INFORMATION FOR
Major: Spanish and Nursing; Nursing Administration
Current Title: Director of Nursing and Strategic Nursing Transformation, St. Joseph’s Health
In his role as director of nursing and strategic nursing transformation for St. Joseph’s Health, Christiam Fajardo is responsible for nursing operations for the system’s Wayne Medical Center facility, assuring that quality nursing care is delivered to patients. Under his leadership, the hospital achieved Pathway to Excellence Designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, achieved an A grade in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade ratings, and improved and maintained successful designation as a Primary Stroke Center by DNV. Christiam has also initiated successful partnerships with community organizations to further expand the hospital’s commitment to the Wayne/Passaic County community as well as remained involved in the partnership between William Paterson University and St. Joseph's Health. Prior to assuming his current role in 2021, Christiam served as nurse manager of the Cardiothoracic and Coronary Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson, and throughout his career has worked in different areas of intensive care, including serving as the lead-ICU resource in preparation and successful achievement of Orthopedic Institute designation by The Joint Commission at another health system. His numerous awards include the Nurse Excellence Award for Transformational Leadership at St. Joseph's Health (2020), the March of Dimes Nurse Manager of the Year (2020) and the New Jersey State Nurses Association/Institute for Nursing (NJSNA-IFN) C.A.R.E.S Award for nursing administration (2023). A strong believer in paying it forward, he is a mentor volunteer for the American Nurses Association Mentorship Program as a Mentor Volunteer, helping other aspiring leaders navigate the pathway to leadership, and serves as resolutions chair for Region 2 of the New Jersey State Nurses Association.
Proudest Professional Accomplishment: “The professional accomplishment I am most proud of is having received the NJSNA-IFN C.A.R.E.S Award in 2023. Standing beside extremely experienced and recognized leaders and being recognized for my accomplishments as a leader among them was a very reassuring and rewarding moment in my life. Out of all the amazing nominees, being chosen as the winner was not only a triumph for me, but also for all those that follow my lead and gives them validation that they can also aspire to receive this award and much more.”
WP Pride: “WP provided me with not only the knowledge but also helped build my character which set me up for success. Through all my time as a student there, both undergraduate and graduate, the faculty were not only focused on increasing my knowledge but took great care in setting me up for success in my future through mentorship and role modeling which occurred both inside and outside of the classroom. Throughout all of my levels of study at William Paterson, I always had the academic and emotional support to accomplish my goals. Now as an adjunct faculty member, it is even more palpable and it is very clear to see that it’s not just for show—genuine student success is embedded in every fiber of the organization.”
