The World Economic Forum draws a fair amount of criticism. To some, the annual conference – held amid a gorgeous setting in Davos, Switzerland – is a pointless gathering of plutocrats and politicos who simply like to be seen as the type of people who, well, go to Davos.

“On its face, Davos appears to be a meeting out of touch with the times, focused more on privilege than social change, economic displacement, or cross-cutting global challenges,” as one writer put it in a 2020 article for the Brookings Institution. And this author was defending Davos.

But the event undeniably attracts business and government leaders who wield the power and influence to effect change. And for those willing to work on issues, attending the WEF can be both rewarding and consequential.

Count Bob Garrett in that category. The CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health is a regular participant and clearly sees his attendance as a positive for his work running a large health care system. This year, Garrett served as chair of the WEF’s Health and Healthcare Community, a leadership role that puts him at the center of crucial policy discussions for two years.

In this special edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Garrett described his new role, the time he spent in Davos and how the health care industry must evolve to meet urgent global needs.

To watch the interview, click on the video (see below for a link to the podcast only).

To listen instead, click on the podcast below.