Jeffrey A. Flaks leads Hartford HealthCare as president and CEO, overseeing a statewide health system focused on expanding access and improving quality. Over the past year, the organization launched HHC 24/7, a virtual primary care app that now provides more than 200 visits daily.
Hartford HealthCare also received the American Hospital Association’s 2025 Quest for Quality Prize and was recognized by The Leapfrog Group and Costs of Care for increasing access to quality care while improving affordability.
On Jan. 1, Hartford HealthCare grew its reach in the state by completing its purchase of Manchester Memorial Hospital. The health system paid $86.1 million for the hospital and said it plans to invest an additional $225.7 million over the next three years to expand services and care in the region.
Looking ahead, Flaks cited volatility in health care policy, including potential Medicare impacts, along with demographic shifts and workforce shortages as key challenges.
He said the system is expanding urgent and primary care access, strengthening its ambulatory network and working with colleges and universities to build health care career pipelines while upskilling its workforce.
What qualities are most essential for effective leadership today?
Health care leaders must pursue their organization’s purpose relentlessly, viewing every action as an opportunity to improve health and healing. We need to think beyond boundaries, redefining what’s achievable and focusing on continuous improvement.
Leaders have to inspire optimism — helping their teams seek possibilities, not problems. And leaders need to be visible and humble. True leadership is about service, not status.
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What do you value most about living or doing business in Connecticut?
Connecticut has so much going for it. We are geographically positioned between New York and Boston, with access to incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit. We enjoy a wonderful quality of life.
I believe Connecticut can, and should, be the “Health Care Capitol of the Nation.” We have the right people, the right resources to education and technology, and the right momentum to lead the nation in advancing health care innovation. With our blend of world-class institutions, collaborative business community and commitment to improving lives, Connecticut is uniquely positioned to set the standard for what health care excellence should look like.
Book recommendations: “Never Stop” by Dan Hurley; “More Than a Game: How the UConn Basketball Dynasty Was Built on a Culture of Caring” by Jim Calhoun; “Geno: In Pursuit of Perfection” by Geno Auriemma
Go-to news media outlets: HBJ, WSJ, Hartford Courant, Hearst Media/CT Insider/CT Post, WTNH, WFSB, NBC 30, FOX 61, Becker’s Hospital Review
Hobby or leisure activity: Watching my son play basketball for Babson College.
Favorite podcast: The Becker’s Podcast series