Richard Hader, R.N., Ph.D., who was recently appointed senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Meridian Health, has been honored with the 2004 Governor’s Nursing Merit Award in the category of Nurse Administrator. The awards recognize exceptional commitment to the nursing field. In particular, Hader was honored for his efforts in creating an environment that fosters exemplary practice, supporting nursing research, using health care resources effectively, demonstrating exceptional leadership and contributing to health policy.
In his new position, Hader, a Jackson resident, manages nursing initiatives for the three-hospital, 900-bed system, overseeing Meridian’s 2,000 registered nurses.
A certified health care executive and nurse administrator, Hader led the effort for Jersey Shore University Medical Center to be the eighth hospital in the country to receive the Magnet Award, the highest level of national achievement a nursing organization can receive from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In 2003, he was appointed the editor-in-chief of Nursing Management, the most widely circulated international professional journal for nurse managers. He also serves on the Nursing Advisory Boards of Seton Hall University and Monmouth University.