Consensus Health Appoints Christine Hayek as Chief Operating Officer to Enhance Physician Network Performance

Consensus Health, a physician-led medical group based in New Jersey, has appointed Christine Hayek as its new chief operating officer. With over 25 years of healthcare operational experience, Hayek will be responsible for enhancing the performance of the organization's network of 172 independent providers. Her appointment is significant as it reinforces the organization's commitment to physician leadership at a time when independent medical practices face increasing operational challenges.

Hayek previously served as vice president of operations and human resources at Consensus Health, where she managed 57 physician practices. Her extensive background includes nearly two decades at AtlantiCare Health System, where she led strategic initiatives such as redesigning employee health programs and integrating over 30 physician practices. This experience positions her to address the complex operational needs of Consensus Health's expanding network, which currently provides medical care across 18 New Jersey counties through 56 practices and 69 locations according to information available at https://www.consensushealth.com.

In her new role, Hayek will work closely with provider teams to improve practice performance and leverage the collective impact of the medical group. CEO Michael Lovett praised Hayek's leadership, noting her proven track record in driving success through provider partnerships and improving patient experiences. Her strategic approach and extensive operational expertise are expected to further strengthen the organization's physician-owned medical group model, which represents an alternative to hospital-owned systems.

Prior to her promotion, Hayek held multiple leadership positions at AtlantiCare, including executive director of physician practice operations and corporate director of population health transformation. Her professional background includes a bachelor's degree in business management from Slippery Rock University and an MBA from Stockton University. This educational foundation supports her ability to implement operational improvements that balance clinical quality with financial sustainability.

Hayek's appointment comes as Consensus Health continues to expand its statewide presence. The organization's growth reflects broader trends in healthcare consolidation, where independent physicians seek collaborative models to maintain autonomy while gaining operational efficiencies. Hayek's experience with practice integration and performance improvement will be crucial as the medical group navigates this expansion while maintaining quality standards. Additional details about the organization's physician network can be found at https://www.consensushealth.com/physicians.

The leadership transition matters because it strengthens a physician-led alternative in New Jersey's healthcare landscape at a time when independent practices face pressure from larger health systems. Hayek's operational expertise will help optimize the network's performance, potentially improving patient access and care coordination across the state. This appointment signals Consensus Health's commitment to supporting independent physicians through shared resources and strategic leadership, which could influence how medical practices organize and compete in an increasingly consolidated healthcare market.