Jason Peoples, Director of Technology & Innovation, Mary Free Bed

Jason Peoples is the kind of technology leader who brings people with him. He pairs deep technical expertise with a collaborative spirit, an inventive mindset, and a genuine passion for using innovation to improve the lives of patients and healthcare workers. Recognized with the 2024 Trace3 Outlier Award, Jason stands out not only for what he builds, but for how he leads — with curiosity, humanity, and a clear commitment to sharing knowledge that moves the industry forward.

Early in his career, Jason played an instrumental role in developing and implementing telehealth services for underserved and rural populations at Carle Hospital in Urbana, Illinois. That work included specialty care and emergency services and helped establish an early model for virtual health, setting the tone for a career centered on access, impact, and possibility.

Jason joined Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation in 2016 as technology advancements and shifting consumer expectations began reshaping the future of healthcare. In 2020, he stepped into the role of Director of Technology and Innovation, where he has helped lead Mary Free Bed’s digital transformation with a strategic and deeply human vision. His collaborative style continues to shape virtual care strategies across clinical service lines, expanding access to care and helping position Mary Free Bed as a leader in the progressive use of healthcare technology. Jason’s work is also focused on using leading-edge technologies to advance the possibilities of proactive care.

In his operational leadership capacity within IT, Jason has successfully translated his curiosity for IT in healthcare into tangible benefits solidifying Mary Free as one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the country. This is made possible by Jason’s ability to interconnect Mary Fee Bed hospital staff, IT operations and business leaders into a cohesive unit focused on exemplifying the patient care experience.

 The efforts exuded by Jason thus far are not job functions, it’s who he is at his core, a leader, a cultivator, a game changer! The culture he has created and continues to build on is what truly sets him apart. Jason is not just overseeing smart hospital initiatives, he has a hand in transforming a culture by successfully integrating Mary Free Bed’s personnel and technology stack into a core service improving operational efficiency while reducing healthcare costs. Jason brings passion to the work of innovation, championing ideation as the foundation for growth and future opportunity while building teams that embrace change with purpose.

A lifelong learner and passionate voice in healthcare IT, Jason is constantly investing in his own growth as a technology leader. He is a familiar presence at industry events, where he shares insight generously, speaks with conviction, and brings an unmistakable energy to conversations about what’s next.

Jason and his family call Grand Rapids, Michigan, home.