Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare President and CEO Jeffrey Flaks has been named Press Ganey’s inaugural HX26 Innovator of the Year, an award recognizing healthcare executives who embed innovation into daily operations.
Introduced in 2026, the Innovator of the Year award honors leaders who focus on solving real problems, reducing friction for care teams and improving the patient experience. Mr. Flaks accepted the award at Press Ganey’s HX26 Conference in Orlando, Fla., according to a Feb. 2 news release.
Press Ganey said Hartford HealthCare has prioritized making healthcare more accessible, more equitable and easier to navigate under Mr. Flaks’ leadership, blending tools such as virtual care, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics into clinical and operational workflows.
The release pointed to Hartford HealthCare’s HHC 24/7, a virtual primary care platform that provides patients round-the-clock access to scheduled and on-demand clinical care. Press Ganey described the platform as part of the health system’s effort to expand access while preserving continuity, quality and affordability.
Press Ganey also said Hartford HealthCare has invested in technologies intended to reduce administrative burden and enable clinicians to practice at the top of their license, emphasizing the link between workforce well-being and patient experience.
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