Atlantic Health Names Cody D. Legler, DNP, APRN, as Senior Vice President, System Chief Nursing Executive

MORRISTOWN, NJ – AUGUST 20, 2026 – Atlantic Health is pleased to welcome Cody D. Legler, DNP, APRN, to the executive leadership team as Senior Vice President, System Chief Nursing Executive. Working collaboratively with his fellow leaders and across the health system’s clinical enterprise, Legler will provide leadership and strategic oversight for nursing care across the communities Atlantic Health proudly serves.

“As a doctoral-level executive nurse leader, Cody possesses unique expertise in improving health outcomes, developing nurse leaders, and driving organizational safety and innovation,” said Saad Ehtisham, President and CEO, Atlantic Health. “Along with his talent for streamlining operations, Cody’s forward-looking approach to medicine will elevate patient outcomes today, while pioneering a path for an innovative future for nursing across New Jersey.”

As System Chief Nursing Executive, Dr. Legler will ensure the performance and strategic direction for nursing across Atlantic Health, strengthening quality, patient satisfaction, workforce engagement, and evidence-based care. His efforts will champion excellence in nursing practice along with professional development, ensuring Atlantic Health remains a provider and employer of choice across the state. Building on the health system’s sound foundation of clinical excellence, Legler will elevate the voice of nurses in organizational decision-making, cultivating a workplace culture rooted in integrity, trust, and reliability.

“I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity to join a team where nurses are encouraged to expand their skills, ensuring that nursing is always at the forefront of caring for our patients and their families,” said Dr. Legler. “Building upon Atlantic Health’s longstanding collaborative governance and award-winning performance, I look forward to advancing our mission to build healthier communities.”

Dr. Legler brings more than 15 years of nursing leadership experience across national and regional health systems, where he has advanced high-quality, patient-centered care.

Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President & System Chief Nursing Officer at Maimonides Health, overseeing nursing operations across three hospitals, a freestanding emergency department, a surgery center, a cancer center, and an ambulatory network. Previously, as System VP & Chief Nursing Officer for the Perioperative Service Line, he led perioperative nursing strategy, practice, and operations across MedStar Health's 10 hospitals, six surgery centers, and ambulatory sites spanning three states.

About Atlantic Health

Atlantic Health is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of 25,000 team members and more than 5,667 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 14 counties and 7.5 million people.

The not-for-profit system offers more than 550 sites of care, including its eight hospitals: Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center in Newton, NJ, Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Atlantic Health Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ, Atlantic Health Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, NJ and Atlantic Health CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ.

The system includes Atlantic Medical Group, part of a physician enterprise that makes up one of the largest multispecialty practices in New Jersey with almost 2,000 physicians and advance practice providers. Joined with Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners they form part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 4,000 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ.

Atlantic Health provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 26 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Health Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.

Founded by Atlantic Health, the Healthcare Transformation Consortium is a partnership of seven regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability. Atlantic Health has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University, is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Atlantic Health Morristown and Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.