Overlook Medical Center, part of Atlantic Health System, has named Heather Veltre as its new chief nursing officer. 

In her new position, Veltre is responsible for the overall delivery and management of nursing professional practice, education, professional development, research, administration, and clinical services, according to Atlantic Health. 

Veltre joins the Summit hospital from Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, a Hackensack Meridian Health facility, where she served as vice president of patient care services and CNO. According to her LinkedIn profile, Veltre made the move in January.

“Nurses are integral to the excellence in care at Overlook, and Heather Veltre brings a wealth of expertise that will guide our nurses to even greater heights as we embark on Overlook’s next chapter,” Stephanie Schwartz, president, Overlook Medical Center, and senior vice president, Atlantic Health, said in a March 14 statement. 

Prior to Bayshore, Veltre served as vice president of Patient Care Services and CNO at Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen from 2018 to 2022, helping lead the facility through the COVID-19 pandemic. She also served in leadership positions at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick and at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, among other positions. 

“I feel honored and privileged to be able to work with a group of professionals at Overlook Medical Center who work collaboratively to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to our community,” Veltre said.  

Veltre earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Monmouth University and is an ANCC-certified advanced nursing executive. 

New leadership

The new CNO follows Overlook’s recent addition of Dr. Brian David Radbill as chief medical officer, succeeding Dr. John Audett, who retired. 

As with Radbill’s appointment, Atlantic Health said Veltre joins the network “during a multi-phase transformation plan that includes most of the hospital’s clinical areas.” 

The Overlook Ahead plan includes the new Hersh Children’s Center, a new entrance to the emergency department and the creation of the EmPATH behavioral health unit.

As for changes at Overlook’s parent network, Atlantic Health System and Saint Peter’s Healthcare System announced in January the first step in fully integrating the two organizations.

Overlook Medical Center’s recent industry recognitions include landing in the top 50 on Healthgrades’ 2024 America’s Best Hospitals list. The facility was also named a high-performing hospital for maternity care by U.S. News & World Report. 

As for Veltre’s efforts to earn Overlook a new round of honors, she will lead the facility in its pursuit of a second Magnet designation from the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center as well an additional Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association for its emergency department, a recognition it earned in 2021.