Overlook Medical Center names accomplished nurse leader as chief nursing officer

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

As Overlook’s CNO, Veltre will be responsible for the overall delivery and management of nursing professional practice, education, professional development, research, administration and clinical services. Veltre joins Overlook at a pivotal time, during a multiphase transformation plan that includes most of the hospital’s clinical areas.

“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 of Overlook Medical Center and senior vice president, Atlantic Health System, said.

Veltre comes to Overlook with comprehensive experience in nursing leadership in hospitals throughout New Jersey, most recently from Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, where she served as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer.

At Bayshore, she was responsible for implementing and advancing professional standards for patient care, the patient experience and quality outcomes. She implemented the nursing strategic plan for care delivery that aligned with the overall network strategic plan and played a pivotal role in the successful recruitment and retention of the clinical teams.

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. There, she led through a ransomware attack and was at the epicenter of the COVID pandemic. Prior to Palisades, she served as director of critical care and emergency services at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, and executive director of professional practice & emergency services at Holy Name in Teaneck.

“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. There is a strong history of commitment to excellence at Atlantic Health, and I am excited to support and promote that mission with the professional teams,” Veltre said.

“Heather’s deep knowledge of nursing excellence and established record as a leader in the state will allow her to greatly impact nursing as she works together with her fellow CNOs throughout Atlantic Health System,” Trish O’Keefe, senior vice president and chief nurse executive, Atlantic Health System, and president, Morristown Medical Center, said.