January 2026 Issue of Becker’s Hospital Review
On The Cover
Erik Wexler, President and CEO, Providence
When Erik Wexler became president and CEO of Providence in January, one factor was already working in his favor: the board’s decision to promote an internal candidate.
Mike Slubowski, President and CEO, Trinity Health
With hospital margins under significant strain and coverage headwinds mounting — from Medicaid cuts to the looming expiration of ACA subsidies — Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health is reshaping its strategy for the years ahead.
Stephen Leffler, MD, CEO, UVM Health
Steve Leffler, MD, began serving as interim CEO of Burlington-based University of Vermont Health in October, when Sunny Eappen, MD, stepped down. Coming into the role, Dr. Leffler recognized the need for financial trade-offs.
Zafar Chaudry, MD, Chief Digital, AI and Information Officer, Seattle Children’s
Hospital and health system CIOs are facing a fast-growing list of challenges — from the rapid rise of agentic AI to unrelenting cyberthreats and soaring technology costs — that are reshaping how they think about the future of healthcare IT.
Albert Wright, PharmD, President and CEO, WVU Health System
For Albert Wright Jr., PharmD, president and CEO of Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Health System, its announcement to acquire Greensburg, Pa.-based Independence Health System felt like “Christmas morning.”
Mario Ellis, Chief Human Resource Officer, Beacon Health System
At Ashland, Ky.-based UK King’s Daughters Medical Center, AI is so ingrained in the human resources culture that it has a nickname.
Stephen Rinaldi, Chief Revenue Officer, UNC Health
Major shifts to Medicaid eligibility and financing set to take effect under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2026 and beyond are emerging as a top concern for revenue cycle leaders, who say the changes could further intensify financial pressures.
The driving forces behind Providence’s transformation amid a ‘polycrisis’
When Erik Wexler became president and CEO of Providence in January, one factor was already working in his favor: the board’s decision to promote an internal candidate.
The next phase of ambient documentation
The first phase of ambient clinical documentation was largely defined by one key question: Can the technology meaningfully reduce administrative burden and burnout for physicians?
Why Trinity Health is embracing a ‘beginner’s mindset,’ per its CEO
With hospital margins under significant strain and coverage headwinds mounting — from Medicaid cuts to the looming expiration of ACA subsidies — Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health is reshaping its strategy for the years ahead.
What’s keeping health system CIOs up at night?
Hospital and health system CIOs are facing a fast-growing list of challenges — from the rapid rise of agentic AI to unrelenting cyberthreats and soaring technology costs — that are reshaping how they think about the future of healthcare IT.
From 25 to 30 hospitals: Inside WVU Health System’s bold Pennsylvania expansion
For Albert Wright Jr., PharmD, president and CEO of Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Health System, its announcement to acquire Greensburg, Pa.-based Independence Health System felt like “Christmas morning.”
The ‘glass half full’ approach to rural pharmacy recruiting
The pharmacist workforce is shrinking. According to the 2024 National Pharmacist Workforce Study, the number of practicing pharmacists younger than 40 has declined from previous years, while more pharmacists report heavier workloads and longer hours than at any point in the past decade. The report warns that those pressures could make it harder for hospitals and health systems to fill critical roles — a challenge compounded in rural communities, where recruiting has long been difficult.
Why leaders are pushing back on ‘AI nurse’ label
The term “AI nurse” is appearing with increasing frequency in healthcare technology pitches and product descriptions. But for many nursing leaders, it is a line that should not be crossed.
10 vital attributes for ‘future-ready’ health system CEOs
Health system leaders are juggling heightened uncertainties in 2025, including financial challenges and workforce shortages.
Best leadership advice from 12 healthcare execs
Effective leadership is more crucial now than ever before in healthcare. Each leader has a different style, often influenced by the leaders they learned from.
Why CMS’ TEAM is a ‘natural extension’ for Hackensack Meridian Health
As more than 700 hospitals prepare to implement CMS’ Transforming Episode Accountability Model on Jan. 1, Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health is not starting from scratch.
What HR teams didn’t expect to learn from AI
At Ashland, Ky.-based UK King’s Daughters Medical Center, AI is so ingrained in the human resources culture that it has a nickname.
Why more systems are creating security-focused leadership roles
As workplace safety remains a top concern for healthcare workers, several health systems are responding by creating leadership roles dedicated to security and emergency preparedness.
How revenue cycle leaders are developing the next generation
Ask a Revenue Cycle Leaderis a new series featuring insights from health system and hospital revenue cycle executives nationwide. Becker’s poses questions on the most pressing issues — from payer relations and automation to workforce and patient experience. We welcome responses from all revenue cycle, finance and reimbursement leaders.
CEO Strategy
The driving forces behind Providence’s transformation amid a ‘polycrisis’
When Erik Wexler became president and CEO of Providence in January, one factor was already working in his favor: the board’s decision to promote an internal candidate.
Why Trinity Health is embracing a ‘beginner’s mindset,’ per its CEO
With hospital margins under significant strain and coverage headwinds mounting — from Medicaid cuts to the looming expiration of ACA subsidies — Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health is reshaping its strategy for the years ahead.
10 vital attributes for ‘future-ready’ health system CEOs
Health system leaders are juggling heightened uncertainties in 2025, including financial challenges and workforce shortages.
CFO Finance
From 25 to 30 hospitals: Inside WVU Health System’s bold Pennsylvania expansion
For Albert Wright Jr., PharmD, president and CEO of Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Health System, its announcement to acquire Greensburg, Pa.-based Independence Health System felt like “Christmas morning.”
Why UVM Health won’t cut clinical services in 2026
Steve Leffler, MD, began serving as interim CEO of Burlington-based University of Vermont Health in October, when Sunny Eappen, MD, stepped down. Coming into the role, Dr. Leffler recognized the need for financial trade-offs.
HCA faces mounting opposition in multistate expansion
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare is facing resistance to its expansion efforts across multiple states, as competing health systems challenge the for-profit giant’s push to add new emergency rooms, surgery centers and hospitals in regions where it already has a presence.
COO
Best leadership advice from 12 healthcare execs
Effective leadership is more crucial now than ever before in healthcare. Each leader has a different style, often influenced by the leaders they learned from.
Operational changes that had biggest impact in 2025 from 3 healthcare strategic leaders
Due to a variety of factors, many health systems across the country had to make operational changes in 2025. Becker’s asked three healthcare strategic leaders which operational change made the biggest impact re. patients in the past year and what they learned from it.
CLIC
Why CMS’ TEAM is a ‘natural extension’ for Hackensack Meridian Health
As more than 700 hospitals prepare to implement CMS’ Transforming Episode Accountability Model on Jan. 1, Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health is not starting from scratch.
The next phase of ambient documentation
The first phase of ambient clinical documentation was largely defined by one key question: Can the technology meaningfully reduce administrative burden and burnout for physicians?
CIO
Why leaders are pushing back on ‘AI nurse’ label
The term “AI nurse” is appearing with increasing frequency in healthcare technology pitches and product descriptions. But for many nursing leaders, it is a line that should not be crossed.
What’s keeping health system CIOs up at night?
Hospital and health system CIOs are facing a fast-growing list of challenges — from the rapid rise of agentic AI to unrelenting cyberthreats and soaring technology costs — that are reshaping how they think about the future of healthcare IT.
PHARMACY
The ‘glass half full’ approach to rural pharmacy recruiting
The pharmacist workforce is shrinking. According to the 2024 National Pharmacist Workforce Study, the number of practicing pharmacists younger than 40 has declined from previous years, while more pharmacists report heavier workloads and longer hours than at any point in the past decade. The report warns that those pressures could make it harder for hospitals and health systems to fill critical roles — a challenge compounded in rural communities, where recruiting has long been difficult.
A 5-step plan to embed pharmacy into health system strategy
For some hospitals and systems, pharmacy is the No. 1 revenue generator, but pharmacy department leaders say they’re often underutilized.
CHRO
What HR teams didn’t expect to learn from AI
At Ashland, Ky.-based UK King’s Daughters Medical Center, AI is so ingrained in the human resources culture that it has a nickname.
Why more systems are creating security-focused leadership roles
As workplace safety remains a top concern for healthcare workers, several health systems are responding by creating leadership roles dedicated to security and emergency preparedness.
RCM Leader
The looming challenge on revenue cycle leaders’ minds
Major shifts to Medicaid eligibility and financing set to take effect under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2026 and beyond are emerging as a top concern for revenue cycle leaders, who say the changes could further intensify financial pressures.
CommonSpirit makes revenue cycle a top priority for 2026
Revenue cycle improvements are a priority focus for Chicago-based CommonSpirit in 2026, Benjie Loanzon, senior vice president and corporate controller, said during the system’s Dec. 3 investor call.
How revenue cycle leaders are developing the next generation
Ask a Revenue Cycle Leaderis a new series featuring insights from health system and hospital revenue cycle executives nationwide. Becker’s poses questions on the most pressing issues — from payer relations and automation to workforce and patient experience. We welcome responses from all revenue cycle, finance and reimbursement leaders.
‘The name of the game is all about relationships’: Revenue cycle executives’ thoughts on strong leadership
For Troy Spring, Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health’s enterprise vice president of revenue cycle, being a strong leader in the field goes beyond having the analytic skill set.
