As CEO of Tacoma, Wash.-based CHI Franciscan Health, Ketul J. Patel works with an eye to the future while keeping the inclusive mission of the health system' 19th century founders top of mind.  By Leo Vartorella - 9/6/18

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he does not have any plans to push ACA repeal legislation this year, even though these efforts could be more successful than they were in 2017 due to the recent appointment of Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., according to The Hill.  By Leo Vartorella - 9/6/18

Leaders plan vacations to help relieve the stress of their positions, but getting ahead of work before their vacation and the stress of catching up with missed work once they return often can leave them far from relaxed during these breaks, according to the Harvard Business Review.  By Leo Vartorella - 9/6/18

The following article comes from Dave Wilkins, Chief Strategy Officer at HealthcareSource:  We’re facing a critical nursing shortage and an aging population. That’s a bad combination, no matter how you look at it.  By Dave Wilkins, HealthcareSource Chief Strategy Officer - 9/6/18

Leaders from the Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic Health System spoke about the ongoing transition of services between its Albert Lea, Minn., and Austin, Minn., campuses during a presentation to county commissioners Sept. 4, according to the Albert Lea Tribune.  By Alyssa Rege - 9/6/18

The delivery and payment of healthcare in this country is fragmented among multiple players operating in individual silos. The disconnect between various clinicians  involved in a health episode results in patients navigating a complicated and inefficient industry. These same issues also result in tremendous variation in the experience, cost and outcomes for our patients.  By Joe Landsman, President & CEO, University of Tennessee Medical Center - 9/5/18

Multiple hospital operators recently announced plans to pursue or explore international expansion, including Brigham, Massachusetts General, and ProMedica in China, and Steward in Malta and Croatia. Others are now considering following suit, making exploratory trips abroad, and readying feasibility studies and business plans for presentation to their boards. These ambitions mark an ideal moment for the board members of these companies to put on their helpful skeptic hats and ask the questions about global readiness that will guide their organizations to the best decision.  By Robert Courtney, an American business executive and lawyer - 9/5/18

A health system's name and branding are becoming even more important amid the rise in healthcare consumerism and other industry trends.  By Kelly Gooch - 9/5/18

The U.S. Department of Labor issued an opinion letter Sept. 4, saying healthy organ donors can use medical leave as laid out per the Family and Medical Leave Act, according to The Chicago Sun Times.  By Harrison Cook - 9/5/18

Applications for the Nashville Health Care Council's 2019 Fellows class are open through Oct. 19 for healthcare executives from across the country who are looking to explore innovative strategies to improve the American healthcare system.  By Leo Vartorella - 9/5/18

Capping a saga that gripped Silicon Valley, the scandal-ridden blood testing company Theranos will shut down for good, The Wall Street Journal reports.  By Alia Paavola - 9/5/18

The Hospital Authority of Valdosta and Lowndes County is expected to select a new permanent CEO for Valdosta-based South Georgia Medical Center next week, roughly one month after the hospital's former chief executive asked for a contract buyout, according to the Suwannee Democrat.  By Alyssa Rege - 9/5/18

Beau Braden, DO, who owns and manages a clinic in Ave Maria, Fla., told The New York Times the state recently approved his plans to build a 25-bed microhospital for patients in southwest Florida. However, a larger area hospital is reportedly pulling out all the stops to prevent the facility from being built.  By Alyssa Rege - 9/5/18

The following healthcare layoffs were reported by Becker's Hospital Review in August. The list below begins with the most recent.  By Kelly Gooch - 9/4/18

New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System is launching its own television series on a local cable channel run by The City University of New York.  By Emily Rappleye - 9/4/18

A prominent federal judge resigned from the board of directors at Houston-based Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center after an investigation revealed a high rate of deaths and unusual complications in the hospital's heart transplant program, the Houston Chronicle reports.  By Megan Knowles - 9/4/18

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, spoke to CNN's Poppy Harlow about what he wants his joint health venture to accomplish and whether a single-payer system may be the answer to the country's healthcare woes.  By Alyssa Rege - 9/4/18

The healthcare venture launched by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase picked a former Comcast and Optum executive to be its COO.  By Morgan Haefner - 9/4/18

Stress is an unavoidable result of a leader dealing with many responsibilities, but there are some unconventional strategies leaders can take to help reduce stress, according to the Harvard Business Review.  By Leo Vartorella - 9/4/18

California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said that if he is elected governor in November, he would support a single-payer healthcare system that provides coverage for illegal immigrants, according to The Hill.  By Leo Vartorella - 9/4/18