Kelly Keefe Marcoux, PhD, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC, CCRN, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Children’s Specialized Hospital—part of the Children’s Health network at RWJBarnabas Health—has been awarded the 2025 Nurse Executive Award by the Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey (ONL-NJ). The award was presented during ONL-NJ’s Annual Holiday Meeting and Awards Brunch on December 5.
The ONL-NJ is a professional association for nurse leaders in New Jersey that aims to influence healthcare delivery through leadership and collaboration. Its Nurse Executive Award recognizes senior nurse leaders who show outstanding leadership and service to their organizations and the nursing profession.
Dr. Keefe Marcoux holds dual board certifications as a pediatric nurse practitioner in both primary and acute care. She also has a PhD in nursing, making her one of few nurse leaders nationally with this combination of credentials. She serves on ONL’s mentorship committee and is a peer reviewer for the Journal of Pediatric Health Care. Her work includes authoring several peer-reviewed publications and presenting on topics such as pediatric acute care, quality, safety, and advanced practice nursing at national and international conferences.
Her doctoral research focused on family-centered care—a philosophy that continues to guide her clinical priorities. Initiatives under her leadership include Rocco’s Room at Children’s Specialized Hospital’s acute rehabilitation unit, which helps parents learn to care for children with complex medical needs before discharge. She also led the implementation of family-centered rounds so that parents are active participants in care planning.
Since joining Children’s Specialized Hospital, Dr. Keefe Marcoux has introduced programs that have improved nursing practice and patient outcomes. These include developing fellowship programs for nurse practitioners in Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics and Pediatric Physiatry—the first such programs in the nation accredited by the American Nurses Association—and expanding shared governance through creation of a Professional Nurse Practice Council within RWJBarnabas Children’s Health. She also implemented the DAISY Award program across all sites to recognize exemplary nursing practice.
Her focus on high reliability has contributed to more than 500 days without a serious safety event at her institution and resulted in a significant reduction in accidental tracheal decannulations by 66%. These achievements demonstrate her commitment to improving safety for medically complex children.
Nancy E. Holecek, MAS, MHA, BSN, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of RWJBarnabas Health said: “Our nurses are the foundation of the high quality care we deliver at RWJBarnabas Health, and their leadership drives excellence across our entire system. Dr. Keefe Marcoux’s strategic leadership, focus on quality and safety, and advocacy for patients and staff make her an exceptional choice for this honor. We are proud to celebrate her achievements and the transformative impact she continues to make.”
In addition to her role at Children’s Specialized Hospital, Dr. Keefe Marcoux serves on the Executive Board of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) where she advocates nationally for equitable access to pediatric care.
Matthew B. McDonald III, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer at Children’s Specialized Hospital commented: “I am extremely proud to see my colleague and friend, Dr. Keefe Marcoux, honored as ONL-NJ’s Nurse Executive of the year… Under her guidance, we’ve seen continual improvements in clinical quality, patient safety, and the overall care experience for children and families.”
Children’s Specialized Hospital operates 14 locations across New Jersey providing inpatient and outpatient services for children facing special health challenges including chronic illnesses or developmental disabilities; more information can be found at rwjbh.org/csh.
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest academic health system with over five million people cared for annually through its network that includes 14 hospitals https://www.rwjbh.org/. The organization partners with communities statewide to improve health outcomes while addressing social determinants such as food insecurity or housing instability.
The health system employs more than 45,000 people statewide contributing over $7 billion annually to New Jersey’s economy.
