Dame Amanda Pritchard, who grew up in Taunton, led the health service during the second half of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said it was an “enormous privilege” to be at the helm of the NHS during the “greatest challenge” in its history.
Ms Pritchard was made a dame in the King’s New Year Honours for services to the NHS.
She said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award, which reflects the extraordinary achievements of so many people across the NHS past, and present.
“The health service cares for over 1.7 million people every day, with dedicated staff going above and beyond, time and again, for patients and their families.
“Their commitment was never clearer than during the Covid pandemic, including the NHS’s world-leading vaccine rollout.
“It was an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what was, undoubtedly, the greatest challenge in the health service’s history.”
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She added: “Staff have continued to show the same commitment and passion to recover services, innovate and transform care for the future.
“I am delighted to be back now on the front line of the NHS, continuing to play my part alongside extraordinary colleagues across the health service and beyond who are committed to providing high quality healthcare for all, now and for future generations. This honour belongs to them all.”
Ms Pritchard was chief executive of NHS England from 2021 to 2025 and was the first woman ever to hold the post.
She announced that she was stepping down amid a turbulent time for the organisation.
Her resignation was announced in February and, just weeks later, the Government said that NHS England would be axed amid plans to cut bureaucracy and tighten Whitehall control of the NHS.
Ms Pritchard began her NHS career as a graduate management trainee in 1997 after studying at Oxford University and has held a variety of other NHS management positions including chief operating officer of NHS England and deputy chief executive at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust.
Ms Pritchard, who is married with three children, is now chief executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London.
About three dozen NHS staff including nurses, surgeons and GPs have been recognised for their service in the New Year Honours.
Retired doctor, Dr Maeve Keaney, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to refugee doctors in Manchester, after establishing a programme that has supported refugee and asylum seeker doctors and nurses to return to clinical work in the NHS.
Twins, Ryan Appleton and Dean Appleton from Colchester, who are both community first responders, were awarded British Empire Medals for services to the community in the East of England.
Current NHS England chief executive Sir James Mackey said: “As this year comes to a close, it’s important to take a moment to thank all our NHS staff who have been recognised for their dedication and tireless efforts to improve care for patients across the country.”
Health Minister Baroness Merron added: “All those recognised in the list have demonstrated the highest levels of integrity and unwavering commitment to the health and social care sector.”