May 2025 Issue of Becker’s Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
Daniel Morissette, Senior Executive Vice President, CFO, CommonSpirit Health
The battle at the bargaining table has never been more intense.
James Rohrbaugh Executive Vice President, CFO, Northern Light Health
Like many healthcare leaders across the U.S., one of the trends that Brewer, Maine- based Northern Light Health executive vice president and CFO James Rohrbaugh has his eye on right now is policy changes from Washington, specifically related to potential Medicaid cuts.
Richard Blackburn, Vice President, CaroMont Health
In January, CaroMont Health opened its second hospital — and the first in Belmont, N.C. — expanding access in one of the state’s fastest-growing and most competitive regions.
Ed Curtis, BSN, RN, President and CEO, Memorial Health
When Ed Curtis, BSN, RN, began his career at Springfield, Ill.-based Memorial Health in 1975, he served as a registered nurse at Springfield Memorial Hospital, then Memorial Medical Center. He held leadership positions over the years, including COO, and became president and CEO of the system in 2008. Today, as Mr. Curtis prepares to retire March 31, Memorial Health’s annual budget exceeds $1.7 billion. Mandy Eaton, PhD, will succeed him, effective April 1.
Ellen Wiegand, CIO, VCU Health
VCU Health CIO Ellen Wiegand said it’s “not flashy” to say you’re spending money to turn off old IT systems, but it’s necessary to make way for emerging technologies like AI.
Why systems should ditch ‘metric madness’
Systems have a habit of piling metric upon metric on physicians to help drive performance at their hospitals, but this “metric madness” can be detrimental to physicians, according to a March 4 article on the American Medical Association website.
A look at Penn Medicine’s 10 transformation projects
Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine is advancing 10 ongoing transformation projects aimed at improving efficiency, reducing provider burden and enhancing patient outcomes.
What’s driving access improvements? 4 leaders weigh in
To meet rising demand for care and access, hospitals and health systems are considering various approaches as they respond to the needs of patients and workers, as well as industry pressures, leaders say.
Stanford taps AI to reshape billing: What were the results?
Palo Alto, Calif.-based Stanford Health Care incorporates an intentional process for evaluating, implementing and monitoring new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. To this end, a new AI tool has led to meaningful results in billing practices, Aditya Bhasin, vice president of software, technology and digital solutions at SHC, told Becker’s.
Why Harris Health created a new CEO role
In taking on the newly created role of CEO of hospital campuses at Bellaire, Texas-based Harris Health, Glorimar Medina, MD, is focused on unifying operations and care delivery across the system.
Future-proofing a $2.2B hospital: Why Nebraska Medicine is building smart rooms
Omaha-based Nebraska Medicine is future-proofing its upcoming $2.2 billion hospital by testing out smart rooms at its current campus.
What’s missing from discussions on the physician shortage? 5 leaders weigh in
To meaningfully address the growing physician shortfall, the nation’s healthcare system must confront long-standing structural barriers that limit individuals’ capacity to enter, remain in and thrive in the field, health system leaders say.
How smart rooms attract talent to Indiana health system
Retrofitting about 250 hospital rooms with smart technology has helped boost recruitment and retention at an Indiana health system.
Healthcare quality trends: 45 key stats
A March 11 report from the Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF tracks the performance of healthcare systems over the last few decades.
25 health systems ranked by long-term debt
Despite many U.S. health systems seeing improved margins, some continue to be weighed down by long-term debt from investments in technology, large expansions, and asset transactions.
15 most innovative companies in healthcare
Abridge, an AI-powered medical transcription company that helps clinicians document patient visits efficiently, was named the most innovative healthcare company by Fast Company.
What’s next for COOs?
The health system C-suite continues to evolve, as organizations streamline leadership by eliminating or combining roles, and by restructuring leadership teams amid industry headwinds. Against this backdrop, the COO role is also changing, with leaders taking on more strategic responsibilities while continuing to oversee day-to-day operations across their systems.
Hospital CEO turnover: 4 things to know
The first quarter of 2025 brought hundreds of CEO exits across the U.S. In hospitals, various factors drove departures, among them retirements and leadership transitions.
CFO / FINANCE
Hospitals can’t afford to be ‘reactive’ on policy changes
Hospitals and health systems are navigating a period of unprecedented financial uncertainty as proposed changes at both the state and federal levels threaten to reshape reimbursement structures, disrupt funding mechanisms and jeopardize long-term financial stability.
MU Health Care, Anthem BCBS split
Columbia, Mo.-based MU Health Care will be out-of-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, effective April 1.
Northern Light Health CFO unpacks rural hospital ‘revenue’ challenges
Like many healthcare leaders across the U.S., one of the trends that Brewer, Maine- based Northern Light Health executive vice president and CFO James Rohrbaugh has his eye on right now is policy changes from Washington, specifically related to potential Medicaid cuts.
13 profitable health systems in 2024
Despite ongoing workforce and financial pressures across the healthcare industry, several large health systems managed to report substantial profits in 2024.
35% of Americans cannot afford or access healthcare: Gallup
Reaching the highest level since 2021, 11% of U.S. adults are considered “cost desperate,” a group Gallup defines as those who recently could not afford needed care and medicine. Overall, more than one-third of U.S. adults report they cannot access quality, affordable healthcare.
CEO/STRATEGY
How a North Carolina system is expanding in a competitive market
In January, CaroMont Health opened its second hospital — and the first in Belmont, N.C. — expanding access in one of the state’s fastest-growing and most competitive regions.
Hospital CEO turnover: 4 things to know
The first quarter of 2025 brought hundreds of CEO exits across the U.S. In hospitals, various factors drove departures, among them retirements and leadership transitions.
What’s next for COOs?
The health system C-suite continues to evolve, as organizations streamline leadership by eliminating or combining roles, and by restructuring leadership teams amid industry headwinds. Against this backdrop, the COO role is also changing, with leaders taking on more strategic responsibilities while continuing to oversee day-to-day operations across their systems.
NYU Langone taps next CEO
New York City-based NYU Langone Health has selected Alec Kimmelman, MD, PhD, as the next CEO and dean of NYU Grossman School of Medicine, effective Sept. 1.Tenet-owned Texas system taps market CEO
Bill Waechter has been named market CEO of San Antonio-based Baptist Health System, part of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
CommonSpirit CFO calls for ‘return to reason’ in payer negotiations
The battle at the bargaining table has never been more intense.
What’s missing from discussions on the physician shortage? 5 leaders weigh in
To meaningfully address the growing physician shortfall, the nation’s healthcare system must confront long-standing structural barriers that limit individuals’ capacity to enter, remain in and thrive in the field, health system leaders say.
Stanford taps AI to reshape billing: What were the results?
Palo Alto, Calif.-based Stanford Health Care incorporates an intentional process for evaluating, implementing and monitoring new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. To this end, a new AI tool has led to meaningful results in billing practices, Aditya Bhasin, vice president of software, technology and digital solutions at SHC, told Becker’s.
What’s driving access improvements? 4 leaders weigh in
To meet rising demand for care and access, hospitals and health systems are considering various approaches as they respond to the needs of patients and workers, as well as industry pressures, leaders say.
How Johns Hopkins doubled heart transplants in 1 year
The heart transplant team at Baltimore based-Johns Hopkins Medicine broke a new record in 2024, performing 65 adult transplants, more than doubling the team’s 2023 total.
INNOVATION
A look at Penn Medicine’s 10 transformation projects
Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine is advancing 10 ongoing transformation projects aimed at improving efficiency, reducing provider burden and enhancing patient outcomes.
15 most innovative companies in healthcare
Abridge, an AI-powered medical transcription company that helps clinicians document patient visits efficiently, was named the most innovative healthcare company by Fast Company.
Future-proofing a $2.2B hospital: Why Nebraska Medicine is building smart rooms
Omaha-based Nebraska Medicine is future-proofing its upcoming $2.2 billion hospital by testing out smart rooms at its current campus.
Why Northwestern Medicine is mentoring startups
Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine has launched its inaugural startup accelerator class to meet some of healthcare’s most pressing needs with innovation and technology.
Sharp HealthCare bets big on spatial computing
San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare has launched the Spatial Computing Center of Excellence, an initiative aimed at changing how clinicians interact with technology.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
Healthcare quality trends: 45 key stats
A March 11 report from the Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF tracks the performance of healthcare systems over the last few decades.
How clinical ‘spring cleaning’ helped Valley Children’s save $7.8M
Raed Khoury, who has been in the healthcare industry for more than 40 years, is leading a multimillion-dollar initiative to address one of its biggest challenges: waste.
Beebe launches clinician education program
Lewes, Del.-based Beebe Healthcare has become the first in Delaware to launch an education program for advanced practice clinicians, according to a March 6 news release from the health system.
Why systems should ditch ‘metric madness’
Systems have a habit of piling metric upon metric on physicians to help drive performance at their hospitals, but this “metric madness” can be detrimental to physicians, according to a March 4 article on the American Medical Association website.
Memorial Hermann launches joint venture for home care
Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System is rolling out a joint venture to offer multispecialty home care for members of its insurance plan.
CIO/HEALTH IT
Why VCU Health’s CIO pays to shut down IT systems
VCU Health CIO Ellen Wiegand said it’s “not flashy” to say you’re spending money to turn off old IT systems, but it’s necessary to make way for emerging technologies like AI.
How digital kiosks are delivering ROI at Boston Medical Center
Digital kiosks have helped Boston Medical Center Health System serve more patients and more easily meet regulatory requirements.
Optum Health regional CIO exits
Rodney Plante recently exited his role as senior vice president and CIO of Optum Health – Care Delivery in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, according to a LinkedIn post.
8 health systems earn 2025 CIO 100 Awards
Eight health systems were named 2025 CIO 100 Award winners for having the top IT leadership across industries.
Top IT trends influencing hospital purchasing decisions: Survey
Hospitals and health systems are facing a major hurdle in 2025: retaining and budgeting for qualified IT resources, an April 2 survey from Stoltenberg Consulting, a healthcare information technology consulting firm, found.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
‘Walk in their shoes’: Inside a Virginia system’s quality gains
Renuka Gupta, MD, never expected to leave New York City after moving to the U.S. from India in 2002. However, since joining Mary Washington Healthcare in Fredericksburg, Va., in 2023 as vice president and chief quality officer, she has made a significant mark on the health system’s quality strategy and outcomes.
Why Harris Health created a new CEO role
In taking on the newly created role of CEO of hospital campuses at Bellaire, Texas-based Harris Health, Glorimar Medina, MD, is focused on unifying operations and care delivery across the system.
Lifepoint hospitals name CEO, market president
Kathy Vancampen was appointed CEO and market president of Fleming County Hospital in Flemingsburg, Ky., and Meadowview Regional Medical Center in Maysville, Ky.
Illinois hospital names new CEO, CFO
Granite City, Ill.-based Gateway Regional Medical Center has named a new CEO and CFO.
Texas hospital taps CEO, pursues critical access transition
Gena Speer, MSN, RN, has been named CEO of Stephens Memorial Hospital in Breckenridge, Texas, as the hospital works toward obtaining critical access hospital designation.
