Jersey where seasonal population swings affect patient volumes.
The trustee appointments reflect broader changes in healthcare governance as systems seek diverse expertise to address complex financial and operational challenges. AtlantiCare competes with Philadelphia-area health systems that have expanded into South Jersey, including Jefferson Health and Penn Medicine.
Board composition has drawn increased scrutiny from regulators and community groups, particularly for nonprofit health systems that receive tax exemptions. AtlantiCare’s tax-exempt status requires it to demonstrate community benefit through charity care and other programs.
The health system did not specify the terms of the appointments or whether additional board changes are planned. AtlantiCare’s board typically includes 15 to 18 members representing medical staff, community leaders, and business executives from the region it serves.
