Presented annually at the TRUST Forum, the 21st Century Pinnacle Leader Award recognizes individuals who are “trailblazers” in leadership, transformation and innovation in health care.
This award is given at the Forum each year to recognize an outstanding woman who has made a difference in our state in health care. This Pinnacle Award shows what a great woman can accomplish in health care!
2026 Pinnacle Leader- Barbara Walczyk-Joers
Barbara Walczyk-Joers has served as President & CEO at Gillette Children’s since late 2013. A leader in pediatric specialty care, Gillette provides specialized care to children who have complex, rare, or traumatic conditions affecting musculoskeletal or neurologic performance.
With more than twenty-five years of healthcare experience, Ms. Joers has a focus on strategic performance and organizational change management as well as health policy and advocacy. She has served in leadership roles in a variety of pediatric and adult healthcare settings, including academic healthcare centers, community health systems, and independent children’s hospitals.
A recognized thought leader in healthcare, Ms. Joers has been recognized as a transformative healthcare leader, one who appreciates and enjoys the complexities of navigating an ever-changing health care environment, while working to assure individuals’ health and wellbeing are the focus.
Ms. Joers is a member of the Board of Directors of the Medical Alley Association and 2026 Special
Olympics USA Games. She is also an active participant in other organizations including the International
Hospital Federation.
Ms. Joers studied acute care hospital administration at Marymount University. She holds a Master’s in Health Services Management and Policy from George Washington University and completed The Wharton School Corporate Governance certificate.
Past Winners
2025: Dr. Rachel Hardeman
2024: Jennifer DeCubellis
2023: Jodi Hubler
2022: Amy Ronneberg
2021: Allison O’Toole
2020: Andrea Walsh
2019: Jan Malcolm
2018: Patsy Riley
2017: Dee Thibodeau
2016: Jeannine Rivet, MPH, BSN, RN, FAAN
2015: Nancy Feldman