Chief Medical Officer, Robert W. Brenner, MD, MMM, oversees and implements strategic growth and continuous improvement of care for individuals and populations, while ensuring the appropriate cost of care at Summit Medical Group.

A leader in the Group's clinical program growth, Dr. Brenner has been integral in developing new centers for Breast Care and Behavioral Health and Cognitive Therapy as well as Evening Primary Care, Preventive Medicine, Geriatrics and Transitional Care, Diabetes Live Well, Executive Health, Occupational Health, Hospitalist Medicine, and Clinical Trials. He developed the first formal group practice affiliation with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Dr. Brenner is a spokesperson on the topic of health care reform and what it means for patients and physicians. He has been an invited guest on Fox Business News and In Full View. In addition, he is well known for his local, regional, and national presentations on value in health care, patient satisfaction, preventive medicine, effective health care systems, multispecialty group practices, practice management, and the meaningful use of health information technologies. Most recently, Dr. Brenner was an invited panelist for the Northeast Business Group on Health Annual Conference and the NJBiz Health Care Symposium on the Affordable Care Act.

Before joining Summit Medical Group as Medical Director in 2006, Dr. Brenner was a lead hospital administrator, Executive Team member, and Chairman of Family Medicine at Atlantic Health/Mountainside Hospital. As a member of the Executive Team, Dr. Brenner implemented strategies to build new programs and contain costs that helped bring the hospital from operating at a loss to breaking even. In addition, the Mountainside Hospital Family Residency Program became one of the most competitive residency programs in New Jersey under his direction. He has been Director of the Outpatient Ambulatory Center and Associate Residency Director at Somerset Medical Center in Somerset, New Jersey. He also has practiced privately in Westfield, New Jersey. 

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. In addition, he has earned the Dorland Health National People Award. Dr. Brenner is listed in New Jersey Family's "New Jersey's Favorite Kids' Docs."

Dr. Brenner is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a member of the Group Practice Information Network, American Medical Group Association, American College of Medical Quality, Medical Society of New Jersey, American College of Physician Executives, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute Provider Council, and American Medical Group Association/Chief Medical Officers Leadership Council. He is Corporate Chair and Advisor to the Joseph E. Enright Foundation Board, and he is a senior scholar for the Jefferson Medical College Department of Health Policy. Dr. Brenner 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 notes, "Medicine has fascinated me since I was very young. I have found many rewards in practicing medicine and helping people 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 helps them make proactive decisions to protect their health."

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.

Read articles with Dr. Brenner's comments on health care reform:

• Summit Medical Group Lowering the Number of Hospital Readmissions to Well Below State Average
• What the ACA Ruling Means for New Jersey
• Local Medical Professionals Hail Decision on Health Care
• Summit Medical Group CMO Supports Decision on Health Care Reform
• Health Care Continues to Wait on Supreme Court Decision
   

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.