#GEMawards
Excellence in Education and Mentorship
An RN who contributes to nursing’s body of knowledge through formal nursing education, skills training or continuing education, or who guides, supports or infl uences nurses’ career development in meaningful, measurable ways through the art of professional nursing.
J. Cedar Wang, MSN, RN, APN, GNP-BC, CHSE
Director of Simulation Education
Holy Name Medical Center
Teaneck, N.J.
For Wang, being a GEM Award regional winner showcases the tremendous opportunity simulation has to transform nursing care at the bedside. Wang said simulation, considered a disruptive innovation in healthcare, has not been easily adopted. But she successfully helped implement it at her facility.
The out-of-nothing creation of a reputable, sustainable simulation education facility is what she considers her greatest contribution. “While the equipment is fun and cool, more notable is its impact on patient care,” Wang said. “The real goal is to transform care we deliver so each patient is seen as an important individual with unique and complex needs.”
Wang said there is no magic formula for nursing excellence; rather, nurses have a well-worn path to follow. In a world of ever-increasing automation, escalating diversity and growing disease complexity, nurses should continue to serve as models of compassionate, individualized care, she said. “This begins with the self-respect to understand one’s mission and motivation in being a nurse,” she said. Nurses need to lead the charge in treating patients as distinct individuals worthy of respect and care, Wang said.
Excellence in
Executive Leadership
An RN who is well-known and respected as a visionary, innovative leader and change agent; who moves the profession forward through work in patient care administration, education or research; or strengthens the profession through other professional activities, endeavors or contributions.
Jennifer O’Neill, DNP, APN, NEA-BC
CNO and Vice President of Patient Care Services
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Livingston, N.J.
The death of O’Neill’s grandfather has been the most impactful experience on her growth as a nurse leader, she said. “Through this experience, although emotionally challenging, I was given the ability to fully experience empathy with patients and families,” O’Neill said. “We must be able to connect authentically with our patients, families, colleagues and employees to care for each other, build teams, build loyalty and achieve results.”
O’Neill also recognizes that following her own career path — away from the leadership track and toward clinical practice as an NP — gave her a unique perspective of the profession.
She cites the ability to develop a unifi ed team as her greatest accomplishment and the one that makes her most proud. “I value honesty and loyalty,” she said. “It’s important that we communicate clearly and support each other as professionals and friends. Through consistent mentoring and coaching, using tools like emotional intelligence for individuals and sharing results as a team, we identify each other's strengths to enhance the team's performance.” O’Neill said her team’s advancement also has improved interdisciplinary collaboration and ultimately the quality of patient care.
2016 • Visit us at
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