Children's Specialized Hospital Chief Nursing Officer recognized among the nation's most accomplished nursing leaders
West Orange, New Jersey, July 21, 2026 – 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 selected to become a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (Academy). Fellows are selected based on their outstanding contributions to improve health locally and globally. The 2026 Fellows will be formally inducted during the Academy's annual Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., on October 10, 2026.
Induction into the Academy is one of the highest professional honors in nursing, recognizing leaders who have made substantial, sustained contributions to improving health and health care through innovation, leadership, education, research, policy and clinical practice.
“Kelly's induction into the American Academy of Nursing is an extraordinary and well-deserved recognition of her unwavering commitment to advancing pediatric nursing, championing family-centered care, and developing the next generation of nursing leaders,” said Nancy E. Holecek, MAS, MHA, BSN, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “Her visionary leadership continues to elevate the quality and safety of care for children and families across New Jersey while shaping the future of the nursing profession nationally.”
As Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Keefe Marcoux oversees more than 900 nursing and clinical staff across Children's Specialized Hospital's statewide network of sites. Under her leadership, the organization has strengthened its family-centered model of care, expanded professional development opportunities for nurses, advanced nationally recognized nurse practitioner fellowship programs, enhanced patient safety initiatives, and fostered a culture of excellence in pediatric nursing.
A nationally respected pediatric nurse practitioner and nurse executive, Dr. Keefe Marcoux is dually board certified in pediatric primary and acute care and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications while presenting nationally and internationally on pediatric acute care, quality, safety and advanced practice nursing. She serves on the Executive Board of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and is an active advocate for advancing equitable access to high-quality pediatric care.
“I am deeply honored to be inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing,” said Dr. Keefe Marcoux. “This recognition reflects the incredible nurses, clinicians and interdisciplinary teams I have the privilege to work alongside every day. Together, we remain committed to advancing nursing excellence, improving outcomes for children and families, and creating opportunities for future nurse leaders to thrive.”
Dr. Keefe Marcoux has been widely recognized for her contributions to nursing leadership. Most recently, she received the inaugural Society of Pediatric Nurses DAISY Award of the Year in Pediatric Nursing, recognizing her exceptional leadership and dedication to improving the lives of children with complex healthcare needs. She was also honored with the 2025 Nurse Executive Award from the Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey for her outstanding leadership and service to the nursing profession.
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