Patricia A. Polansky, RN, MS

Patricia A. Polansky, RN, MS

Patricia A. Polansky has worked as assistant commissioner for the Division of Aging and Community Services (DACS) in the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services since 2002. At DACS, Pat has run programs designed to make it easier for the state's 1.5 million older adults to get the help they need to support their well-being and maintain themselves in the community with independence, dignity and choice.

Before joining DACS, Pat was executive director of the New Jersey Board of Nursing and co-founder of a health care consulting firm, and worked in executive management roles at New Jersey hospitals for over 20 years. Pat also held nursing positions at both the staff and supervisory levels, and is still, proudly, a registered nurse in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Pat was the recipient of the Governor's Nursing Merit Award and the outstanding alumna designation from University of Pennsylvania's College of Nursing, among other honors. She has also taught as an adjunct professor — at Fairleigh Dickinson University, University of Pennsylvania, New York University and most recently at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.