Katrina (Kat) Ascencio-Holmes is chief nurse officer of Sutter Health, where she leads more than 17,000 nurses caring for 3.5 million patients across the not-for-profit system.
Since assuming the role in 2024, she has provided strategic nursing leadership while advancing nursing education, research, and workforce development. Ms. Ascencio-Holmes first joined Sutter Health in 2009, helping shape the development and implementation of multiple surgery centers in the Central Valley.
In 2018 she became CEO of Stanislaus Surgical Hospital before taking on leadership roles at Sutter Roseville Medical Center and rising to chief nurse executive in 2022.
In 2023 she served as interim CEO of Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital and as chief administrative officer and chief nurse executive of Sutter North Surgical Hospital. She is deeply committed to empowering nurses to deliver high-quality care while supporting career growth and workforce retention. Her professional affiliations include the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives, the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.
She was named an American Heart Association Woman of Impact in 2025 and Woman of the Year by Women Health Care Executives in 2026. Ms. Ascencio-Holmes earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Phoenix.