OUR Board of Trustees

Nizar Kifaieh, M.D.

President & CEO, Hudson Regional Health

Dr. Nizar Kifaieh is President and Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Regional Health, where he has been instrumental in transforming the system into a leading healthcare network for Hudson County and the surrounding areas.

As a board-certified emergency medicine physician with extensive experience in healthcare leadership, Dr. Kifaieh is dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality, and equitable care, focusing on technological innovation to strengthen these key areas, ensuring patient care is both efficient and effective.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Kifaieh held several executive leadership positions within the system, including Executive Vice President, System Chief Medical Officer, and Chief Clinical Integration Officer. He also served as President, Chief Medical Officer, and Chief Quality Officer at the former Christ Hospital in Jersey City. Across these roles, he supported organizational growth by increasing operational efficiency and elevating patient care standards. Dr. Kifaieh’s background also has included working with healthcare technology companies as a Chief Innovation Officer and Healthcare Consultant.

Dr. Kifaieh’s leadership and service to the community have earned broad industry recognition. Becker’s Hospital Review included him among its “Top 83 Community Hospital CEOs to Know,” while NJBIZ recognized him as a “Healthcare Hero.” The Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce also honored his contributions to the community with its Legacy Award. Most recently, he received the Global Healthcare Leaders Foundation’s “2026 Top Leaders Award” for his dedication to improving healthcare access throughout Hudson County and New Jersey.

Dr. Kifaieh received his undergraduate degree from City College in Manhattan and his Doctor of Medicine from SUNY Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn. He completed his residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Kings County Hospital, where he served as chief resident. He holds a master’s degree in public health administration from SUNY Downstate, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, and certification as a Certified Physician Executive from the American College of Physician Executives.

In addition to his executive role, Dr. Kifaieh serves on the Board of Governors of the Center for
Translational Orthodontics Research (CTOR) Academy. His professional affiliations include the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and the New York Medical Society, where he has made significant contributions through presentations, lectures, and publications on various topics within healthcare.

Dr. Kifaieh resides in Morris County, New Jersey, with his wife and three children.

Mauricio Gonzalez, Ph.D.

Chairman, GSO Board of Trustees; Former VP, Student Affairs & Prof. Emeritus, College of Ed. & HR, UNF

Christopher Lazzara

President, Georgia School of Orthodontics
CEO, MountainStar Partners

The Honorable Casey Cagle

Former Lieutenant Governor of Georgia

Nathaniel Glover, Jr., Hon. LL.D.

Trustee Emeritus, GSO; President Emeritus, Edwards Waters College; Former Sheriff of Jacksonville

Kellyn Hodges, D.M.D., M.S.

Founder & Owner Kellyn Hodges Orthodontics

Nizar Kifaieh, M.D.

President & CEO, Hudson Regional Health

Brenda Kitchens, R.D.H.

President, B.K. Dental Line Solutions, Inc.

Randy Kluender, D.D.S., M.S.

Sr. Advisor to the President and Former President of GSO, Former Assoc. Dean & Director., University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

Dr. Gasper Lazzara

Assistant Professor, Georgia School of Orthodontics

Carol Lynch, CPA

Managing Director, MountainStar Partners

John E. Maupin, Jr., D.D.S., M.S.

Sr. Advisor, CINQCARE, Inc.; Former President, Morehouse School of Medicine & Meharry Medical College

Dr. Iram Nasir

Assistant Professor, Georgia School of Orthodontics; GSO Alumna

Dave S. Sargent, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Radiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Nandakumar Janakiraman, B.D.S., M.D.S.

Ex-Officio Member, Georgia School of Orthodontics,
Dean, Chief Academic Officer, and Professor

Hannah Hale

Ex-Officio Member, Georgia School of Orthodontics,
General Counsel, Executive Vice President

Emily Coutouné

Board Liaison,
Director of Strategic Initiatives Special Projects Manager, Office of the CEO at MountainStar Partners