Left to right: Mary Jo Loughlin, RN, MAS, NE-BC, President, Organization of Nurse Leaders of NJ (ONL-NJ); Kelly Keefe Marcoux, PhD, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC, CCRN, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Children’s Specialized Hospital; Matthew B. McDonald III, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Specialized Hospital.
December 6, 2025 – 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 received 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 held on December 5, 2025.
ONL-NJ is New Jersey’s preeminent professional association for nurse leaders, with a mission to influence healthcare delivery through leadership and collaboration. The Nurse Executive Award honors the most senior nurse leader in a healthcare organization who demonstrates exceptional leadership, guidance and service to their organization and to the profession of nursing.
Dr. Keefe Marcoux is a dually board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner, in both primary and acute care, and a PhD-prepared nurse executive – a combination of credentials held by very few nurse leaders nationally. She is also an active member of ONL, serving on the mentorship committee, as well as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Pediatric Health Care. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has presented nationally and internationally on pediatric acute care, quality, safety, and advanced practice nursing topics.
Her doctoral dissertation focused on family-centered care, a philosophy that continues to shape her strategic and clinical priorities. Her passion for advancing family partnership is reflected in initiatives such as the development of Rocco’s Room, a nursery-style environment at Children’s Specialized acute rehabilitation unit where parents learn to confidently and safely care for their child with complex medical needs prior to discharge home. Most recently, she led the implementation of family-centered rounds, ensuring that parents and caregivers are true partners in care planning and decision making.
Since joining the organization, Dr. Keefe Marcoux has implemented various initiatives that have elevated nursing practice and enhanced clinical outcomes. She developed the nation’s first Nurse Practitioner fellowship programs in Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics and Pediatric Physiatry, both accredited by the American Nurses Association and now recognized nationally as models for specialty training. She expanded shared governance by developing RWJBarnabas Children’s Health Professional Nurse Practice Council. She has strengthened workplace culture and recognition through implementation of DAISY Award program across all sites, celebrating exemplary nursing practice. Her focus on high reliability and evidence-based strategies has contributed to over 500 days without a serious safety event, and a 66% decrease in accidental tracheal decannulations, demonstrating sustained commitment to protecting medically complex children and supporting the teams who care for them. Together, these initiatives reflect her dedication to driving excellence, advancing professional practice, and ensuring the safest and most supportive environment for staff, children, and families.
“Our nurses are the foundation of the high quality care we deliver at RWJBarnabas Health, and their leadership drives excellence across our entire system,” said Nancy E. Holecek, MAS, MHA, BSN, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of RWJBarnabas Health. “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 work at Children’s Specialized Hospital, Dr. Keefe Marcoux serves on the Executive Board of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and engages in national advocacy to advance equitable access to pediatric care.
“I am extremely proud to see my colleague and friend, Dr. Keefe Marcoux, honored as ONL-NJ’s Nurse Executive of the year,” said Matthew B. McDonald III, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Specialized Hospital. “This award is a testament not only to her exceptional leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to patient- and family-centered care – but to the entire nursing team she leads. Under her guidance, we’ve seen continual improvements in clinical quality, patient safety, and the overall care experience for children and families. Her dedication, empathy, and strategic focus embody everything we strive for at Children’s Specialized Hospital.”
About Children’s Specialized Hospital
Children’s Specialized Hospital, a part of the Children’s Health network at RWJBarnabas Health, is the nation’s leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children from birth to 21 years of age facing special health challenges – from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries, to a full scope of developmental, behavioral, and mental health outcomes. At 14 different New Jersey locations, our pediatric specialists partner with families to make our many innovative therapies and medical treatments more personalized and effective so each child can reach their full potential. For more information, visit rwjbh.org/csh.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians providing care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org
Media Contact:
Megan Granozio
732-443-7068
mgranozio@childrens-specialized.org