Chief Medical Officer, Robert W. Brenner, MD, MMM, oversees the advancement of Quality Improvement, Risk Management, and Employee Health at Summit Medical Group. He is responsible for Clinical Program Development, including the Summit Medical Group Behavioral Health and Cognitive Therapy Center, Hospitalist service, Urgent Care Center, Breast Health Center, Group-wide Preventive Medicine Live Well Program, Diabetes Live Well Program, Executive Health service, Occupational Health service, Evening Primary Care, and Clinical Trials. In addition, Dr. Brenner manages Organizational and Physician Development, including Provider Performance, Leadership Training, and Clinical Education. In addition to his position at Summit Medical Group, he is a Senior Scholar for the Jefferson Medical College Department of Health Policy.

Before joining Summit Medical Group as Medical Director in 2006, Dr. Brenner was a lead hospital administrator and Chairman of Family Medicine with Atlantic Health System at Mountainside Hospital in Mountainside, New Jersey. Under his direction, the Mountainside Hospital Family Practice Residency Program became one of the most competitive residencies in New Jersey. He has been Director of the Outpatient Ambulatory Center and Associate Residency Director at Somerset Medical Center in Somerset, New Jersey, and he was a physician in private practice in Westfield, New Jersey.

Dr. Brenner notes, "Since I was very young, medicine fascinated me because I believe it is a privilege to help someone manage or get better from an illness." Dr. Brenner's philosophy of care includes wellness as a partnership between the caregiver and patient. He believes that patients benefit from information about preventive care and health maintenance. He adds, "Educating patients equips them to make proactive decisions to protect their health."

A spokesperson on the topic of health care reform and what it means for patients and physicians, Dr. Brenner has been an invited guest on Fox Business News and In Full View. Most recently, Dr. Brenner was named in New Jersey Family magazine's "New Jersey's Favorite Kids' Docs." He also has delivered local, regional, and national presentations on a variety of topics in health care, including quality outcomes, patient satisfaction, preventive medicine, effective health care systems, mutispecialty group practices, practice management, and the meaningful use of health information technologies.

A US Air Force Health Professions Scholar, Dr. Brenner earned a US Air Force Commendation and Meritorious Service Medal. During his residency training, he earned medical teaching awards. He is the recipient of the Joseph E. Enright Kingfisher Award for his outstanding contribution and dedication to the health education mission of the Joseph E. Enright Foundation. To his credit, Dr. Brenner recently led a 10-day medical relief effort to care for the residents of remote mountain villages and displaced persons camps in Haiti. In addition to being a physician volunteer for Haiti Plunge, a Church Outreach To Youth Project (COTY), Dr. Brenner is now helping facilitate the design and building of a hospital that will serve the residents of 9 remote villages. 

A fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Brenner is a member of the American Medical Group Association, Group Practice Information Network, American College of Medical Quality, Medical Society of New Jersey, American College of Physician Executives, American Jewish Society for Service, Overlook Hospital Gain-sharing Steering Committee, American Medical Group Association CMO/Medical Director Leadership Council, and Society of Teachers in Family Medicine. He is an advisor to the Joseph E. Enright Foundation Board. He is Past President of the New Jersey Association of Family Practice Residency Directors and Past Vice President of the Somerset Independent Physician Association. Dr. Brenner has been appointed to the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute Provider Council and American Medical Group Association/Chief Medical Officers Medical Director Leadership Council.

When he is not with his patients or overseeing improvements at Summit Medical Group, Dr. Brenner enjoys cycling, skiing, wilderness backpacking, and vacationing with his family in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts.

Please click here for information about Dr. Brenner's appointment to Chief Medical Officer.

See the video below for a photo essay of Dr. Brenner's volunteer efforts with the Haiti Plunge COTY Project to help the underserved people of Haiti. Click here to read more about his trip.