Mr. Higginson, executive vice president and chief innovation officer at Phoenix Children’s, has helped triple the health system’s size in the past decade and has positioned it to become the fourth-largest pediatric system by 2025. He developed a data lake, integrating information from nearly 70 systems, which enables real-time decision-making, as well as tools like predictive algorithms for patient deterioration and apps monitoring malnutrition and early infection signs. Mr. Higginson led the deployment of Amazon’s Alexa technology to improve patient access, address staff shortages and support the suicide prevention program, which has screened over 46,000 patients and immediately connected 10% to therapists. Partnering with Arizona State University’s Luminosity Lab, he is currently commercializing six pediatric care innovations and has secured multiple patents for groundbreaking healthcare technologies. His “Innovation Circle” program secures donor funding for impactful projects, while his cost-effective strategies deliver life-saving solutions at a fraction of traditional expenses.
