Nancy Holecek Again Named to Modern Healthcare’s National List of 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives

West Orange, New Jersey, June 8, 2026 - Nancy E. Holecek, MAS, MHA, BSN, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of RWJBarnabas Health, the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, has again been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives in the U.S. for 2026. This is the third year that Ms. Holecek has been named to this list.

Modern Healthcare's 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives program honors clinical executives across the country who use their medical training to shape their exceptional leadership. They are selected by the magazine's senior editors for their achievements in driving innovation, improving outcomes, serving their communities, and demonstrating exemplary leadership. Executives included on the list have a track record of furthering operational, financial and clinical improvements at their organizations while improving community health or addressing other industrywide issues.

Recently recognized by Press Ganey as Chief Nursing Officer of the Year, Ms. Holecek's leadership and contributions have strengthened RWJBarnabas Health's capacity to provide exceptional care. She is the visionary behind RWJBarnabas Health's School of Nursing and Institute for Nursing Excellence, creating a premier systemwide model for nurse education and advancement. She empowers nurses to deliver safe, compassionate, high-quality care while prioritizing education and development, and has unified academic-practice partnerships and integrated evidence-based training across the care continuum. Leading over 11,000 nurses, she aligns education, research, and clinical excellence to strengthen workforce pipelines and patient outcomes, positioning the School and Institute as national benchmarks for innovation and patient-centered nursing practice.

According to Modern Healthcare, the 50 clinicians chosen for this year's list are paving nation's the way to better health. The honorees will be published at ModernHealthcare.com/50Most and in the June 8 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine.

About RWJBarnabas Health

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.

RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state's largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.

RWJBarnabas Health's commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey's largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit https://www.RWJBH.org

Contact: Carrie [email protected]