(Courtesy of CBMC) Sheila Collier, MSN, RNC-MNN, has been named the chief nursing officer at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, formerly Saint Barnabas Medical Center. A dedicated member of the CBMC team since 2005, Collier is responsible for all aspects of the nursing division, including the operational clinical practice, education and research delivered through nursing clinical services and the more than 1,100 nurses employed by CBMC, located in Livingston, New Jersey. “Sheila is an admired and trusted leader who works collaboratively to achieve goals and implement her vision,” said Nancy Holecek, executive vice president for patient care services and chief nursing officer, RWJBarnabas Health.
“Sheila has an unwavering commitment to excellence. Under her leadership, CBMC will continue delivering compassionate, safe and high-quality care to our patients and the community,” said Richard L. Davis, president and CEO, CBMC. “A role model for all, Sheila is an advocate for nurses, continually encouraging their professional development and growth. Looking forward to the future, I am confident that she will lead our Magnet-recognized nursing team to even greater success.”
Collier received her bachelor of science in nursing at the University of Rhode Island. To enhance her expertise, she completed a master of science in nursing with a concentration in executive leadership from Felician University. She also holds a specialty certification in maternal newborn nursing. As a solutions-driven healthcare leader, Collier is recognized for her ability to steer successful cultural transformations resulting in major improvements to patient experience, healthcare outcomes, employee engagement and morale.
With over 30 years of experience within the maternal child division at CBMC, she has grown the service line by 2% year over year and has implemented several cost-saving initiatives. She is accomplished in establishing new departments and facilities from the ground up and assembling, managing, and mentoring high-performance teams.
Passionate about professional growth and inter-professional collaboration, Collier has mentored numerous nurses who have transitioned into leaders within the organization. She leads by example to build trusted physician relationships and develop strong collaborations across all disciplines.
Additionally, Collier was instrumental in leading her division through the Magnet Designation journey in 2018. As a Magnet-designated organization, CBMC embodies the Magnet Model of transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practices, and new knowledge and innovations as nurses continue to improve patient outcomes and enhance the lives of the communities they serve.
Collier is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), New Jersey Advocacy Committee (ONL) and Association of Women’s Health Obstetrics and of Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). She was awarded the Daisy Nurse Leader in 2018 and was a March of Dimes Leader of the Year finalist in 2016.
To learn more about Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, visit www.rwjbh.org/coopermanbarnabas.
