Mary Jo Loughlin Named Chief Nursing Officer of Hunterdon Medical Center

Mary Jo Loughlin's career at Hunterdon Medical Center has spanned over 34 years. In May, she took on a new role, Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services when Patricia Steingall retired after 40 years of service.

After graduating high school in 1986, Mary Jo went on to graduate from Somerset Technical Institute as an LPN and began working at Hunterdon Medical Center in 1988. She immediately enrolled in an accelerated program at Raritan Valley Community College and obtained her RN degree. Mary Jo was a staff nurse on 3 West, a Medical-Surgical Unit formally known as Convalescents for 10 years. Mary Jo moved up the ranks in the organization, beginning with Evening Supervisor, Nurse Manager, Nurse Director, Administrative Director, Assistant Vice President, and finally her current role, Chief Nursing Officer.

Always determined to keep educating herself and build her skills, Mary Jo obtained her BSN from Gwynedd-Mercy College and later her Master's degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2008. She is currently enrolled in her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at Thomas Edison State University with a graduation date of this December.

Mary Jo has held several professional organization leadership positions including former Co-Chair of the Nurse Manager Advisory Committee for New Jersey Hospital Association; former Co-Chair Organization of Nurse Leaders (ONL NJ) Mentorship Committee and is currently a board member for ONL NJ.

'It has been a challenging year with the COVID-19 pandemic for the nursing profession. Focusing on resiliency will be essential in order for our nursing team and profession to lead, excel and innovate. Resiliency has several areas of focus which include: self-awareness, self-care, mindfulness, purpose, and positive relationships. By strengthening these pillars, we, in turn, become more resilient. My vision is to create an environment where nurses can thrive. Yes, there will be challenges along the way, but there is no better team to face these challenges than Hunterdon Healthcare nurses. They are second to none,' explained Mary Jo.

Becoming the Chief Nursing Officer for Hunterdon Medical Center was a dream come true for Mary Jo. As a servant leader, she envisioned herself in the role to support the nurses she would lead and the patient and the community they serve. 'I couldn't be prouder, more humbled, and privilege to lead this amazing nursing team into the future. Together we will do great things. They say it takes a village, and this is our village. The best is yet to come,' stated Mary Jo.

Pictured: Mary Jo Loughlin, BSN, MAS, RN NE-BC was promoted to Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services at Hunterdon Medical Center. Mary Jo resides in Gladstone, New Jersey.