West Orange, NJ, February 11, 2026 – Nancy E. Holecek, MAS, MHA, BSN, RN, FNAP, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, RWJBarnabas Health, has been named by Press Ganey as Chief Nursing Officer of the Year. The award recognizes a leader who has empowered their nurses to shine, provided safe, compassionate, and high-quality care, and prioritized staff education and development.
In addition to overseeing a nursing staff of more than 11,000, Ms. Holecek leads the system’s nursing initiatives in strategic planning, fiscal decisions, patient satisfaction, care coordination, and quality. She established the system’s Institute for Nursing Excellence to promote professional development, innovation and research, and this past year, expanded access to nursing education by driving the expansion of 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, 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.”
Ms. Holecek has enhanced health care quality and education while continually advancing the nursing profession within RWJBarnabas Health and throughout New Jersey. Her contributions have enabled the system to set the standard for excellence in nursing care and develop one of the most influential programs in the state. She has fostered an environment that encourages professional development, the pursuit of research, and service among the system’s nursing professionals, and is dedicated to building and sustaining the future nursing workforce.
Her efforts have earned numerous recognitions for excellence, including multiple Magnet designations and U.S. News & World Report accolades. Personally, she has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s “CNOs to Know” list multiple times, has been included in ROI-NJ’s list of Influencers, and in 2025, was one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives nationwide.
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 integrated to provide 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
Contact: Carrie Cristello
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org