Dr. Lalitha Masson
 OBGYN

Dr. Masson came to the United States on a scholarship from the Ventor Foundation and began her medical journey with an internship at Mercer Hospital in Trenton, NJ. She continued her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Margart Hague Hospital in Jersey City, one of the leading maternity hospitals at that time. Following her residency, she was invited to serve as Chief Resident at Mercer Hospital in New York and then pursued a fellowship in infertility at Maryland Hospital, now known as University Hospital Newark, in 1970.

In 1971, Dr. Masson launched her practice at St. Mary's Hospital in Hoboken, now Hoboken University Hospital. Within a few years, her work garnered respect from colleagues and administrators, leading to her appointment as a board member in 1974, making her the first woman to hold such a position in the hospital's history.

In 1972, while working at Margart Hague Hospital, Dr. Masson co-founded a family planning clinic with a colleague to assist the indigent population. The clinic provided essential counseling and outreach to underserved neighborhoods, addressing the needs of families with many children. Additionally, they supported pregnant teens through a church known as the Door of Hope, helping those who wished to keep their situations private.

Dr. Masson joined Christ Hospital in 1984, where she developed a thriving practice focused on serving underserved communities. She provided critical services such as counseling, mammograms, and pap smears to those in need. Her commitment to social justice expanded when she became the Human Rights Commissioner for Jersey City in 1985 during Mayor McCann's tenure.

In September 1987, amidst the Dot Busters movement—a time of aggression and bias against the Indian community in Hudson County—she led several marches to highlight the issue, gaining significant media attention, including coverage in the New York Times and Washington Post. Her leadership was recognized even in remote villages in India.Returning to Christ Hospital, Dr. Masson became Chair of the OBGYN Department in 1995, serving for over two decades. During her tenure, she introduced numerous advancements, including a new maternity unit, laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, and laser treatments.

She also served as a board member and Chair of the Executive Committee at Christ Hospital.Beyond her medical achievements, Dr. Masson was actively involved with PBS, serving on its advisory board for five years starting in 1982, and received an award from the Prime Minister of India for her community work. Her contributions were further acknowledged by the U.S. Ambassador in 1987.

As a founding member of the Global Association of People of Indian Origin, she helped coordinate efforts among Indian leaders worldwide to address community issues.Dr. Masson found her work deeply rewarding, particularly in serving African American, Hispanic, Indian, and Pakistani communities. Following the aftermath of 9/11, she, along with several doctors, provided care to those affected.

In 2019, she joined Carepoint Hospital and was honored for her leadership, which led to her appointment as Chief Medical Officer in 2021 for three hospitals. Dr. Masson remains well-regarded by her colleagues and continues to work diligently to address challenges while advancing medical practices, with a passion for serving underserved populations at the core of her mission.