Elizabeth Sheridan - Woman of the Year

2009 Garden State Woman of the Year - Healthcare
Elizabeth Sheridan – Chief Nurse Executive, South Jersey Healthcare System and Chief Operating Officer, South Jersey Healthcare Regional Medical Center
Nominated By: Bruce Boxer

In her dual role as South Jersey Healthcare System’s (SJH) Chief Nursing Executive and the Chief Operating Officer of SJH Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth Sheridan has helped transform the health of Cumberland County residents while establishing nursing as a leader in the effort to better patient care. Through her leadership, disparities in care for minority patients with congestive heart failure were lessened, access to care for minority patients increased, and specialized services to better care for women and minorities introduced. She initiated the Woman’s Health Institute at SJH to address special healthcare needs of the community’s women; increasing the availability of healthcare and services provided, as well as community education and support. To address the County’s teen pregnancy rate, one of the highest in New Jersey, Ms. Sheridan provided increased access to comprehensive contraceptive options and gynecological care.

Through her leadership, the Cardiac ICU received the prestigious American Association of Critical Care Nurses’ Beacon Award for excellence in patient care. For two concurrent years, SJH is recognized by the Governor’s Annual Occupational Safety and Health Awards Program as a model for others to emulate. SJH is distinguished as an outstanding patient experience by the J. D. Powers and Associates Award. Additionally, SJH received full Joint Commission Accreditation and Disease-Specific Certifications in Stroke and Congestive Heart Failure. SJH is the only hospital in New Jersey awarded the Fit Friendly Platinum Award from the American Heart Association for two consecutive years.

Ms. Sheridan’s leadership transforms the lives of those she leads, and those in the communities she serves.