As the adoption of telehealth, remote monitoring, and connected care technologies continues to increase, it’s important for healthcare leaders to stay on top of the latest updates in telehealth reimbursement. 

The CEO of Palm Springs, Calif.-based Desert Healthcare District has addressed community members' concerns — and alluded to some of his own — amid a proposed sale to Tenet Healthcare. 

1. Margins for health systems improved in 2023 after a disastrous 2022. At the end of 2022, it looked like we would see massive health system failures. Systems rebounded in 2023 far better than many of us expected. The median hospital margin was -0.5% in January 2023 and 2.3% by year's end, according to Kaufman Hall. 

U.S. and Michigan lawmakers are seeking answers to concerns regarding the recently announced transition of services at Aspirus Ontonagon (Mich.) Hospital.

Keith Hobbs spent nearly three years acclimating to Torrance (Calif.) Memorial Medical Center before becoming its CEO, according to a Feb. 13 blog post from the hospital. 

Ascension, a nonprofit Catholic health system based in St. Louis, has named two new members to its board of directors.

To borrow a phrase used regularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are beginning to "bend the curve" since firearm-related deaths reached an all-time high of nearly 49,000 in 2021.

I've worked in healthcare a long time and have met hundreds if not thousands of senior leaders. Every day I see that this group is passionate about serving staff, patients, and the community to the best of their ability. 

Hospitals and health systems have continued to evolve their approaches and strategies to tackle today's industry challenges. For New Orleans-based Ochsner Health, that has meant an increased focus on patient access, particularly in the ambulatory setting, as well as workforce stabilization, according to Mike Hulefeld, the organization's president and COO.

Hospitals are making progress to diversify their C-suites, management and boards, though there is still significant room for improvement, according to a Feb. 28 report from the American Hospital Association. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will step down from his leadership post in November, multiple news outlets reported Feb. 28. 

Nearly a quarter of health systems are appointing new executives to lead provider compensation — a function previously headed by COOs and CFOs, according to a recent report shared with Becker's. 

The Mississippi College School of Nursing in Clinton, Miss., has named Lisa Eichelberger, PhD, RN, as its interim dean, according to a Feb. 27 announcement.

Health systems across the U.S. have joined the Ad Council and a coalition of health systems to launch a new public awareness and education campaign focused on gun violence prevention.

Former University of Minnesota leaders who were "at the table" when it transferred its hospitals and clinics to Fairview Health Services agree that it's time for the assets to come home, according to a Feb. 25 op-ed in the Star Tribune. 

In the current healthcare environment, health system executives face a critical imperative: unlocking objective insights from clinician data to address workforce and efficiency challenges effectively. Despite acknowledging the importance of holistic, actionable data, many struggle with incomplete and cumbersome data systems.

Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling remembers the skepticism he encountered when elevating gun violence as a public health issue a few years ago. Now the fight is onto bigger conversations and pursuits. 

Some organizations are exploring the benefits of a shortened workweek, while others — often high-profile companies — are taking a hard lean the other way. 

Hospitals and health systems reported 11 CEO changes last month, marking a 52% decrease from the same month in 2023. 

Escondido, Calif.-based Palomar Health is proposing a structural reorganization under which health system executives would be employed by a nonprofit, outside management organization rather than a public entity.