STAMFORD, CT/September 4, 2019 – Stamford Health’s Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Ellen Komar, has won this year’s Doris M. Armstrong Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Administration from the Connecticut Nurses’ Association (CNA). This prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievement, innovation and leadership in nursing service, which embodies the cultivation of a practice environment that empowers nurses and enhances their impact on care while achieving significant advancement of the nursing profession.
Among her most notable achievements, Komar has led the organization to Magnet® designation for nursing excellence, helped secure the hospital’s Planetree designation, established a robust Nursing Research Institute; cultivated a growing Nurse Residency program, and advanced educational and career ladders for all nurses at the Stamford Health. Due to her leadership this past year, three of the hospital’s patient care areas were awarded the Guardian of Excellence Award from Press Ganey for outstanding outcomes in the patient care experience.
“I have worked closely with Ellen since she joined Stamford Health in 2004 as Director of our Orthopedic and Women’s Health Service lines. Her impact on our organization has been profound,” said Kathleen Silard, President and CEO of Stamford Health. “As Chief Nursing Officer, Ellen is well-respected among our nurses and physicians alike. We are proud to celebrate such a momentous honor with her.”
In her current role, Komar leads a team of more than 800 professionals, providing strategic direction and leadership for patient care services including all nursing units, perioperative services, emergency department, cardiac cath lab, pharmacy, pulmonary and neurology departments. Previously as Executive Director of the Heart & Vascular Institute and Women's Health, she was responsible for the planning and administrative launch of emergency and elective angioplasty, open heart and The Center for Integrative Medicine & Wellness.
Prior to joining Stamford Health, she served as Director of the Transplant Center, Heart Center & Neuroscience Center of Excellence at Westchester Medical Center (WMC) in Valhalla, NY. At WMC, Komar was the nurse manager for the Neurosurgical ICU & Burn Center and she also worked in the clinical areas of cardiothoracic, emergency and trauma. Komar holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a Master's degree in Public Administration, Healthcare Administration from Pace University. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as Nurse Executive Advanced.
About Stamford Health
Stamford Health is a non-profit independent healthcare system with more than 3,500 employees committed to compassionately caring for the community and offering a wide-range of high-quality health and wellness services. Patients and their families can rely on comprehensive person-centered care through the system’s 305-bed Stamford Hospital; Stamford Health Medical Group, with more than 30 offices in lower Fairfield County offering primary and specialty care; a growing number of ambulatory locations across the region; and support through the Stamford Hospital Foundation.
Stamford Health is also a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dedicated to being the community’s most trusted healthcare partner, Stamford Health puts patients first to build long-lasting relationships. For more information, visit StamfordHealth.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.