#United States #Hartford #Hartford HealthCare #Jeffrey Flaks #Steven Schroeder

Jeffrey A. Flaks of Hartford HealthCare Recognized with the Steven Schroeder Award

Hartford HealthCare's CEO, Jeffrey A. Flaks, has made headlines after being awarded the prestigious Steven Schroeder Award for Outstanding Healthcare Leadership. This award, presented by Costs of Care and The Leapfrog Group, is a testament to his exemplary leadership in addressing significant challenges within the healthcare system, particularly concerning quality and affordability.

The Steven Schroeder Award is a significant accolade that recognizes healthcare leaders who champion ethical practices and courageous efforts in improving healthcare systems. Flaks received this honor during The Leapfrog Group's Annual Meeting, where he was celebrated for his transformative leadership that focuses on enhancing healthcare access and affordability.

Chris Moriates, Executive Director of Costs of Care, noted that the award recognizes leaders like Flaks who demonstrate that quality and affordability can coexist, rather than being viewed as opposing goals. This underline the critical role that healthcare leaders play in guiding their organizations toward achieving these dual aims.

A Transformative Vision

Under Flaks’s leadership, Hartford HealthCare has emerged as a model in the healthcare industry, servicing over 28,000 individuals daily. His operational framework, A2E2—Access, Affordability, Health Equity, and Excellence—acts as a compass for Hartford HealthCare's initiatives. The commitment to these principles has not only garnered accolades but has also redefined the expectations of what a healthcare system can achieve.

Achievements in Quality

Hartford HealthCare’s commitment to excellence was exemplified when it was awarded the Quest for Quality Prize by the American Hospital Association in 2025—the only health system to receive this honor that year. The organization has made remarkable strides in reducing hospital-acquired infections by 76% over a decade and serious safety events by 67% since 2019. These achievements underscore the system’s dedication to patient safety and high-quality care.

Initiatives for Affordability

Flaks’s efforts have not gone unnoticed in initiatives aimed at affordability as well. Programs such as Neighborhood Health, which brings medical services directly to underserved populations, have facilitated over 12,000 patient visits since 2021. Additionally, through Medical Mission Days, thousands of Connecticut residents have benefitted from free healthcare services. A noteworthy change involves over 43% of surgeries now occurring in cost-effective ambulatory settings—this shift has led to a 26% reduction in overall costs while maintaining high-quality patient care.

Moreover, Hartford HealthCare's commitment to transparency in pricing ranks it in the top 20% nationally, equipping patients with essential financial tools to navigate healthcare costs. These efforts collectively contribute to creating a more equitable healthcare landscape.

Recognition from Leapfrog

Beyond Flaks’s individual recognition, Hartford HealthCare has achieved multiple other awards from The Leapfrog Group, which has continually recognized two of its hospitals for their excellent performance on their Hospital Survey—measuring quality and safety in patient care. Hartford Hospital received the