The Ledger / Judy Faulkner
Judy Faulkner
◼ Origin
Founded Epic Systems in 1979 out of her basement in Wisconsin, building it into the dominant US electronic health records software company used by most large US hospital systems; remains sole controlling owner.
◼ Self-Made Verdict — YES
Founded Epic Systems in 1979 with $70,000 in savings; built entire enterprise without external investors; maintains 100% private ownership.
◼ Documented marks
01
Founded Epic Systems in 1979 from her Madison, Wisconsin apartment; remains sole owner with an estimated 43% stake.
02
Epic's EHR software is used by over 280 million patients' records and by most large US hospital systems, including Kaiser, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic.
03
Epic has been repeatedly criticized by federal investigators and competitors for alleged 'information blocking' — restricting health data interoperability to protect its market position.
04
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT cited Epic in studies showing EHR vendors limiting data sharing; Epic lobbied against 21st Century Cures Act interoperability mandates.
05
Signed the Giving Pledge but Epic has no outside investors and Faulkner has maintained complete independence from outside capital.
No inheritance, or primary accounts documented for this billionaire yet.
◼ List of charges
No documented charges yet.
These are moral charges, not legal ones. The actual legal system has not — and will not — bring them.
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