Holy Name Press Releases

Holy Name Medical Center Appoints Michele Acito Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer

July 22, 2020

Holy Name Medical Center today announced the appointment of Michele Acito, DNP, NP, NE-BC to executive vice president and chief nursing officer.

Acito oversees all aspects of nursing and patient care services and operations, including critical care, surgical services, inpatient services, and telemedicine, among others. She will also work closely with administrative and physician leadership to enhance safety and quality initiatives and practices at the medical center.


Acito most recently served as director of nursing operations for Holy Name, which was the epicenter of New Jersey's COVID-19 outbreak and one of the first and hardest hit hospitals in the country. She played a critical role in the medical center's crisis response.

"Michele's unwavering commitment and strategic decision-making helped us stay one step ahead of the curve at the height of the pandemic," said Michael Maron, president and CEO of Holy Name Medical Center. "I am thrilled that Michele – who has served Holy Name in various leadership capacities for more than three decades – is now leading our incredible team of nurses and patient caregivers, who are unrivaled in clinical skill and compassion."

Acito joined Holy Name in 1989 as a telemetry nurse, working in cardiovascular and intensive care units. She has more than 30 years of progressive leadership experience at the medical center, first as director of nursing for the cardiovascular unit, then as director of physician network operations, and later director of nursing operations. Prior to her career at Holy Name, she worked as a staff nurse in orthopedics at St. Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson.

"Nurses are always on the front lines of healthcare, committed to keeping our patients safe and healthy," said Acito. "As we've seen these past few months, nurses put their own lives on the line to care for the most vulnerable in our communities, during one of the most uncertain times in recent history. I am so proud of our nurses, whose efforts are the reason we remain one of just 6% of healthcare organizations nationwide to achieve Magnet® Recognition, the highest distinction for nursing excellence and quality care."

Acito earned her bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree at Dominican College in New York and her master of science in nursing (MSN) degree at Seton Hall University. She received her adult nurse practitioner certification (ANP-BC) at Fairleigh Dickinson University and her doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree at Monmouth University.