West Orange, New Jersey, July 22: 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.