Awards & Honors

Nancy Gaden, DNP, RN, FAAN,
Appointed to
Regis College Board of Trustees

Assistant professor of medical sciences & education Nancy Gaden, DNP, RN, FAAN, has been appointed to its the Board of Trustees of Regis College.

 “As an alumna deeply grounded in Regis’s mission and values, Nancy brings invaluable insight, leadership, and real-world perspective on the evolving expectations of today’s nursing and healthcare workforce, making her an exceptional addition to the Board,” said Regis College President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN.

Gaden also serves as s senior vice president and chief nursing officer (CNO) at Boston Medical Center (BMC). Since joining BMC in 2014, Gaden played a critical role in the clinical planning and execution of the merger of two campuses, has guided significant improvements in quality, patient experience, and employee engagement, and led the nursing department to their first Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2021. She previously served as CNO of Hallmark Health system where under her leadership, they also received Magnet Designation. Prior to her tenure at Hallmark, she held CNO roles at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, South Shore Hospital, and Milton Hospital.  

“Returning to Regis College as a Board member feels like completing a circle,” Gaden said. “Regis gave me the foundation and values that have guided my career, and I’m honored to help pass those along to the next generation of nursing leaders. The work we do on this Board will help shape the future of healthcare for years to come, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute.”

Among her accolades and industry recognitions, Gaden was named a Living Legend by the American Nurses Association of Massachusetts in 2024, a recipient of an Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare Award from the Commonwealth Institute in 2020, an Excellence in Leadership Award from the New England Organization of Nurse Leaders (ONL) in 2019, and a President’s Award from the American Nurses Association’s Massachusetts in 2018. Past president of the ONL, she is a frequent speaker at national nursing and healthcare forums including America’s Essential Hospitals, the Becker’s National CEO Conference, and the American Organization of Nurse Leaders. In 2023, she was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

Gaden’s academic experience includes teaching in the graduate program at Emmanuel College. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Rochester, master’s in nursing from Boston College, and DNP from Regis College.