#United States #Washington #Leapfrog Group #Health Care #Raquel Bono

The Leapfrog Group Welcomes New Leadership Under Dr. Raquel Bono

The Leapfrog Group, an esteemed national watchdog organization in the health care sector, has appointed Dr. Raquel Bono, a decorated trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral in the U.S. Navy, as its new Board Chair. Her election marks a significant milestone, making her the first surgeon to hold this position within The Leapfrog Group's Board of Directors.

In a recent announcement made on September 24, 2026, The Leapfrog Group emphasized the importance of this leadership shift in enhancing health care quality and safety. Dr. Bono stated, "This is a pivotal moment for The Leapfrog Group as we aim to bolster patient safety, quality, and transparency in health care delivery." She expressed excitement about initiating the new Recognized Leader in Geriatric Surgery program in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons. The program is projected to make a substantial difference in patient outcomes in geriatric care.

The New Leadership Team

Along with Dr. Bono, several other key figures have been appointed to the board and leadership roles:

• - Vice Chair: Laurel Pickering, MPH. She serves as the President and CEO of the Gateway Business Health Coalition and has a rich history of advocating for employer-driven efforts to enhance health care quality.
• - Treasurer: John G. Zern, who takes up the role as President and CEO at Ryan Specialty Benefits.
• - Secretary: Sally Welborn, an advisor at Welborn Advisory Services.
• - At-Large Member: Janet Lucas-Taylor, who functions as the Executive Director of the Business Health Care Group.

The appointment of these talented professionals brings a wealth of experience and perspective, fundamental for navigating and driving health care reform effectively.

Returning Board Members

The board also welcomes back two valued members:

• - Laurel Pickering returns with her extensive knowledge gained from her remarkable leadership experience spanning over two decades, previously at the Northeast Business Group on Health.
• - Dan Roble, a seasoned attorney with a remarkable 50-year career in health care law, will continue to offer his legal insights, having previously served as General Counsel of The Leapfrog Group for two decades.

Leah Binder, the President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, conveyed her enthusiasm about the new appointments, stating, "We are incredibly fortunate to welcome Dr. Bono as our new chair, along with all the outstanding new and continuing members of Leapfrog's strong Board. They bring tremendous vision, experience, and important new perspectives as we work together to improve American health care." She highlighted Dr. Bono's extraordinary leadership at the Defense Health Agency, where her collaboration with Leapfrog led to significant enhancements in care quality for military personnel and their families.

The Leapfrog Group's Mission

Established in 2000 by large employers and stakeholders, The Leapfrog Group operates as an independent national non-profit entity advocating for patient safety and transparency in health care. The organization focuses on collecting, analyzing, and publicly reporting key performance data from hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. This initiative aims to empower patients, purchasers, and other stakeholders with information necessary to make informed healthcare choices.

Leapfrog's flagship projects include the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, which assigns a biannual letter grade to hospitals focusing on safety, and the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which publicly reports hospital performance on essential safety and quality measures. All their ratings and reports are peer-reviewed, transparently accessible, and free for the public to consult.

In closing, the recent leadership changes at The Leapfrog Group promise a renewed commitment to improving health care safety and quality, resonating well with their mission to guide Americans toward better healthcare decisions. For more updates, you can follow The Leapfrog Group on various social media platforms, including X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.