Naomi Heinecke
Naomi Heinecke, MHA, is a nurse and healthcare leader based in Covington, Washington, with a career dedicated to advancing patient-centered oncology care. She currently serves as Senior Clinical Operations Manager at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, where she oversees clinical operations for breast and gynecologic oncology programs. In this role, she manages a team of 27 registered nurses and supports more than 40 oncologists while also overseeing a shared resource department of medical assistants serving multiple solid tumor teams. Her work focuses on strengthening clinical operations, improving care coordination, and ensuring patients receive high-quality, compassionate treatment.
With more than a decade of leadership experience in oncology operations, Naomi specializes in women’s oncology, particularly breast and gynecologic cancers. She is known for her relationship-driven leadership style, emphasizing trust, collaboration, and strong communication with staff to build engaged and effective teams. Naomi is also passionate about expanding access to care for marginalized populations and supporting community outreach initiatives that promote preventative breast cancer screening and early detection.
Naomi began her career as a bedside nurse and steadily advanced into leadership roles within academic oncology settings. While raising a family, she returned to school to further develop her leadership expertise, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Leadership and later completing a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. She is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing. In recognition of her contributions to healthcare and her community, she was honored by the Puget Sound Business Journal as part of its 2025 Healthcare Heroes award recipients.
• University of Washington - Master's degree, Health/Health Care Administration/Management
• University of Washington - Tacoma Bachelor's degree, nursing and healthcare leadership
• Clover Park Technical College - Licensed Practical Nurse
• South Puget Sound Community College - nursing prerequisites
• Honored by the Puget Sound Business Journal as part of their 2025 Group of Healthcare Heroes.
• Oncology Nursing Society
• ACHE
• AAACN
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to building strong relationships with colleagues, staff, and mentors who have guided and supported me throughout my career. I have also remained committed to perseverance, particularly while continuing my education and advancing professionally while raising a family. Above all, consistent hard work and dedication to my field have played a significant role in my professional growth.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most impactful pieces of advice I received from a mentor and former supervisor was to focus on building strong relationships with the people who report to me. That guidance reinforced the importance of trust, communication, and support in effective leadership.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to cultivate a deep passion for the work you do and to be prepared to work diligently to achieve your goals. It is also important to confidently highlight and validate your own accomplishments, as recognizing your contributions helps ensure your work and impact are seen and valued.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Our field is currently facing several significant challenges, including pressures and declines in NIH and academic oncology funding, growing public mistrust following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rising cost of cancer care, which can create financial strain for patients. Additionally, workforce recruitment and retention remain ongoing concerns as expectations around work-life balance continue to evolve. Addressing these challenges presents opportunities to rethink how we support both patients and healthcare professionals.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my professional and personal life include relationship-driven leadership, giving back to underserved communities, and ensuring that the care we provide remains meaningful and patient-centered. I believe strong relationships and a commitment to service are essential to making a lasting impact.
Locations
Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Seattle, WA 98042