Dr. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy Named to TIME’S 2026 TIME100 Health List of the World’s Most Influential Leaders in Health
TIME honors ANA president for elevating nurses as essential leaders in healthcare policy and delivery
SILVER SPRING, MD – February 11, 2026 – TIME has named Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), to the 2026 TIME100 Health List of the World’s Most Influential Leaders in Health. Dr. Mensik Kennedy was honored in the list’s Titan category.
The 2026 TIME100 Health list spotlights the 100 most influential leaders shaping the future of health worldwide. As the global health landscape continues to evolve, this year’s honorees include innovators, advocates, and system-level leaders advancing bold solutions to strengthen care delivery and improve health outcomes for communities around the world.
Mensik Kennedy was recognized for her national and global leadership, elevating the role of nurses as essential drivers of access, quality, and equity in healthcare. Under her leadership, ANA has advanced policies that protect nurses and expand access to care, including building a coalition of more than 90 organizations to support the reintroduction of the ICAN Act in 2025. The legislation seeks to expand access to care services, particularly in areas facing critical provider shortages, by removing federal barriers that prevent advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthesiologists, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives, from practicing to the full extent of their training.
TIME also cited Mensik Kennedy’s leadership in mobilizing nurses and allies to oppose policies that would have restricted access to nursing education by excluding nursing from the federal definition of professional degrees. ANA’s advocacy efforts, including a national petition to Congress, drew international attention and support while reinforcing the United States’ role as a global standard-setter for advanced nursing practice.
“This recognition reflects something nurses have always known to be true,” said Mensik Kennedy. “Nurses are the connective tissue of healthcare systems, showing up every day to meet patients where they are and close gaps in care. Being included on this list is not about one individual. It is about the power, leadership, and impact of nurses everywhere who are shaping the future of health.”
Angela Beddoe, CEO of the American Nurses Enterprise, congratulated Mensik Kennedy on the honor.
“Jennifer’s inclusion on the TIME100 Health list is both well-earned and deeply meaningful,” Beddoe said. “Her leadership has helped reframe how the world sees nursing, not as a supporting role, but as a driving force in health policy, innovation, and care delivery. This recognition affirms The Power of Nurses™ and the impact of the work they do every day.”
The full 2026 TIME100 Health list and related tributes appear in the February 23 issue of TIME, available on newsstands Friday, February 13, 2026, and online at time.com/time100health.
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About the American Nurses Association
As the oldest organization representing more than 5 million registered nurses, the American Nurses Association stands at the forefront of advancing nursing excellence. The association harnesses The Power of Nurses™ to champion the profession and drive transformation in healthcare. Through legislative and political advocacy, comprehensive educational services, and the profession’s leading Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards, the association empowers nurses across every specialty and practice setting. The association is committed to ensuring healthy work environments, shaping pioneering policies, and cultivating partnerships that enhance both the nursing profession and the broader healthcare experience.
MEDIA CONTACT: newsroom@ana.org