April 20, 2026
Valley Health System congratulates Robert Brenner, MD, MMM, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Valley Health System, for being named a 2026 ICON Award Honoree by NJBIZ. The ICON Award highlights trailblazers and innovators across New Jersey, according to NJBIZ.
As noted by the publication, these leaders – all age 60 and above – are honored for their success and demonstration of strong leadership throughout their careers, both within and outside of their fields.
Dr. Brenner’s career reflects a steady progression of clinical excellence, operational leadership, and system-level transformation across some of New Jersey’s most prominent healthcare organizations. Prior to joining Valley, Dr. Brenner served in leadership roles at Somerset Medical Center, Mountainside Hospital, and Summit Health Management and Summit Medical Group.
Since joining Valley in 2015 as Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive, he has advanced through a series of increasingly senior leadership roles, including President of Clinical Integration and the Physician Enterprise and, subsequently, President of Valley Health System.
In his current role as Valley Health System President and CEO, Dr. Brenner leads a complex organization that includes The Valley Hospital, a 370-bed tertiary care facility with approximately 32,000 annual admissions; Valley Home Care, with an average daily census of 2,000 patients; and Valley Medical Group, a large, multispecialty practice with more than 500 clinicians across over 60 specialties and approximately 65 locations, delivering more than 650,000 visits annually. Under his leadership, Valley has strengthened its core service lines – including cardiovascular care, oncology, women’s and children’s services, orthopedics, emergency care, and neurosciences – while maintaining strong affiliations with leading institutions such as the Mount Sinai Health System.
Dr. Brenner started his clinical career in private practice in Westfield, New Jersey, after serving in the United States Air Force. During his military service, he held roles as a family physician and residency faculty member. He was deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm as Chief of Emergency Medical Services in Torrejon, Spain, where he also served as a liaison to the Spanish Ministry of Health and coordinated with the Air Staging Facility.
Dr. Brenner’s leadership emphasizes patient safety, access, innovation, and physician development. He has advanced artificial intelligence initiatives, expanded outpatient infrastructure, and grown residency and fellowship programs. Beyond Valley, he serves in leadership roles with the New Jersey Hospital Association and the AMGA Foundation, contributing to healthcare strategy and policy.
His community service includes organizing care for underserved populations, leading disaster relief efforts in Haiti, and supporting public health initiatives during Ebola, H1N1, and COVID-19. Widely recognized for his impact, Dr. Brenner has received numerous honors for leadership, teaching, military service, and humanitarian work.
“Being named as a 2026 NJBIZ ICON is an honor, especially as Valley celebrates its 75th anniversary this year,” said Dr. Brenner. “Throughout my career, I have worked alongside exceptional colleagues, and this recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of our teams who are focused each day on advancing care and improving the health of our communities.”
To view the full 2026 NJBIZ ICON Award Honoree list, click here.