The roller-coaster ride of the COVID-19 pandemic—now more than 18 months long and counting—has tested leaders in all sectors of the healthcare industry and at all levels.

The men and women who make up this year’s class of the Top 25 Emerging Leaders have certainly risen to the challenges. Even early in their careers, many have impressive track records of innovation and accomplishment predating the pandemic.

Recognizing the importance of DEI, Modern Healthcare is introducing the inaugural Top 25 Diversity Leaders in Healthcare, formerly known as the Top 25 Minority Leaders.

Honorees on this year’s list demonstrate a commitment to expanding and improving access to care to all patients and creating more inclusive workplaces. Modern Healthcare is also recognizing 10 organizations that bolstered diversity in leadership and governance ranks.

In high-performing and successful teams, regard for employees’ well-being, acknowledgment of their contributions, and deference to their experience and dedication all helped maintain some level of harmony during the pandemic.

We congratulate all of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare for emphasizing that compassion and respect are essential to an engaged and productive workforce. 

COVID led the industry to experiment with innovations that can reshape how care is delivered. The members of this year’s class of Top 25 Innovators have introduced ideas that engage consumers in new ways, lower healthcare costs and take unique approaches to managing population health. The honorees were chosen for their work in one of four areas: consumerism, cost reduction, population health and quality/safety. They were selected from nearly 200 nominations.

In the face of unprecedented public health, societal and financial challenges, clinical leaders across the industry continued to find ways to innovate. Honorees on this year’s list of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives oversaw efforts to launch hospital-at-home programs; expand programs to address staff burnout; and address diversity, equity and inclusion, among other things.

The Health Care Hall of Fame award is one of healthcare industry’s most prestigious honors. A partnership between Modern Healthcare and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the program was created to recognize the men and women who have made extraordinary strides, outstanding and lasting contributions to the healthcare industry.  

Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Women Leaders program honors female executives who are guiding healthcare delivery improvement across the country. The annual program recognizes leaders from all sectors of the industry, spotlighting their professional accomplishments and contributions to their organizations.

The 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare awards & recognition program honors individuals in healthcare who are deemed by their peers and the senior editors of Modern Healthcare to be the most influential individuals in the industry, in terms of leadership and impact. This program allows for readers to vote for their top choices and selected honorees will be published in Modern Healthcare's annual ranking.

The Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards are designed to recognize healthcare's best advertising, marketing, promotion and communication campaigns on and across all media platforms. The awards honor campaigns that advance provider, insurer, supplier and advocacy group efforts to deliver high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare; promote the health of individual patients, groups and communities; and help organizations thrive and grow in today's rapidly changing healthcare environment.