For the fourth consecutive year, Sutter Health President & CEO Warner Thomas has been named to Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare — a distinction that places him among the nation’s top voices shaping the healthcare in the U.S.
Thomas came in at No. 26 on the list, climbing 30 spots over last year’s ranking as he continues to lead Sutter Health — one of the country’s largest not-for-profit health systems, serving nearly 3.6 million patients annually — to thrive long-term while tackling some of the biggest challenges in healthcare.
“(A)t a time when healthcare organizations face unprecedented tumult, they have worked to invest responsibly and set up their companies and those they serve for long-term success,” Modern Healthcare wrote of this year’s honorees, citing Thomas’ focus on expanding access, driving innovation and supporting workforce well-being.
Under his leadership, Sutter has welcomed approximately 200,000 new patients in the past two years, opened or expanded dozens of care sites across Northern California, and forged partnerships with leading academic and technology organizations, all cornerstones of an effort to expand access to care, improve outcomes for patients and create the best place to work, practice and research.
Highlights for Sutter Health in 2025 include:
- Welcoming 100,000 new patients and opening 20 new ambulatory care sites across Northern California
- Hiring 1,000 physicians and clinicians, strengthening care teams and expanding access
- Digitally engaging with more patients than ever before, including a significant increase in online scheduling
- Earning top safety and quality ratings, including 15 hospitals with Leapfrog “A” Safety Scores and 12 hospitals rated CMS 4+ stars
- Securing six bond rating/financial outlook upgrades in three years, reflecting strong financial stewardship
- Significant progress toward quadrupling Sutter’s graduate medical education program to address physician shortages, with a 100% match rate for residency slots
- Forging new partnerships with academic institutions and technology leaders, including hosting the national AI + Healthcare Summit to spur innovation among health systems
Thomas’ influence extends beyond operational milestones. He’s championed a culture of purpose and curiosity, launching initiatives that have helped drive employee engagement to new heights and reduce turnover well below industry averages. His focus on workforce development, innovation and inclusion has earned Sutter recognition as a top place to work by Becker’s, Newsweek and Fast Company, among others.
“Influence can be exerted in many ways but regardless of whether it is used to internally shape organizations, the healthcare industry as a whole or both, playing a positive role benefits patients and the professionals responsible for their health,” said Mary Ellen Podmolik, editor-in-chief of Modern Healthcare. “Our ranked list of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare highlights the executives in all corners of the industry who are striving to advance medicine and how care is delivered — and succeeding in doing so.”
Profiles of all the honorees on the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare of 2025 list from Modern Healthcare are available online at ModernHealthcare.com/100MostInfluential.
