Central Jersey Family Health Consortium (CJFHC) has named Velva Dawson its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a homecoming for the public health leader whose commitment to family-centered care was first shaped at the organization.
Dawson returns to CJFHC after nearly a decade at Johnson & Johnson, where she led foundation and corporate operations within Global Health Equity, and brings deep expertise in strategic planning, organizational governance, cross-sector partnerships and global social impact, along with a longstanding commitment to community-based maternal and child health that began during her earlier tenure at CJFHC. Following a distinguished tenure at the helm of CJFHC, Robyn D’Oria, MA, RNC, APN, is retiring but remains enthusiastic about the work ahead. As CEO, Dawson will continue D’Oria’s legacy by focusing on strengthening partnerships, expanding resources and raising the organization’s visibility across Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset counties.
Dawson steps into the role at a pivotal time for maternal and infant health in New Jersey. A recent Rutgers-led study published in JAMA Network Open, examining more than 414,000 New Jersey births, found that infants born to mothers reporting depressive symptoms immediately after delivery had an infant mortality rate of 7.2 deaths per 1,000 births, compared with 2.0 per 1,000 among those whose mothers did not report symptoms. The study underscores the connection between the health and well-being of parents and infants and the importance of support beyond delivery.
For CJFHC, the study reinforces a mission the organization has pursued for decades. Long before maternal and infant health commanded sustained statewide attention, CJFHC was working directly with Central Jersey families and providers to improve pregnancy, birth and early childhood outcomes.
That work gained new urgency and visibility under former New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy, whose Nurture NJ initiative helped make maternal and infant health a statewide priority. CJFHC has helped carry that vision from policy into practice, connecting statewide investments with the families and providers they are intended to reach.
Today, CJFHC provides home visiting, postpartum and mental health support, breastfeeding resources, early intervention and other services, while supporting healthcare and childcare providers with education, referrals, data and technical expertise. The organization has partnered with the State of New Jersey on initiatives including Healthy Families, Connecting NJ and Family Connects NJ.
Maternal and infant health is also increasingly connected to New Jersey’s focus on economic stability. As Governor Mikie Sherrill and business and policy leaders recognize accessible childcare as essential economic infrastructure, CJFHC sees the continuum beginning even earlier. Economic stability for families starts with healthy pregnancies, safe births, postpartum mental health and support systems that allow parents to remain healthy, care for their families and stay connected to work.
“Returning to CJFHC is deeply personal because this work directly impacts communities. It is about building healthy communities where every family has equitable access to quality health care and the support services they need to thrive,” said Dawson.
“New Jersey has made tremendous progress in recognizing that maternal and infant health is fundamental to the health of our communities. Now we have an opportunity to make sure those investments translate into meaningful support for families. Healthy families are the foundation of healthy communities and a strong economy, and I’m honored to come home and bring together community, health care, business, philanthropy and government to help more Central Jersey families succeed.”
Dawson succeeds D’Oria, whose legacy in maternal and child health extends well beyond Central Jersey. She helped advance national efforts to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity through early work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to strengthen maternal mortality review and contributions to the development of the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) patient-safety bundles which supports best practices to make birth safer, improve maternal health outcomes, and save lives. In New Jersey, she helped translate those efforts into stronger systems of care through her leadership in the New Jersey Perinatal Quality Collaborative and CJFHC’s role as an early pilot site for the Family Connects universal home-visiting initiative.
“Velva is uniquely equipped to meet the needs of this moment”, said D’Oria, outgoing CEO. “She brings deep expertise, an ability to connect with people and, most importantly, a genuine passion for this work and the families we serve. I have full confidence in her leadership and am incredibly excited to see where she takes CJFHC next.”
Dawson began at CJFHC delivering direct services to families and coordinating programs before advancing to Deputy Director and Chief Operations Officer, where she oversaw the people, programs and operations supporting the organization’s mission.
At Johnson & Johnson, Dawson worked in Global Health Equity and Foundation & Corporate Operations, supporting global philanthropic operations and contributing to the stewardship of an annual grant portfolio exceeding $50 million.
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Velva Dawson as the incoming CEO. This appointment will only enhance and continue the great work that has been evident under the leadership of Robyn. CJFHC looks to the future with pride with Velva at the helm,” said CJFHC Board of Trustees President Kathy Mahoney, PhD, MSN, APN.
A Middlesex County native, Dawson brings deep ties to Central Jersey and experience spanning community health, philanthropy, government and the business community.
About Central Jersey Family Health Consortium
Central Jersey Family Health Consortium (CJFHC) is a maternal and child health organization whose programs and partnerships expand access to care and strengthen the health of women, children and families across Central Jersey. Serving Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset counties, CJFHC works to close gaps in health outcomes and respond to the needs of the communities it serves.
