Modern Healthcare named Dru Bhattacharya of Banner Health in Phoenix a Diversity Leader to Watch in Healthcare for 2023.

Bhattacharya is chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for Banner Health. Modern Healthcare is a business news and information brand in the healthcare industry. 

The program honors leaders and organizations that are influencing healthcare diversity policy and care delivery models and highlighting the continued need to nurture diversity in their own organizations, a press release explains.

The recognition honors Bhattacharya’s work to expand diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives throughout Banner Health’s 30 hospitals and health centers across six states and to improve the experience of its 52,000-plus employees and its many patients.

Bhattacharya is the system’s first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, and in that role, he facilitates strategic development, operations, and engagement with team members, patients and communities to advance diversity, equity and inclusion.