June 2025 Issue of Becker’s Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
David Banks, president and CEO, AdventHealth
David Banks is about five weeks into his new role as president and CEO of Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth, bringing three decades of experience with the organization.
Aaron Boyd, MD, CEO, Norman Regional Health System
In late March, Norman (Okla.) Regional Health System’s board of trustees voted to keep the system independent after it shared plans in February to find a potential partner or sell amid financial challenges.
George Gaddie, Vice president, CIO, University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston-based University of Texas Medical Branch recently inked a five-year deal with Microsoft to take advantage of the company’s AI and cloud computing capabilities, its CIO told Becker’s.
Stacie Call, MSN, RN, CNO, Mercy Health
As health systems continue to grapple with ongoing workforce challenges, healthcare leaders like Stacie Call, MSN, RN, CNO for Mercy Health – Loraine & Youngstown (Ohio), and her team have worked to cultivate a resilient and engaged workforce.
Shafiq Rab, MD, Chief digital and information officer, Tufts Medicine
As generative AI transforms industries, it’s also reshaping the role of health system CIOs — shifting them from traditional infrastructure leads to forward-looking business partners and AI strategists.
An old healthcare C-suite buzzword is backHealth system executives used one word over and over again to describe their experience through the COVID-19 pandemic. It became a tired mantra quickly and some retired it from their vocabulary. But now it’s back, for good reason.
A new era for health system CEOsIndustrywide uncertainties, emerging priorities and generational shifts are continuing to reshape the role of hospital and health system CEOs.
Medicaid cuts will trigger ‘polycrisis,’ Catholic health system leaders warnLeaders from four of the nation’s largest Catholic health systems — Ascension, Trinity Health, Providence and SSM Health — are sounding the alarm on proposed changes to Medicaid and the ACA marketplace, warning that the legislation would jeopardize access to care for millions of Americans and destabilize an already strained healthcare system.
100 women in health IT to know 2025
Women are leading the charge in transforming the future of healthcare through innovation in health IT. These trailblazing leaders are streamlining administrative processes, eliminating inefficiencies, standardizing workflows, and driving meaningful change across the industry.
Texas health system battles to preserve its Medicaid planForth Worth-based Cook Children’s Health Care System, one of Texas’s largest pediatric Medicaid managed care providers, is in a battle to retain its Medicaid contract with the state after being left out of the latest awards.
Health system bad debt piles up: 5 things to knowU.S. hospitals and health systems in many regions are seeing a sharp rise in uncompensated care, with new data showing big increases in bad debt and charity care deductions during the first quarter of 2025.
Health systems need radical transformation. Are C-suites ready?Health systems faced with ever-thinning margins and uncertain financial future may be tempted to double-down on cost cutting as an immediate option relief. But for most, that’s not the best option.
Providence operating margin slips to -3.1% in Q1; CFO ‘preparing for every scenario’Renton, Wash.-based Providence reported a $244 million operating loss (-3.1% margin) in the first quarter, down from a $176 million operating gain (2.1% margin) in the first quarter of 2024.
‘This decision is very personal’: Oklahoma system CEO on remaining independent
In late March, Norman (Okla.) Regional Health System’s board of trustees voted to keep the system independent after it shared plans in February to find a potential partner or sell amid financial challenges.
Why Texas Health is taking a loss on hospital at homeArlington-based Texas Health Resources is taking a loss on hospital at home to care for patients in their preferred venue, D Magazine reported May 20.
Oregon hospital CFO to retire after nearly 17 years in roleRichard Rico, vice president and CFO of Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Ore., will retire on May 30, concluding a nearly 17-year tenure at the 176-bed, nonprofit hospital and a 40-year career in healthcare finance.
Ambient AI gains ground but affordability lagsAI-powered ambient listening tools are gaining traction in healthcare, but cost remains a key concern, The Wall Street Journal reported May 27.
Why systems must ‘deeply understand’ today’s evolving workforceAs health systems continue to grapple with ongoing workforce challenges, healthcare leaders like Stacie Call, MSN, RN, CNO for Mercy Health – Loraine & Youngstown (Ohio), and her team have worked to cultivate a resilient and engaged workforce.
CFO / FINANCE
Health system bad debt piles up: 5 things to knowU.S. hospitals and health systems in many regions are seeing a sharp rise in uncompensated care, with new data showing big increases in bad debt and charity care deductions during the first quarter of 2025.
Providence operating margin slips to -3.1% in Q1; CFO ‘preparing for every scenario’Renton, Wash.-based Providence reported a $244 million operating loss (-3.1% margin) in the first quarter, down from a $176 million operating gain (2.1% margin) in the first quarter of 2024.
Medicaid cuts will trigger ‘polycrisis,’ Catholic health system leaders warnLeaders from four of the nation’s largest Catholic health systems — Ascension, Trinity Health, Providence and SSM Health — are sounding the alarm on proposed changes to Medicaid and the ACA marketplace, warning that the legislation would jeopardize access to care for millions of Americans and destabilize an already strained healthcare system.
Oregon hospital CFO to retire after nearly 17 years in roleRichard Rico, vice president and CFO of Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Ore., will retire on May 30, concluding a nearly 17-year tenure at the 176-bed, nonprofit hospital and a 40-year career in healthcare finance.
CEO/STRATEGY
A new era for health system CEOsIndustrywide uncertainties, emerging priorities and generational shifts are continuing to reshape the role of hospital and health system CEOs.
Health systems need radical transformation. Are C-suites ready?Health systems faced with ever-thinning margins and uncertain financial future may be tempted to double-down on cost cutting as an immediate option relief. But for most, that’s not the best option.
An old healthcare C-suite buzzword is backHealth system executives used one word over and over again to describe their experience through the COVID-19 pandemic. It became a tired mantra quickly and some retired it from their vocabulary. But now it’s back, for good reason.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
‘This decision is very personal’: Oklahoma system CEO on remaining independent
In late March, Norman (Okla.) Regional Health System’s board of trustees voted to keep the system independent after it shared plans in February to find a potential partner or sell amid financial challenges.
AdventHealth’s new CEO on care networks, smart rooms and what’s nextDavid Banks is about five weeks into his new role as president and CEO of Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth, bringing three decades of experience with the organization.
‘We take our direction from our community’: Texas health system battles to preserve its Medicaid plan
Forth Worth-based Cook Children’s Health Care System, one of Texas’s largest pediatric Medicaid managed care providers, is in a battle to retain its Medicaid contract with the state after being left out of the latest awards.
INNOVATION
Texas health system aims to create ‘Amazon-like experience’ with Microsoft
Galveston-based University of Texas Medical Branch recently inked a five-year deal with Microsoft to take advantage of the company’s AI and cloud computing capabilities, its CIO told Becker’s.
Ambient AI gains ground but affordability lagsAI-powered ambient listening tools are gaining traction in healthcare, but cost remains a key concern, The Wall Street Journal reported May 27.
Why Texas Health is taking a loss on hospital at homeArlington-based Texas Health Resources is taking a loss on hospital at home to care for patients in their preferred venue, D Magazine reported May 20.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
Why systems must ‘deeply understand’ today’s evolving workforceAs health systems continue to grapple with ongoing workforce challenges, healthcare leaders like Stacie Call, MSN, RN, CNO for Mercy Health – Loraine & Youngstown (Ohio), and her team have worked to cultivate a resilient and engaged workforce.
UPMC creates hospital outbreak detection platformPittsburgh-based UPMC infection preventionists and University of Pittsburgh scientists have collaborated to create an infectious disease detection platform to reduce infections.
CIO/HEALTH IT
Health system CIOs step into a new era
As generative AI transforms industries, it’s also reshaping the role of health system CIOs — shifting them from traditional infrastructure leads to forward-looking business partners and AI strategists.
6 health system CISOs make top 100 listSix health system cybersecurity leaders have been named to the C100 list for the top chief information security officers.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
Women in Health Administration to honor 8 executives
Women in Health Administration, a nonprofit association for women in healthcare leadership, has named its honorees for the 2025 Woman of the Year and Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
