At Confluent Health, we believe leadership rooted in curiosity, innovation, and purpose drives meaningful change in healthcare. Our CEO, Dr. Kristi Henderson, recently shared her career journey with The Business Journals’ Bizwomen in an article titled “In Her Own Words: Curiosity drove Dr. Kristi Henderson from bedside nurse to CEO.”
In the article, Kristi reflects on her progression from bedside nurse to nurse practitioner, telehealth pioneer, and executive leader at organizations like Optum, Amazon, and Ascension Health. Each chapter in her career built upon a single vision: to improve access, reduce costs, and deliver better health outcomes for patients.
That vision is now at the heart of Confluent Health’s mission: transforming musculoskeletal (MSK) care to address one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges. As Kristi notes, MSK conditions are a leading driver of chronic pain, opioid use, absenteeism, and healthcare costs. Guiding a company dedicated to solving these problems is the culmination of her diverse career experiences.
“Curiosity,” she explains, “has consistently driven my leadership and innovation.” It is this curiosity that fuels our pursuit of new MSK care pathways, a PT-first approach, and a patient-centered model that ensures more Americans can move, live, and thrive.