February 2025 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
John Goodnow. CEO. Benefits Health System
Hospitals and health systems reported slow margin improvement in 2024, and Fitch expects similar sluggishness in 2025. While some systems are reporting strong balance sheets, others see big financial headwinds in the coming year.
Shane Bedward. CEO. AdventHealth Dade City
Hospital and health system CEOs have a lot on their minds as their organizations face industry pressures. While various topics are discussed among executives, there are some they point to as primed for greater discussion.
Chero Goswami. Chief information and digital officer. UW Health
Ambient clinical documentation will be commonplace in healthcare three years from now, according to Chero Goswami, chief information and digital officer at Madison, Wis.-based UW Health.
Andrea Highfill, DNP, RN. Chief nursing officer. Carson Valley Medical Center
For many hospital leaders, deciding which technology investments to prioritize while balancing tight budgets is a tall order.
Andrew Bagnall. President and CEO. St. Luke's Hospital
Chesterfield, Mo.-based St. Luke's Hospital president and CEO Andrew Bagnall is leading efforts to tackle healthcare industry challenges like financial pressures and shifting patient needs.
The next health system C-suite obsession
Health system executives spent the last few years building financial stability after the pandemic and adjusting to workforce shifts. Those areas will remain important in 2025, but a new obsession for C-suite executives is emerging. Or, more accurately, re-emerging.
'A pretty ugly picture': Health systems brace for 2025
Hospitals and health systems reported slow margin improvement in 2024, and Fitch expects similar sluggishness in 2025. While some systems are reporting strong balance sheets, others see big financial headwinds in the coming year.
How health systems can 'close the gap' in Medicare Advantage
As a leader who has navigated both sides of the healthcare equation — payer and provider — Prime Healthcare CFO Steve Aleman brings a unique perspective to one of the most pressing challenges facing health systems today: closing the reimbursement gap in Medicare Advantage.
'Never waste a good crisis': The keys behind a Louisiana system's financial comeback
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, a 10-hospital system headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., achieved a $241 million turnaround in fiscal year 2024 under the leadership of CFO Mike Gleason, who told Becker's the feat was "a total team effort."
3 CEOs on what healthcare isn't talking about enough
Hospital and health system CEOs have a lot on their minds as their organizations face industry pressures. While various topics are discussed among executives, there are some they point to as primed for greater discussion.
For CEOs, results still outshine soft skills
New research reveals that companies continue to prioritize execution and strategic leadership in their CEO hiring decisions, despite widespread claims that modern leaders should focus more on interpersonal and "soft" skills.
Hospital profitability headed into 2025: 10 notes
Hospital financial metrics overall have improved slightly in 2024 and on average, hospitals are more financially stable heading into 2025 when compared with last year, according to Kaufman Hall's National Hospital Flash Report.
Providence CEO's 3 predictions for 2025
Renton, Wash.-based Providence is nearing a leadership transition as President and CEO Rod Hochman, MD, plans to retire at the end of the year and COO Erik Wexler takes the helm. As he transitions to CEO emeritus, Dr. Hochman made three healthcare predictions for 2025, which he posted on LinkedIn. He also shared clips from his November conversation with Melissa Tizon, Providence's vice president of national communication, about where the industry is headed.
Did Emory's $150M for staff raises work?
When Joon Lee, MD, took over as CEO of Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare in July 2023, he identified the workforce as a major area for improvement. He wanted to reduce reliance on contract labor and improve employee turnover rates.
10 headwinds for health systems in 2025
Healthcare executives are preparing for 2025, a year likely filled with profound challenges and big opportunities.
How 4 female hospital leaders are driving change
Women in healthcare leadership roles across the U.S. drove significant improvements within their organizations in 2024. From reducing patient length of stay to boosting employee engagement, these leaders achieved measurable growth through percentage changes and other key metrics.
5 medical breakthroughs in 2024
Medical innovations in 2024 include progress in xenotransplantation and first-time FDA approvals, ABC News reported Dec. 23.
How 3 of the largest health systems are using AI
In 2024, major health systems embraced artificial intelligence across various applications, including easing documentation burdens, revenue cycle, and addressing claims denials.
CFO / FINANCE
Hospital profitability headed into 2025: 10 notes
Hospital financial metrics overall have improved slightly in 2024 and on average, hospitals are more financially stable heading into 2025 when compared with last year, according to Kaufman Hall's National Hospital Flash Report.
How an academic system nearly tripled its revenue in 5 years
Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Medicine is growing at a rapid clip and has nearly tripled its annual revenue over the last five years.
From -10.2% to 21.3%: 41 health systems ranked by operating margins
Health systems across the country reported mixed financial results in the third quarter, with operating margins ranging widely from double-digit gains to substantial losses.
Hospital charges spike post-merger
Consolidation in healthcare pushes up charges without improving quality of care, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
'Never waste a good crisis': The keys behind a Louisiana system's financial comeback
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, a 10-hospital system headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., achieved a $241 million turnaround in fiscal year 2024 under the leadership of CFO Mike Gleason, who told Becker's the feat was "a total team effort."
CEO/STRATEGY
3 CEOs on what healthcare isn't talking about enough
Hospital and health system CEOs have a lot on their minds as their organizations face industry pressures. While various topics are discussed among executives, there are some they point to as primed for greater discussion.
Providence CEO's 3 predictions for 2025
Renton, Wash.-based Providence is nearing a leadership transition as President and CEO Rod Hochman, MD, plans to retire at the end of the year and COO Erik Wexler takes the helm. As he transitions to CEO emeritus, Dr. Hochman made three healthcare predictions for 2025, which he posted on LinkedIn. He also shared clips from his November conversation with Melissa Tizon, Providence's vice president of national communication, about where the industry is headed.
The next health system C-suite obsession
Health system executives spent the last few years building financial stability after the pandemic and adjusting to workforce shifts. Those areas will remain important in 2025, but a new obsession for C-suite executives is emerging. Or, more accurately, re-emerging.
What's top of mind for leaders in 2025: Poll
Patient experience outranked staff well-being and health equity as the top-of-mind concern for leaders going into the new year.
Did Emory's $150M for staff raises work?
When Joon Lee, MD, took over as CEO of Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare in July 2023, he identified the workforce as a major area for improvement. He wanted to reduce reliance on contract labor and improve employee turnover rates.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Atlantic Health CEO's story of growth
Over the past decade, Brian Gragnolati has overseen significant growth at Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health System.
What front-line work taught 1 Mississippi hospital CEO
Throughout his two decades in healthcare — including as a critical care nurse early in his career — Rob Coleman, BSN, RN, has embraced the value of leadership visibility.
How teaming up with competitors benefits Adventist HealthCare
Adventist HealthCare's 2025 strategy is focused on improving access to care and addressing health inequities, particularly in inpatient services across its market, CEO John Sackett told Becker's.
How a Missouri system is building a 'winning culture'
Chesterfield, Mo.-based St. Luke's Hospital president and CEO Andrew Bagnall is leading efforts to tackle healthcare industry challenges like financial pressures and shifting patient needs.
What inclusive leadership means to this AdventHealth market CEO
Lorenzo Brown, president and CEO for Orange City, Fla.-based AdventHealth Fish Memorial and the West Volusia market, has shared his perspective on what it means to lead inclusively, emphasizing the importance of valuing individuality in a team and fostering meaningful connections.
INNOVATION
How healthcare AI is meeting the hype at UW Health
Ambient clinical documentation will be commonplace in healthcare three years from now, according to Chero Goswami, chief information and digital officer at Madison, Wis.-based UW Health.
Orlando Health hospital-at-home program treats 2,000th patient: 5 things to know
Orlando (Fla.) Health's Hospital Care at Home has served more than 2,000 patients in Central Florida since launching in February 2023.
How 3 of the largest health systems are using AI
In 2024, major health systems embraced artificial intelligence across various applications, including easing documentation burdens, revenue cycle, and addressing claims denials.
Got cash for the AI babysitter?
Health systems have spent years emphasizing the need to control costs, especially as reimbursement rates and inflation failed to keep pace with operational demands. In 2025, these cost-containment efforts will persist, and with an added challenge: the expenses of adopting AI tools and the "babysitters" needed to oversee them.
Bon Secours Mercy Health's next digital ventures move
Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health launched Accrete Health Partners in 2022 as a holding company to align digital health teams as well as invest in and scale digital products.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
1 chief nursing officer's business case for $1M tech investment
For many hospital leaders, deciding which technology investments to prioritize while balancing tight budgets is a tall order.
Physicians tread 'minefield' of abortion bans, hospitals silent
In states with total abortion bans, federal law requires physicians to provide an abortion if it stabilizes an emergency condition, but hospitals are leaving physicians to fend for themselves to navigate this "minefield," according to a Senate Finance Committee report.
The building blocks for organizational trust in healthcare
Building trust in healthcare cannot be accomplished with a checklist.
5 medical breakthroughs in 2024
Medical innovations in 2024 include progress in xenotransplantation and first-time FDA approvals, ABC News reported Dec. 23.
Hospitals can scale back hand hygiene monitoring: 4 study notes
Some evidence shows hospital infection preventionists may be able to spend less time monitoring hand hygiene, according to a study published Dec. 19 in the American Journal of Infection Control.
CIO/HEALTH IT
Health system IT leaders prep for 'future-ready healthcare systems'
Hospitals and health systems experimented with artificial intelligence last year and see 2025 as a crucial turning point for identifying top use cases and solidifying long-term strategies.
The tenures of CIOs at the nation's largest health systems
The average tenure of chief information officers at some of the nation's largest health systems stands at just over two years.
Cleveland Clinic's 'pod' concept for IT after mergers
Mergers and acquisitions are tough on health system IT teams. Workflow standardization and technology integration is a colossal task that becomes more difficult if the leadership team is focused on the digital product above service line alignment.
Orlando Health hospital-at-home program treats 2,000th patient: 5 things to know
Orlando (Fla.) Health's Hospital Care at Home has served more than 2,000 patients in Central Florida since launching in February 2023.
Healthcare's top cybersecurity challenges
Staffing shortages have been identified as the top cybersecurity challenge facing healthcare organizations, a Jan. 2 report from KLAS found.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
How 4 female hospital leaders are driving change
Women in healthcare leadership roles across the U.S. drove significant improvements within their organizations in 2024. From reducing patient length of stay to boosting employee engagement, these leaders achieved measurable growth through percentage changes and other key metrics.
What female physicians value in a workplace
Female physicians said that work-life balance and autonomy over patient care were their top priorities, according to a Medscape report.
Judy Faulkner makes Forbes' 'most powerful women' list
Epic founder and CEO Judy Faulkner has been named to Forbes' "2024 Power Women" list.
Net worth of male vs. female physicians
Sixty-six percent of male physicians reported a family net worth of at least $1 million last year, compared to just 52% of female physicians, according to Medscape's Female Physician Wealth & Debt Report.
Women more likely to be interim leaders
Women appointed as CEOs in 2024 have been more likely to serve on an interim basis than their male counterparts, according to a Nov. 26 report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.