Innovation & Insights
Executive Insights: Don Antonucci on a year of progress, partnerships and purpose
19 December 2025
In a recent conversation with Candace Beeke, president and publisher of the Portland Business Journal, Providence Health Plan (PHP) President and CEO Don Antonucci reflected on a year marked by recognition, strategic progress, and the shared mission that continues to guide the organization forward.
For more than 20 years, the Portland Business Journal’s Most Admired Companies program has highlighted organizations that model excellence and community impact. This year, PHP once again earned a place on the list, a milestone that reflects the work and dedication of its caregivers, provider partners, and teams.
Celebrating a Year of Meaningful Accomplishments
When asked about the progress he is most proud of, Don pointed first to the organization’s foundational promise – to know, care for, and ease the way of the people and communities PHP serves. Every accomplishment, he noted, is an extension of that commitment.
This year brought several significant recognitions:
#1 in Member Satisfaction for commercial health plans in the Northwest Region, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study.
#1 Rankings in Oregon and Washington by U.S. News & World Report for Medicare Advantage plans.
4-Star Medicare Advantage Rating for 2026, extending into 2027.
Recognition as the #1 Healthiest Employer in Oregon and SW Washington by Portland Business Journal.
Continued momentum with a major strategic initiative: transitioning all large self-funded employers to Providence Health Plan powered by Collective Health, an innovative platform designed to elevate service, technology, and the employer experience.
“These recognitions reflect the work of our caregivers,” Don shared. “It’s never about the awards. It’s about knowing that our mission is coming through in the experience of the people we serve.”
What It Means to Admire and Be Admired
Reflecting on the broader list of honored companies, Don highlighted the shared traits that unite Oregon’s most respected employers: deep community roots, strong values, innovation, and leadership that centers people above all else.
“These organizations – from Nike to Tillamook to Bob’s Red Mill – have enormous presence locally and globally,” he said. “But what stands out most is how committed they are to the communities and customers they serve.”
He noted that none of these leading organizations are navigating an easy environment, but their ability to stay grounded in purpose and culture continues to set them apart.
Navigating a Complex Healthcare Landscape
Health care in 2024 and 2025 brought heightened pressure across affordability, access, and regulation. For PHP, Don emphasized the importance of focusing on what the organization can control and making decisions rooted in mission and long-term value.
That meant difficult but necessary choices – including refining Medicare Advantage service areas and prioritizing geographies where PHP has strong provider alignment. It also meant embracing partnerships, such as the Collective Health platform, to expand employer capabilities and invest in modern technology without shifting attention away from PHP’s core strengths.
“You have to ask what you’re best suited to do,” Don said. “Sometimes partnership is the way to serve more people, more effectively.”
Culture as the Foundation
At the center of PHP’s progress is a strong, values-driven culture. Don shared the principles he relies on to build trust, connection, and clarity across a large, distributed organization:
Start with “Why.” Every decision begins with mission and the promise to know, care for, and ease the way.
The Three Cs:
Care – for each other, for members, and for the community.
Curiosity – ask questions, explore alternatives, and seek better solutions.
Communication – early, often, and through multiple channels to ensure transparency and shared understanding.
PHP reinforces these values through intentional touchpoints, including leadership town halls, video-based learning forums such as PHP Insights, and ongoing opportunities for caregivers to engage, learn, and lead.
“Trust is built through consistent communication,” Don said. “Especially in challenging times, it is one of the most important things we can do as leaders.”
Looking Ahead: Challenges, Opportunities, and a Path Forward
When asked about the future, Don was candid: the U.S. healthcare system is facing a critical moment. Rising costs, shifting reimbursement structures, and pressure across Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial markets all point to an urgent need for transformation.
“We spend more on health care than any developed country and see worse outcomes,” Don said. “Affordability is the biggest concern – because if care isn’t affordable, it isn’t accessible.”
Yet he remains optimistic about the opportunities ahead. Breakthroughs in technology, including AI-powered tools that reduce administrative burden for providers, offer hope for a more efficient, patient-centered system. Partnerships between public and private sectors, especially in states like Oregon, will play a crucial role in building sustainable solutions.
“We can’t fix the entire system at once,” he said. “But we can take the right steps, stay grounded in the facts, and focus on what moves us toward a better future for our communities.”
Honoring the Work Ahead
As the conversation closed, Beeke congratulated Don and the entire Providence Health Plan team for their leadership and accomplishments. Don expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reflect – and for the caregivers and partners who make the work possible.
“It all comes back to our mission,” Don said. “When we stay grounded in that, we’re able to navigate whatever comes next.”
