Becker's Healthcare January 9, 2026
Becker’s is proud to recognize outstanding CNOs who are shaping the future of patient care. As the leaders of nursing strategy, CNOs take on critical challenges such as addressing staffing shortages, managing nursing budgets and creating meaningful professional development pathways for the next generation of nurses.
Beyond overseeing nursing departments, these executives lead innovative initiatives that elevate care quality and strengthen clinical excellence across their organizations. With a powerful blend of hands-on clinical expertise and executive leadership, CNOs play an essential role in advancing healthcare and supporting the nurses who deliver care every day.
Note: Becker’s Healthcare developed this list based on nominations and editorial research. Leaders do not pay and cannot pay for inclusion on this list. This list...







