Kenneth M. Morris, Jr., Named Vice President of External Affairs

St. Joseph’s Health has announced the appointment of Kenneth M. Morris, Jr.,  MHA, MA, as Vice President for External Affairs at the multi-hospital academic healthcare organization based in Paterson, New Jersey.

“I am pleased to welcome Ken Morris to his new position as Vice President for External Affairs,” said Kevin J. Slavin, President and Chief Executive Officer, St. Joseph’s Health. “With his broad background in governmental affairs, public affairs and marketing, coupled with nearly 40 years of service at St. Joseph’s, Ken is uniquely qualified to be the first Vice President of External Affairs in the history of our organization,” added Mr. Slavin. In his new role, Mr. Morris will oversee Government Relations, Real Estate, Marketing, Public Relations and Community Relations.

Since 2003, Mr. Morris served as Director of Government Affairs for St. Joseph’s with focuses on government relations, public policy, community development and removing barriers to health care access for the underserved. Prior he served as Director of the Department of Urban and Community Affairs, as well as Supervisor of Medical and Graphic Arts and Photography.

Involved in civic activities across the county and state, Mr. Morris is a Councilman-At-Large, City of Paterson, an elected position held through consecutive elections since 2002. He currently chairs the Community Development Committee and the Finance Committee, having previously served three consecutive years as Council President.

In addition, Mr. Morris is President of the Board of Directors of the Ethel J. Williams Scholarship Fund and Home Care Options, Inc., Past Board Chair of the Paterson Education Fund, Past Vice President of the Paterson YMCA, and has served as the Public Member of the District 11 Attorney Ethics Board.

A member of the Paterson Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Morris is a Paterson Rotarian, a member of the United Way of Passaic County Board, Passaic County Workforce Investment Board and the Minority Concerns Committee of the Passaic County Vicinage.

Mr. Morris earned his Master of Healthcare Administration at Seton Hall University, his Master of Arts at Montclair State University and his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Cleveland Institute of Art/Case Western Reserve University. He is a resident of Paterson, New Jersey.

April 30, 2015