Top Diversity Leaders in Healthcare - 2021

As head of Optum Pacific West, Desai oversees care delivery impacting nearly 2.5 million patients in California, Oregon and Washington. The organization has done a lot to coordinate care between behavioral, social and medical health teams, resulting in a 16% year-over-year drop in preventable hospitalizations. There’s also been a 20% decrease in hospitalizations among patients with chronic conditions. Along the way, Optum has become a leader in adopting value-based care models. Desai is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as well. Women and people of color make up 71% of his leadership team and he’s set a goal to increase the percentage of Hispanic senior leaders to a minimum of 10%.