Pictured left to right: Evan Holtz, MBA, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CHSE, CHSOS; Kevin Kurzweil, BS, MICP, CHSE, CHSOS; Amber Bartol, BSN; Jimmy Sobrera, DNP, RN; and Cathlyn Robinson, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN.
West Orange, NJ – March 27, 2025 – Several RWJBarnabas Health emergency nurses received professional awards at this year’s New Jersey Emergency Nurses Association (NJENA) 46th Annual Emergency Care Conference. The awards celebrate excellence, leadership, and dedication in emergency nursing and were presented last week at the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City.
“RWJBarnabas Health celebrates the unwavering dedication and exceptional skill of our nurses, whose compassion and commitment to excellence have earned them this well-deserved recognition from the New Jersey Emergency Nurses Association. It is with great pride and admiration that I, on behalf of the executive leadership team, congratulate these amazing honorees for being the heart of healthcare and for representing the nursing workforce of our health system,” said Nancy Holecek, MAS, MHA, BSN, RN, FNAP, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at RWJBarnabas Health.
RWJBarnabas Health nurses who were recognized for their accomplishments include:
Cathlyn Robinson, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, Director of Operations for Emergency and Hospitalist Medicine, RWJBarnabas Health — Recipient of the President’s Award
The NJENA President's Award is an annual achievement award that recognizes a New Jersey ENA member who exemplifies exceptional performance in professional practice, innovation, leadership, and advocacy. The President’s Award is given at the discretion of the Emergency Nurses Association president to an individual that has a great impact on the president’s career through inspiration, mentorship, teaching or support.
A registered nurse (RN) for over 30 years and an emergency nurse for more than 25 years, Cathlyn Robinson has worked in emergency departments (ED) in both the U.S. and Canada. Her experience spans roles as a staff RN, clinical education specialist, and clinical nurse specialist in trauma. She is a Trauma Nursing Core Course and Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course Director and is a Certified Emergency Nurse and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse. Robinson has presented at local, state, national, and international conferences and is an active member of the Emergency Nurses Association.
Amber Bartol, BSN, Trauma Clinical Nurse Educator and Emergency Nurse, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) — Recipient of the Emerging Professional Award
Amber Bartol received the Emerging Professional Award, which honors nurses early in their careers who are already making a significant impact in emergency nursing. With just over four years of experience, she has emerged as a leader in trauma care, serving as chair of the Trauma and Critical Care Committee and working to enhance patient outcomes. A Trauma Nursing Core Course director (TNCC), she teaches emergency nurses across the enterprise. As a Stop the Bleed Instructor, she has led training sessions, including courses for farmers and local schools in both English and Spanish.
In fall 2024, Bartol accepted an Adult and Pediatric Trauma Educator role, where she teaches and coordinates trauma education for nurses and physicians at a Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center. She uses simulations, skill sessions, and mentorship to advance best practices. All the while, she remains a per diem in the ED to keep her skills sharp. A dedicated ENA member, she has presented at NJENA conferences, previously earning first place for her poster presentation, and remains actively involved in the Trauma and Pediatric Committees.
Jimmy Sobrera, DNP, RN, Administrative Director, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway Emergency Department — Recipient of the Clinical Nurse Leadership Award
Jimmy Sobrera received the Clinical Nurse Leadership Award for his exceptional leadership in emergency nursing and lasting impact in management. A dedicated nurse leader, he has served as a bedside emergency department nurse, charge nurse, preceptor, and nurse leader, consistently fostering a collaborative and patient-centered environment.
Under his leadership and in collaboration with the ED leadership team, the department’s Left Without Being Seen (LWOB) rate dropped from 3.9% to below 0.1% in two years. He collaborates closely with hospital leadership to drive system-wide improvements while maintaining a hands-on approach to supporting his team. Sobrera credits his success to accountability and excellence in practice, values that define his leadership and inspire those around him.
Kevin Kurzweil, BS, MICP, CHSE, CHSOS, Director of Simulation, and Evan Holtz, MBA, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CHSE, CHSOS, Program Manager, Center for Professional Development Innovation & Research (CPDIR), The Institute for Nursing Excellence, RWJBarnabas Health — Recipients of the Behind-the-Scenes Award
Evan Holtz and Kevin Kurzweil were recognized with the Behind-the-Scenes Award for their dedication to emergency nursing education and NJENA’s mission. Their efforts helped enroll nearly 200 nurses in the Foundations of Emergency Nursing program in 2024, leading high-fidelity simulations across 10 training sessions.
Their contributions extend to Stop the Bleed, Spring Education Day, and advanced certifications, enhancing hands-on learning. Beyond teaching, they organize events, manage logistics, and mentor educators, ensuring high-quality simulation training for both new and experienced ED nurses.
In addition to these honors, several RWJBarnabas Health professionals presented educational lectures throughout the conference, showcasing their expertise in emergency nursing. Presentations included:
- Jennifer Chaiken, BSN, RN, CEN, Clinical Nurse Educator, Center for Professional Development, Research and Innovation (CPDIR), Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton Emergency Department
- Married…With Orientee: Precepting in the ED
- Mario Viscardi, Director, Patient Care, Emergency Services, Clara Maass Medical Center Emergency Department
- Protecting Our Own: Supporting ED Nurses Facing Workplace Violence
- Protecting Our Own: Supporting ED Nurses Facing Workplace Violence
- Emily Sapieznyski and Liz Barba, Clinical Nurse Educators, RWJUH Emergency Department
- Behavioral Health Impact on Triage Acuity in Medical Patients: Case Reviews
- Consulting for ECMO: Early Considerations During a Code in the ED
- Sharmine Brassington,PhD(c), MSN, RN, Administrative Director, Monmouth Medical Center Emergency Department
- Nursing Burnout in the Emergency Department
- Nursing Burnout in the Emergency Department
- Kathe Conlon,BSN, RN, CEM, MSHS, Director, The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
- Challenges and Complications Evaluating Burns in the Emergency Department Setting
- Challenges and Complications Evaluating Burns in the Emergency Department Setting
- Cathlyn Robinson, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, Director of Operations, RWJBarnabas Health Emergency and Hospitalist Medicine
- Is There a Nurse Onboard? Dealing with In-Flight Medical Emergencies
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its diverse communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate and equitable manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 43,000 employees, contributing more than $5.5 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org.
Contact:
Carrie Cristello
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org