September 2021 Issue of Becker's Hospital Review
ON THE COVER
The 7 highest-paid health system CEOs
A CEO at an average S&P 500 company made 299 times the salary of their average worker, according to AFL-CIO's annual executive compensation report.
Hospitals blast UnitedHealth profits
UnitedHealth Group's most recent earnings stem from "not paying for healthcare," American Hospital Association president and CEO Rick Pollack wrote in a July 15 blog post.
CoxHealth CEO not afraid of losing his job over controversial tweets
Springfield, Mo.-based CoxHealth CEO Steven Edwards has been at the center of several viral tweets over the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, he discussed with Becker's the motivations behind those tweets, the responses to his tweets within hospital walls and the responsibility of being a CEO activist.
'Technical debt' catches up to CIOs who launched flawed tech to meet pandemic needs
Chief information officers at companies worldwide accelerated the launch of digital programs to respond to the changing needs of their organizations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these imperfect programs could incur debt to retroactively fix, according to a July 16 report by The Wall Street Journal.
10 most expensive brand name drugs in the US
In the U.S., prices for brand name drugs are constantly rising, especially among certain medications for autoimmune diseases and diabetes.
'I only see the potential for massive financial loss': Former Spectrum CFO doubts value of Beaumont merger
Michael Freed, the former CFO of Spectrum Health, said he was "stunned" when he heard that the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based system plans to pursue a merger with Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health, for myriad reasons.
Hospital M&A activity shifts to regional partnerships: Kaufman Hall
Merger and acquisition revenue remains high as hospitals and health systems shift their focus to acquisitions of small, independent hospitals and regional partnerships, according to an analysis published July 8 from healthcare consulting firm Kaufman Hall.
RIP 'Uber of healthcare'
The phrase "Uber of healthcare," a once-aspirational analogy for a single, winning, disruptive force in healthcare, has officially died.
These specialties report the most pronounced gender pay gaps
Gender disparities in both representation and salary are greatest among cardiology and gastroenterology, according to research published July 12 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
7 big ideas in healthcare innovation
From their thoughts on delivering hospital-quality care to patients' homes to tech companies' disruption of healthcare to why tech professionals want to work in healthcare, here are seven key quotes about the role of innovation in healthcare that executives from hospitals and health systems recently shared with Becker's Hospital Review:
'Every CEO, at this point, is now in the business of cybersecurity': How hospitals should rethink threat defenses
As cyberattacks on hospitals and health systems continue to escalate, the role of chief information security officer must evolve to adequately protect patients' information and have a more prominent role in the business, according to a July 10 San Diego Union-Tribune report.
Patient gets kidney transplant meant for another patient at Cleveland hospital
Two caregivers from University Hospitals in Cleveland are on administrative leave after a patient received a kidney intended for another patient, local ABC affiliate WEWS reported July 12.
Even $10K+ bonuses aren't alleviating 'critical' nurse shortage in Western Pennsylvania
Some healthcare leaders are deeming the nursing shortage in Western Pennsylvania "critical," reports the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Rick Evans
Well over a decade ago, the way we measure patient experience was transformed when the HCAHPS survey was launched.
Michael Dowling
Michael Dowling is CEO of New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health. He spoke with Becker's July 30 about the health network's annual Constellation Forum, scheduled to take place Aug. 5. The conference will feature healthcare insights from business leaders, scientists and philanthropists.
Amanda Hines
Amanda Hines has risen through the ranks of patient finance at Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health, giving her a unique perspective on effective leadership.
Kathy Lancaster
Kathy Lancaster is the CFO of Kaiser Permanente. The Oakland, Calif.-based health system consists of 39 hospitals and 12.5 million health plan members, with an operating revenue of $88.7 billion in 2020. Ms. Lancaster spoke with Becker's over email July 15 about her priorities and concerns for the organization in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peter Pisters, MD
At the country's No. 1 hospital for cancer care, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, keeping sight of the ultimate goal to end cancer while also lauding the small wins it will take to get there is a delicate balance.
Michael Mayo
Michael Mayo became the president and CEO of Jacksonville, Fla.-based Baptist Health June 1, and he brings more than 32 years of healthcare executive experience to the role.
Janet Hadar, MSN
UNC Health President Janet Hadar, MSN, has been working in healthcare for more than 30 years — 18 of which she has spent with the Chapel Hill, N.C.-based system. Here she discusses how the safety-net health system prioritizes team spirit, the importance of visibility in women's leadership and more.
CFO / FINANCE
CMS unveils surprise-billing rule: 10 things to know
CMS unveiled July 2 the first in a series of rules aimed at shielding patients from surprise billing. The interim final rule addresses several provisions in the No Surprises Act passed by Congress last year.
$450M for New Jersey's level 1 trauma centers leaves execs stunned
New Jersey stakeholders were stunned to see $450 million allotted in the governor's final budget for the state's three level 1 trauma centers to strengthen emergency preparedness, according to Politico.
HCA trauma activation fees far exceed rivals, KHN finds
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare's average activation fees at its trauma centers can be up to 10 times higher than those at non-HCA hospitals, according to Kaiser Health News.
'I only see the potential for massive financial loss': Former Spectrum CFO doubts value of Beaumont merger
Michael Freed, the former CFO of Spectrum Health, said he was "stunned" when he heard that the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based system plans to pursue a merger with Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health, for myriad reasons.
Auditors question sustainability of New York hospital for 3rd year
Outside auditors are warning that Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, N.Y., may not survive after a budget deficit swelled by 60 percent in one year, according to a July 3 report in Newsday.
CEO/STRATEGY
CoxHealth CEO not afraid of losing his job over controversial tweets
Springfield, Mo.-based CoxHealth CEO Steven Edwards has been at the center of several viral tweets over the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, he discussed with Becker's the motivations behind those tweets, the responses to his tweets within hospital walls and the responsibility of being a CEO activist.
Dollar General: Rural America's new health hub?
Dollar General hired its first CMO and plans to become a destination for affordable healthcare offerings.
Physicians target Palomar Health leadership in no-confidence vote
Physicians at Escondido, Calif.-based Palomar Health have voted "no confidence" in leadership after the health system revealed plans to switch contracted medical groups, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The biggest challenge facing CEOs? Talent
Nearly 80 percent of healthcare chiefs expect very strong or strong growth over the next 12 months, but face the greatest challenges managing talent, according to the latest Fortune/Deloitte poll.
Amazon Care approached big health insurers to expand coverage
Amazon Care, the e-commerce giant's new healthcare venture, has approached several big health insurers in an effort to expand coverage of its services, Insider reported July 7.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
These specialties report the most pronounced gender pay gaps
Gender disparities in both representation and salary are greatest among cardiology and gastroenterology, according to research published July 12 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Taking on a new CEO role? Don't fall for these 4 traps
Hospital and health system leaders may be new in their CEO positions multiple times in their career. Misjudging key aspects about their company can halt their ability to make all the changes they envision, according to a July 13 Harvard Business Review report.
7 health systems named to list of top places to work for women, diverse managers
Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health tops a list of best places to work for women and diverse managers sponsored by publisher Diversity MBA Media.
Top 50 CEOs for women
Several healthcare CEOs are among the top rated by female employees, according to the 2021 ranking by Comparably.
Meet the 6 women leading Walmart and Amazon's health enterprises
Amazon and Walmart have buffed their healthcare teams, tapping executives from healthcare companies nationwide. Here are the six women leading the charge.
INNOVATION
Bon Secours Mercy Health's chief digital officer: Digital health without patient engagement is like 'electronic trees falling in an electronic forest'
Jason Szczuka became Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health's first chief digital officer on June 28, and he brings a wealth of payer experience to the role.
Walgreens, VillageMD to open 29 primary care practices in Texas this year
Walgreens and VillageMD plan to open 29 new Village Medical at Walgreens locations in Texas this year, the companies announced July 8.
'Technical debt' catches up to CIOs who launched flawed tech to meet pandemic needs
Chief information officers at companies worldwide accelerated the launch of digital programs to respond to the changing needs of their organizations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these imperfect programs could incur debt to retroactively fix, according to a July 16 report by The Wall Street Journal.
The 'Build-A-Bear Workshop' of digital health development: Jonathan Bush shares details on new startup
Former Athenahealth CEO Jonathan Bush launched his new digital health data-sharing platform Zus Health in June, with a focus on selling software directly to other developers, rather than physicians or providers, according to a July 14 Boston Globe report.
Cerner exec departs, joins former colleague Zane Burke at health innovation startup
Ed Enyeart joined workers' compensation digital health company Bardavon Health Innovations as CFO, where he will work alongside his former co-worker and ex-Cerner president Zane Burke, according to a July 8 news release.
CIO/HEALTH IT
Hackers hit Las Vegas hospital, steal data and post online: 5 details
Las Vegas-based University Medical Center was hit in a ransomware attack by an infamous hacker group, according to a June 29 report by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Ohio health system employee snooped 7,000+ patients' EHRs for 11+ years
Canton, Ohio-based Aultman Health Foundation recently began notifying around 7,300 patients that their protected health information had been inappropriately accessed by a former health system employee over the past decade, according to a June 25 Daily Record report.
Meditech names new CEO
Meditech appointed Michelle O’Connor as its new president and CEO, the EHR company said July 13.
Class action targets Scripps over data breach that exposed 147,000+ patients' info
Scripps Health is being accused of failing to properly secure and protect patients' health information stored within the San Diego-based system's network, which a malware attack compromised April 29, according to court documents.
Why CIOs think patients could warm up to clinical AI
Hospitals are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence-powered tools to streamline workflows and support clinical decision making, but not all patients are sold on the technology.
CMO/CARE DELIVERY
Viewpoint: COVID-19 vaccines should be a condition of employment for healthcare personnel
This week, a national coalition of epidemiology, infection prevention, infectious diseases, pharmacy, and legal experts from medical societies representing more than 30,000 healthcare professionals concluded that hospitals, health systems and places where healthcare is delivered should make COVID-19 vaccination a condition of employment, permitting exemptions only for those with medical contraindications and to comply with federal and state laws.
5 MUSC Health employees fired for noncompliance with vaccine mandate
Charleston-based Medical University of South Carolina Health has fired five of its employees for not complying with the health system's COVID-19 vaccine mandate or obtaining an exemption, a spokesperson told Becker's July 12.
'Excellent prognosis' of loss of smell, taste returning in 1 year: 4 new COVID-19 findings
Persistent loss of smell, also known as anosmia, linked to a COVID-19 diagnosis has an excellent prognosis of nearly complete recovery at one year, according to study findings published June 24 by JAMA Network Open.
Patient gets kidney transplant meant for another patient at Cleveland hospital
Two caregivers from University Hospitals in Cleveland are on administrative leave after a patient received a kidney intended for another patient, local ABC affiliate WEWS reported July 12.
Delta spreads much faster than original virus — this may be why
Mounting evidence suggests the delta variant is the most contagious strain in the world. A small study published online July 7 may help explain why, NPR reported.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Northwell CEO Michael Dowling is reimagining the business world post-COVID
Michael Dowling is CEO of New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health. He spoke with Becker's July 30 about the health network's annual Constellation Forum, scheduled to take place Aug. 5. The conference will feature healthcare insights from business leaders, scientists and philanthropists.
Essentia Health's Amanda Hines on leadership & the importance of mentoring
Amanda Hines has risen through the ranks of patient finance at Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health, giving her a unique perspective on effective leadership.
Kaiser CFO's advice to healthcare leaders: 'Get comfortable with being uncomfortable'
Kathy Lancaster is the CFO of Kaiser Permanente. The Oakland, Calif.-based health system consists of 39 hospitals and 12.5 million health plan members, with an operating revenue of $88.7 billion in 2020. Ms. Lancaster spoke with Becker's over email July 15 about her priorities and concerns for the organization in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For MD Anderson's CEO, the end goal to cure cancer doesn't detract the small wins
At the country's No. 1 hospital for cancer care, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, keeping sight of the ultimate goal to end cancer while also lauding the small wins it will take to get there is a delicate balance.
Corner Office: Baptist Health CEO Michael Mayo on his love for teaching, riding motorcycles
Michael Mayo became the president and CEO of Jacksonville, Fla.-based Baptist Health June 1, and he brings more than 32 years of healthcare executive experience to the role.