Honouring Dr. Claudette Holloway: A Trailblazer in Nursing and Community Leadership-Closing Out Nursing Week with Gratitude and Reflections

Dr. Claudette Holloway, Immediate Past President, RNAO

As we close out Nursing Week, we take a moment to honour and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Dr. Claudette Holloway, a bold advocate, a transformational leader, and a voice of unwavering compassion and courage in Ontario’s nursing and community health sectors.

Dr. Holloway is currently the Executive Director of JCAN, where she brings her extensive clinical and administrative experience to life through a grassroots model that strengthens health equity, cultural connection, and service to historically marginalized communities. Under her leadership, JCAN has expanded its reach and visibility, offering culturally responsive programming, mental health education, and social supports to Black seniors and community members across the GTA and beyond. Her leadership at JCAN has been characterized by warmth, wisdom, and a deep understanding of the role that community plays in wellness:

“We don't just provide programs. We create space for people to be seen, valued, and heard. That’s health care in its truest form.” said Dr. Holloway.

Yet Dr. Holloway’s impact extends far beyond her role at JCAN. Dr. Claudette Holloway concludes her impactful term as President of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), we celebrate her remarkable contributions to nursing leadership, health equity, and systemic transformation in Ontario's healthcare landscape.

A Visionary Leader in Nursing

Dr. Holloway brought over 25 years of diverse nursing experience to her role, encompassing long-term care, maternal-infant health, public health, and nursing education. Her academic achievements include a PhD in Health Administration and certification as a health executive. Prior to her presidency, she held leadership positions within Toronto Public Health and served as a sessional instructor at Ryerson University, demonstrating her commitment to both practice and mentorship. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes vision, collaboration, and integrity:

 “Leaders must have a vision for excellence, commit to health-care transformation and inspire individuals to act.”

Championing Equity and Anti-Racism

A defining aspect of Dr. Holloway's tenure was her unwavering commitment to addressing anti-Black racism within the nursing profession. As a founding member of RNAO’s Black Nurses Task Force, she played a pivotal role in creating the Black Nurses Leading Change (BNLC) interest group. BNLC serves as a platform for mentorship, advocacy, and professional development for Black nurses and nursing students, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers and promote inclusivity.

Chapters & Interest Groups

In her message during Black History Month, Dr. Holloway highlighted the importance of acknowledging and addressing systemic inequities:

“We have a bright future ahead when we remind the world that Black nurses have always been here, and we will continue to lead.”

Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis

Dr. Holloway's presidency coincided with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was instrumental in advocating for policies to strengthen Ontario's nursing workforce, including expanding the scope of practice for registered nurses and nurse practitioners, increasing nursing education seats, and accelerating the registration process for internationally educated nurses.

Under her leadership, RNAO released the ECCO 4.0 report, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming Ontario's health system through community care and addressing systemic inequities exacerbated by the pandemic.

A Legacy of Advocacy and Transformation

Dr. Holloway's tenure as RNAO President has left an indelible mark on the nursing profession in Ontario. Her dedication to health equity, commitment to dismantling systemic racism, and leadership during a global health crisis have set a precedent for future nursing leaders.

As she transitions to the role of Immediate Past-President, RNAO, Dr. Holloway's influence will continue to resonate within RNAO and the broader healthcare community, inspiring ongoing efforts toward a more equitable and resilient healthcare system.

At JCAN we celebrate Dr. Holloway