Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1530792
10 CEO / STRATEGY The hospital C-suite buzzword for 2025 By Laura Dyrda An old challenge is quickly becoming the hospital C-suite buzzword for 2025. It's "access to care." Last year we heard all about incorporating artificial intelligence smartly into healthcare. is year, C-suites are focused on access. Health systems large and small need extra capacity as the demand for healthcare services rises and clinician shortages strain the current workforce. Most organizations are taking a multi-faceted approach to solving capacity issues by: • Adopting technology to enhance the workforce • Investing in care coordination platforms to improve efficiency • Telehealth, hospital at home, remote patient monitoring and virtual care • Embarking on new construction projects • Adding ambulatory sites • Creative community partnerships Cleveland-based University Hospitals was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best regional hospitals for equitable access earlier this year, which CEO Cliff Megerian, MD, described as the system's "defining achievement" for the year. Last year, the health system invested $707 million in community health initiatives and Dr. Megerian has plans to keep growing in 2025. Madison, Wis.-based UW Health also has it's eye on growth. e system has multiple projects underway totalling $900 million investments in additional outpatient facilities, a hospital tower and hospital emergency department expansion. Patrice Weiss, MD, chief medical officer of Prisma Health Medical Group, Midlands, and chief academic officer of Prisma Health in Greenville, S.C., told Becker's she is proud to carry out the system's commitment to increasing access to care. "Within the last year in Midlands alone, Prisma Health has opened a 24-hour freestanding pharmacy, retail imaging center, multiple new urgent care locations, a new pediatric rehab unit and broke ground on a comprehensive medical park that will include imaging, physician offices, therapies, surgery suites and procedure rooms," she said. Houston Methodist has worked hard to develop a "hospital of the future," Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, which will open in March of next year. e hospital is being constructed with AI technology and the future of virtual healthcare delivery to expand access looking large. "Growing our virtual services and ensuring we have all the equipment needed and staff trained to use any new technology has been a priority and will continue to be top-of-mind for us so we can deliver the best care possible for our patients," said Michelle Stansbury, associate chief innovation officer and vice president of IT applications at Houston Methodist. "We've seen increasing value in some of our patient access initiatives and in some of the AI technology we have piloted, especially when it comes to technology that empowers our clinicians and employees by reducing administrative burdens and accelerating or scaling skill development." Boston Medical Center is also thinking about how to increase access, New York system eliminates regional CEO roles under new operating model By Alan Condon V alhalla, N.Y.-based Westchester Medical Center Health Network is eliminating two regional CEO positions amid changes to its operating model, a spokesperson for the health system confirmed to Becker's. Josh Ratner, who served as CEO of the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley and chief strategy officer for WMCHealth, will drop his CEO title to focus on role as chief strategy officer for the health system. Mary Leahy, MD, president and CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System, part of WMCHealth, will retire early next year after serving in the role since 2015. Andrew Pickens, MD, will serve as interim executive director of Bon Secours Charity Health System. The moves are part of a larger restructuring that saw WMCHealth lay off about 130 employees primarily in corporate and administrative roles, according to the nine- hospital system. "To create a more efficient operating structure, WMCHealth is making changes to its regional operating model to better leverage our network's strengths and ensure the long-term health of our hospitals," the health system said in a statement to Becker's. WMCHealth's new operating structure will appoint full- time leadership positions to oversee operations at each hospital and report directly to the health systems senior leadership, under the direction of CEO Michael Israel. Mr. Israel also will retire as president and CEO of Westchester Medical Center and WMCHealth at the end of 2025. He has helmed WMCHealth for almost two decades, and the board has launched a nationwide search for his replacement. WMCHealth said it is "realigning its operations by centralizing services" to better leverage the strengths of its entire network and "ensure the long-term health of our hospitals." n