Advancing Health

Psychiatric hospitals and community mental health centers (CMHCs) often work independently in their efforts to meet patients’ needs. Butler Hospital decided to break down these silos by forging a close and cooperative relationship with a CMHC — The Providence Center. In this conversation, Mary Marran, president and CEO of Butler Hospital, describes how the enhanced partnership between the two mental health service providers has made a big difference in coordinating services and resources for their patients.

John Bluford’s distinguished career in hospital and health system administration has spanned more than four decades, and he has been recognized by Modern Healthcare and Becker's Hospital Review as one of the Most Influential People in Healthcare. He is also the founder of the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute (BHLI), a professional development program that introduces talented minority undergraduate scholars to health care administration. In this conversation, Bluford describes how the Institute is training young and diverse talent to assume leadership roles.

Rural hospitals in the United States are struggling to maintain obstetric services, and in the last five years more than 300 birthing units across the country have shut down. San Luis Valley Hospital is fighting this trend, implementing creative strategies to keep obstetric services open for their communities. In this conversation, San Luis Valley Hospital's Monica Hinds, R.N., director of emergency services and obstetrics, and Stephanie Posorske, certified nurse midwife, discuss their approach to cross-training units with minimal resources, and partnering with community stakeholders to keep the lights on for new and future families.

Welcome to “Rural,” a yearlong series devoted to rural hospitals and health systems in America. Being a new parent is challenging in the best of circumstances, but it is even harder for expecting and new moms struggling with social and behavioral health needs. In this conversation, two experts from Intermountain Health discuss their "First 1,000 Days of Life" program that provides wraparound services for at-risk new moms. Then, Lacey Starcevich, a former program participant, shares her emotional journey to building a healthy life for herself and her new family. This podcast was recorded at this year's AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference.

For cybercriminals, the backdoor into the protected systems of hospitals and health systems often comes via a third party. In this second of a two-part conversation, hosted by the AHA's National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk John Riggi, Providence’s Adam Zoller, chief information security officer, and Katie Adams, cybersecurity director of clinical technology services, discuss the potential cyberthreats posed by third-party medical devices, and strategies to keep third-parties open and transparent with organizations. 

More than one in every three Americans had their health care records stolen or compromised in 2023, creating threats to hospitals and health systems across the nation. For cybercriminals, the backdoor into the protected systems of hospitals and health systems often comes via a third party. In this first of a two-part conversation, hosted by the AHA's National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk John Riggi, Providence’s Adam Zoller, chief information security officer, and Katie Adams, cybersecurity director of clinical technology services, discuss the potential cyberthreats posed by third parties, and prevention strategies to keep organizations secure and alert.

Investing in the health and well-being of communities is a core mission for all hospitals and health systems. Their community investment can take many forms, including new housing programs, transportation outlets for patients and on-site daycare facilities. In this conversation, Joanne M. Conroy, M.D., CEO and president of Dartmouth Health and 2024 Chair of AHA's Board, talks with David Zuckerman, president and founder of the Healthcare Anchor Network, to discuss the ways that anchor organizations are creating community outreach, and how impact investing is making a huge difference for economic development.

In the health care field, women occupy only 15% of C-suite executive positions, and for women of color that percentage is even smaller. The importance of gender and racial diversity in health care leadership is clearer than ever, and organizations dedicated to equity in executive roles are building successful visions for the future. In this conversation, Roxie Wells, M.D., senior vice president chief physician executive and strategy officer with Novant Health Coastal Market, discusses her long journey to and through the health care C-suite, and the importance of mentoring young women leaders through the glass ceiling and beyond. 

The number of adults age 65 or older will reach about 95 million in the United States by the year 2060. Hospital emergency departments will need to showcase their flexibility by adapting models of care to address the unique care needs of older adults. In this conversation, Julie Dye, clinical nurse specialist in geriatrics at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, discusses the benefits of participating in the Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation program and the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative. She describes how Sharp Grossmont blends case worker skills and clinical expertise to identify gaps in care for older adult patients. For more information on Age-Friendly Health Systems, visit www.aha.org/agefriendly.

Employee vacancies have hit the health care field hard, making it difficult to consistently provide the high-quality care communities expect from their hospitals and health systems. Dartmouth Health faced this problem head-on, establishing a robust set of apprenticeships and career pathway training programs to ensure their workforce is being professionally developed, and most importantly, retained. In this conversation, Carolyn Isabelle, director of workforce development at Dartmouth Health, discusses the health system's numerous approaches to recruitment, and the successful strategies that support a healthy and engaged workforce.

For decades, Metropolitan Anchor Hospitals (MAHs) have provided critical health care and social services to diverse populations in the nation’s cities. MAHs and health systems, like NYC Health + Hospitals, are foundational to their community, providing comprehensive, equity-focused care. In this conversation, Deborah Brown, senior vice president of external and regulatory affairs at NYC Health + Hospitals, discusses innovative solutions to common MAH challenges, and the many ways in which the massive public health system meets its mission of taking care of every patient who walks in their doors. For more information on Metropolitan Anchor Hospitals visit https://www.aha.org/fact-sheets/2022-10-24-fact-sheet-metropolitan-anchor-hospitals

Without a strong and healthy workforce, providing exceptional health care will always be difficult. Addressing the root causes of emerging and continuing workforce issues will always remain a top priority for the AHA and its members. In this conversation, Ron Werft, president and CEO of Cottage Health, and Felicia Sadler, vice president of quality at Relias, discuss the valuable insights and real-world approaches outlined in the 2024 AHA Health Care Workforce Scan, which helps organizations reimagine, redesign and transform their workforce strategies.

After launching in November 2022, it took ChatGPT just two months to become the fastest growing consumer app in history — proof of the rapid adoption of AI technology. In this conversation, three experts from the American Hospital Association discuss the game-changing applications of ChatGPT and AI for health care data analytics, and some of the potential pitfalls.

For hospitals and health systems of every size and location, it’s critically important to adapt to the needs of their communities. Over the years, SBH Health System has shown its adaptability, evolving with shifting demographics and social determinants of health. In today’s conversation, Joanne M. Conroy, M.D., CEO and president of Dartmouth Health and 2024 Chair of AHA's Board, talks with David Perlstein, M.D., president and CEO of SBH Health System, to discuss how the organization is proactively improving the health and well-being of its patient population and community.

This special series explores the medical complications that can accompany pregnancy, successful prenatal and postpartum treatment programs, and how hospitals and health systems are addressing the social needs of new mothers. Pregnancy is a major stressor on a woman’s body, with cardiovascular conditions being one of the most prevalent complications and leading causes of maternal mortality.  In this episode, learn how Orlando Health is reaching outside its walls to support heart-healthy pregnancies and postpartum periods for new mothers.   

Hospitals and health systems are rightly called cornerstones of their communities, and none take that mission more seriously than Advocate Health. The health system works with local partners to address a variety of community needs, providing nearly $6 billion in community benefits in 2023. In this conversation, Kinneil Coltman, chief community and social impact officer at Advocate Health, discusses Advocate’s wide-ranging programs and initiatives, including food insecurity, affordable housing and meaningful employment.

Hackers and cybercriminals are targeting hospitals and health systems at alarming rates, disrupting operations and threatening direct patient care. In this conversation, Bryan Smith, recently retired section chief of the Cyber Criminal Operations Section with the FBI, discusses how the Bureau tackles the huge challenge of protecting the nation's caregivers from these attacks, and how partnerships are crucial in prevailing against cybercriminals.

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a shocking 80-plus page advisory declaring loneliness and social isolation as reaching epidemic levels in American society. Ready to act, Indiana University Health was among the first large health systems to develop a care network to spark social connection and community. In this conversation, Jay Foster, vice president of spiritual care with Indiana University Health, and Shadreck Kamwendo, director of the Congregational Care Network, talk about the difference the network is making in the lives of Indiana residents and beyond, and the resources available for those in need.For more information on the network visit https://iuhealth.org/patient-family-support/support-care/chaplaincy-services

In U.S. health care there has been a significant increase in the number of chief wellness officers (CWOs) employed by hospitals and health systems. CWOs are an essential part of a health care worker's mental and physical support structure, providing opportunities and resources whenever needed. In this conversation, Jonathan Ripp, M.D., senior associate dean for well-being and resilience and chief wellness officer of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, discusses his role as one of the nation's first chief wellness officers, and how the importance of employee wellness has evolved in hospitals and health systems in the last decade.

Half of all Medicare beneficiaries get their benefits through Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, which are offered by private companies and in theory should provide the same level of coverage of traditional Medicare. However, some MA plans have made the process of getting a claim covered a nightmare for patients, hospitals and health systems. In this conversation, Chris Barber, president and CEO of St. Bernards Healthcare, discusses the overwhelming problems certain MA plan practices can create for patients and their caregivers, especially for rural hospitals and health systems who face a unique set of challenges in caring for their communities.