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Name: Stephen J. Kolesk, MD
Title: Vice president and chief operating officer, Virtua Memorial
Residence: Delran, NJ
Biography: In this position, Stephen J. Kolesk, MD, oversees all hospital operations as well as strategic and medical staff development. Dr. Kolesk's role includes leading the transformation of Virtua Memorial into a regional medical center, which will become a focal point of patient-centered care for oncology, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, surgery, spine and orthopaedic services. He also plays a key role in Virtua's partnership with the Township of Mt. Holly to bring economic revitalization and smart growth planning to the area.
A board-certified family physician, Dr. Kolesk brings more than 20 years experience in medical leadership to this position. He was first appointed to the medical staff of the Memorial Hospital of Burlington County (now Virtua Memorial) in 1981, where he helped to strengthen the hospital's Department of Family Medicine. He was also instrumental in creating the Family Practice Residency Program at Memorial Hospital, which in 2000 merged to become the West Jersey-Memorial Family Practice Residency at Virtua.
Dr. Kolesk quickly advanced at Virtua Memorial, serving as chief of family medicine from 1984 through 1994. For the past decade, Dr. Kolesk has served as an officer of Virtua Memorial's medical staff and as medical staff president in 2002 and 2003.
In 2003, Dr. Kolesk was appointed chairman of Virtua's physician council committee on physician recruitment and retention. He also serves on Virtua's medical executive committee, strategic campus planning committee and quality council. In these roles, Dr. Kolesk works with Virtua's physicians, administrators and board members to continually bring the highest quality of patient care to the organization.
Dr. Kolesk has been recognized as one of the "Top Docs" in the Delaware Valley by Consumers' Checkbook of Greater Philadelphia in 2003. He has also received Virtua's STAR Award for Physician Excellence and was recognized by his peers for his outstanding career as both a physician and leader with Virtua's 2003 Distinguished Career Award.
Dr. Kolesk earned his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and completed a residency in family practice medicine at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ.