Nancy E. Holecek, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at RWJBarnabas Health, has been named Chief Nursing Officer of the Year by Press Ganey. The award is given to a leader who empowers nurses, provides high-quality care, and prioritizes staff education and development.
Holecek oversees more than 11,000 nursing staff members at RWJBarnabas Health. She leads initiatives in strategic planning, financial decisions, patient satisfaction, care coordination, and quality improvement. Holecek established the Institute for Nursing Excellence to support professional growth and research within the organization. In the past year, she expanded access to nursing education by leading efforts to grow the RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing.
“This recognition is exceptionally well-deserved. Nancy is a nurse’s nurse and a tireless advocate for nursing education and professional development, ensuring our nurses have the resources and support they need to deliver the highest quality care,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health. “As our Chief Nursing Officer, she has strengthened our organization by investing in learning, mentorship, and clinical excellence, and empowering nurses at every stage of their careers. We are proud to see Nancy honored as CNO of the Year and grateful for her lasting impact on our patients, our teams, and the future of nursing.”
Holecek’s work has improved healthcare quality and advanced nursing within both RWJBarnabas Health and across New Jersey. Her leadership has helped set standards for nursing care excellence in the state while supporting research opportunities for nurses.
Her achievements have led to several honors for both herself and her organization. These include multiple Magnet designations—recognizing excellence in nursing—and U.S. News & World Report accolades. She has appeared several times on Becker’s Hospital Review’s “CNOs to Know” list as well as ROI-NJ’s list of Influencers; in 2025 she was named one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives nationwide.
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest academic health system with 14 hospitals and over 9,000 affiliated physicians providing care at more than 700 locations statewide. It serves over five million people each year as one of New Jersey’s largest private employers with more than 45,000 employees contributing over $7 billion annually to the state’s economy.
The system partners with communities throughout New Jersey to improve health outcomes through patient-centered care initiatives addressing social determinants such as food insecurity and housing needs. Its collaboration with Rutgers University includes supporting Rutgers Cancer Institute—the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in New Jersey—and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
More information about RWJBarnabas Health can be found at www.RWJBH.org
