Dec. 6, 2023

For the second consecutive year, Sanford Health president and CEO Bill Gassen has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.

The recognition program acknowledges and honors individuals who are deemed by their peers and the senior editors of the magazine to be the most influential figures in the industry in terms of leadership and impact, according to a statement from Sanford.

“The 2023 honorees on our 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare reflect the providers, insurers, technology firms, government leaders, investors and others who have made oversized contributions to the industry in the past year,” said Mary Ellen Podmolik, editor-in-chief.

“Our ranked list honors the C-suite decision-makers using their clout and influence to lead their organizations and make sweeping changes that affect patient care.”

The list noted that Gassen leads the nation’s largest rural health system, serving more than 1 million patients and 200,000 health plan members across the Upper Midwest.

It mentioned Sanford’s new Virtual Care Center, under construction in northwest Sioux Falls and opening next year, and its development of an obstetrics virtual hospitalist program to help clinicians in regional emergency departments recognize and treat hypertension, hemorrhage and other conditions associated with maternal mortality.

Gassen ranked No. 32 on the list. Last year, he was No. 39.

“This is far from an individual honor – this recognition is possible because of the incredible talent, vision and dedication of caregivers across the system who choose every day to make a difference in the lives of our patients, residents and communities,” Gassen said.

“It is a commitment with action. We are expanding service lines in rural areas and fundamentally changing the way we deliver care to bring access to world-class care close to home regardless of ZIP code.”

Magazine subscribers can see the complete rankings and profiles of those honored by clicking here.