Health Care Service Corporation President, CEO and Vice Chair Maurice Smith was again recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare.
The annual list (paywall) honors executives, leaders of federal agencies and others who are making a significant impact in the industry. Modern Healthcare’s senior editors choose who’s on the list based on nominations, reader voting and input from the publication’s writers and editors.
Smith made his fourth appearance on the list since becoming HCSC’s president and CEO in 2020. This year Modern Healthcare specifically noted the company’s acquisition of Trustmark Health Benefits —rebranded in November as Luminare Health — and HCSC’s innovative use of artificial intelligence to make prior authorization faster and easier for members and providers.
“This honor is an extraordinary way to cap off Maurice’s 30th year at HCSC,” said Jill Wolowitz, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at HCSC. “Rising from intern to CEO, Maurice understands our company and business like no one else. Under his leadership we continue to empower whole person health with compassion and innovation. He directs the data and analytics innovations, critical investments, strategic partnerships and growth strategies that allow us to deliver differentiated value to all industry stakeholders, so that, together, we make more possible.”
Under Smith’s leadership in 2023, HCSC continued to expand access to quality, affordable health care, offering Medicare plans in 99 additional counties across its five states for 2024 coverage. HCSC also announced an expanded program to support moms before and after childbirth to help improve maternal and infant health for members and in the communities the company serves.
The health care industry is constantly changing, “and the extent of that change has seemed greater this past year,” Modern Healthcare wrote in an introduction to the list.
“The 2023 honorees on our 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare reflect the providers, insurers, technology firms, government leaders, investors and others who have made oversized contributions to the industry in the past year,” said Mary Ellen Podmolik, editor-in-chief of Modern Healthcare. “Our ranked list honors the C-suite decision-makers using their clout and influence to lead their organizations and make sweeping changes that affect patient care.”