Jim Andrews Appointed as President and CEO of Deborah Heart and Lung Center

Browns Mills, New Jersey — Deborah Heart and Lung Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Andrews, MHL, as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 9, 2024. Andrews brings over two decades of experience in healthcare leadership, with a proven track record of driving strategic growth, enhancing patient care, and fostering innovation.

Andrews succeeds Joseph Chirichella, who led Deborah Heart and Lung Center with distinction for many years. Mr. Chirichella will assume the role of President Emeritus.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jim to the Deborah family,” said Barbara George Johnson, Chair, Board of Trustees at Deborah Heart and Lung Center. “Jim is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of healthcare and a commitment to patient-centered care. We are confident that under his leadership, Deborah will continue to build on its legacy of excellence.”

Andrews joins Deborah from RWJBarnabas Health, where he served as Senior Vice President for Heart & Vascular and Neuroscience Service Lines. His leadership has been marked by achievements in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and service line integration.

“I am honored and excited to join Deborah Heart and Lung Center as its next President and CEO,” said Andrews. “Deborah has a storied history of excellence in cardiovascular and pulmonary care, and I am committed to leading this incredible institution into its next chapter of growth and innovation. I look forward to working with the talented team at Deborah to continue delivering exceptional care to our patients and community.”

Andrews holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership from Brown University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management & Information Systems from Babson College. His expertise and contributions to the healthcare industry have earned him recognition, including election to the Vizient® Cardiovascular Service Line Strategic Network and appointments to several industry boards.

About Deborah Heart and Lung Center

Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, New Jersey is a teaching hospital in the prevention, diagnosis, research and treatment of heart, lung and vascular diseases. Founded in 1922, Deborah has treated more than 2.3 million hearts from every corner of the United States and 87 countries. From performing the first adult and pediatric open-heart surgeries in New Jersey, to one of the highest-volume left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant programs in the nation, Deborah is consistently recognized as a leader overall and in patient care from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  It is ranked among the top hospitals in New Jersey for patient satisfaction; holds a top-tier Society of Thoracic Surgeons rating which places Deborah among the best cardiac surgery programs in North America; and is rated High Performing in five specialties, Heart Attack, Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure, COPD and TAVR by U.S. News & World Report. Deborah is an Alliance member of the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute.