GREENPORT, NY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026 — Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH) has appointed Annalisa Monahan, DNP, MHA, MSN, RN-BC, NE-BC, Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services, effective February 9, 2026, announced Chief Administrative Officer Paul J. Connor. Dr. Monahan brings more than three decades of nursing experience and clinical quality, regulatory readiness, and workforce leadership education across prominent healthcare institutions in New York.
“We look forward to welcoming Dr. Monahan to the SBELIH family,” says Mr. Connor. “I am confident that her leadership will strengthen our nursing practice and further our mission of delivering outstanding, compassionate care to our community.”
Dr. Monahan, a nationally board-certified Nurse Executive and a Doctor of Nursing Practice, is a nurse first and foremost. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Phoenix and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Aspen University. She began her nursing career in 1991, first practicing as a Licensed Practical Nurse before becoming a Registered Nurse. Most recently, Dr. Monahan worked in Manhattan as Director of Patient Care Services for Medicine and Surgery at Mount Sinai West. There, she oversaw eight clinical units, dialysis services, and comprehensive quality oversight, and served as a key leader during Joint Commission surveys. Her background also includes experience in stroke care, addiction medicine, and psychiatry, aligning closely with SBELIH’s clinical strengths.
After interviewing at SBELIH, Stony Brook University Hospital, and with Stony Brook Medicine system leadership, she knew SBELIH was the right opportunity. “It was time to move from a director role to a Chief Nursing Officer position,” she explains. “I saw the potential here to grow with acute services and build something meaningful.”
As CNO, Dr. Monahan is responsible for all nursing staff, clinical metrics and ensuring that nursing practice continues to elevate patient care. She describes her leadership style as engaged and visible. “I’m a nurse first. I like to be patient-facing. When I roll up my sleeves to help care for patients, it sends a message. It all starts with people.”
Since starting in February 2026, Dr. Monahan has prioritized rounding on units and meeting staff across departments. She maintains an open-door policy and believes listening is a leader’s greatest asset. “Leaders need to be accessible. You have to know your people, and they need to see you.”
Her goals for SBELIH are clear: deliver the highest quality patient care, support professional nursing education, and ensure patient safety remains paramount. She envisions nurses working confidently at the top of their scope and pursuing specialty certifications aligned with their passions. As SBELIH continues its Magnet journey, she emphasizes shared governance, empowering nurses to shape patient care decisions and workflows.
“Professionalism and kindness define nursing,” she says. “We care for people at their most vulnerable. When challenges arise, I always return to my ‘why.’ That’s what keeps you grounded.”
With strong collaboration across Stony Brook Medicine and pride rooted in the local community, Dr. Monahan is focused on building a culture where nurses thrive and patients receive exceptional care close to home.
Photo Caption: Annalisa Monahan
Photo Credit: Nicole B. Brewer