Worcester Business Journal

10 Worcester Business Journal | May 10, 2021 | wbjournal.com P O W E R 5 0 H E A L T H C A R E Winfield S. Brown, BA, MSB, MHA, FACHE PRESIDENT & CEO HEYWOOD HEALTHCARE, IN GARDNER Residence: Westford Colleges: Bates College, University of Minnesota & Husson University Brown leads the largest employer between Fitchburg and I-91, as CEO of the health system with both Heywood and Athol hospitals, two facilities with a combined 1,200 employees and $170 million in annual revenues. As the main healthcare provider in the North Central and North Quabbin regions, he's responsible for the well- being of the residents in these areas and has committed to addressing the social determinants of health. His leadership role had an outsized importance in dealing with coronavirus, as the pandemic spread to areas where access to care wasn't as nearby. In addition to leading Heywood, he's busy seemingly everywhere else: as chair of the Boys & Girls Club of North Central Massachusetts and and the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, and as a board member of the Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation and the utility company Unitil. What do you think the future holds for Central Mass.? "The collaborative nature of our local nonprofit network and rich history of cross-sector collaboration results in a responsive approach to community health and social needs ... Our health system is growing, evolving and investing with more than $50 million in construction underway on Heywood Hospital's campus." He's a part-time Steven Spielberg: While neither an Emmy nor an Academy Award are in sight, throughout the pandemic, Brown has shot more than 300 videos via his iPhone and sent more than 1,500 COVID-19 updates to keep his staff and the community well-informed. Lou Brady PRESIDENT & CEO FAMILY HEALTH CENTER OF WORCESTER Residence: Worcester Colleges: UMass Lowell and Northeastern University As the CEO of the 500-employee, $38-million Family Health Center, Brady's energy, personality and ability to get people to buy into what the health center is all about is a key part of his job. The organization has more than 30,000 patients, 95% who are low income and 75% who identify as a ethnic or racial minority. FHCW provides $56 million in savings to the overall health system, caring for Medicaid patients at 24% lower cost than other providers. Its operations generate $85 million in direct and community spending. The last year posed a whole new threat level to the vulnerable population it serves, as the coronavirus pandemic disproportionately hurt low-income communities and people of color. Brady and his team – a staff speaking dozens of languages – ensured the health of these groups during the crisis, and Brady is now addressing a larger priority exposed by COVID-19: social determinants of health, or the economic challenges making it harder for people to get or stay healthy. What do you think the future holds for Central Mass.? "If Central Mass. was a stock, I would definitely buy and hold … I see for the region a number of partners coming together in creative collaborations." Warrior mentality: "I love Spartan Racing. I ran a couple races a few years back, follow the sport through podcasts and social media, and even trained with a few notables." Eric W. Dickson, MD PRESIDENT & CEO UMASS MEMORIAL HEALTH, IN WORCESTER Residence: Princeton Colleges: Merrimack College, UMass Medical School & Harvard University What hasn't Dickson done in the past year to show his influence as the leader of the largest employer in Central Mass., with 14,000 workers? Early during the coronavirus pandemic, he pledged no layoffs or furloughs despite the financial hit to UMass Memorial. He gave $500 bonuses to caregivers, was on the forefront of local business leaders in touting the importance of diversity, equity & inclusion, donated his salary during the initial peak for employee assistance, and enrolled in an early COVID-19 vaccine study to prove his confidence in the science. UMass provides $200 million annually to support the state's medical school and another $200 million to support healthcare programs and charitable initiatives. In April, UMass dropped the "Care" from the end of its name to demonstrate a more holistic approach, with the tagline: The Relentless Pursuit of Healing. What do you think the future holds for Central Mass.? "The future can be bright, but it must be that way for everyone. We must be a more inclusive society. Education, medicine, and the biosciences will continue to power the region's economy, and I believe we will emerge from the pandemic even stronger." Sports icon: He was a competitive wrestler in school. Carolyn Jackson CEO OF SAINT VINCENT HOSPITAL IN WORCESTER & THE TENET MASSACHUSETTS MARKET TENET HEALTHCARE Residence: Hopkinton Colleges: University of Delaware and Harvard University Jackson has been at the forefront of the fight against the powerful Massachusetts Nurses Association union, which has been trying for years to raise the nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. That effort was defeated in a 2018 ballot initiative, after which the union vowed to continue the fight. Now, all eyes fall on Jackson, Saint Vincent, and Dallas- based parent company Tenet Healthcare, as the MNA started striking on March 8 to increase those ratios. Despite high-profile picketers carrying signs calling for "Shame" on Jackson and politicians like Sen. Elizabeth Warren voicing their support for the union, Jackson has remained steadfast. Beyond the strike, Jackson remains a high-profile figure, leading the 2,200-employee healthcare system and serving on boards like the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Massachusetts Hospital Association. What do you think the future holds for Central Mass.? "I look forward to Saint Vincent Hospital … working collaboratively to address healthcare disparities ... and partnering with businesses to control healthcare costs." Master builder: Jackson enjoys building LEGOs and is working on the Grand Piano. She and her family have been to the LEGOLAND theme parks in Florida and Denmark, and plan on visiting the new one in New York.

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