NEWS
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Recognizes 2025 Healthcare Champions at Annual Gala
May 22, 2025
New Brunswick, N.J. – May 22, 2025 – Saint Peter’s Healthcare System celebrated its community partners and physicians whose dedication to the hospital, its patients, and the community at large was recognized at its annual gala held on Thursday, May 8, at The Palace at Somerset. Three people were honored, one with The Bishop’s Award, which recognizes a member of the community, and two with the Physician’s Appreciation Award, which acknowledges physicians. The Bishop’s Award is bestowed upon the honoree by The Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, sponsor of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System.
This year’s honorees are:
2025 Bishop’s Award
Judith T. Caruso, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
President, Caruso Consulting
Physician Appreciation Award
Maureen Cernadas, MD, FACOG
Senior Physician and Managing Partner, Brunswick-Hills OB/GYN, Axia Women’s Health
Past President, Medical Staff, Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Siva P. Jonna, MD
Chair, Department of Pediatrics, and Physician-in-chief
The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Judith Caruso is an accomplished nursing professional whose dynamic career spans clinical practice, education, leadership, and consulting. In 1978, she became one of New Jersey’s first perinatal clinical nurse specialists at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, establishing a role that was only emerging in health care at that time. Over the following four decades, Caruso has led transformative initiatives in staffing, quality improvement, and performance enhancement, helping healthcare organizations navigate complex challenges. She practices the principle of being “a constant learner and mentor” by helping others grow.
As a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System’s Board of Governors, specifically as Chair of the Board’s Quality and Safety Committee, Caruso has significantly contributed to the organization's high standards of care to provide individuals with exceptional experience. She has generously supported a wide range of initiatives at Saint Peter’s, including the renovation of the Emergency Department, the Simulation Center for Interprofessional Learning, and the Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center. Her volunteer efforts with the Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey have helped to improve healthy work environments for nurses and share research findings to inform the profession, especially at Saint Peter’s. As an avid golfer, Caruso is also a friendly face on the greens at many Saint Peter’s golf outings.
As the first in her family to attend college, Caruso’s dedication to nursing education is also evident through the scholarship established in her family's name at Rutgers School of Nursing, where she completed her studies.
Maureen Cernadas, MD, FACOG, currently serves as senior physician and managing partner at Brunswick Hills OB/GYN. Dr. Cernadas played a key role in establishing the robotic surgery program at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, where she has been a valued member of the medical staff for almost 30 years. She serves on numerous hospital committees, including the Ethics, Surgical, Robotic Surgery Quality Assurance, and By-Laws Committees, and served as president of the Saint Peter’s University Hospital Medical Staff for the 2023-2025 term.
As a first-generation college student, Dr. Cernadas’ commitment to mentorship and global health led her to participate in medical mission trips to Guatemala through Saint Peter’s. She takes pride in teaching and training future generations of medical professionals. She holds professional memberships with the American Medical Association, the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and the American Association of the Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Dr. Cernadas is a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Guided by the principle, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Dr. Cernadas is dedicated to easing patient fears and delivering high-quality care.
Siva P. Jonna, MD, grew up in India, where his father inspired him to pursue a career in medicine with the wisdom that, “as a doctor, you can help society, and that itself will take care of you.” He has served as the chief of the Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital since 1998. In 2023, he was appointed interim chair of the Department of Pediatrics while maintaining his role as chief of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. In March 2025, Dr. Jonna was appointed chair of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief of The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital.
Among his greatest professional achievements was transforming the Pediatric Extended Care Unit (PECU) into a full Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Saint Peter’s, which under his leadership has gained a distinguished reputation for helping critically ill children throughout the state and has been recognized with multiple Beacon Awards for nursing excellence and patient care.
Dr. Jonna’s commitment to community service includes conducting free church clinics in Arlington, Jamaica, establishing a scholarship for children of sugar industry workers who could not afford a high school education, and participating in medical mission trips to Guatemala through Saint Peter’s. As a physician, Dr. Jonna values “a smile, joy, and the expression of gratitude exhibited by families when their dear ones are leaving the hospital in better condition than when they came in.”
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System President and CEO Leslie D. Hirsch, FACHE, said, “It’s always so gratifying to attend the annual gala. Once again, it was challenging to select only three honorees, as Saint Peter’s has so many dedicated individuals who are worthy of recognition. Those honored this year have consistently demonstrated their devotion to Saint Peter’s Catholic mission while also mentoring others in their designated fields.”
All proceeds from Saint Peter’s Gala will directly benefit Saint Peter’s University Hospital. For more information, please visit saintpetershcs.com/foundation.
About Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Inc., parent company of the Saint Peter’s healthcare delivery system, is
comprised of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital and state-
designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center that includes a nationally renowned Level IV
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Saint Peter’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital; Saint Peter’s
Health and Management Services Corporation; the CARES Surgicenter; and Saint Peter’s Physician
Associates, a network of primary and specialty care physician practices. Saint Peter’s is a regional
specialist in cancer care, diabetes, genetics, geriatrics, head and neck surgery, and pediatric surgery,
and is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
Saint Peter’s is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen and is a major clinical affiliate of
Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences. Visit saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600.
This year’s honorees are:
2025 Bishop’s Award
Judith T. Caruso, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
President, Caruso Consulting
Physician Appreciation Award
Maureen Cernadas, MD, FACOG
Senior Physician and Managing Partner, Brunswick-Hills OB/GYN, Axia Women’s Health
Past President, Medical Staff, Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Siva P. Jonna, MD
Chair, Department of Pediatrics, and Physician-in-chief
The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Judith Caruso is an accomplished nursing professional whose dynamic career spans clinical practice, education, leadership, and consulting. In 1978, she became one of New Jersey’s first perinatal clinical nurse specialists at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, establishing a role that was only emerging in health care at that time. Over the following four decades, Caruso has led transformative initiatives in staffing, quality improvement, and performance enhancement, helping healthcare organizations navigate complex challenges. She practices the principle of being “a constant learner and mentor” by helping others grow.
As a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System’s Board of Governors, specifically as Chair of the Board’s Quality and Safety Committee, Caruso has significantly contributed to the organization's high standards of care to provide individuals with exceptional experience. She has generously supported a wide range of initiatives at Saint Peter’s, including the renovation of the Emergency Department, the Simulation Center for Interprofessional Learning, and the Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center. Her volunteer efforts with the Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey have helped to improve healthy work environments for nurses and share research findings to inform the profession, especially at Saint Peter’s. As an avid golfer, Caruso is also a friendly face on the greens at many Saint Peter’s golf outings.
As the first in her family to attend college, Caruso’s dedication to nursing education is also evident through the scholarship established in her family's name at Rutgers School of Nursing, where she completed her studies.
Maureen Cernadas, MD, FACOG, currently serves as senior physician and managing partner at Brunswick Hills OB/GYN. Dr. Cernadas played a key role in establishing the robotic surgery program at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, where she has been a valued member of the medical staff for almost 30 years. She serves on numerous hospital committees, including the Ethics, Surgical, Robotic Surgery Quality Assurance, and By-Laws Committees, and served as president of the Saint Peter’s University Hospital Medical Staff for the 2023-2025 term.
As a first-generation college student, Dr. Cernadas’ commitment to mentorship and global health led her to participate in medical mission trips to Guatemala through Saint Peter’s. She takes pride in teaching and training future generations of medical professionals. She holds professional memberships with the American Medical Association, the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and the American Association of the Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Dr. Cernadas is a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Guided by the principle, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Dr. Cernadas is dedicated to easing patient fears and delivering high-quality care.
Siva P. Jonna, MD, grew up in India, where his father inspired him to pursue a career in medicine with the wisdom that, “as a doctor, you can help society, and that itself will take care of you.” He has served as the chief of the Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital since 1998. In 2023, he was appointed interim chair of the Department of Pediatrics while maintaining his role as chief of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. In March 2025, Dr. Jonna was appointed chair of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief of The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital.
Among his greatest professional achievements was transforming the Pediatric Extended Care Unit (PECU) into a full Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Saint Peter’s, which under his leadership has gained a distinguished reputation for helping critically ill children throughout the state and has been recognized with multiple Beacon Awards for nursing excellence and patient care.
Dr. Jonna’s commitment to community service includes conducting free church clinics in Arlington, Jamaica, establishing a scholarship for children of sugar industry workers who could not afford a high school education, and participating in medical mission trips to Guatemala through Saint Peter’s. As a physician, Dr. Jonna values “a smile, joy, and the expression of gratitude exhibited by families when their dear ones are leaving the hospital in better condition than when they came in.”
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System President and CEO Leslie D. Hirsch, FACHE, said, “It’s always so gratifying to attend the annual gala. Once again, it was challenging to select only three honorees, as Saint Peter’s has so many dedicated individuals who are worthy of recognition. Those honored this year have consistently demonstrated their devotion to Saint Peter’s Catholic mission while also mentoring others in their designated fields.”
All proceeds from Saint Peter’s Gala will directly benefit Saint Peter’s University Hospital. For more information, please visit saintpetershcs.com/foundation.
About Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Inc., parent company of the Saint Peter’s healthcare delivery system, is
comprised of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital and state-
designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center that includes a nationally renowned Level IV
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Saint Peter’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital; Saint Peter’s
Health and Management Services Corporation; the CARES Surgicenter; and Saint Peter’s Physician
Associates, a network of primary and specialty care physician practices. Saint Peter’s is a regional
specialist in cancer care, diabetes, genetics, geriatrics, head and neck surgery, and pediatric surgery,
and is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
Saint Peter’s is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen and is a major clinical affiliate of
Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences. Visit saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600.