Most Powerful People in Healthcare
Modern Healthcare (MHC) came out with its “100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare” rankings last week. Readers voted Steve Case, co-founder of America Online and founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Revolution Health Group, #1.
MHC reporter Jennifer Lubell wrote that “Case–whose primary objective is to empower consumers through various IT strategies–has apparently struck a chord with an industry worn down by soaring costs as well as questions about access and quality.”
Interestingly, Eric Schmidt, chairman and CEO of Google was #2, and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was #3. They were followed by politicians Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barak Obama, Edward Kennedy, Arnold Schwarzenegger, George W. Bush, John McCain, Newt Gingrich, and Nancy Pelosi. IHI’s Donald Berkwick was #17; AHRQ’s Carolyn Clancy, #30; and RWJF Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, #82.
What makes a person powerful? According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, it means “having great power, prestige, or influence.” Power is defined as the “ability to act or produce an effect; possession of control, authority, or influence over others.”
No doubt those individuals mentioned above are indeed powerful in healthcare. But I wouldn’t necessarily say that they are powerful in healthcare design. Who would those individuals be? Perhaps we should do our own poll and ranking. Some who come to mind are Cheryl Herbert of Dublin Methodist Hospital; Christine Malcomb of Kaiser Permanente; Joe Sprague of HDR (AIA Guidelines); Kirk Hamilton of Texas A&M; Robin Guenther of Perkins & Will; and of course, there are many more.
Who do you think is powerful in healthcare design?