Ian Adler Memorial Healthcare INNOVATOR AWARD

The Ian Adler Memorial Healthcare Innovator Award gives our attendees, hosts and sponsors an opportunity to recognize outstanding operating executives who, as health industry change agents and Chief Executive Officers, have made a dramatic impact on the success of their individual companies in terms of value creation; the implementation of sector-shaping business models and innovative business practices; culture and team-building; and their individual/organizational impact on the overall healthcare scene.

In nominating and selecting awardees, we have a strong bias for leaders who have achieved these goals within the context of the emerging growth arena, and whose entire body of work across a career in relevant settings can be recognized by our Conference. The healthcare segments represented in a nominee’s background include healthcare services, managed care, and health information.

2023 Award Recipient: Neil E. de Crescenzo

This year, the Healthcare Leaders Conference honors Neil E. de Crescenzo. Neil is Chief Executive Officer of Optum Insight. In this role, Neil is responsible for working across multiple healthcare segments to provide administrative and clinical software, network and data solutions.

Neil joined Optum through the acquisition of Change Healthcare, where he served as president and CEO. Before joining Change Healthcare, he was senior vice president and general manager of Oracle's Global Health Sciences business. Prior, he served as a senior executive for IBM Corporation’s Global Healthcare Business Consulting Services.

Neil earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Yale University and an MBA from Northeastern University. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Middle Tennessee American Heart Association, the Board of Directors of the Nashville Health Care Council, and the Board of Directors of the Healthcare Leadership Council. He is a member of the Aspen Group, a trustee of the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board, and a member of the CED’s Healthcare and Technology & Innovation Committees.

Neil E. de Crescenzo
Chief Executive Officer, Optum Insight

Past Innovator Award Recipients

  • Benjamin A. Breier

    (2022)

  • Julie Klapstein

    (2021)

  • Glen Tullman

    (2019)

  • R. Andrew Eckert

    (2018)

  • Toby Cosgrove, MD

    (2017)

  • Quint Studer

    (2016)

  • April Anthony

    (2015)

  • Norman Payson, MD

    (2014)

  • Alan Hoops

    (2013)

  • Pat Ryan

    (2012)

  • Senator Bill Frist

    (2011)

  • Steve Shulman

    (2010)

In Memory of Ian Adler

In 2016, with the untimely passing of Ian Adler, the Innovator Award was renamed as a tribute to our great friend and sponsor.

Ian was Senior Managing Director of Healthcare at Marwood Group, and his energy, passionate commitment to the healthcare industry, and his generosity of spirit embody all the best of Healthcare Leaders.

We sincerely miss him.