President & Chief Executive Officer
Hartford HealthCare
Jeffrey A. Flaks is one of healthcare’s most progressive leaders, transforming care delivery over the course of three decades. As President and Chief Executive Officer of Hartford HealthCare, he leads a $6.2-billion enterprise that cares for more than 23,000 people every day. A champion for equity in healthcare, Mr. Flaks advocates for and pioneers initiatives that enhance access at every level, create more affordable care options, and provide expertise and excellence for all.
Under his leadership, Hartford HealthCare’s network has transformed into a nationally-recognized integrated system, built on its mission to improve the health and healing of all. With more than 500 locations offering services across the care continuum, Hartford HealthCare is removing barriers to make it seamless and convenient to receive affordable, world-class care close to home. An economic engine for the state and its communities, its 41,000 colleagues, including a medical staff of more than 7,000, make the health system the state’s second largest private employer. It is a catalyst for investment in community, civic and cultural organizations; a driver of educational pipelines to career opportunities; and a partner with leading educational institutions.
World-Class Care
Mr. Flaks led Hartford HealthCare’s remarkable quality and safety journey, distinguishing the organization as a national leader with best-in-class clinical outcomes. The development of Hartford HealthCare’s Institute Model, which offers integrated care across seven specialties, has streamlined access statewide, enabled the recruitment of world-class experts, and delivered on its promise of quality and safety. Through this model, Hartford HealthCare’s Cancer Institute became the charter member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance.
Every one of Hartford HealthCare’s seven hospitals earned “A” grades for safety from the Leapfrog Group — making it the only health system in the Northeast and only one of three in the nation to achieve this distinction. Hartford HealthCare is the best in the U.S. for cardiac surgery, earning the highest 3-star rating in all five areas measured by the Society for Thoracic Surgery — which also ranks Hartford Hospital #1 in the nation for mitral valve surgery. Likewise, the system’s transplant program had the best one-year kidney graft survival rate in the nation, and Hartford HealthCare is the only health system in New England to meet all of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ standards for infection prevention.
A Focus on Innovation
Mr. Flaks has fostered an entrepreneurial spirit through continued investment in innovation and the advancement of first-of-its-kind strategic partnerships. Hartford HealthCare was named to Fortune’s list of the Most Innovative Companies in the U.S., due to its pioneering work with global partners including Google and Amazon, and a unique relationship with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Such partnerships have led to the creation of the system’s Center for AI Innovation in Healthcare, and its investment in early-stage companies, including Holistic Hospital Optimization, exploring digital transformation in healthcare. A global partnership between Hartford HealthCare and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco is creating a simulation and medical training center for students at the university led by Hartford HealthCare’s Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation.
Under his leadership, the organization has been a leader in value-based care, creating metrics-based alliances designed to make healthcare more affordable and effective. This work includes the establishment of Advantage Plus Network―Connecticut, an innovative value-based care partnership with Optum Care.
Academic Alliances that Build Career Pipelines
A believer in providing opportunity at every level, Mr. Flaks has fostered deep and close relationships with the academic and educational sector — including hands-on learning, internships, fellowships and scholarships. Hartford HealthCare is the primary academic partner of two Connecticut medical schools, the University of Connecticut and Quinnipiac University. Through his vision to lead the growth and development of a skilled healthcare workforce in Connecticut — and keep jobs in-state — Hartford HealthCare has a collaboration with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system to provide clinical experience in a healthcare setting.
A Connecticut Native Committed to Transforming Healthcare
Mr. Flaks began his tenure at Hartford HealthCare in 2004. He is a proud Connecticut native who is passionate about the culture of his organization. He believes business leaders must lead by example, and he is committed to creating an organization that values its colleagues, celebrates diversity and inclusion, and advocates for equity.
Mr. Flaks led the addition of Equity as one of Hartford HealthCare’s core values, and his leadership led to the creation of the system’s Neighborhood Health program, the Center for Gender Health, the Center for Racial Trauma and Community Healing, the operation of a free statewide Medical Mission, and numerous community-building activities and investments.
Mr. Flaks has been recognized widely within the state and the national healthcare industry, receiving numerous honors throughout his career. In the earliest days of the global pandemic, Mr. Flaks was appointed co-chair of the Connecticut Governor’s COVID-19 Health System Response Team.
He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut Hospital Association and Greater New York Hospital Association; is a member of the East Coast Healthcare CEO Summit; was elected to and serves on the Board of Trustees of George Washington University, where he received the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year and Alumni Service Awards. He has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Trinity College, Eastern Connecticut State University, and Sacred Heart University for his leadership.
Mr. Flaks earned a master’s degree in health services administration at The George Washington University, and he received a Bachelor of Science degree at Ithaca College.
rev. 04.2024