The Garden State’s most inspiring nurses recently were honored at the 2025 C.A.R.E.S. Awards for their work in schools, hospitals, advocacy and research.
The annual event, hosted by the N.J. State Nurses Association and the Institue for Nursing, recognized five winners, each representing a pillar of the state’s nursing profession: clinical practice, administration, research, education and support. It also honored five honorable mentions and over 40 distinguished nominees across New Jersey.
Selected through peer nominations and a rigorous review process, these award-winning nursing professionals were recognized by the NJSNA and IFN not just for their skill, but for their vision, compassion and deep commitment to the communities they serve.
IFN Chair Kristin Meloche Sagedy said the awards are a tribute to the incredible passion, skill and dedication nurses bring to their roles every day.
“Our winners this year embody what it means to be a nurse in New Jersey — innovative, compassionate and deeply committed to the well-being of others,” she said. “We are proud to recognize and celebrate them.”
Below are the 2025 C.A.R.E.S. Award Winners in each category:
Clinical Practice: Sara Barry, RN, Audubon Junior-Senior High School: A third-generation nurse and lifelong caregiver, Barry founded the first-ever Health Prep Club at Audubon Jr-Sr High School to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. She coordinated student trips to Cooper Trauma Center and arranged for federal agents from the FBI, ATF and U.S. Marshals to share career insights with students. Barry also collaborated with local police and EMS through her work on the Audubon Board of Health, driving initiatives that promote community wellness.
Administration: Nicole DiCroce, RN, AtlantiCare: DiCroce is known for mentorship and innovation. She restructured departmental leadership, trained more than 100 nursing professionals in ultrasound-guided IV insertion and implemented more efficient workflows and cost-saving measures in bronchoscopic procedures. Her approach has improved patient care and strengthened interdepartmental collaboration.
Research: Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos, PhD, RN, Rutgers University–Camden: With over 18 peer-reviewed publications and leadership on more than a dozen research grants, Dr. Nagtalon-Ramos is advancing women’s health and mental health. Her latest study, funded by the South Jersey Institute of Population Health, is a landmark needs assessment of Filipino American women conducted in partnership with the Philippine Community of Southern NJ.
Education: Jovita Grzybowski, RN, Saint Peter’s University Hospital: Grzybowski is a respected educator and the Internationally Educated Nurse Assimilation Specialist at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. She supports newly arrived nurses from South Korea and the Philippines with cultural integration and clinical mentorship. Jovita also mentors undergraduate honors students in pediatric clinical immersion, which stirs early engagement in nursing careers.
Support: Rosemary Smentkowski, DNP, RN, New Hope Integrated Behavioral Health: Dr. Smentkowski, a Certified Addiction Registered Nurse and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, advocates for professionals and patients affected by addiction. She sits on several addiction-focused boards and brings clinical leadership to both inpatient and outpatient care settings, championing compassionate support and recovery-based treatment.
In addition to the five award recipients, the following individuals received special recognition as honorable mentions for their outstanding contributions to nursing in each category:
- Clinical: Al-Zada “Al” Aguilar, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
- Administration: Deborah Smith, St. Joseph’s Health
- Research: Olga Jarrín Montaner, Rutgers Health School of Nursing
- Education: Barbara McCormick, Jefferson Health East
- Support: Marthe Leveille, University Hospital
According to officials, the winners were nominated by peers and selected by the NJSNA Awards Committee using a comprehensive scoring rubric.
