Jeff Flaks
President & CEO of Hartford HealthCare.
Jeffrey A. Flaks (often written or spoken as “Jeff Flaks,” not “Flak”) is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hartford HealthCare, a large, integrated health system based in Connecticut. He has served as CEO since September 2019, leading what is now one of the state’s largest healthcare enterprises in terms of revenue, employees, and care locations. As President and CEO, Flaks oversees a multibillion‑dollar system that includes seven acute‑care hospitals, hundreds of outpatient and ambulatory sites, and a broad network of clinicians and services across Connecticut. Under his leadership, Hartford HealthCare has emphasized integrated, system‑wide care, expansion of access points such as urgent care centers, and digital health initiatives including a 24/7 virtual care platform.
Flaks has been with Hartford HealthCare and its affiliates for more than 15 years, progressing through operations and leadership roles before becoming CEO. His previous positions include Chief Operating Officer of MidState Medical Center, COO and then President and CEO of Hartford Hospital, and later Executive Vice President, COO, President, and then President & CEO of Hartford HealthCare.
Strategic initiatives and innovation
During his tenure, Hartford HealthCare has invested heavily in innovation, including a Center for AI Innovation in Healthcare and joint ventures such as the Connecticut Proton Therapy Center, a highly specialized cancer treatment facility being developed with Yale New Haven Health. The system has also expanded urgent care and community‑based access points and pursued value‑based partnerships to improve affordability and outcomes.
Community and professional involvement
Flaks is active in civic and professional roles, including serving as Centennial Chair for the American Heart Association’s 2024 Greater Hartford Heart Walk, where he helps promote heart‑health awareness and hands‑only CPR in communities across the state. He is recognized regionally as a high‑impact health‑system leader, regularly appearing in business rankings and interviews that highlight his role in steering Hartford HealthCare’s growth and response to public health challenges such as COVID‑19.
Education and background
A Connecticut native, Flaks holds a master’s degree in health services administration from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Ithaca College. His early career experiences in healthcare operations have shaped his focus on system integration, throughput, and patient‑centered access as he leads Hartford HealthCare today