To compile our seventh annual ranking of the 50 Most Influential Physician Executives in Healthcare (previously called the 50 Most Powerful Physician Executives in Healthcare), Modern Healthcare and sister publication Modern Physician issued a call for nominations on Nov. 22, 2010. From Nov. 22 through Dec. 31, readers submitted nominations via ModernPhysician.com and ModernHealthcare.com.

More than 11,700 nominations were received, up from nearly 11,300 received last year.

The 100 names receiving the most nominations were then placed on the final ballot. From Jan. 17 through Feb. 22, readers could submit their votes for the candidates they believed should make the final ranking. Nearly 152,000 votes were cast this year, more than double last year's 69,800.

Previously, the 50 physicians getting the most votes made the final list, with the ranking determined by the number of votes each received. However, starting this year, readers' votes counted for only 50% of the outcome. The other 50% came from the expert opinions of the senior editors at Modern Physician and Modern Healthcare. Modern Physician and Modern Healthcare also reserved the right to resolve voting irregularities.

For more information on the 50 Most Influential Physician Executives in Healthcare program, visit the Recognition section of ModernPhysician.com.