Hartford Business Journal

26 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JUNE 29, 2026 G eorge Gilliam is CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Danbury, which debuted in Septem- ber 2025. A physical therapist by training, he has 21 years of healthcare experience spanning ambulatory care, acute care, operations, emergency management and compliance. Before joining Encompass Health, he served as vice president of operations for HCA Florida Northwest Hospital, where he oversaw rehabilitation services, respiratory therapy, security, laboratory services and food and nutrition. Gilliam said one of the hospital's most significant recent milestones was its first-quarter 2026 patient discharge results, with more than 88% of patients re- turning home, above the national average. Looking ahead, Gilliam said a key chal- lenge is distinguishing inpatient rehabili- tation hospitals from skilled nursing facil- ities in Connecticut, where skilled nursing facilities are more commonly used. He said the organization has focused on educating case managers, patients and families about the level of care provided in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. If you could change one thing in the healthcare industry, what would it be? I would eliminate insurance barriers that limit access to inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Insurance has made progress in volume versus value, but there is more opportunity to improve. I'd like to see reimbursement driven more by sustained outcomes that track a patient 90, 180 and even 365 days post-discharge. George Gilliam CEO Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Danbury Employees: 167 Education: Doctorate degree in physical therapy, University of St. Augustine; MBA, Baylor University; master's of healthcare administra- tion, Baylor University POWE R 25 | HE ALTHCARE L ou Gianquinto leads Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Connecticut health plan, which serves more than 1.2 million members statewide. Prior to his current role, he spent five years leading Missouri Care, now brand- ed Healthy Blue MO, Missouri's largest statewide Medicaid health plan. He has also held strategic, operational and finan- cial leadership roles at WellCare Health Plans, UnitedHealthcare and Oxford Health Plans, and previously co-owned Waymark Associates, a Connecticut-based audit and consulting firm. Over the past year, Anthem expanded its market share across business segments and secured a new five-year agreement with the state to continue serving employ- ees and CT Partnership Plan members. The company also expanded value-based care agreements with providers and invested $1 million in community support initiatives statewide. Gianquinto said rising pharmaceutical and hospital costs, along with growing legis- lative mandates and scrutiny of utilization management tools, remain major challeng- es facing health insurers and employers seeking to control healthcare costs. If you could change one thing in the healthcare industry, what would it be? Getting consumers more engaged in their healthcare through stronger relationships with primary care providers, increased use of preventive care and more informed decision-making about costs and care options. Empowering people to actively participate in their health leads to better health outcomes and lower costs. Lou Gianquinto President Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Employees: 1,400 Education: Bachelor's degree in business management, Southern Connecticut State University; MBA, University of New Haven L isa M. Trumble is president and CEO of SoNE HEALTH, a clinically inte- grated network focused on popula- tion health and value-based care. She has led the development of the organization's clinical, operational, governance, technol- ogy and analytics infrastructure to support care delivery and cost management. Over the past seven years, SoNE HEALTH has generated $144 million in health plan savings, according to the organization. Trumble has also overseen partnerships including direct-to-employer contracts, a Medicaid accountable care organization collaboration and vendor relationships focused on at-risk populations. Looking ahead, affordability pressures tied to rising medical and pharmacy costs, along with tighter public and employer funding, remain significant challenges. Workforce shortages, burnout and ad- ministrative complexity are also straining providers, she said. Trumble said SoNE HEALTH's opportu- nity lies in expanding value-based care through stronger primary care, earlier risk identification and closer coordination with community-based supports, including behavioral health, transportation, housing and food access. If you could change one thing in the healthcare industry, what would it be? I would shift payment from volume to out- comes that improve health, expand access and avoid unnecessary care. By rewarding prevention, primary care, behavioral health and community health integration, as well as equity and shared accountability across the continuum, we can improve quality and experience while lowering the total cost of care. Lisa M. Trumble President & CEO SoNE HEALTH Employees: 102 Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting, North Adams State College; MBA, Western New England University J ames Michel leads Access Health CT, the state's health insurance market- place. Over the past year, the organization launched BusinessPlus, a program designed to support Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements, which allow employers to offer health coverage options to workers. Access Health CT also completed the fourth year of its Broker Academy, a train- ing program aimed at expanding the num- ber of licensed health insurance brokers in historically under-resourced communities. Michel also cited a record 2026 open enrollment period, despite federal policy changes and the end of enhanced federal subsidies. Looking ahead, Michel said the organi- zation is focused on helping customers navigate recent federal changes through in-person, online and phone support, expanded navigator access and a mobile enrollment team. Access Health CT is also planning a major website upgrade ahead of the 2028 open enrollment period to simplify the enroll- ment process. If you could change one thing in the healthcare industry, what would it be? I would look at reducing and managing the cost of healthcare for Connecticut residents. James Michel CEO Access Health CT Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, Brooklyn College; MBA, University of Hartford

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