Becker’s Hospital Review Recognizes Two NYC Health + Hospitals Nursing Leaders
NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Nursing Executive Natalia Cineas and NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County Chief Nursing Officer Opal Sinclair-Chung are recognized on the hospital and health system CNOs to know list
Nov 10, 2026
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Nursing Executive Natalia Cineas and NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County Chief Nursing Officer Opal Sinclair-Chung are recognized on the 361 hospital and health system CNOs to know list for 2026 by Becker’s Hospital Review. The annual recognition list highlights the outstanding CNOs who drive nursing strategy, address workforce and budgetary challenges, and build strong professional development pathways for the next generation of nurses. Beyond overseeing nursing operations, these executives lead innovative initiatives that elevate care quality and clinical excellence, blending deep clinical expertise with executive leadership to support nurses and advance healthcare across their organizations. Becker’s Healthcare is the go-to source for healthcare decision-makers and one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry.
“To be listed among the CNOs To Know by Becker’s Hospital Review is an honor for me and the entire NYC Health + Hospitals team,” said NYC Health + Hospitals CNE Natalia Cineas, DNP, MSM-N, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, FADLN. “Strong nursing leadership is about creating environments where nurses feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver exceptional, equitable care every day.”
“The future of healthcare depends on investing in our nursing workforce, through mentorship, innovation and a relentless focus on quality and patient outcomes.” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County CNO Opal Sinclair-Chung, MSA, MSNE, RN. “I am truly honored to be included on the list alongside so many inspiring nursing leaders.”
Natalia Cineas is Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at NYC Health + Hospitals. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare from Northern Arizona University’s W.A. Franke College of Business, a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from George Washington University, a Master of Science in Management and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New York University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Stony Brook University. Cineas serves as adjunct faculty at Columbia University School of Nursing. In 2021, she was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, one of the most significant milestones in a nurse leader’s career, in which their accomplishments are honored by colleagues within and outside the profession; she currently serves on the Academy’s Fellow Selection Committee and previously served on the Health Equity Panel. In 2024, she was named an Inaugural Distinguished Fellow of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing, a new fellowship program to recognize, support, and promote the astounding work that has been done to diversify the nursing profession by advancing health equity, creating anti-racism policies, and strengthening antiracism healthcare practices in an intentional way.
Opal Sinclair-Chung is the Chief Nursing Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. Sinclair-Chung has received multiple leadership awards for her work as CNO at NYC Health + Hospitals, including the prestigious Sloan Public Service Award from the Fund for the City of New York. She currently leads the nursing workforce at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, the largest municipal hospital in Brooklyn and a Level 1 Trauma Center. Under her leadership, Kings County Hospital became the first hospital in Brooklyn and the second in New York City to achieve Pathway to Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Additionally, her nursing staff from the medical ICU, cardiac care unit and neonatal ICU received gold and silver Beacon awards in 2024 from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Other designations include all three AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety designations, Prevention of Retained Surgical Items (RSI), Smoke Evacuation (Go Clear) and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Sinclair-Chung is committed to developing effective policies and procedures that foster highly engaged team members, prioritizing patient experience and quality outcomes.
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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.