Sutter Health’s Chief Nurse Officer Katrina Ascencio-Holmes, left, received her national award during the “Go Red for Women” luncheon in Sacramento. With her is Sutter Roseville Medical Center CEO Tammy Powers.
NORTHERN CALIF. — The American Heart Association this month named Katrina Ascencio-Holmes, Chief Nurse Officer at Sutter Health, the 2025 National Woman of Impact, a prestigious recognition that honors outstanding commitment to women’s heart health.
Selected from over 500 nominees across the country, Holmes emerged as the national winner through her extraordinary leadership, advocacy and dedication during the American Heart Association’s nine-week Woman of Impact campaign — part of the Go Red for Women movement. The initiative aims to raise awareness and funds to combat cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among women.
A longtime supporter of the American Heart Association and a former open-heart surgical nurse, Holmes’ passion for the mission deepened following the tragic loss of her sister-in-law to a heart attack at age 40 and her cousin’s recent diagnosis of three-vessel disease.
“Saying ‘yes’ to the Woman of Impact nomination was not just an opportunity — it was a chance to honor my loved ones and contribute to a mission that can save lives,” said Holmes.
With support from Sutter Health and a dedicated team of nurses, colleagues, friends and family, Holmes led a powerful campaign centered on education, community engagement and raising funds for heart research. Her team hosted events, shared heart health resources and raised vital funds — helping contribute to the national campaign’s $7.5 million total and driving awareness in 96 cities.
“As nurses, we’ve always been patient-centered,” says Kat Holmes, above. “But through this campaign, we became champions for women’s heart health. That impact will continue well beyond these nine weeks.”
Before her promotion to Chief Nurse Officer for the Sutter Health system, Holmes was the Chief Nurse Executive at Sutter Roseville Medical Center, and many of her colleagues and friends at Sutter Roseville and throughout the Sacramento region assisted her in the campaign. Holmes credits Sutter Health for fostering a culture that prioritizes community health and advocacy for heart health.
“This campaign was truly a team effort. I am so grateful to Sutter Health and my Impact Team for their tireless energy, creativity and unwavering belief in the importance of women’s heart health,” she said.
Through her authentic leadership and personal outreach, Holmes exemplified the power of collective empowerment. Her team’s efforts not only surpassed their fundraising goal but also ignited critical conversations around women’s cardiovascular risk — a subject that remains underdiagnosed and often misunderstood.
“As nurses, we’ve always been patient-centered. But through this campaign, we became champions for women’s heart health. That impact will continue well beyond these nine weeks,” said Holmes.
The Woman of Impact™ campaign is part of the Go Red for Women® movement, which has empowered women for over 20 years with the tools and knowledge to take charge of their heart health.
Holmes’ recognition as the 2025 National Woman of Impact is both a personal milestone and a call to action for others.
“This journey has been profoundly rewarding. By supporting this mission, we’re not just contributing to a cause — we’re creating change that can save lives,” she said.
Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s signature initiative to end heart disease and stroke in women. The movement harnesses the energy, passion, and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out cardiovascular disease — the leading cause of death for women.
Sutter Health is a not-for-profit, integrated health system serving more than 100 Northern California communities. With a mission to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and communities, Sutter Health prioritizes innovation, collaboration and compassionate care.
