Nurse Named CEO of South Brooklyn Health
Manjinder Kaur became the leader of the New York City hospital system in July 2026.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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Manjinder Kaur was appointed Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health in July 2026. She is the first nurse to lead a New York City Health and Hospitals institution in recent history.
Why it matters
Kaur's appointment reflects a broader trend of clinical leadership moving into executive roles, having previously served as the hospital's chief operating officer and chief nursing officer.
South Brooklyn Health operates a 351-bed hospital that serves approximately 100,000 patients annually. Nationwide, internal promotions to CEO accounted for 13% of the 219 new health system appointments reported in August 2026.
The players
Manjinder Kaur
She is the CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health and the first nurse in recent history to lead such an institution in New York City.
Cristina Contreras
She was recently named the CEO of Lincoln Hospital, a facility where Kaur also previously worked.
The details
Kaur moved to the United States from India in 2004 and brings years of clinical experience, including a decade at Lincoln Hospital from 2006 to 2016. During her tenure at South Brooklyn Health, she focused on overhauling the facility's throughput management process.
Timeline
2004: Kaur moved to the United States.
2006-2016: Kaur worked at Lincoln Hospital.
2021: Kaur became chief nursing officer.
2024: Kaur became chief operating officer.
July 2026: Kaur became CEO of South Brooklyn Health.
Market Landscape
Kaur's promotion mirrors the national pattern where 31% of hospital CEO appointments in August 2026 involved the elevation of a chief operating officer. This shift highlights an industry-wide focus on retaining executive talent through internal promotion rather than external hiring.
Patients at the 351-bed facility may see continued changes in hospital throughput as the new administration builds on the process improvements established by the former COO. These leadership changes typically influence internal patient care protocols and operational efficiency at the system level.
The takeaway
Kaur's rise from trauma nurse to hospital CEO demonstrates how clinical experience is increasingly viewed as a valuable asset for top-level operational management. This progression shows that nurses with executive experience are successfully bridging the gap between patient care and hospital administration.
Further reading
For more on industry hiring, visit our Nursing Jobs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brooklyn Paper.
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