A Model of MRC Excellence: Dr. Marian Nowak’s Legacy of Service, Leadership, and Innovation    

Dr. Marian Nowak, DNP, RN, MSN, MEd, MPH, PN, CSN, FNAP, FAAN, exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a nurse within the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). A dedicated volunteer nurse with the South New Jersey MRC for nearly two decades, Dr. Nowak has not only served her community directly but has also cultivated the next generation of nursing leaders. She leads an innovative outreach program that connects student nurses to real-world public health and disaster response experiences; work that has had a lasting impact on both local preparedness and the professional development of future nurses.

She also developed the first-ever student nurse disaster response certificate in the United States. This groundbreaking initiative, created in collaboration with the MRC of the Philadelphia Department of Health's Division of Disaster Management and Bioterrorism, reflects Dr. Nowak’s deep commitment to education, service, and community resilience. Her forward-thinking approach has created a sustainable pipeline for informed, ready, and compassionate disaster response nurses.

Dr. Nowak’s work extends far beyond her local community. She has served as the Pan American President of the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants (CICIAMS) since 2016 and was a member of the CICIAMS UN Delegation from 2015 to 2023, advocating for global health priorities. In 2020 she was honored for her work in disaster nursing education and service at the United Nations International Nurses Day. Her long-standing roles as a parish nurse and Eucharistic minister further highlight her holistic approach to healing and service. While serving with both the American Red Cross Disaster Response Nurse and the Medical Reserve Corps, she has provided support to communities as they face and recover from disasters and emergencies.

Her ongoing involvement with the Quality and Safety in Nursing Education (QSEN) International Task Force since 2016 underscores her influence in shaping nursing standards and best practices. Through every role, Dr. Nowak brings expertise, compassion, and a tireless dedication to improving community health outcomes.

Dr. Marian Nowak’s story is one of many that illuminate the extraordinary work being done by MRC nurses across the country.  Her service is a testament to the impact that dedicated, energetic, compassionate people can make to the people in their communities, the next generation, and communities around the world.