Advocate Health CEOs Among ‘Most Influential’ in Health Care

In early December, Advocate Health’s top leaders were being recognized as being among health care’s best-of-the-best in Modern Healthcare’s annual “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” listing. Co-chief executive officers Jim Skogsbergh and Eugene A. Woods are co-ranked at No. 17, alongside other top leaders in health care, insurance and technology organizations, as well as federal positions and accreditation agencies.  

“Our board is extremely pleased and proud of how Gene and Jim have guided the organization through the initial stages of integration and blended the organizational culture into one mission-driven industry leader, delivering positive results,” said Thomas C. Nelson, chair of the Advocate Health board of directors. “This type of recognition reaffirms the importance of our goals, such as improving access, equity and affordability for all, while still raising the bar on delivering clinical excellence, research and innovation.”  

This marks Skogsbergh’s 10th time on the Modern Healthcare most influential list. He previously was honored for his work as president and CEO of Advocate Aurora Health — which became part of Advocate Health in December 2022 — an organization which he led for 16 years. Earlier this year, Skogsbergh was presented with the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) highest award, the “Distinguished Service Award.” He is a former member and past chair of the AHA board of directors. He also was the recipient of the “2023 Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award” from the National Center for Healthcare Leadership. He currently serves on the Bipartisan Policy Center Health Systems executive council and is a member of the World Business Chicago board of directors.  

This marks Woods’ eighth consecutive year being recognized among Modern Healthcare’s most influential. He previously was president and CEO of Atrium Health, also part of the strategic combination that formed Advocate Health. Woods also was previously honored by Modern Healthcare as one of the “Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare,” as well as being one of only five “Luminaries” honored for their career-defining work in reshaping the industry. Woods is past chair of the American Hospital Association board of trustees and was the “2022 Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award” recipient. He was No. 1 on Charlotte Business Journal’s “2022 Power 100” list and been named its “Businessperson of the Year” and a “Most Admired CEO.” He’s also part of the statewide “Power 100” list for Business North Carolina. Woods serves on the board of Johnson C. Smith University, as well as on the boards of directors for Best Buy Co. Inc. and Johnson & Johnson. He is a past chair of the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank.  

In November, Woods released a new book, his first, entitled Health, Hope, and Healing for All: Toward More Equitable and Affordable Healthcare, detailing the challenges health care systems face, the urgent need to ensure access to care for all and offering his own prescriptions for the future of health care. All proceeds from the sale of the book benefit charitable funds supporting Advocate Health teammates. 

The Modern Healthcare designation honors leaders who wield influence and clout and are making an impact in the health industry, be that at a health system or insurance company or working in technology, investment firms, advocacy groups or government. Honorees are selected by senior editorial staff at Modern Healthcare, based on nominations from the public, reader voting and input from Modern Healthcare’s newsroom. 

Advocate Health was created in December 2022 with the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. The combined system, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine as its academic core, is working to ensure: clinical preeminence and safety; health equity in both rural and urban areas; affordability to improve access; advancements in learning and discovery; career advancement and innovative training opportunities for future clinicians; and to improve environmental sustainability.  

Last year, it provided nearly $6 billion in community benefit. Advocate Health employs nearly 155,000 teammates across 68 hospitals and more than 1,000 care locations in six states.