It’s the time of year when pundits, consultants and yes, journalists, start coming out with their year-in-review reflections and look ahead for the next 12 months. Even Merriam-Webster gets in on the fun, annually announcing its word of the year based on searches.
Merriam-Webster’s word for 2023 is “authentic.”
Related: The 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare, 2023
That announcement came just days before the Nov. 30 first anniversary of OpenAI’s release of the public version of ChatGPT. The technology and its potential applications have been the talk of many industries, including healthcare. Considering the wide-ranging concerns about misinformation and the aspects of patient care this game-changer shouldn’t replace, authentic seems like an apt word choice for the industry to embrace next year too.
What a year it has been for healthcare. In addition to technological, pharmaceutical and clinical advancements, there are new investors and non-traditional players seeking opportunities in the space, expanded care models, significant labor wins, a widening of the talent pipeline amid the continued staffing crisis, and either mergers between systems or the formation of partnerships designed to expand services while mitigating risk.
That broad expanse of priorities, and the leaders behind the organizations making these moves, are reflected in our 2023 ranking of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare. Our list includes CEOs guiding the largest health systems, insurers, associations and others—the organizations that are perennially on the list for their industry heft. The moves made by these decision-makers are reshaping the industry.
But size alone doesn’t define influence. This year, we also selected more than 40 leaders who weren’t on the list last year. That includes more than 30 newcomers, some of whom lead smaller health systems and other organizations determined to improve health equity.
The hope is that all 100 are wielding their clout for the betterment of their own organizations as well as the industry, truly making moves that improve the world around them and the patient experience. Again, authentic.
