ONE NJ Honors St. Joseph’s Health Nurse

Judy Padula Receives “Divisional Leader” Award

Judy Padula, MSN, RN, Systems Director, Surgical Services, St. Joseph’s Health (SJH), is the recipient of the “Divisional Leader” Award, presented by the Organization of Nurse Executives of New Jersey (ONE NJ). This award was designed to recognize a nurse leader responsible for a division or multiple departments, but who does not serve as a chief nursing officer.

Judy’s responsibilities as Systems Director of Surgical Services include overseeing the operation of the following areas at both St. Joseph’s University Medical Center (SJUMC) and St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center (SJWMC): a cumulative 22 operating rooms, four Gastrointestinal (GI) suites, 26 Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) bays, 37 pre- and post-operative beds, Central Sterile Processing Department, Pre-Admission Testing Department and multiple Ambulatory Surgery Centers. Additionally, Judy participates in hospital-wide strategic planning processes to develop short and long term goals for the surgical division in order to assure compliance with patient care standards and regulatory agency requirements.

Judy’s commitment to compassionate health care extends beyond the walls of the hospital. As a member of Healing the Children, she has been on several Medical Missions trips over the years to countries such as Dominican Republic, Honduras and Panama.

“Judy is a wonderful example of passion and dedication working hand-in-hand,” says Maria Brennan, DNP, RN, CPHQ, Chief Nursing Officer, SJH, and Vice President, Patient Care Services, SJUMC. “In her more than 30 years as an integral part of the St. Joseph’s Health family, she has excelled in a number of roles and advocates for her fellow nurses to continually grow – professionally, academically and personally,” she adds.

January 29, 2015