Top 25 COOs in Healthcare - 2017

Alkire has been COO of Premier since 2011, helping the quality-improvement organization and one of the nation's largest group purchasing organizations continue its mission to help hospitals and health systems provide better patient care while reducing costs. He leads the integration of Premier's clinical, financial, supply chain and operational performance strategies for its members, which include about 3,750 hospitals. Alkire helped Premier become the first hospital-owned GPO to go public in 2013. Before becoming COO, Alkire was president of Premier Purchasing Partners. Previously he served in a number of leadership roles at consulting giant Cap Gemini, including North American responsibilities for supply chain and high-tech manufacturing.