Dr. Sunny Bhatia Recognized as One of Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare

National Recognition for Leadership in Strengthening Community Hospitals and Expanding Access to Quality Care

ONTARIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Prime Healthcare is proud to announce that Sunny Bhatia, MD, MMM, FACHE, FACC, FSCAI was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare of 2025.

This prestigious recognition program acknowledges and honors individuals who are deemed by the Modern Healthcare newsroom to be the most influential figures in the industry in terms of leadership and impact. The national honor is considered one of the industry’s highest distinctions, recognizing leaders whose vision, decisions, and achievements shape healthcare in meaningful and lasting ways.

“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.”

As the first System President and Chief Medical Officer in Prime Healthcare’s 25-year history, Dr. Bhatia leads one of the largest physician-led health systems in the United States with a national network of 51 hospitals and more than 360 outpatient locations across 14 states, serving over millions of patients over more than 600 communities each year.

Under his mission-driven leadership, Prime completed one of the largest health system transactions of 2025: the successful acquisition and integration of eight hospitals and affiliated care sites in Illinois. The landmark transaction ensured that hospitals at risk of closure remained open, strengthened local economies by maintaining and creating thousands of jobs, and accelerated clinical modernization through investments in technology, infrastructure, and patient-centered programs.

Dr. Bhatia’s impact extends beyond operations. He has championed major investments in Epic EMR expansion and the integration of innovative technologies including AI-enabled workflows, automated processes, and digital tools designed to support clinicians and enhance the patient experience. Under his leadership, Prime is advancing geriatric emergency certification, expanding cardiovascular programs, strengthening virtual care, and accelerating clinical modernization across newly integrated markets. Each initiative reinforces Prime’s longstanding commitment to vulnerable and underserved communities and reflects its founding mission: to save and improve hospitals so that they can deliver compassionate, quality care to patients and better healthcare for communities.

“This honor reflects the extraordinary work of our physicians, nurses, caregivers, and leaders across Prime Healthcare,” Dr. Bhatia said. “Everything we achieve is because of the collective commitment, compassion, and teamwork of our entire organization. Our mission is not only to provide high-quality, compassionate care – it is to bring hope to the hospitals, communities, and patients we serve. I am proud to serve alongside our teams as we continue to strengthen access to quality care for those who need it most.”

The complete ranking can be found in the December issue of MH magazine, and profiles of all the honorees are available online at ModernHealthcare.com/100MostInfluential.

For information or questions about the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare program, please contact MH Awards at [e-mail].

About Prime Healthcare and Prime Healthcare Foundation

Prime Healthcare is an award-winning health system operating 51 hospitals and more than 360 outpatient locations in 14 states, providing over 2.5 million patient visits annually. It is one of the nation’s leading health systems, with nearly 57,000 employees and physicians. Eighteen of the Prime Healthcare hospitals are members of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity. Based in Ontario, California, Prime Healthcare is nationally recognized for award-winning quality care and has been named a 10 Top and 15 Top Health System by Truven Health Analytics. Its hospitals have been named among the nation’s “100 Top Hospitals” 72 times and is one of Healthgrades most awarded health systems in the nation for patient safety. To learn more, please visit primehealthcare.com.

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