Modern Healthcare Announces 2005 Ranking of “100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare”

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) August 25, 2005

Mike Leavitt, Secretary, HHS, has been voted by readers of Modern Healthcare as the most powerful person in healthcare for 2005.

Leavitt, appointed as HHS secretary on January 26, is a seasoned administrator and professional politician. He acknowledges his role overseeing the vast healthcare bureaucracy confers the kind of political muscle no other individual or organization in the industry can hope to muster.

“I recognize that this stature (on the list) is because of my role as secretary of HHS. You have a significant status not only as a payer but also because of the regulatory responsibility,” says Leavitt.

Making an impressive first appearance this year at number two on the list is Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft Corporation; Donald Berwick, President and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement makes a significant jump from number 17 to number three; while President George Bush keeps his position at number four for the second year in a row.

The complete list of the “100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare” can be found in the August 22 issue of Modern Healthcare or online at modernhealthcare.com.

"The fact that more than 40% of the people who made the 100 Most Powerful this year were different from last year shows how dynamic the healthcare industry has become," said David Burda, editor of Modern Healthcare.

More than 8,600 nominations were received for this year’s “100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare” ranking. The final ballot was comprised of the top 300 nominees, with more than 185,700 votes being cast to determine the final 100.

Published by Crain Communications, Modern Healthcare delivers the most comprehensive and trusted healthcare news and information in print, online and via email. Modernhealthcare.com, the Daily Dose, Modern Healthcare Alert and our electronic magazine, Health IT Strategist, each provide news that helps industry executives do their jobs better.

###