Ophelia Byers has been named associate chief nurse executive of Atlantic Health System and chief nursing officer for Overlook Medical Center, Atlantic Health announced Monday.
Byers, who has more than 20 years of experience in clinical care and nursing leadership, 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.
Atlantic Health officials said Byers is an advanced practice and women’s health nurse practitioner who maintains national certifications in clinical practice, patient experience and diversity and inclusion. She has a strong reputation for being a champion of nursing professional governance and fostering team engagement across disciplines, departments and system sites.
“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. “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 associate chief nursing executive, a new role at Atlantic Health System, Byers will partner with Trish O’Keefe, the chief nurse executive for Atlantic Health System and president of Morristown Medical Center. The two will work to align and support nursing care across all clinical settings throughout the organization.
“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,” O’Keefe said. “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.”
At Overlook Medical Center, Byers 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, Byers will support the existing high standards and goals for patient/family-centered nursing practice, as well as collaborate to create a bold vision for advancing clinical quality and patient safety.
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.
Byers served eight years as a chemical operations specialist in the Army Reserves, where she was awarded the Army Medal of Achievement for soldiering skills and leadership.
