New Trustees Join Rippel Foundation Board
Rippel is proud to announce the election of two new trustees: Lydia Nadeau, RN, MBA, and Bob Atkins, PhD, RN, FAAN. Each brings an abundance of experience and insight to Rippel, as well as a relentless passion for Rippel’s catalytic efforts to build an equitable future for health and well-being. In particular, through their contributions via ReThink Health, Rippel’s primary initiative, they will significantly strengthen how we work in partnership with others to support individuals, organizations, and networks in regions across the country—giving special attention to philanthropy, health care, corporations, and governments—to adopt new stewardship practices and design and execute the strategies necessary to produce transformative change.
Lydia Nadeau is executive director of oncology services at Atlantic Health System in New Jersey. She has overseen several expansions of the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, including creating the Carol W. & Julius A. Rippel Breast Center at Morristown Medical Center and the Breast Center at Overlook Medical Center—both well-known for offering the latest in screening, diagnostic, and interventional procedures. Lydia serves as the liaison between Atlantic Health System and numerous community organizations. In recognition of her outstanding volunteerism in philanthropy, Lydia received the Augusta Stone Award from the Morristown Memorial Health Foundation. She currently serves as vice chair of the NJ Northwest Regional Board of the American Cancer Society. Lydia earned her MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and graduated summa cum laude with a BS in health care management from St. Peter’s College. She is a fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives and a frequent speaker on topics such as innovation and the latest trends in oncology, many of which have been featured as best practices by the Advisory Board Oncology Roundtable.
Bob Atkins is director of New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI), the statewide grantmaking program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). He also is an associate professor at Rutgers University, with a joint appointment in nursing and childhood studies. NJHI’s mission— mirroring that of RWJF—is to improve the health and health care of all Americans. It does this by building a Culture of Health in RWJF’s home state of New Jersey and enabling all residents to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. Bob holds a BS in political science and American civilizations from Brown University and a BS in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. He began his career as a nurse and co-founder of the non-profit Camden STARR Program, which is dedicated to improving the lives of youth living in Camden. His work led him to Temple University and a PhD in public health, which enabled him to better understand what influences the health and well-being of children in marginalized communities. Bob is committed to building healthier communities throughout his home state of New Jersey and across the country through effective collaborations and partnerships, meaningful conversations.
Rippel welcomes these two outstanding leaders to our board. Alongside our other trustees, they will help shape the Foundation’s efforts to assure that everyone thrives—no exceptions.