Reprinted from Nursing Spectrum
9/12/2005

Modern Healthcare magazine recently published its fourth annual ranking of the 100 most powerful people in health care. The industry's single most powerful person is Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, with Microsoft Corporation Chairman Bill Gates as No. 2 and President Bush in the No. 4 spot. Julie Geberding, Director, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is No. 27.

Joining these influential and illustrious ranks are several nurses who also hold positions of power and influence throughout the nation. They are:

• Barbara Blakeney, President, American Nurses Association;
• Polly Bednash, Executive Director, American Association of Colleges of Nursing;
• Pamela Thompson, CEO, American Organization of Nurse Executives; and
• Richard Carmona, US Surgeon General, US Public Health Service.