/ en Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:49:15 -0500 Thu, 24 Apr 25 12:41:52 -0500 /04/2025/mobilizing-technology-and-innovation-support-rural-health <div> </div>header.jumbotron {display:none} <div> /* center_body */ .center_body { /*margin-top:50px;*/ /* margin-bottom: 50px;*/ } .center_body h3 {} .center_body p { font-size: 16px } p.center_Intro { color: #002855; line-height: 1.2em; font-size: 30px; margin: 10px 0 25px 0; font-weight: 700; font-size: 2em; } @media (max-width:768px) { p.center_Intro { line-height: 1.2em; font-size: 23px; font-size: 1.45em; } } .center_body .center_Lead { color: #63666A; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 21px; } /* center_body // */ /* Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar */ .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar { position: relative; display: block; overflow: hidden; max-width: 1170px; margin: 0px auto 25px auto; } .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { position: absolute; bottom: 40px; color: #003087; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .8); width: 100%; padding: 20px 40px; font-size: 3em; box-shadow: 0 3px 8px -5px rgba(0, 0, 0, .6); } @media (max-width:991px) { .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; font-size: 2.5em; } } @media (max-width:767px) { .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { font-size: 2em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; } } @media (max-width:530px) { .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { position: relative; background-color: #63666A22; } } /* Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar // */ <header class="Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/VED_Microsoft_banner_1170x250.png" alt="Microsoft Banner Image" width="1170" height="250"><div><h1>Mobilizing Technology and Innovation to Support Rural Health</h1></div></header>/* CntMenuSub */ .CntMenuSub{ margin:20px 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; color: #afb1b1; letter-spacing: 1.5px; font-weight: 400; font-size: .7em; } .CntMenuSub .CntMenuBar{ border-bottom: 1px solid lightblue; } .CntMenuSub .CntMenuBar a:after{ content: "|"; padding: 0 3px 0 6px; color: #555; } .CntMenuSub .CntMenuBar a:last-child:after{ content: ""; } .CntMenuSub .CntMenuSubHome, .CntMenuSub .CntMenuSubParent{ text-transform: uppercase; color: #555; opacity: .9; } .CntMenuSub .CntMenuSubParent{ } .CntMenuSub .CntMenuSubChild{ } .CntMenuSub .CntMenuSubCurrent{ opacity: .7; } .CntMenuSub .CntMenuSubHome:hover, .CntMenuSub .CntMenuSubParent:hover{ text-transform: uppercase; color: #d50032; } /* CntMenuSub // */ <div class="container CntMenuSub"><div class="col-md-1"> </div><div class="col-md-10 row CntMenuBar"><a class="CntMenuSubHome" href="/education-events/aha-virtual-executive-dialogues">AHA Knowledge Exchange</a> <span class="CntMenuSubChild" id="CntMenuSubChild">Mobilizing Technology and Innovation to Support Rural Health</span></div><div class="col-md-1"> </div></div><div class="row spacer"><div class="col-sm-3"><div><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/04/ke-microsoft-mobilizing-tech-to-support-rural-health.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/VED_Microsoft_cover_910x1220.jpg" alt="AHA Knowledge Exchange | Mobilizing Technology and Innovation to Support Rural Health" width="100%" height="100%"></a></div></div><div class="col-sm-9 center_body">.sponsortype { color: #9d2235; font-size: 1.5em; margin: 0px; font-weight: 700; } <p class="sponsortype">AHA Knowledge Exchange</p> Intro.............. </p> --> xxxxxx </p> --><h2>Mitigating gaps in rural health resources and the workforce</h2><p>Rural residents’ top three health concerns are mental health, substance-use disorders and health care access, according to the Rural Healthy People 2030 survey. Geographical isolation, inadequate health infrastructure and a shortage of health professionals can result in poor health outcomes in rural settings. These challenges impact rural communities and residents’ well-being both physically and emotionally. Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) can bridge these gaps in innovative ways to make health care services more accessible in rural communities and support economic stability. This Knowledge Exchange e-book provides insights on how rural health care leaders envision using technology and innovation to address these issues, as well as transform their organizations and community engagement.</p><div class="row">@media (min-width:768px){ .EDsponsorFloat{ float:right; } } @media (max-width:767px){ .EDLinkFloat{ position:relative; left:27%; } .EDsponsorFloat { text-align:center } } <div class="col-sm-6"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary EDLinkFloat" href="/system/files/media/file/2025/04/ke-microsoft-mobilizing-tech-to-support-rural-health.pdf" title="AHA Knowledge Exchange | Mobilizing Technology and Innovation to Support Rural Health" data-view-context="top-level-view">Download the Report</a></div><div class="col-sm-6"><div class="EDsponsorFloat"><strong>Sponsored by: </strong><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-06/Logo_Microsoft_834x313.jpg" alt="Microsoft Logo" width="100%" height="100%"></a></div></div></div></div></div>.sp_CTA5_holder { margin-top:0px; border-bottom: solid 1px #555; padding-bottom: 50px; } .sp_CTA5_holder_last { border-bottom: solid 0px #555; } .sp_CTA5_holder >div{ overflow: auto; } .sp_CTA5_holder ul { list-style: none; /* Remove default bullets */ padding-left: 0px; /*width: calc(100% - 15%);*/ /*margin: 50px auto 0;*/ margin:auto 50px; } .sp_CTA5_holder ul li{ margin-bottom:7px; line-height: 1.5em; font-size:16px; } .sp_CTA5_holder ul li::before { content: " "; font-size: 1em; margin-right: 10px; display: inline-block; height: 12px; background-color: #9d2235; width: 12px; position: relative; top: 0px; -webkit-transform: rotate(45deg); -moz-transform: rotate(45deg); -o-transform: rotate(45deg); } .sp_CTA5_holder ul li{ padding-left:23px; text-indent:-23px; } .body ol>li, .body ul>li{ font-size:16px: } .sp_CTA5_holder h2 { color: #002855; /*! line-height: 2em; */ font-size: 2.15em; margin: 0 0 15px 0; /*! font-size: 30px; */ } .sp_CTA5_holder h3 { /*color: #002855;*/ line-height: 1em; /*font-size: 1.5em;*/ margin-bottom: 25px; margin-top:5px; font-size: 28px; } .sp_CTA5_section{ margin-top: 25px } .sp_CTA5_ImgShadow { /*background-color:green;*/ /* just a visual */ text-align: center } .sp_CTA5_ImgShadow { padding-bottom:75px; /* must match the padding on the img*/ margin: 0px; } .sp_CTA5_ImgShadow img{ width: calc(100% - 35px - 15px); -webkit-box-shadow: 50px -75px 0px 0px rgba(185, 217, 235, 1); -moz-box-shadow: 50px -75px 0px 0px rgba(185, 217, 235, 1); box-shadow: 50px -75px 0px 0px rgba(185, 217, 235, 1); position: relative; top: 75px; max-width: 490px; } @media (max-width:990px){ .sp_CTA5_ImgShadow img{ max-width: 350px;} } @media (max-width:990px){ .sp_CTA5_ImgShadow { padding-bottom:75px; /* must match the padding on the img*/ margin: 0px; margin-right: 40px } } <div class="row spacer sp_CTA5_holder sp_CTA5_holder_last"><div class="col-md-12"><h3>10 strategies and technology investments rural health leaders prioritize to attract clinicians and expand health services in their communities</h3><div class="sp_CTA5_section"><ul><li>Communicate and commit to a <strong>digital health vision</strong> in the hospital strategic plan and educate the community on specifics being implemented and the big picture.</li><li>Form an <strong>interdisciplinary digital health and AI steering committee</strong> with an executive sponsor to vet technology and look at each solution for security, ethics and operational issues.</li><li><strong>Partner with specialty programs</strong> such as teleneonatal intensive care, teleneuro and telepharmacy. Collaborate with other hospitals and emergency medical service providers.</li><li>Work on <strong>processes that can be repeatable and scalable</strong> for clinical workflows and claims processing.</li><li><strong>Select AI technology designed to fit easily into clinical teams’ day-to-day workflows</strong> inside the electronic health record and does not detract from patient-clinician interactions.</li><li><strong>Address nursing shortages with virtual integrated nursing care models</strong>. Use team models for inpatient rounding to improve patient experience.</li><li><strong>Create a telepsychiatry hub</strong> for perinatal patients. Offer virtual medical and behavioral health services in schools.</li><li>Develop patient education materials and videos using AI tools to <strong>address the health literacy gap</strong>.</li><li><strong>Pilot AI programs</strong> like MindUP, Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid to expand access to vital assessments.</li><li>Use Findhelp or Unite Us to <strong>connect the hospital and clinics to community-based organizations</strong>.</li></ul></div></div></div><h2>Participants</h2>/* people */ .people { margin-top: 50px; } .people img:nth-child(1) { border-radius: 200px; -moz-border-radius: 200px; -webkit-border-radius: 200px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width:200px; /* for Transformation Talks */ display:block; /* for Transformation Talks */ margin:auto; /* for Transformation Talks */ } .people img:nth-child(1):hover { opacity: .7 } @media (max-width:991px) { .people { margin: auto; } .people p { text-align: center } } .ci_profile { margin-bottom: 30px; display: block; text-align:center /* this is for the "Executive Dialogue" page */ } @media (max-width:991px) { .ci_profile { text-align: center } } .ci_profile p { margin: 0 0 7px 0 } .ci_profile_name { font-weight: 700; font-size: 20px; } p.ci_profile_name { font-size: 1.5em; line-height:1.2em; margin-top:10px } .ci_profile_title { font-style: italic; line-height: 1.3em } .ci_profile_company { font-size: 1em; } p.ci_profile_award { font-size: .8em; text-align:center; color:#55555599; font-weight: 700 } .ci_profile_social { width: auto; } .ci_profile_social i { padding-right: 25px; font-size: 20px } .ci_profile_social a:last-of-type i { padding-right: 0px; } #ci_footer-social { font-size: 1.5em; padding-top: 0px; width: 100%; text-align: right; } @media (max-width:991px) { .ci_logo { margin-top: 25px } .ci_social p { text-align: center !important; } #ci_footer-social { text-align: center } } @media (min-width:769px){ .people .rowEqual_768 { display: -webkit-box; display: -webkit-flex; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; } .people .rowEqual_768>[class*='col-'] { -ms-flex: 3; /* IE 10 */ flex: inherit; /*flex*/ width: calc((100% / 3) - 2px) /*Adjust % for the number per row, will override the bootstrap - Also needed for Safari*/; } } @media (max-width:767px) and (min-width:361px){ .people .rowEqual_768 { display: -webkit-box; display: -webkit-flex; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; } .people .rowEqual_768>[class*='col-'] { -ms-flex: 1; /* IE 10 */ flex: auto; width: calc((100% / 2) - 2px) /*Adjust % for the number per row, will override the bootstrap - Also needed for Safari*/; } } p.ci_profile_name { font-size: 1.5em; line-height:1.2em; margin-top:10px } .people .ci_profile_combined{ font-size:14px; line-height: 18px; } .people .ci_profile_combined span{ font-style: italic; } .people .ci_profile_combined:before{ content:""; border-bottom: solid 1px #55555522; display: block; clear: both; width: 85%; margin: 5PX auto 10px; } <div class="people"><div class="row rowEqual_768"><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Bourland_Trent_300x300.jpg" alt="Trent Bourland" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Trent Bourland</p><p class="ci_profile_title">CEO</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Coal County General Hospital</p> profile_combined </p> <p class="ci_profile_award"> profile_award </p> <div class="ci_profile_social"> profile_social </div> --></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Boyd_Melanie_300x300.jpg" alt="Melanie Boyd" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Melanie Boyd</p><p class="ci_profile_title">CEO</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Clarke County Hospital</p> profile_combined </p> <p class="ci_profile_award"> profile_award </p> <div class="ci_profile_social"> profile_social </div> --></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Davis_Jeremy_300x300.jpg" alt="Jeremy P. Davis" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Jeremy P. Davis, MHA</p><p class="ci_profile_title">President and CEO</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics</p> profile_combined </p> <p class="ci_profile_award"> profile_award </p> <div class="ci_profile_social"> profile_social </div> --></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Dybdal_Landon_300x300.jpg" alt="Landon M. Dybdal" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Landon M. Dybdal</p><p class="ci_profile_title">CEO</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Lake Health District</p> profile_combined </p> <p class="ci_profile_award"> profile_award </p> <div class="ci_profile_social"> profile_social </div> --></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Kreofsky_Laura_300x300.jpg" alt="Laura Kreofsky" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Laura Kreofsky</p><p class="ci_profile_title">Director, Rural Health Resiliency</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Microsoft</p> profile_combined </p> <p class="ci_profile_award"> profile_award </p> <div class="ci_profile_social"> profile_social </div> --></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Lively_Corey_300x300.jpg" alt="Corey G. Lively" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Corey G. Lively</p><p class="ci_profile_title">CEO</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Great Plains Regional Medical Center</p> profile_combined </p> <p class="ci_profile_award"> profile_award </p> <div class="ci_profile_social"> profile_social </div> --></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Lutz_Carrie_300x300.jpg" alt="Carrie Lutz" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Carrie Lutz, R.N.</p><p class="ci_profile_title">CEO</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Holton Community Hospital</p> profile_combined </p> <p class="ci_profile_award"> profile_award </p> <div class="ci_profile_social"> profile_social </div> --></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Mallet_Teresa_300x300.jpg" alt="Teresa Mallett" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Teresa Mallett, MHA</p><p class="ci_profile_title">CEO</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Madison Regional Health System</p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/McCormack_Holly_300x300.jpg" alt="Holly McCormack" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Holly McCormack, DNP, R.N.</p><p class="ci_profile_title">President and CEO</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Cottage Hospital</p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Mills_Dora_300x300.jpg" alt="Dora Anne Mills" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Dora Anne Mills, M.D., MPH, FAAP</p><p class="ci_profile_title">Chief health improvement officer</p><p class="ci_profile_company">MaineHealth</p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Pitcher_Gratia_300x300.jpg" alt="Gratia L. Pitcher" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Gratia L. Pitcher, M.D., MBA</p><p class="ci_profile_title">Chief medical officer and Patient experience dyad leader</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Essentia Health</p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Sweetnam_Olivia_300x300.jpg" alt="Olivia Sweetnam" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Olivia Sweetnam, MPH, MSN, ACNP-BC</p><p class="ci_profile_title">CEO</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital</p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Torres_Tony_300x300.jpg" alt="Tony Torres" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Tony Torres, M.D., FACP</p><p class="ci_profile_title">President and CEO</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center</p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Ward_Josiah_300x300.jpg" alt="Josiah Ward" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Josiah Ward, D.O., FAAP</p><p class="ci_profile_title">Chief medical officer</p><p class="ci_profile_company">La Esperanza Clinic</p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Weeks_Bill_300x300.jpg" alt="Bill Weeks" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">William (Bill) Weeks, M.D., PhD, MBA</p><p class="ci_profile_title">Director, AI for Health</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Microsoft</p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Wehrman_Doug_300x300.jpg" alt="Doug Wehrman" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Doug Wehrman, PT, DPT</p><p class="ci_profile_title">Chief operating officer</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Brodstone Healthcare</p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-04/Hoppszallern_Suzanna_300x300%20%281%29.png" alt="Suzanna Hoppszallern" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Moderator:</p><p class="ci_profile_name">Suzanna Hoppszallern</p><p class="ci_profile_title">Senior Editor, Center for Health Innovation</p><p class="ci_profile_company">���������� Association</p></div></div></div>@media (min-width:768px){ .rowEqual_768 { display: -webkit-box; display: -webkit-flex; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; } .rowEqual_768>[class*='col-'] { -ms-flex: 1; /* IE 10 */ flex: auto; width: calc(33.3% - 2px) /*Safari Fix*/; } } .center_callout_3invert { background-color: #f6f6f6; text-align: center; /*margin-bottom:25px;*/ margin-top:30px; } .center_callout_3invert h4 { color: #002855; line-height: 1.2em; font-size: 30px; margin: 10px 0 30px 0; } .center_callout_3invert h3 { margin: 25px 0 0 0; color: #555; 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href="/2024-11-14/empowering-patient-engagement-and-behavior-change-improve-health-and-reduce-disparities" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/small_200x200/public/2024-11/VED_PatientPoint_Engagement_620x381.jpg?itok=dHKIfRK6" width="200" height="123" alt="PatientPoint_Engagement_620x381" /> </a> </div> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-11-13T15:51:45-06:00">Nov 13, 2024</time> </span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/2024-11-14/empowering-patient-engagement-and-behavior-change-improve-health-and-reduce-disparities" hreflang="en">Empowering Patient Engagement and Behavior Change to Improve Health and Reduce Disparities</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-body"> <div class="field-content">Empowering patient engagement and leveraging customized communication and education via digital technologies to improve health and reduce disparities.</div> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-page-title-background"> <div class="field-content sed-thumb"> <a href="/2024-10-30/aligning-payers-and-partners-value-based-care" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/small_200x200/public/2024-10/KnowEx_CorroHealthh_Medicaid_620x381.jpg?itok=HS9Y48c8" width="200" height="123" alt="KnowEx_CorroHealth_Medicaid" /> </a> </div> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-10-29T15:17:14-05:00">Oct 29, 2024</time> </span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/2024-10-30/aligning-payers-and-partners-value-based-care" hreflang="en">Aligning Payers and Partners for Value-based Care</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-body"> <div class="field-content">As value-based care models grow, hospitals, providers and payers need to align goals and incentives to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.</div> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-page-title-background"> <div class="field-content sed-thumb"> <a href="/2024-09-26/transforming-behavioral-health-journey" hreflang="en"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/small_200x200/public/2024-09/Iris-Telehealth-banner-620x381.jpg?itok=QQ9C-7Mp" width="200" height="123" alt="Iris-Telehealth-banner-620x381" /> </a> </div> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-09-25T14:49:38-05:00">Sep 25, 2024</time> </span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/2024-09-26/transforming-behavioral-health-journey" hreflang="en">Transforming the Behavioral Health Journey</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-body"> <div class="field-content">Transforming the behavioral health journey with strategic initiatives to build a sustainable and coordinated behavioral health services continuum.</div> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="more-link"><a href="/aha-knowledge-exchange-archive">View All: AHA Knowledge Exchange</a></div> </section> </div> </div></div> Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:41:52 -0500 Leadership /education-events/2025-aha-leadership-summit <p class="field_lead">The <a href="https://leadershipsummit.aha.org/" target="_blank" title="2025 AHA Leadership Summit"><strong>2025 AHA Leadership Summit</strong></a> senior health care executives, clinicians and experts in the field presenting innovative approaches for delivering better care and greater value, ensuring financial stability, addressing workforce challenges and improving the health care consumer experience through operational excellence, creative partnerships and redefined delivery models.</p><p>Join a diverse community of strategic and visionary leaders who represent excellence in the field as they boldly transform their organizations.</p><p>Our attendees include <strong>CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CMOs, CNOs, CIOs and other C-suite leaders</strong>, as well as <strong>VPs, Physician Leaders, Advanced Practice Professionals, Directors and Managers</strong> overseeing patient care, strategy, innovation, digital transformation, finance, workforce and policy.</p><p>Additionally, the Summit welcomes <strong>emerging and next-generation health care leaders</strong> who are shaping the future of patient-centered care and health system transformation.</p><hr><h2>Leading Hospitals | Leading Health Care</h2><p><strong>Leading Hospitals</strong></p><p>Learn with colleagues in a variety of educational opportunities that facilitate the sharing of insights and leading practices.<br>You’ll hear from innovators investing in the promising ideas, technologies and scientific discoveries that are changing the consumer experience and reimagining care delivery</p><p><strong>Leading Health Care</strong></p><p>Discover inspiration and practical strategies to sustain transformation within your organization, system and community as we prepare for the future.<br>Dive into real-world applications and connect with leaders who share your commitment to driving transformative change in health care.</p><p><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="https://leadershipsummit.aha.org/" target="_blank" title="2025 AHA Leadership Summit" data-view-context="top-level-view"><strong>LEARN MORE >></strong></a></p><h2>AHA Members – Interested in receiving complimentary registration?<br>Consider our Hosted Buyer Forum to connect with high-quality solutions providers.</h2><p><a href="/hosted-buyer" target="_blank"><strong>Hosted Buyer Forum</strong></a> - Sunday, July 22 | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM and 2:30 PM-5:30 PM<br>The Hosted Buyer Forum offers a private showcase for hospital and health system leaders interested in connecting with solution providers addressing key hospital issues. After the Forum is complete, participants are encouraged to join the Welcome Reception for additional networking.</p><p><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="https://leadershipsummit.aha.org/hosted-buyer" target="_blank" title="2025 AHA Leadership Summit Sponsorship" data-view-context="top-level-view"><strong>LEARN MORE >></strong></a></p><hr>Call for Speakers</h2> <p>We’re calling on leaders shaping the future of health care to apply to share their real-world strategies and proven solutions with peers across the field. Whether you're tackling workforce challenges, transforming care delivery or driving operational excellence, we want to hear from you. </p> <p>Proposals must be non-commercial in nature. The Call for Speakers deadline is <strong>Monday, November 25</strong>.</p> <a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" data-view-context="top-level-view" href="https://leadershipsummit.aha.org/program/speaking-opportunities-ls" target="_blank"><strong>LEARN MORE >></strong></a> <a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" data-view-context="top-level-view" href="https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/385d7c8476204286b3b500744d75dfe6" target="_blank" title="AHA Leadership Summit Call for Proposals - Apply Today!"><strong>APPLY TODAY >></strong></a> <br /> </p> <div class="RuralButton"><a class="btn btn-primary btn-primary-avc1" href="https://www.cvent.com/c/abstracts/c8eaf006-bb32-489c-8d5e-515f82937464" target="_blank"><strong>APPLY TODAY >></strong> </a></div> --><h2>Sponsorship Opportunities</h2><p>A variety of sponsorship opportunities offer both broad exposure and targeted connections with senior health care executives. Support the entire event, design and deliver a session that features your own executive leadership or gain visibility through numerous other opportunities.</p><p>Participation by the business community in the Leadership Summit is reserved for Summit sponsors and AHA Associates.</p><p>Learn how your organization can align with hospital and health system leaders as they meet to reimagine the future.</p><p><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="https://leadershipsummit.aha.org/sponsor-exhibit/sponsorship-ls" target="_blank" title="2025 AHA Leadership Summit Sponsorship" data-view-context="top-level-view"><strong>LEARN MORE >></strong></a></p> Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:15:30 -0500 Leadership /aha-center-health-innovation-market-scan/2025-04-21-driving-drivers <div class="raw-html-embed"> </div><div> /* Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar */ .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar { position: relative; display: block; overflow: hidden; max-width: 1170px; margin: 0px auto 25px auto; } .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { position: absolute; bottom: 40px; color: #003087; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .8); width: 100%; padding: 20px 40px; font-size: 3em; box-shadow: 0 3px 8px -5px rgba(0, 0, 0, .6); } @media (max-width:991px) { .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; font-size: 2.5em; } } @media (max-width:767px) { .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { font-size: 2em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; } } @media (max-width:530px) { .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { position: relative; background-color: #63666A22; } } /* Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar // */ <header class="Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-01/Trailblazers_Amazon_banner_1170x250.png" alt="Cover of Driving the Drivers: How hospitals and health systems can leverage technology and workflow optimization to address health-related social needs" width="1168" height="250"><div><h1>Driving the Drivers</h1></div></header></div> h2{ margin-top: 0px; } p.center_Intro { color: #002855; line-height: 1.2em; font-size: 30px; margin: 10px 0 25px 0; font-weight: 700; font-size: 2em; } p.center_Lead { color: #63666A; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 21px; } <div class="row"><div class="col-sm-8"><h2>How hospitals and health systems can leverage technology and workflow optimization to address health-related social needs.</h2><p>Addressing a patient’s social care needs can be a challenging journey for hospitals and health systems. It begins with screening a patient for health-related social needs (HRSN) and, ideally, ends with the patient being connected to the resources they need to experience better health outcomes.</p><p>How can hospitals and health systems reduce those gaps in the HRSN journey for themselves, their clinicians, their staff and, most importantly, their patients and communities? Technology-driven automation is the answer.</p><p>Screening patients for HRSN needs and using those data hit the four targets in the Quadruple Aim. It’s the people who use technology-driven automation to improve SDOH screening processes and measure the results. These results enhance patient experience, improve population health, reduce costs and improve the work life of health care providers.</p><div class="row"><div class="col-sm-12"><p><strong>Sponsored by:</strong><a href="https://uniteus.com/" target="_blank" title="UniteUs"><strong><img src="/sites/default/files/2020-05/Logo_UniteUs_834x313.jpg" alt="UniteUs logo" width="834" height="313"></strong></a></p></div></div></div><div class="col-sm-4"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-01/Trailblazers_logo-924x265.png" alt="TrailBlazers" width="100%" height="100%"><p><br><a href="#DownloadNow" title="Download, Driving the Drivers: How hospitals and health systems can leverage technology and workflow optimization to address health-related social needs"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Traiblazers_UniteUs_cover_777x600.png" alt="Cover, Driving the Drivers: How hospitals and health systems can leverage technology and workflow optimization to address health-related social needs" width="100%" height="100%"> </a><br><a class="btn btn-primary" href="#DownloadNow" title="Download, Driving the Drivers: How hospitals and health systems can leverage technology and workflow optimization to address health-related social needs">Download</a></p></div></div> .y-hr3 div:nth-child(2) { border-top: solid 15px #67c1c3; margin: 50px 0px; height: 0px; <div class="row y-hr3"><div class="col-md-3"> </div><div class="col-md-6"> </div><div class="col-md-3"> </div></div><div class="row"><div class="col-sm-4"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Trailblazers_UniteUs_FirstSection_700x1064.png" alt="Illustration of various types of people walking around" width="100%" height="100%"></div><div class="col-sm-8"><h2>Capitalizing on Opportunities</h2><p>Technology-driven automation can help provider organizations capitalize on these opportunities in the following ways:</p><ul><li><strong>Enhanced Patient Experience:</strong> <br>Screening allows health care providers to understand the patient’s full context and tailor care accordingly, leading to a more patient-centered approach.</li><li><strong>Improved Patient Outcomes:</strong> <br>By identifying and addressing social needs, health care providers can help patients overcome barriers to accessing care and improving their health.</li><li><strong>Reduced Health Care Costs:</strong> <br>Addressing social needs can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits, ultimately reducing health care costs.</li><li><strong>Strengthened Community Partnerships:</strong> <br>Screening initiatives can help hospitals build relationships with community organizations, creating a network of resources to support patients’ needs.</li></ul><p><a href="#DownloadNow" title="Download, Driving the Drivers: How hospitals and health systems can leverage technology and workflow optimization to address health-related social needs"><strong>READ MORE.</strong></a></p></div></div><div class="row y-hr3"><div class="col-md-3"> </div><div class="col-md-6"> </div><div class="col-md-3"> </div></div><div class="row"><div class="col-sm-4"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Trailblazers_UniteUs_Presbyterian_700x532.png" alt="Exterior of Presbyterian Healthcare Services" width="700" height="532"></div><div class="col-sm-8"><h2>Case Study: Presbyterian Healthcare Services</h2><h3>From ‘Scattershot’ to Standardized</h3><p>In 2018, PHS adopted the screening system and used it for the accountable health communities project before scaling up to systemwide screening and integrating it into the EHR in 2021. In early 2024, PHS migrated to Unite Us. The three systems — HRSN screening, EHR and portal — now work in concert to power the HRSN screening process as part of routine health care. This approach eliminated paper screenings, standardized screening workflows across care sites, and integrated patients’ HRSN screening data into their EHRs and patient portals.</p><p><a href="#DownloadNow" title="Download, Driving the Drivers: How hospitals and health systems can leverage technology and workflow optimization to address health-related social needs"><strong>READ MORE.</strong></a></p></div></div><div class="row y-hr3"><div class="col-md-3"> </div><div class="col-md-6"> </div><div class="col-md-3"> </div></div><div class="row"><div class="col-sm-4"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Trailblazers_UniteUs_Yale_NewHaven_700x532.png" alt="Exterior of Yale New Haven Health" width="700" height="532"></div><div class="col-sm-8"><h2>Case Study: Yale New Haven Health</h2><h3>Willingness Replaces Hesitancy</h3><p>In 2020, YNHH implemented the automated social referral platform from Unite Us, a New York-based technology company. This was paired with improved workflows within the EHR. The move turned hesitancy into willingness for each of the system’s challenges. Patients now can complete their HRSN screening questions in their homes through the patient portals. They can do it on their smartphones, tablets, laptops, in kiosks at check-in, and by clinicians and support staff in any inpatient or outpatient setting before, during or after a visit.</p><p><a href="#DownloadNow" title="Download, Driving the Drivers: How hospitals and health systems can leverage technology and workflow optimization to address health-related social needs"><strong>READ MORE.</strong></a></p></div></div><div> .SponsorMarketoForm { background-color: ; padding:5px 25px; border: solid 2px #307FE2; margin:50px 15px 0px !important; display:inline-block; width:100%; } .SponsorMarketoForm h3{ margin:10x 0 0 0 ; color:#eaaa00; font-size:.7em; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:400; letter-spacing:3px; max-width:200px; /* Custom for the copy length */ background-color:#fff; padding: 5px 15px; position:relative; top:-35px; height: 0px; } .SponsorMarketoForm h2{ color: #002855; } .SponsorMarketoForm .SponsorMarketoFormHolder{ background-color: ; padding:15px; display: inline-block; margin-bottom:25px; } .SponsorMarketoFormHolder form{ margin: auto; } @media (max-width:640px){ .SponsorMarketoForm { padding:5px 0px; } .SponsorMarketoForm .SponsorMarketoFormHolder{ padding:15px 0px; } } /* Marketo Over-ride */ .mktoForm .mktoFormRow:nth-child(3){ float: left; } /*Center the last row .mktoForm .mktoFormRow:nth-child(4){ margin-left:15%; } */ .mktoForm label{ font-size: 0px; width: 0px !important; } .mktoForm input{ height: 30px } .mktoForm .mktoButtonRow{ float: left; } .mktoForm .mktoButtonWrap { margin-left:20px !important; } .mktoForm .mktoButton { background-color: #307FE2 !important; border: 1px solid #307FE2 !important; color: #fff !important; padding: 0.4em 1em; font-size: 1em; background-image: none !important; min-width: 190px; margin: 0 15px; border-radius: 4px; padding: 10px 20px; transition: all .25s ease-in-out; text-shadow: none; white-space: normal; height: 30px; font-weight: 700 } .mktoForm .mktoButton:hover{ background-color: #002855 !important; border: 1px solid #002855 !important; color: #fff !important; } .mktoForm .mktoClear { clear: none; } <div class="row spacer" id="DownloadNow"><div><div class="col-md-1"> </div><div class="col-md-10"><div class="cta--image-container full_width SponsorMarketoForm"><h3>Download Now</h3><div class="col-md-9"><h2>Driving the Drivers</h2><div class="SponsorMarketoFormHolder">   MktoForms2.loadForm("//sponsors.aha.org", "710-ZLL-651", 3641); MktoForms2.whenReady(function(form) { if (form.getId() == 3641) { form.onSuccess(function(values, followUpUrl) { form.getFormElem().hide(); document.getElementById("successAndErrorMessages").innerHTML = "<div><p>Thank you for downloading the latest AHA Trailblazers.<\/p><a class='btn btn-wide btn-primary' data-view-context='top-level-view' href='https:\/\/www.aha.org\/system\/files\/media\/file\/2025\/04\/Trailblazers_UniteUs.pdf' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer nofollow'>Download the Report<\/a><\/center><\/div>"; return false; }); }; }); <div id="successAndErrorMessages"> </div></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/Traiblazers_UniteUs_cover_777x600.png" alt="Cover of Driving the Drivers: How hospitals and health systems can leverage technology and workflow optimization to address health-related social needs" width="600" height="777"></div></div></div><div class="col-md-1"> </div></div></div></div> Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:57:37 -0500 Leadership /aha-center-health-innovation-market-scan/2025-04-08-reimagined-ceo-leading-health-care-its-next-era <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/The-Reimagined-CEO-Leading-Health-Care-into-Its-Next-Era.png" data-entity-uuid="479cd75f-fccd-4fbe-abe6-c31d78f9cbb9" data-entity-type="file" alt="The Reimagined CEO: Leading Health Care into Its Next Era. A CEO's head in profile with the brain containing gears connected to outside gears supplying all the data being input into the brain." width="1200" height="646"><p>Health care CEOs are leading in a time unlike any other in recent memory — where complexity is the norm and the expectations are extraordinary. The role, once steeped in operational oversight and incremental improvement, has evolved rapidly into a multifaceted, future-facing leadership challenge. From managing rapid consolidation to engaging political stakeholders, from cultural stewardship to digital transformation, the modern CEO’s mandate is not just to steer the ship — but to redesign the vessel while in motion.</p><p>According to WittKieffer’s 2025 report <a href="https://wittkieffer.com/insights/healthcare-ceo-reimagined" target="_blank" title="WittKeiffer: Healthcare CEO Reimagined: Leading Healthcare’s Next Chapter">“Healthcare CEO Reimagined,”</a> the traditional CEO archetype is being redefined fundamentally. Drawing on extensive interviews with top health system leaders, the report highlights a set of paradigm shifts and leadership tenets for CEOs to consider and offers a road map for navigating health care’s accelerating transformation.</p><h2><span>1</span> <span>|</span> <span>From Visionary to Agile Architect</span></h2><p>Strategic agility now defines effective leadership, according to the report. While a long-term vision remains important, CEOs increasingly are required to flex their strategies in real time — responding to both evolving market conditions and internal dynamics. “We must be willing to act quickly, learn fast and be comfortable with occasional missteps,” said Tom Gessel, CEO of Oregon-based Asante health system, in the report. Leaders are expected to lead transformative initiatives while maintaining operational discipline and rallying stakeholders around a shared sense of purpose.</p><h2><span>2</span> <span>|</span> <span>Scaling Strategically, Not Just Structurally</span></h2><p>Health care consolidation has created vast, complex systems that span geographies and service lines. Yet, as CEOs like Dennis Murphy of IU Health note, growth without focus can lead to inertia. “Goal setting is not just about driving the organization forward; it is about decluttering it from negative inertia,” Murphy said.</p><p>The real challenge lies in balancing scale with agility, according to the WittKieffer report. CEOs must align systemwide advantages — like technology investments and operational efficiencies — with local relevance. “Essentiality” — becoming an indispensable provider in a given community — emerges as a critical goal. Tailored strategies that account for regional needs, consumer preferences and competitive dynamics no longer are optional but are essential for long-term viability, the report concluded.</p><h2><span>3</span> <span>|</span> <span>Culture as a CEO’s Most Enduring Legacy</span></h2><p>Perhaps no responsibility looms larger than cultural leadership, according to the report. “Culture starts with the CEO,” Christopher Howard, CEO of Sharp HealthCare, told WittKieffer. “My most significant impact is dedicating myself to our organization’s culture.”</p><p>Today’s CEOs must navigate cultural tensions — accountability vs. mission, excellence vs. agility, scale vs. identity. These aren’t opposites to resolve but dynamics to balance. As organizations grow, CEOs increasingly are held accountable not just for preserving culture, but also for strengthening and spreading it across their networks, the report states.</p><p>Michael Slubowski, CEO of Trinity Health in Michigan, envisions a culture where “120,000 team members improve the care experience without waiting to be asked or having to be told.” That kind of empowerment requires relentless communication, trust-building and authenticity from the top.</p><h2><span>4</span> <span>|</span> <span>Developing the Next Generation</span></h2><p>Leadership development is no longer a human relations function; it’s a CEO imperative. “Building a strong, competent team is the CEO’s most essential skill,” said Brian Erling, M.D., president and CEO of Renown Health. The WittKieffer report underscored that high-performing leaders build succession pipelines, mentor emerging talent and foster environments that balance challenge with support.</p><p>The report also highlights the need for strategic succession planning and skill set expansion, both of which help leaders bridge the gap between legacy systems and emerging models. The best CEOs create what the report calls “gentle pushes and soft landings,” enabling continuous growth without burnout.</p><p> </p><h2><span>5</span> <span>|</span> <span>Mastering External Engagement</span></h2><p>In an increasingly politicized and interconnected world, external engagement has shifted from a “nice-to-have” to a strategic imperative. WittKieffer suggests that CEOs must build coalitions, not just manage operations. This includes sustained advocacy, community partnerships and brand leadership.</p><p>“Advocacy work now demands priority status as one of the ‘big boulders’ that must come first,” the report notes. CEOs must be visible in their communities, present with policymakers and trusted by stakeholders — internally and externally. Their reputations now are inseparable from that of the institutions they lead.</p><h2><span>6</span> <span>| </span><span>Essential Tenets: What Sets Great CEOs Apart</span></h2><p>WittKieffer distills the most impactful leadership traits into six essential tenets:</p><ul><li><strong>Vision across multiple horizons</strong> — balancing near-term needs with long-term foresight.</li><li><strong>Catalytic decision-making</strong> — making bold decisions amid ambiguity.</li><li><strong>Adaptability and resilience</strong> — maintaining focus while embracing change.</li><li><strong>Self-mastery and a learning mindset</strong> — committing to personal growth and reflection.</li><li><strong>Emotional intelligence</strong> — leading with humility, empathy and listening.</li><li><strong>Galvanizing communication</strong> — inspiring action through clarity and consistency.</li></ul><p>The CEO role never has been more complex or more vital to the future of health care. As leaders confront a world of accelerating change, those who thrive will be the ones who adapt most effectively, lead most authentically and empower their organizations at every level, according to the report.</p><p>In the words of Advocate Health CEO Eugene A. Woods quoted in the report, the goal is to “culturally unleash a fearless curiosity and unshakable optimism” as the antidote to uncertainty.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/center" title="Visit the AHA Center for Health Innovation landing page."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/logo-aha-innovation-center-color-sm.jpg" data-entity-uuid="7ade6b12-de98-4d0b-965f-a7c99d9463c5" alt="AHA Center for Health Innovation logo" width="721" height="130" data-entity- type="file" class="align-center"></a></p><p><a href="/center/form/innovation-subscription"><img src="/sites/default/files/2019-04/Market_Scan_Call_Out_360x300.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type alt width="360" height="300"></a></p></div></div></div>.field_featured_image { position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } .featured-image{ position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } h2 { color: #9d2235; } Tue, 08 Apr 2025 06:11:50 -0500 Leadership /leadership-dialogue <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/leadership-dialogue-freese-decker-wightman-900x400.jpg" data-entity-uuid="050ab622-3282-4178-a8e8-8b9dfdc90207" data-entity-type="file" alt="Tina Freese Decker headshot. Leadership Dialogue. A conversation with AHA Chair Tina Freese Decker and Lori Wightman, R.N., CEO of Bothwell Regional Health Center." width="900" height="400"><p>In this episode, Tina Freese Decker, 2025 chair of the AHA Board of Trustees, talks with Lori Wightman, R.N., CEO of Bothwell Regional Health Center, in Sedalia, Mo., about the challenges that rural hospitals and health systems face.</p><p>Freese Decker and Wightman discuss working in a “family atmosphere” unique to a rural hospital and navigating the same pressures that face urban hospitals, including workforce shortages and the high costs of labor, supplies and drugs. Rural hospitals also experience severe underpayments by Medicare and Medicaid, and most have “razor-thin” operating margins.</p><p>Wightman describes leading annual advocacy days — where Bothwell board members meet with state legislators (and candidates in election years) — and emphasizes the importance of all team members telling the hospital story.</p><hr><p></p><hr><div><p></p></div><p> </p><div class="raw-html-embed"> <details class="transcript"> <summary> <h2 title="Click here to open/close the transcript."> <span>View Transcript</span><br> </h2> </summary> <p> 00:00:01:05 - 00:00:23:09<br> Tom Haederle<br> Welcome to Advancing Health. In the face of today's multiple challenges, every hospital needs support and buy in for its mission of great care. Storytelling - sharing the right kinds of stories with the right audience at the right time - is a great way to build and maintain that support. This is particularly important for rural hospitals and health systems, most of which have razor-thin operating margins. </p> <p> 00:00:23:12 - 00:00:40:10<br> Tom Haederle<br> In this month's Leadership Dialogue, hosted by the ���������� Association's 2025 Board Chair Tina Freese Decker, we hear more about the importance of advocacy and of all team members participating in telling the hospital story. </p> <p> 00:00:40:13 - 00:01:07:25<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> Thank you so much for joining us today. I'm Tina Freese Decker, president CEO for Corewell Health, and I'm also the board chair for the ���������� Association. Last month we talked about trust and how our hospitals and our health systems can strengthen that trust with our communities and the people that we serve. Our rural hospitals are uniquely positioned to do this, as they are often the largest employers in their towns and communities, and frequently the only local source of care. </p> <p> 00:01:07:27 - 00:01:28:07<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> Rural health care is about being a family. We take care of each other in our communities as best as possible, and we're here to provide that care close to home, no matter what headwinds that we all face. I recently had the opportunity to attend the ���������� Association's Rural Conference and you could really feel that sense of family and community in the room. </p> <p> 00:01:28:09 - 00:01:59:15<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> We work in hospitals in red states and blue states all across the country, but we are all focused on the same thing: helping our neighbors in our communities to be healthier. There are some big challenges that are facing real health care, but together with a unified voice, we can get what we need. As I have traveled around our country meeting with the ���������� Association's regional policy boards and visiting the rural hospitals and my health system and others, the number one concern that I have heard from our hospitals, our communities, is access. </p> <p> 00:01:59:18 - 00:02:22:28<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> And that is why it is so integral to the ���������� Association strategy and it is why it is so important that we come together as a field and that we're united as a field, because these challenges that we are facing are real. So today, I am pleased to have a distinguished leader in rural health care with us to talk about how we can all work together to advocate for the needs of our hospitals. </p> <p> 00:02:23:01 - 00:02:45:09<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> I'd like to welcome Lori Wightman. She is the CEO of Bothwell Regional Health Center, a 108 bed acute care hospital in Sedalia, Missouri. Laura has served in this role since 2019, but even prior to Bothwell, she worked in real health care as the president of Mercy Hospital Ada in Ada, Oklahoma. So, Lori, welcome. Glad you were able to join us today. </p> <p> 00:02:45:15 - 00:02:46:17<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> Thank you, Tina. </p> <p> 00:02:46:19 - 00:03:03:20<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> And I wanted to start out with just telling us a little bit about yourself. I know you started your health care career as a nurse and then you made the shift to administration. Can you tell us about yourself and how you see that family aspect in the hospital and the community in our rural areas? </p> <p> 00:03:03:22 - 00:03:30:01<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> Sure. Well, my father was a hospital administrator and my mother was a nurse, so I did both. And so it was a natural progression. And I think the foundation that nursing lays gives you all kinds of transferable skills that have been very helpful as I went into hospital administration. My career and dating advice has always been, you can't go wrong with a nurse. </p> <p> 00:03:30:03 - 00:03:57:14<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> And there's certainly served me well. And you talk about that family atmosphere. That is why I continue to choose rural health care. I've done the CEO position in a suburban hospital, and I sat at our senior leadership team meeting and thinking I was the only one on our senior leadership team that even lived in the area that we served. </p> <p> 00:03:57:17 - 00:04:23:24<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> Everyone else lived in a different suburb, and I just thought that was strange and disconnected. And, so I returned again then to rural health care because it is like a family. And it's ironic because we just finished revisiting our mission, vision and values. And our new mission statement talks about together we work to provide compassionate and safe care to family, friends, and neighbors. </p> <p> 00:04:23:27 - 00:04:37:07<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> Invariably, when I met new employee orientation, a significant number of people were born at the hospital. That's why I love rural. It's like that "Cheers" phenomenon where everyone knows your name. </p> <p> 00:04:37:09 - 00:05:01:02<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> Very true. I used to lead a couple of rural hospitals as well. And like you said, even just walking into a rural hospital it feels like family where everyone there knows your name and of course, protect things from a confidentiality and a privacy perspective, but that feeling that we're all in this together. So I love that your mission statement is about together, that you can make an impact on people's health. </p> <p> 00:05:01:05 - 00:05:13:28<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> I described a little bit about what it's like to walk into a rural hospital. Can you share a little bit about what is like to be a rural hospital, what it means in today's environment and why it's such a great place to work? </p> <p> 00:05:14:01 - 00:05:47:06<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> Well, in many ways, rural hospitals are uniquely the same as our suburban or urban counterparts. Forty six million people depend on a rural hospital for their care. So we struggle with the same labor shortages, the cost of labor supplies and drugs is rising faster than our reimbursement. We have all of those same struggles. Unique is that family atmosphere, I think. </p> <p> 00:05:47:06 - 00:06:13:26<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> And we have multiple generations working at the hospital. Now, you can't say anything bad about anyone because invariably they're somehow related. Or they were best friends in high school, or they used to be married to each other. So I mean, it's unique in that way. We have the same types of struggles that  our counterparts do. </p> <p> 00:06:13:28 - 00:06:18:03<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> What pressures are you feeling the most acutely right now? </p> <p> 00:06:18:06 - 00:06:47:09<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> Well, you take all of those common challenges that I talked about, and you turn up the volume a little bit. Because for us, 78% of our patients and our volume is governmental payers, so 78% of our business, we're getting reimbursed below cost. You can't make that up in volume. So we rely on all of the governmental programs, you know, disproportionate share all of those things. </p> <p> 00:06:47:09 - 00:06:54:22<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> And, 340B is doing exactly for us what it was designed to do, save rural hospitals. </p> <p> 00:06:54:25 - 00:07:11:22<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> Those areas are critical that they remain. And so that we can continue to provide that sustainable, high quality care in our communities and all of our communities. 78% being governmental. It's a huge portion of what we do and what we rely on for access and caring for people. </p> <p> 00:07:11:29 - 00:07:23:15<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> Right. We are the typical rural hospital. We have razor-thin margins and aging plant of 18 years. </p> <p> 00:07:23:18 - 00:07:31:10<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> So those are challenges that you're trying to navigate right now with all of the other things that happen. And how is your staffing levels going? Are those going okay? </p> <p> 00:07:31:13 - 00:07:55:12<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> Have the same labor shortage issues. We still have 22 traveling nurses here, but we have started being very aggressive in a grow your own program. And so as soon as the next month we're going to cut that number in half and then, within six months, we're hoping to have all of contract staff out. </p> <p> 00:07:55:15 - 00:08:02:04<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> Is that something that you're most proud of, or is there something else that you want to share that you're most proud of from a rural hospital perspective? </p> <p> 00:08:02:06 - 00:08:29:24<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> I think what I'm most proud of is you get to personally view the impact of your decisions on people. I'm very proud of our all the talented people that we have here, from clinicians to community health workers. All of our physicians get to use all of the things they learned in medical school and residency, because there isn't a lot of subspecialists, so they are working at the top of their license. </p> <p> 00:08:29:26 - 00:08:50:21<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> Just several months ago, one of our critical care physicians diagnosed a case of botulism. Now as an old infection control nurse I get very excited about that because I never thought in my career I would see botulism. But it was diagnosed and treated here and the person's doing well. </p> <p> 00:08:50:23 - 00:09:25:27<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> Oh, that's wonderful to hear. When you talk about all the different people that are part of health care in rural settings, or also another settings, it's quite amazing to see how many different areas we need to come together to take care of our community. When you think about an even larger scale, from rural hospitals to urban and teaching hospitals and others, how do you think about the whole ecosystem of our field and how we, you know, do we need all of us or and is there a way to form that greater fabric and social connection, or is there something else that we should be doing? </p> <p> 00:09:25:29 - 00:09:50:21<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> We are all very interconnected and I believe we are all needed. And I especially feel that as an independent hospital, not part of a health system, this is my first independent hospital. I rely on my hospital association more than I ever did when I was working for a health system, because it all comes down to relationships. </p> <p> 00:09:50:21 - 00:10:18:13<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> And so how do you develop, how do you get yourself in situations where you are meeting and now working with your partners around the state or the region? Because it comes down to relationships, you really need to know who your neighbors are in terms of other hospitals, who you're referring your patients to and develop that working relationship because it is all interconnected. </p> <p> 00:10:18:13 - 00:10:25:06<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> And we rely on our partners that we refer to, and they rely on us, too. </p> <p> 00:10:25:08 - 00:10:43:23<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> One of the things I heard you say about the Rural Health Conference that the ���������� Association just put on, and the value of the ���������� Association is that we're not alone. And those values of relationships are really critical. So I appreciate that. The ���������� Association also talks a lot about how do we tell the hospital story. </p> <p> 00:10:43:25 - 00:10:55:15<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> So how do you engage in advocacy to make sure we're telling that hospital story so that our legislative leaders and others know the value that we're bringing to the community? </p> <p> 00:10:55:17 - 00:11:22:11<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> Well, we are surrounded by stories. And so the first thing is to always be picking up on what is the story that is surrounding us, and how can we capture that? Because the most effective way is to bring that patient or nurse or physician to the legislator to testify, because they are the most effective way of communicating a message. </p> <p> 00:11:22:18 - 00:11:49:07<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> You know, the suits can go and talk about data, but nothing is more effective than what I call a real person telling their story and how a decision or a potential decision is going to impact them and how it feels. The other thing we do is every October, it's become tradition. We have Advocacy Day with our board, at our board meeting. </p> <p> 00:11:49:09 - 00:12:21:12<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> We invite our state elected officials  - so people representing us at the state capitol - to come to our board meetings. On election years their challengers also come and I invite the hospital association and they all answer two questions: What do you hope to accomplish in the next legislative session, and what do you think might get in the way? That sets the scene for my board to understand that part of their role in governance is advocacy. </p> <p> 00:12:21:14 - 00:12:29:19<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> And so I've had two of my board members...almost every legislative session I go and testify on on some bill. </p> <p> 00:12:29:21 - 00:12:50:01<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> That is really a good idea. Thank you so much for sharing that. Do you have any other final suggestions for us as AHA members, as other hospitals, whether it's rural or urban, that we should think about or do as we think about advocacy and access or also field unity? </p> <p> 00:12:50:03 - 00:13:22:11<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> You know, having been on the board of two different state hospital associations, I get it. You know, sometimes members can be at odds with each other on a given issue. And my advice to AHA would be to play the role of convener, facilitating conversations between members to better understand each other's position. And if a middle ground can't be reached, then that might be an issue that AHA remains neutral on. </p> <p> 00:13:22:14 - 00:13:34:07<br> Lori Wightman, R.N.<br> But there are so many issues where we can agree on and that is very much the role and what all of us depend on AHA to play in advocating. </p> <p> 00:13:34:09 - 00:14:02:15<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> There's a lot that binds us together. Like you said, we're all caring for our neighbors and our communities, and that's the most critical piece of it. And we have to keep that front and center with every decision that we make and every action that we do. Well, Lori, thank you so much for being with us today on this AHA podcast, for sharing your expertise in rural health care and for talking about some new ideas that all of us can take forward to ensure that we're telling the hospital story in the best way possible. </p> <p> 00:14:02:18 - 00:14:21:09<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> So while I know that we have our work ahead of us, I know that I continue to be energized every time I speak with committed and passionate hospital leaders like Lori. Again, appreciate your work that you do every single day for the neighbors and for the people in your community that you serve. We'll be back next month for another Leadership Dialogue conversation. </p> <p> 00:14:21:13 - 00:14:23:01<br> Tina Freese Decker<br> Have a great day. </p> <p> 00:14:23:03 - 00:14:31:13<br> Tom Haederle<br> Thanks for listening to Advancing Health. Please subscribe and rate us five stars on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. </p> </details> </div></div><div class="col-md-4"><div class="views-element-container"> <section class="top-level-view js-view-dom-id-66781931f1c5330f2b0962f60b7e20b3f21de2ad88624c603baa9454224be1dc resource-block"> <h2>Previous Leadership Dialogues and Rounds</h2> <div class="resource-wrapper"> <div class="resource-view"> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/news/chairpersons-file/2025-02-24-chair-file-leadership-dialogue-advancing-health-and-building-trust-lynn-hanessian-and-robert" hreflang="en">Chair File: Leadership Dialogue — Advancing Health and Building Trust with Lynn Hanessian and Robert Trestman, M.D.</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2025-02-24T08:21:34-06:00">Feb 24, 2025</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/news/chairpersons-file/2025-01-27-chair-file-leadership-dialogue-tackling-todays-health-care-challenges-aha-leaders-stacey" hreflang="en">Chair File: Leadership Dialogue — Tackling Today’s Health Care Challenges with AHA Leaders Stacey Hughes and Ashley Thompson</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2025-01-27T09:40:27-06:00">Jan 27, 2025</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/news/chairpersons-file/2024-12-16-leadership-dialogue-assessing-health-care-challenges-and-successes-tina-freese-decker" hreflang="en">Leadership Dialogue — Assessing Health Care Challenges and Successes With Tina Freese Decker, President and CEO of Corewell Health</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-12-16T08:16:44-06:00">Dec 16, 2024</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/news/chairpersons-file/2024-11-18-leadership-dialogue-advancing-health-care-innovation-amy-perry-president-and-ceo-banner" hreflang="en">Leadership Dialogue — Advancing Health Care Innovation with Amy Perry, President and CEO of Banner Health</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-11-18T10:04:06-06:00">Nov 18, 2024</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/news/chairpersons-file/2024-10-28-leadership-dialogue-value-health-systems-tom-priselac-president-and-ceo-emeritus-cedars-sinai" hreflang="en">Leadership Dialogue — The Value of Health Systems with Tom Priselac, President and CEO Emeritus of Cedars-Sinai </a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-10-28T10:22:11-05:00">Oct 28, 2024</time> </span> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="more-link"><a href="/topics/leadership-dialogue">Watch More Leadership Dialogues and Rounds Videos</a></div> </section> </div> </div></div></div> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 10:30:00 -0500 Leadership /news/headline/2025-03-06-nominate-candidates-now-so-they-can-apply-aha-next-generation-leaders-fellowship-march-31 <p>Hospitals and health systems are urged to nominate candidates as soon as possible for the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship so they can apply by the March 31 deadline. Candidates should be health care leaders expected to rise to the top of their fields in the next five to 10 years and are leading or on the verge of leading transformation efforts at department, organization, enterprise and/or system levels. View the nomination <a href="/center/next-generation-leaders-fellowship/nomination-form">form</a> for more information and to nominate a candidate.</p> Thu, 06 Mar 2025 16:03:23 -0600 Leadership /news/headline/2025-02-18-aha-announces-recipients-2025-rural-health-leadership-award <p>The AHA today <a href="/press-releases/2025-02-18-aha-names-2025-rural-hospital-leadership-team-award-winner-and-finalists" target="_blank">announced</a> the team from Columbia Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in Astoria, Ore., is the 2024 recipient of the Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award. The award recognizes rural hospital leaders who guide their hospitals and communities through change and innovation.  <br> <br>Also recognized as finalists were teams at Atrium Health Lincoln in Lincoln, N.C.; Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Ind.; and Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma, Wash. <br> <br>The award will be presented at the 38th annual AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, taking place Feb. 23-26 in San Antonio.</p> Tue, 18 Feb 2025 15:08:18 -0600 Leadership /news/headline/2025-02-18-obituary-former-aha-chair-david-reed <div><p paraid="200711321" paraeid="{bd918675-4450-4538-86d8-ad743bab528b}{41}">Longtime health care executive and former AHA Chair <a href="https://www.oconnormortuary.com/obituaries/david-andrew-reed/" target="_blank">David Reed</a> died last month at age 91.  </p></div><div><p paraid="1563247724" paraeid="{bd918675-4450-4538-86d8-ad743bab528b}{65}">Reed's career began at Cincinnati General Hospital, where he was an assistant administrator before becoming president of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City in 1979. He then served as CEO of Samaritan Health System, now Banner Health, in Arizona in 1989. The next year, he became AHA chair as well as CEO of St. Joseph Health System in Orange, Calif. He was later appointed chairman of the board for PacifiCare, where he served until his retirement in 2003.</p></div> Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:59:04 -0600 Leadership /news/headline/2025-02-14-obituary-renowned-health-care-author-and-futurist-ian-morrison <p>Ian Morrison, a highly regarded author, consultant and futurist, died last week. He specialized in long-term forecasting and planning with a particular emphasis on health care. Morrison was the 2018 recipient of AHA's Board of Trustees Award, which is presented to individuals or groups who have made substantial and noteworthy contributions to the work of the AHA, and was a long-time moderator and facilitator of the AHA Leadership Summit.   <br> <br>“Ian’s deep insights and keen observations on health care have helped enrich the AHA, America’s hospitals and health systems and the entire health care field,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “An author and speaker, Ian translated information into knowledge for countless hospital and health systems leaders. We have all benefited from his experience and innovative way of thinking.”  <br> <br>Throughout his career, Morrison worked with more than 100 Fortune 500 companies in health care, manufacturing, information technology and financial services. He was the author of “Healthcare in the New Millennium: Vision, Values and Leadership and The Second Curve — Managing the Velocity of Change,” a New York Times Business Bestseller and Business Week Bestseller. <br> <br>Morrison was a past director of the AHA’s Health Research and Educational Trust, the research and education arm of the association. He also was a board member of the Martin Luther King Community Hospital in Los Angeles, a past director of the Center for Health Design and a past director and chair of the California Health Care Foundation. <br> <br>“Ian was one of our field’s best friends,” said AHA President Emeritus Rich Umbdenstock, who worked closely with Morrison. “He supported the hospital mission wholeheartedly, gently bringing us back to center whenever the latest development distracted us 'a wee bit' too much. Using data-based assessments and firsthand experience with both governmental and market-oriented systems, Ian deployed a humble futurist orientation and his incredible sense of humor to make his counsel compelling and digestible. He and his many gifts will be missed by all.” <br> <br>Morrison served as president of the Institute for the Future from 1990 to 1996, where he was responsible for leading the organization's growth and success. He was also a founding partner of Strategic Health Perspectives, a joint venture between Harris Interactive and the Harvard University School of Public Health. </p> Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:08:55 -0600 Leadership /news/headline/2025-02-14-blog-elevating-next-generation-health-care-leaders-drive-change-and-innovation <p>To navigate a shifting landscape of technologies, care models and patient needs, hospitals and health systems need to develop future leaders who are ready to innovate and serve our communities for years to come, writes Lindsey Dunn Burgstahler, AHA vice president of programming and market intelligence, in a blog highlighting the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship and its impacts. <a href="/news/blog/2025-02-13-elevating-next-generation-health-care-leaders-drive-change-and-innovation"><strong>READ MORE</strong></a> </p> Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:07:27 -0600 Leadership