Wantage woman named Nurse of the Year

WANTAGE — Lea Rodriguez, Wantage resident and vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Clara Maass Medical Center, was named Nurse of the Year at the 10th Annual NJBIZ Healthcare Heroes awards program at The Palace at Somerset Park.
The awards recognize individuals and organizations that are making a significant impact on the quality of health care in New Jersey. Rodriguez, along with other award winners, was chosen by an independent panel of judges.
“We congratulate Lea on this well-deserved award,” said Mary Ellen Clyne, president and CEO at Clara Maass Medical Center. “Lea is a transformational driving force who has helped create a health care environment that exemplifies excellence. She is an inspiration to her colleagues and continually raises the bar to ensure the highest level of care for our patients.”
Rodriguez is the highest-ranking nurse executive at Clara Maass Medical Center, reporting directly to the president and CEO at Clara Maass.
Rodriguez has a master’s degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a bachelor’s degree in Public Health Administration from Rutgers University and an associate’s degree in Nursing and Applied Science from Felician College. She is currently pursuing her master’s in Nursing at Felician College.