Byers
Atlantic Health System said Oct. 11 that Ophelia Byers joined the organization as chief nursing officer for Overlook Medical Center, as well as associate chief nurse executive for the health system.
As associate chief nursing executive, a new role at Atlantic Health System, Byers will partner with Trish O’Keefe, senior vice president and chief nurse executive for Atlantic Health System and president of Morristown Medical Center, to align and support nursing care across all clinical settings throughout the organization.
A skilled leader with more than 20 years of experience in clinical care and nursing leadership, Byers is an advanced practice and women’s health nurse practitioner and maintains national certifications in clinical practice, patient experience, and diversity and inclusion. At Overlook Medical Center, she will oversee the delivery and management of nursing practice as well as education, professional development, quality research and clinical services working closely with hospital leadership, physician leaders, and leaders across Atlantic Health.
“Ophelia has an extremely rich experience in health care and a deep understanding of nursing and will be a tremendous force for leading the future of care at Overlook,” said O’Keefe. “I look forward to working closely with Ophelia to implement the very best practices from throughout the profession to enhance nursing care throughout Atlantic Health System.”
Byers comes to Atlantic Health System from New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, where she most recently served as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer. She succeeds MaryPat Sullivan, who served as chief nursing and experience officer for Overlook Medical Center for more than 14 years and has transitioned to a new position as director of nursing education and professional development for Atlantic Health System.
“I am elated to join Atlantic Health System and contribute to the nursing and interdisciplinary excellence that has made it health care leader in New Jersey,” Byers said in a prepared statement. “It is an honor to work with dedicated teammates who power the organization’s reputation for high-quality, compassionate care that spans patients, their families, the community, employees, and professional partners.”
“As Overlook prepares to begin its next chapter as a leader in health care for the region, dynamic leadership in nursing will be vital,” said Stephanie Schwartz, interim president of Overlook Medical Center. “As an accomplished nurse leader, Ophelia will bring fresh perspectives and a collaborative approach to nursing care at Overlook.”
Prior to her role at New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, Byers served as a director of nursing at New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital. She joined New York-Presbyterian as an obstetrics patient safety nurse at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and soon after became a patient care director at New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital.
A Camden native, Byers earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Rutgers University-Camden. She then earned her Master of Science in the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner program at Stony Brook University, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Case Western Reserve University. She also spent eight years as a chemical operations specialist in the United States Army Reserves where she was awarded the Army Medal of Achievement for soldiering skills and leadership.
She has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in health care and organizational leadership/culture, and has written about the impact of racism-related stress on Black/African American nurses. She serves as a board member of Kids Creative, a nonprofit organization in New York City.
