2025 Leadership Excellence Winners Announced
Congratulations to John Torley, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and Keith Shipley, Director, Mobile Intensive Care Unit and CPR/EMS Training, for being selected as the 2025 Leadership Excellence Award recipients.
John Torley
John has demonstrated exceptional leadership through more than two decades of service in budgeting, cost reporting, capital planning, and operational finance. His impact this year has been especially significant: guiding the implementation of the Strata budgeting platform, transitioning 2024 statistics and budgets into the new ERP system, and training directors to use new management-reporting tools confidently. He has a unique ability to simplify complex financial topics for non-finance leaders, ensuring decisions are grounded in clarity and accuracy. His deep institutional knowledge, steady judgment, and approachable manner make him a trusted and highly relied-upon resource across the organization.
John’s leadership is further shown through his skill in balancing competing priorities, maximizing Medicare reimbursement opportunities, and coordinating critical FEMA-related information for state and federal filings. He empowers his team to communicate directly with stakeholders, creating a culture where financial information feels accessible and supportive rather than overwhelming. His humility, patience, and genuine dedication to helping others succeed embody the spirit of leadership this award is meant to recognize.
Keith Shipley
Keith consistently upholds the core values of the organization through his unwavering dedication to patient safety, staff development, operational excellence, and community impact. His leadership has transformed his department into one of the most progressive, innovative, and high-performing departments within Hunterdon Health.
Over the past year, this leader has advanced his department in ways that directly strengthen our community’s safety and emergency preparedness. Most notably, he spearheaded the implementation of Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) training—an initiative that positions Hunterdon Health as one of the first health systems in the nation to host and operationalize this program. TECC equips first responders, hospital teams, and law enforcement partners with the skills required to recognize and respond effectively to high-threat, mass-casualty situations. Through his vision, our teams are significantly better prepared to protect and save lives in the most challenging environments.
This awardee’s leadership extends far beyond program implementation. He has strategically enhanced his department structure by creating Lead Paramedic positions, strengthening clinical oversight, improving mentorship, and ensuring operational consistency throughout his department. This new tier of leadership has measurably improved communication, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving.
He is equally committed to fostering a healthy and engaged workforce. Under his guidance, his department has seen substantial improvements in staff morale, engagement, and retention. His approach is rooted in transparency, respect, and a genuine investment in the professional growth of every member of the team. As a result, staff feel more supported, valued, and empowered in their roles. Operationally, this leader has led remarkable improvements as well. He oversaw a comprehensive enhancement to billing workflows, reducing the billing cycle from 45 days to just 20 days—a significant achievement that strengthens financial performance while ensuring timely, accurate processing for patients and the organization. His leadership is defined by action, innovation, and integrity. He consistently anticipates challenges, implements meaningful solutions, and raises the standard of care across all levels of emergency response. His work has strengthened not only his department, but the entire Hunterdon Health system and the broader community we serve.