HEALTH CARE Power 50
The 50 most powerful people in
MERGER MANIA
Wave of mergers and acquisitions shake up this year's Power 50 Health Care list
AtlantiCare is merging with Geisinger...
Barnabas hopes to merge with
Robert Wood Johnson....
The long-anticipated consolidation
of the health care industry is here.
And not just among the biggest systems.
Smaller hospitals are being gobbled up
by bigger ones as quickly as smaller
physician groups are being grabbed
by regional entities. And the just-released
Navigant report recommends another level
of reorganization in the greater
This movement strongly influenced our
selections for the 2015 version of the NJBIZ
Power 50 Health Care list.
From the CEOs who dreamed up the moves,
to the boards that agreed to them
and the state agencies that approved them,
the top figures in this wave of deals
abound in our rankings.
Don't worry, we included the unheralded,
behind-the-scenes folks, too; the consultants
and lobbyists, the deep thinkers and
association heads - and, because everyone
loves them, the lawyers who make it their
business to ensure these moves will sit well
with all the regulatory bodies.
It's our fifth year of ranking the best
of the best in health care. And while the
industry may be consolidating, we can't help
but think the caliber of the people on our list
is getting bigger - and better - each year.
1
Perhaps it's fitting that Garrett, the person who sits atop the
There was the announced merger with
For all of
What's next? Apparently, plenty. More strategic partnerships are said to be on the horizon. "There will be more major announcements coming this year," one insider said. And while Garrett is moving quickly, one thing is clear: the 57-year-old CEO and president is not going anywhere.
"Bob's not planning on retiring anytime soon," one booster said. "He's got a lot of energy, a lot of experience. He's very well-liked by all of his employees, and Bob's a smart guy; he's definitely going to be around for awhile."
2
The head of the state's largest system,
"The RWJ deal is a master stroke, particularly when you tie in Rutgers and the very serious academic component that this transaction is going to have, which I think is going to distinguish the system - which will be the biggest - from its peers," one industry veteran said. "And the scale is appropriate and jives wonderfully with his strategy of where he wants to take the system."
Where he wants Barnabas to be, literally and figuratively, apparently is everywhere, said another. "Look at the influence the system is having on public policy-making - clearly the brightest example is what's going on in
"A year or two from now, I think you're going to see Barry running the largest health system, the most important health system in
To be sure, antitrust issues will come up: Barnabas is becoming that big, that powerful: "If Robert Wood Johnson happens (some speculate) they would actually have 40 percent of the
3
He's the head of the biggest and most influential insurance company in the state. So that gets him in the Top 10. But it's how Marino is running Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Even though Horizon dominates the industry, he's looking to change it - a gutsy move that's being applauded by others on this list.
"Their expansion of patient-centered medical homes and new delivery models with doctor groups and others is key; it's definitely transitioning Horizon into a new era of partnerships," said one insider. "They've helped to steward that in - and do it correctly. The patient-centered medical homes have been a huge win. They've got a lot of practices; they've transitioned a lot of their members over.
"It's very complicated and hard to shift how payment is delivered and people practice, but they've done a great job in that."
That effort was lauded by a hospital exec.
"He's very innovative," the insider said. "He's on a definitive innovative track to change how health care reimbursements will go in our new system of health care financing."
Better yet: "He's open to listening to new ideas."
Another influencer said he recognizes that he has to - and that's half the battle.
"(He) realizes Horizon can't continue to be successful if it just continues to do what it's always done," one insider said. "So as a leader of the biggest insurance company, he's been willing to sit down and say, 'You know what, I'm willing to go to my board and try to convince my board that the new vision of health care will require us to do something differently from the way we've done it in the past.' And I think that makes him both powerful - because he's running the biggest - and insightful."
4
It's an easy line when putting to- gether these power lists: Pick a topic, then put Norcross in the Top Five.
His influence on so many things in
Health care, however, could be where it's most felt.
That's how one admirer sees it: "When you look at what he's done at Cooper (
Another tried to explain how he is at a different level as a board chairman: "You have accomplished entrepreneurs and businessmen and businesswomen (at all hospitals)," the source said.
"While Norcross is all of that, he just brings to the table this enormous political influence and machine that makes him unique in whatever he chooses to do, whether it's to influence public policy, sell insurance or run a health system. And lucky for the folks in
One that should be emulated, another person said: "Cooper is a pretty good model of what the responsibilities of the health care provider are when you want to be supportive of the right things for the community."
5</p>
For all the government officials connected to health care, perhaps none has a more difficult task than O'Dowd, the health commissioner.
"Talk about a difficult job," one admirer said. "She has to walk the walk and make sure she doesn't cross the line against the governor's policies. She has to be able to translate the governor's plans to the industry in a way the industry buys into it. And she has a lot of difficult decisions to make with all of the mergers going on.
"At the end of the day, that falls in her lap."
Her role dates back to the Jon Corzine administration. And the departure of longtime Gov.
"I think that creates more leverage for Mary in the inner circle of the administra- tion," one insider said.
Not that she needs it.
Another fan admires how much she has grown in the job.
"Mary's a really smart person. She's really matured well in this job," they said.
"She came in from NYU with very little experience when she first got to the
6
Two things are difficult when talking about Mansue:
1) Finding anyone who has anything but glowing things to say about her; or
2) Being able to describe all the things she has done, can do or will do in the future.
She is the CEO and president of
Already a top adviser, her role will increase in importance if the RWJ/Barn- abas Health merger happens. "She could benefit as much as anyone by joining a large system," one insider said.
She has worked in the governor's of- fice, in private business and ran an insur- ance company - and she's the incoming chair of the state chamber.
One admirer tried to sum it all up: "Amy's got experience on the financing side and she has experience on the pro- vider side, and she has talent and skill and insight on the political side.
"So she's got a skillset that's some- what unique. Maybe it is unique within the industry."
And then there's her personality.
Her ability to get along with all, and be so productive at the same time, makes some feel the No. 1 spot in our list is inevitable.
"It's not perhaps about any one big year or big splash - it's just about that continual movement toward the top of the fist."
7
The president of Rutgers moves back in the Top 10 this year.
The bigger question is how far can the medical school at Rutgers go, with Barchi and Chancellor
"At some point, Rutgers health ought to be a national destination when it comes to health care and discovery," one industry insider said.
"I think the merger that the governor helped engineer is the first step toward that.
"
Simply put, said another: "Barchi has got to be on there just because of the force that Rutgers has become in health care now - although I don't think it's really appreciated publicly yet."
That may be coming.
The proposed
"He's formed a nice relationship with
The job, especially as it pertains to
"I think there's a lot to do," one insider said. "But in terms of impact on the ultimate attainment of health care and graduate medical education deliv- ery systems in
8
LeBenger and his more than 450-doctor
His competitors acknowledge his influence and acknowledge his concept is here to stay - all while still trying to find reasons why his physician-owned group based in
"I would say their business model will be tested over the next couple of years. And it will be interesting to see how that plays out," said one competitor.
There is, however, plenty of praise, which comes with a hint of envy.
"Jeff is running the premier medical group in the state of
A group that's growing.
It's not just the opening of sites in
One industry veteran said his traditional competitors better take notice.
"I think Summit continues to have a very active dialogue about what they can do as an alternative," the source said. "I think they are somewhat of a threat to classic institutional health care."
9
If you think
"I think he will teach and enlighten the leaders at
That's not surprising.
Lloyd - who seemingly built
"He's the dean of the delegation," one fan said. "From the smallest hospitals to the largest systems, he's respected."
And beloved.
His trips through his own hospitals are legendary. And lengthy.
"I've seen it take three hours for him just to get down a hall," one admirer said. "People just love him and they know they can talk to him. And I'm amazed at how he seemingly remembers everyone's name and something about their department."
Maybe because he's seemingly done it all in his career.
"Hospitals, both teaching and community, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, home care, strong teaching programs," said another booster, rattling off his résumé. "He cautiously evaluates his strategic initiatives and has put together one of the most successful systems in the state."
Another said, simply, "I think he's brilliant."
10
Judges (NR)
We usually use entities as the closer in these power lists, but not this year.
King v. Burwell, for which the
"This a huge issue for national political issues, for Obamacare and the war between Democrats vs. Republicans, for
"This impacts hospitals who are getting money, for insurers - including two insurers (
Then there's coming state Tax Court ruling that could strip
It's a potential decision that could change the business model of the industry.
No. 50? Our experts don't think so.
"You could make an argument that this is the No. 1 issue in the industry."
THE TEENS
11.
There's the potential merger with Barnabas, but there's no mistaking his success as CEO of Robert Wood Johnson in his own right. "He continues to navigate a substantial system," one said. And don't overlook the acquisition of
12.
He's the CEO of one powerful
13.
"
14.
An interim commissioner this high? Nearly everyone interviewed agreed about the woman holding down the role of last year's No. 1,
15.
The new chair of the
16.
Another
17.
Harr continues to influence as a director in the
18. JayPicerno(23j
He's the only COO on our list for the second consecutive year, but his supporters say the
19.
Health care always is top of mind for the Assembly maj ority leader. "Lou is a player" one
THE TWENTIES
20. Hospital Boards (NR)
Another entity, but keeping with our merger theme, we feel it's worth it. "I would say the boards of every hospital that is entering into an affiliation, from
21.
Kirby stepped into a tough situation when she was elevated to CEO of Cooper after the tragic death of
22.
We weren't sure how Catino would be viewed after her QualCare company was bought by
23.
The Seton Hall president looks like he's going to get his medical school, which will make or break what has been a nothingbut-successful run at the university. He gets credit for "his foresight and being a very good partner in this... and taking a risk. And it's a risk - it's not cheap."
24.
They are the heads of the state's two more important for-profit players. They have not been as active in the acquisition space as some thought a year ago; of course, that's not their doing. "The approval process can be a long and arduous one," one longtime industry observer said, noting they have a number of deals awaiting a nod from the state. And while they are stirring some of the out-of-network cost debate, they also are providing an important service: Being a center for care in areas that not-for-profit systems have left.
25.
"I thinkyou need to wait a bit; he's only been on the job a few days," was a view of one insider, summing up the opinion of others. But then again, as the new CEO and president of
26.
The
27.
The precision medicine initiative, highlighted by
28.
"This is one of your unsung heroes of health care," said an admirer. The CEO of
29.
Sometimes, you just let others do the talking. Such is the case with this Brach Eichler lawyer. "He knows the ambulatory surgery rules in
THE THIRTIES
30.
No one debates
31.
Some say there was no need to do the Navigant report; all you had to do was follow the model Horan established in
32.
He's often viewed as one of the top consultants in the health care industry, someone who, as head of
33.
Some say the lawmaker has been slowed by a Republican administration. Others say his background as a medical doctor keeps him front and center on issues, no matter who is in charge. "No health care bill can get through
34.
All of our insiders felt Slavin, the CEO of
35.
As the CEO of CentraState, Gribbin faces a lot of obstacles, starting with geography. "If the Bamabas/Robert Wood Johnson deal is completed and the Meridian/
36.
Conlin, Horizon's executive vice president of health care management, assists CEO
37.
Seemingly everyone is impressed by how Maron, CEO of
38.
His population health management programs are well known. ^Vfl And continue to be I But his goals as head of the
39. Jeanne Ofersen (27)
One of the leaders of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees is always out in front on nursing issues and staffing issues. "She definitely belongs," one inäder said. "Just because the issue she's incredibly passionate about has fallen on the back burner this year, I don't think you can discount what she does."
THE FORTIES
40. MicheUene Davis (NR)
"She's the one who gets things done for Barnabas (in
41.
The director of the
42.
Schwimmer, who will succeed
43.
The president of the
44.
The head of the
45.
It's a transitional time for the president of Advocare and CEO of
46. Andrew Pécora (NR)
The head of
47. John HajjarfiVRj
Don't know the CEO of
48.
The accountant is a newcomer to the list - and some say it's a long-overdue honor: "He's got the largest phyacian-practice accounting practice in the state; hundreds and hundreds of groups," one insider said. "He's been in the middle of all these physician-hospital alignment transactions, the anesthesia deals, you name it - any significant material trend involving physicians, Rich has been involved influencing events, counseling clients and moving the needle."
49. William Caslner (NR)
The well-regarded lawyer at Gibbons is building a well-regarded team of lawyers and lobbyists, including pulling
50.
"Of course, there will be antitrust issues," is a concern that came up during virtually every conversation about the M&A action throughout the state. In some respects, the FTC may have more power than system CEOs and their boards. Feel it doesn't belong? Well, it's already here. "The federal regulators are already calling around about these deals," one veteran in a position to know said. Another conjectures: "I think you are going to see a lot more scrutiny around the country - and certainly in this area. As we continue with these larger hospital systems at some point it's going to hit a trip wire, and it's going to be a big deal."
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