April 2026
Kelly K
Marcoux
,
PhD, APN, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC
Patient Care Services
Society of Pediatric Nurses
Chicago
,
IL
United States
Kelly’s path reflects a lifelong calling to pediatric nursing.
Kelly Keefe Marcoux's leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to children and families embody the heart of nursing and the spirit of this recognition.
Kelly Keefe Marcoux, PhD, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC, CCRN, serves as Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH). In this role, she leads more than 700 staff across 15 sites, but her true impact is measured not in numbers — it is seen in the lives of children and families who benefit every day from the culture of excellence she has built.
CSH cares for children undergoing rehabilitation as well as those who are medically fragile with complex healthcare needs. The hospital’s mission is to help every child reach their fullest potential, and Kelly has strengthened that mission by championing a deeply family-centered model of care. Under her leadership, nurses are empowered to educate and support families so they leave feeling confident, capable, and hopeful — often achieving what once felt impossible: bringing their child home safely.
Kelly’s path reflects a lifelong calling to pediatric nursing. She began her career in the Pediatric ICU, where she quickly distinguished herself through clinical excellence, thoughtful critical thinking, and genuine compassion for families navigating fear and uncertainty. She built lasting relationships with caregivers, modeling a standard of care rooted in empathy and partnership.
As a mentor and preceptor, she inspired others to grow, fostering a culture where learning and excellence became shared goals. After advancing her education to become an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Kelly worked in academic pediatric ICUs before moving into leadership. There, she discovered her passion for elevating nurses and strengthening the systems that support them.
When she joined CSH as Chief Nursing Officer, she immediately recognized the extraordinary potential within the nursing staff and set out to nurture it. She revitalized the Clinical Ladder Program to focus on measurable outcomes, quality improvement, and professional growth, helping nurses see the direct impact of their expertise on children with complex needs.
She expanded the Nursing Education Department into a Center for Professional Development, Research, and Innovation, ensuring that expert pediatric guidance supports care across all settings.
Kelly’s vision has also shaped the future of advanced practice nursing. During the past 24 months, she designed and implemented the nation’s first Developmental/Behavioral and Pediatric Physiatry Nurse Practitioner fellowships — programs that now serve as national models for preparing clinicians to care for vulnerable pediatric populations.
In addition, her leadership has strengthened recruitment, retention, and morale. Nursing turnover has decreased significantly, and recognition programs such as the DAISY Award have flourished under her guidance, reinforcing pride, joy, and appreciation within the workforce. Through shared governance initiatives, nurses are empowered to lead safety and quality improvements that directly enhance patient care.
Kelly’s commitment to safety is unwavering. As Patient Safety Officer and executive sponsor for high-reliability initiatives, she has helped drive remarkable improvements, including extended periods without serious safety events and evidence-based projects that protect medically fragile children.
Beyond CSH, Kelly contributes nationally as a researcher, speaker, and advocate for children with complex healthcare needs. Yet her influence is felt most deeply at the bedside, where her leadership ensures families experience care that is not only clinically excellent, but compassionate and human.
Kelly Keefe Marcoux exemplifies what nursing leadership can achieve when vision is guided by heart. Her work uplifts nurses, strengthens families, and gives children the best chance to thrive.
Kelly Keefe Marcoux, PhD, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC, CCRN, serves as Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH). In this role, she leads more than 700 staff across 15 sites, but her true impact is measured not in numbers — it is seen in the lives of children and families who benefit every day from the culture of excellence she has built.
CSH cares for children undergoing rehabilitation as well as those who are medically fragile with complex healthcare needs. The hospital’s mission is to help every child reach their fullest potential, and Kelly has strengthened that mission by championing a deeply family-centered model of care. Under her leadership, nurses are empowered to educate and support families so they leave feeling confident, capable, and hopeful — often achieving what once felt impossible: bringing their child home safely.
Kelly’s path reflects a lifelong calling to pediatric nursing. She began her career in the Pediatric ICU, where she quickly distinguished herself through clinical excellence, thoughtful critical thinking, and genuine compassion for families navigating fear and uncertainty. She built lasting relationships with caregivers, modeling a standard of care rooted in empathy and partnership.
As a mentor and preceptor, she inspired others to grow, fostering a culture where learning and excellence became shared goals. After advancing her education to become an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Kelly worked in academic pediatric ICUs before moving into leadership. There, she discovered her passion for elevating nurses and strengthening the systems that support them.
When she joined CSH as Chief Nursing Officer, she immediately recognized the extraordinary potential within the nursing staff and set out to nurture it. She revitalized the Clinical Ladder Program to focus on measurable outcomes, quality improvement, and professional growth, helping nurses see the direct impact of their expertise on children with complex needs.
She expanded the Nursing Education Department into a Center for Professional Development, Research, and Innovation, ensuring that expert pediatric guidance supports care across all settings.
Kelly’s vision has also shaped the future of advanced practice nursing. During the past 24 months, she designed and implemented the nation’s first Developmental/Behavioral and Pediatric Physiatry Nurse Practitioner fellowships — programs that now serve as national models for preparing clinicians to care for vulnerable pediatric populations.
In addition, her leadership has strengthened recruitment, retention, and morale. Nursing turnover has decreased significantly, and recognition programs such as the DAISY Award have flourished under her guidance, reinforcing pride, joy, and appreciation within the workforce. Through shared governance initiatives, nurses are empowered to lead safety and quality improvements that directly enhance patient care.
Kelly’s commitment to safety is unwavering. As Patient Safety Officer and executive sponsor for high-reliability initiatives, she has helped drive remarkable improvements, including extended periods without serious safety events and evidence-based projects that protect medically fragile children.
Beyond CSH, Kelly contributes nationally as a researcher, speaker, and advocate for children with complex healthcare needs. Yet her influence is felt most deeply at the bedside, where her leadership ensures families experience care that is not only clinically excellent, but compassionate and human.
Kelly Keefe Marcoux exemplifies what nursing leadership can achieve when vision is guided by heart. Her work uplifts nurses, strengthens families, and gives children the best chance to thrive.