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22 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JUNE 29, 2026 POWER 25 | Healthcare J effrey A. Flaks is president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare, one of Connecticut's largest health- care providers. He oversees a health system that operates seven hospitals, along with physician practices, behavioral health, home care, senior care, urgent care, imaging, labora- tory and ambulance businesses across Connecticut. Hartford HealthCare gener- ated $7.13 billion in operating revenue in fiscal year 2025. Over the past year, Flaks led Hartford HealthCare's acquisition of Manchester Memorial Hospital and announced plans for a more than $1 billion transformation of Hartford Hospital's campus. The project includes a new $950 million inpatient tower with private patient rooms, expanded pro- cedural space and emergency department upgrades designed to ease overcrowding and improve patient flow. The health system also expanded access to primary care through a collaboration with CVS Health that allows patients to receive in-network adult primary care services at Connecticut Minute- Clinic locations. Looking ahead, Flaks has identified health- care policy uncertainty, workforce short- ages and growing demand for services among the key challenges facing both the industry and Hartford HealthCare. What do you value most about living and doing business in Connecticut? I believe Connecticut can, and should, be the 'Health Care Capitol of the Nation.' We have the right people, the right resources to education and technology, and the right momentum to lead the nation in advanc- ing healthcare innovation. With our blend of world-class institutions, collaborative business community and commitment to improving lives, Connecticut is uniquely positioned to set the standard for what healthcare excellence should look like. C hristopher M. O'Connor is CEO of Yale New Haven Health, Connecti- cut's largest health system, which operates five hospitals, a large physician network, urgent care centers, home health and hospice services and other outpatient care businesses. The system generated $7.58 billion in operating revenue in fiscal year 2025. K athleen Silard began her career as a nurse in the neonatal inten- sive care unit at Albert Einstein Hospital in New York before moving into healthcare administration. She joined Stamford Health as chief oper- ating officer in 2003 and became president and CEO in 2018. During her tenure, she helped lead the creation of the Stamford C onnecticut's healthcare landscape is being reshaped by workforce pressures, reimbursement challenges, rising drug costs, consolidation, and fast-moving technology from AI to telehealth. In this week's issue, Hartford Business Journal publishes its seventh annual Power 25 Healthcare list, highlighting leaders who are tackling these issues and setting the agenda for the year ahead. This isn't an awards section. HBJ's editorial team selected a mix of estab- lished decision-makers and emerging voices. We welcome your feedback and suggestions for next year's list. GreG Bordonaro | Editor gbordonaro@hartfordbusiness.com O'Connor joined the organization in 2012 as executive vice president and chief oper- ating officer, was named president in 2020 and became CEO in 2022. Over the past year, O'Connor has overseen Yale New Haven Health's continued ex- pansion, including new medical offices in Stratford and a new urgent care center in Branford, the health system's 24th urgent care location. Looking ahead, O'Connor has cited chronic Medicaid underpayment as a key chal- lenge facing hospitals as Yale New Haven Health moves forward with major growth initiatives, including a more than $1 billion investment in the Adams Neurosciences Center and related expansion projects at its St. Raphael's campus in New Haven. What is one change that would make Connecticut more competitive economically? One of the most impactful steps Connecti- cut can take to strengthen its economic competitiveness is to reform Medicaid. A sustainable healthcare system is foun- dational to a strong state economy, and that begins with ensuring that Medicaid reimbursement rates accurately reflect the true cost of care. Connecticut must increase provider reim- bursement rates to at least cover actual costs and establish annual, predictable adjustments tied to inflation and health- care cost trends. Health system and development of Stam- ford Hospital's replacement facility, which opened in 2016. Over the past year, Stamford Health an- nounced a $275 million investment in its campus that includes plans for a new can- cer treatment facility, expanded behavioral health services and upgrades to inpatient rehabilitation care. The project is intended to accommodate growing demand for cancer and behavior- al health services in Fairfield County, while creating additional treatment capacity and updating key patient care facilities. Looking ahead, Silard has said key chal- lenges include uncertainty surrounding potential federal Medicaid funding chang- es, while opportunities include responsi- ble adoption of artificial intelligence and expansion of strategic partnerships. If you could change one thing in the healthcare industry, what would it be? I would focus on ensuring equitable ac- cess to quality healthcare for everyone. No one should face barriers due to cost, location or systemic inequities. Expanding access improves outcomes, strengthens communities and creates a more sustain- able, compassionate healthcare system for all. Jeffrey A. Flaks President & CEO Hartford HealthCare Employees: 48,000 Education: Bachelor's degree, Ithaca College; master's in health services administration, George Washington University Christopher O'Connor CEO Yale New Haven Health Employees: 30,200 Education: Bachelor's degree in economics, George Washington University; master's in health services administration, George Washington University Kathleen Silard President & CEO Stamford Health Employees: 4,100 Education: Bachelor's degree in nursing, Herbert H. Lehman College; master's degree in healthcare system management, Iona University Spotlighting healthcare industry power players