New Brunswick, N.J., April 28, 2025 --- After a national search, RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, have appointed H. John Pounardjian, MBA as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Deputy Director for Administration and Planning. Pounardjian will take over for Linda Tanzer who will be retiring after 30 years in the position.
As Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Deputy Director for Administration and Planning, Pounardjian will serve as a member of Rutgers Cancer Institute’s executive leadership team and the senior leader for administration, planning and finance. He will provide strategic guidance and direction regarding the optimization and development of entrepreneurial opportunities as well as administrative and operational efficiencies across all mission elements including the clinical, research, education, and outreach enterprises.
“John’s exceptional expertise in administration and finance within an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center will enhance our leadership team as we prepare to open New Jersey’s only freestanding cancer hospital, the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center,” said Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS, William N. Hait Director of Rutgers Cancer Institute and Senior Vice President, Oncology Services, RWJBarnabas Health. “We are extremely grateful to Linda Tanzer for her many years of service to Rutgers Cancer Institute and her leadership in building the foundation of one of the country’s leading NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.”
Pounardjian joins Rutgers Cancer Institute from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio where he most recently served as the Associate Vice President and Associate Director for Administration of the Case NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is a nationally recognized expert on cancer center administration, sitting on multiple External Advisory Boards at prominent NCI-designated Cancer Centers throughout the country and serving as an ad-hoc administrative reviewer for NIH/NCI Cancer Center Support Grant site visit review panels.
“I am thrilled to come to the east coast to join Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health during a transformative time in its history,” stated H. John Pounardjian. “From my first visit, I was impressed with the team Dr. Libutti has built and look forward to working together to change the face of cancer care and research in New Jersey and beyond.”
H. John Pounardjian, MBA will begin his tenure as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Deputy Director for Administration and Planning at Rutgers Cancer Institute on June 1, 2025.
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About Rutgers Cancer Institute
As New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute, together with RWJBarnabas Health, provides patients access to the most advanced cancer treatment options including clinical trials close to home at our facilities throughout the state. Our groundbreaking cancer research is the engine that drives access to the most advanced cancer treatments, where our discoveries become your care. This will be enhanced with the opening of the state’s first freestanding cancer hospital, the Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, in 2025. To make a tax-deductible gift to support cancer research and care please visit transformingcancertogether.org.
ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its diverse communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate and equitable manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 43,000 employees, contributing more than $5.5 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org