As the calendar turns to 2025, the biggest changes are coming to the HCAHPS survey since the advent of the national patient experience measurement system in 2006.

Hershey, Pa.-based Penn State Health has named Sam Wetherill, PharmD, as its next vice president and chief pharmacy officer, effective Dec. 30. 

Registered nurses at Mass General Brigham's Salem (Mass.) Hospital have reached a tentative labor contract with management. 

In 2023, U.S. healthcare spending reached $4.9 trillion, reflecting a 7.5% increase — up from 4.6% growth the year prior — according to a new CMS analysis published online Dec. 18 by Health Affairs.

According to KLAS, Oracle Health ranks second in the U.S. hospital market share, with approximately 23.4% of acute care hospitals utilizing its platform, following Epic.

FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Namandjé Bumpus, PhD, is stepping down from her role, marking one of the first significant leadership departures at the agency by the end of year, Inside Health Policy reported Dec. 17. 

West Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health reported an operating income of $54 million (4.2% margin) in the third quarter of 2024, up from a $16.4 million operating loss (-1.4% margin) during the same period last year, according to its Nov. 25 financial report.

Financial headwinds, such as rising labor and supply costs, continued to challenge health systems during the third quarter. 

WVU Medicine Jackson General Hospital in Ripley, W.Va., has named Holly Hill-Reinert, MD, as its inaugural chief medical officer. 

Rhee Perry, BSN, RN, has been appointed CEO of Southern Tennessee Regional Health System-Lawrenceburg, part of Brentwood, Tenn.-based Lifepoint Health, effective Jan. 6.

Rex Walk has been named CEO of Southeast Colorado Hospital District in Springfield.

COO moves at hospitals and health systems across the U.S. captured readers' interest in 2024, including retirements, appointments and resignations.

Revenue cycle management company Aspirion has acquired Boost Healthcare, a firm focused on helping providers identify and recover revenue.

Hospital and health system CEOs must think strategically to prepare their organization for success over the long term.

CMS has launched a Nursing Home Staffing Campaign to address industry-wide workforce shortage concerns as organizations attempt to stop an impending minimum nursing home staffing rule in the courts. 

Just one in five devices approved by the FDA for children actually included pediatric data in their algorithms, a recent Boston Children's study found.

In 2024, major retail healthcare players Walgreens, CVS Health, and Walmart have aggressively restructured through strategic divestments, layoffs, and the closure of underperforming assets, while pivoting toward virtual care, AI-driven efficiencies, and partnerships to streamline operations and adapt to evolving market demands.

New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian reported an operating income of $123 million (4.5%) operating margin in the third quarter of 2024, up from an operating income of $81.8 million (3.3% margin) during the same quarter last year. 

Hundreds of pharmacies are permanently closing their doors as consumer trends change and businesses succumb to financial pressures. 

Cambridge, Mass.-based Beth Israel Lahey Health reported a $138.8 million operating loss (-6.1% margin) for the three months ending Sept. 30, down from a $10.6 million operating gain (0.5% margin) during the same period last year.