News — MONTCLAIR, N.J. (January 6, 2025) – is proud to announce the appointment of five distinguished community leaders to its Community Board of Trustees, effective January 2025. These accomplished professionals bring diverse expertise in healthcare, education, justice reform, and community advocacy to support the medical center’s mission of delivering exceptional care and fostering community engagement.
Kevin Berg, M.D., FAAFP, DABFM - Dr. Berg is the program director of Mountainside Medical Center’s Family Practice Residency Program, director of Medical Education, and associate chair of the Department of Family Medicine. Since joining Mountainside in 2014 he has excelled in academic leadership, currently serving as a core assistant professor at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Dr. Berg has held key roles with organizations such as the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians and the Hackensack Alliance Accountable Care Organization. He has earned numerous awards, including the Resident Teacher Award from the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.
Silvia Fresco, M.D., FACS - Dr. Fresco, a general and bariatric surgeon, has been a valued member of Mountainside Medical Center’s Medical Staff since 1999. She is the Associate Chair of the Department of Surgery and has served as Division Chief for General Surgery. Her contributions include teaching medical students during surgical rotations and leadership roles on hospital committees, such as the Cancer and Critical Care Committees. Dr. Fresco earned her medical degree from UMDNJ-NJ Medical School and completed her residency at Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia, where she served as Chief Resident in General Surgery.
Katia Paz Goldfarb, Ph.D. - Dr. Paz Goldfarb is the Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs at Montclair State University, where she has been Inaugural Chair and Professor of Family Science and Human Development since 2001. She is a key leader in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and strengthening partnerships with community colleges and corporate organizations. Her work has had a profound impact on Hispanic student success and engagement in New Jersey and beyond, reflecting her commitment to fostering academic and professional excellence.
Victoria F. Pratt, Esq. - Judge Pratt, a former Chief Judge of Newark Municipal Court, is a nationally recognized advocate for criminal justice reform. Known for her pioneering work in procedural justice, she has led innovative programs offering alternatives to incarceration and promoting dignity and respect in the judicial process. Judge Pratt is the author of The Power of Dignity: How Transforming Justice Can Heal Our Communities and has consulted extensively with criminal justice organizations and judiciaries nationwide.
Masiel Rodriquez-Vars - As Executive Director of the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence, Ms. Rodriquez-Vars has spearheaded initiatives to enhance educational opportunities for over 6,000 students in the Montclair Public Schools. For nearly a decade, her collaborative leadership has fostered meaningful partnerships, including recent community and team-building projects with Mountainside Medical Center. Her work reflects a deep commitment to equity and innovation in education. She is a graduate of NYU School of Law, a former public-school teacher, and has worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations serving youth and families.
“We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding leaders to our Community Board of Trustees,” said Tim O’Brien, CEO of Mountainside Medical Center. “Their diverse expertise and passion for community service will enhance our ability to deliver exceptional care and strengthen our connection with the communities we serve.”
About Mountainside Medical Center
Mountainside Medical Center has been serving Montclair and its surrounding New Jersey communities since 1891. The medical center provides patients immediate access to innovative and effective treatment alternatives at specialized centers within the medical center that focus on imaging, women’s health, cancer care, surgery, obesity, stroke and chronic kidney disease. Mountainside Medical Center is a designated a Primary Stroke Center by the NJ State Department of Health and Senior Services and is one of only a few community hospitals licensed by the State to perform emergency and elective cardiac angioplasty. To learn more about Mountainside Medical Center visit .
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