Advancing Health

Improving care transitions is one of the most effective ways health systems can improve outcomes for patients with substance use disorders. In this conversation, the team from the University Medical Center New Orleans - LSU School of Medicine's Benjamin Springgate, M.D., professor of Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine, and Seth Vignes, M.D., assistant professor of Internal Medicine, share how integrated care models, addiction consult services and peer navigators are improving care transitions and increasing access to evidence-based treatment. They also discuss how hospital leaders can reduce readmissions and strengthen recovery by breaking down barriers across the continuum...

The most important part of recovery may begin before a patient ever leaves the hospital. In this conversation, Heidi Bray, DNP, nurse ractitioner and hospitalist at Providence St. Peter Hospital, explores how hospitals can improve opioid use disorder treatment through stronger discharge planning, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and better connections to community care. She also highlights the challenges rural patients face and the innovative work of the Bridge to Care Collaborative to ensure recovery continues beyond the hospital walls.

This work was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the...

Healthcare doesn't end when patients leave the hospital — and neither should the support they receive. In this conversation, Ryane Jackson, vice president of Community Health Network at Memorial Hermann Health System, explains how the system is creating seamless connections between clinical care and community resources to improve long-term health outcomes. Learn how these solutions are helping patients overcome barriers like food insecurity, housing instability and chronic disease.

What if a routine pediatric checkup could help shape a child's success in school — and throughout life? In this conversation, Nationwide Children's Hospital's Sara Bode, M.D., pediatrician and medical director of School Health Services, and Carneshia Edwards, lead of the Kindergarten Readiness program, share how pediatric providers are using literacy screenings during routine well-child visits to identify developmental needs early, connect families with resources, and improve long-term outcomes. From the exam room to the classroom, discover how early literacy is transforming children's health and future success.

One year into the Rural Health Transformation Fund, what's working and what's next? In this conversation, Maya Sandalow, associate director of the Health Program at the Bipartisan Policy Center, shares how states are investing in rural hospitals, telehealth and workforce development, to improve care across rural America. Learn where funding is making the biggest impact — and where challenges remain.

To view the Bipartisan Policy Center's webinar on the Rural Health Transformation Fund, please visit https://bipartisanpolicy.org/event/rural-health-transformation-insights-from-states/

Care teams know that lasting health begins outside the exam room. In this Leadership Dialogue conversation, Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist and the 2026 AHA board chair, speaks with Donna Lynne, CEO of Denver Health, to discuss how a large safety-net health system is improving health outcomes by addressing housing insecurity, food access, behavioral health and other social drivers of health. Learn how Denver Health's innovative programs are reducing hospital stays, strengthening community partnerships, and demonstrating that investing beyond the walls of the hospital can improve patient outcomes and the financial sustainability of care.

A rare hantavirus outbreak aboard an international cruise ship became a real-world test of America's infectious disease preparedness infrastructure. In this conversation, Angela Hewlett, M.D., professor of infectious diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and medical director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, explains how her team helped monitor and care for Americans exposed to the Andes hantavirus strain, the only known hantavirus capable of person-to-person transmission. Dr. Hewlett discusses the critical role of the National Quarantine Unit, the nation's preparedness for emerging infectious diseases, lessons from Ebola response efforts, and what hospitals of every size can...

One of the biggest healthcare challenges of the next decade may already be here: caring for the mental health needs of older adults. In this conversation, leaders from Cottage Hospital and Sharon Hospital (part of Northwell Health) share how specialized geriatric behavioral health programs are helping older adults receive compassionate, comprehensive mental health care close to home. Learn why investing in senior behavioral health is becoming increasingly important for hospitals, caregivers and communities alike.

Some fathers pass down a family business. One doctor passed down a calling. In this conversation, Southwest Health's Kevin Carr, M.D., family medicine physician, and Melissa Carr, M.D., OB/GYN, reflect on the joy of practicing medicine together, delivering babies side by side, and caring for generations of families in rural Wisconsin as a father-daughter duo. Their story offers a powerful look at the importance of rural maternal health care and the deep connections that make community-based care so special.

Some of New York City's most impressive meals aren't being served in restaurants — they're being served in hospitals. In this conversation, Dan Dilworth, senior director of food and nutrition services at NYU Langone Health, discusses how the organization built one of the most ambitious hospital food programs in the country, serving 9,000 meals a day while prioritizing nutrition, sustainability and patient choice.

What if a hospital stay could be the first step out of homelessness? In this conversation, Sarah Stella, M.D., director of Denver Health's Housing Outreach, Partnerships and Engagement (HOPE) program, reveals how Denver Health is helping some of the community's most vulnerable patients move from crisis to stability. Bringing together hospitals, housing providers, social services and community partners, the HOPE program is creating real pathways to recovery and restoring hope for people experiencing homelessness.

Food insecurity affects far more than hunger. It influences physical health, mental well-being, academic performance, and long-term outcomes for children and families. In this episode, Stormee Williams, M.D., senior vice president and chief health equity officer at Children's Health, shares how her team is identifying food insecurity, why access to healthy food matters just as much as access to food itself, and how partnerships with schools and food banks are helping create healthier futures for children across North Texas.

What does it take to make hospitals safer for healthcare workers? In recognition of #HAVHope Day, Sarah Hunter, president of Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, explores the innovative approaches her team is using to reduce workplace violence. From a simple but effective buddy system to stronger partnerships with public safety agencies and community leaders, hear real-world solutions that help healthcare workers focus on what they do best — caring for patients.

As demand for behavioral health services continues to grow, hospitals are searching for ways to expand both care and the care teams themselves. In this Leadership Dialogue conversation, Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist and the 2026 AHA board chair, speaks with John Santopietro, M.D., senior vice president at Hartford HealthCare and physician-in-chief of its Behavioral Health Network. They discuss the exciting programs that are strengthening the organization's behavioral health workforce, the new social worker mentorship models that foster education and teamwork, and the efforts to increase access while tackling staffing shortages across psychiatry, nursing...

The future of healthcare will be shaped not only by artificial intelligence, but by how thoughtfully organizations choose to implement it. In this conversation, Daniel Daly, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Theology and Ethics in Catholic Health at the Catholic Health Association, explores the ethical future of AI in medicine, why all efficiency should serve compassion, and what healthcare leaders must do to ensure AI strengthens person-centered care instead of replacing it.

Teen mental health crises are rising — but what if providers could intervene before symptoms fully take hold? In this conversation, Duke University School of Medicine's Jonathan Posner, M.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Matthew Engelhard, M.D., P.h.D., assistant professor of the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, break down the "Duke PMA" — an AI-powered predictive model designed to identify adolescents at high risk for psychiatric illness. They explore how sleep, device use, and a myriad of other factors shape mental health risk, and how this technology could transform prevention, especially in underserved communities.

What should every hospital board member know about quality and patient safety? In this conversation, Elizabeth Mort, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer at Joint Commission, breaks down the five critical priorities boards must focus on — from quality metrics and risk transparency, to accreditation readiness and patient safety culture. Discover how stronger board leadership can help hospitals build safer systems, improve outcomes and stay ready for the challenges ahead.

What happens after a survivor of violence leaves the hospital? For many patients, the physical wounds are only the beginning. In this conversation, Elinore Kaufman, M.D., medical director of the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program, and Michele Volpe, chief operating officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, share how hospital-based violence intervention programs are helping patients heal physically, emotionally and socially after traumatic injury. From preventing PTSD and depression to reducing repeat violent injuries, this innovative approach is connecting survivors and investing in whole-person trauma care throughout Pennsylvania's communities.

For families living in poverty, accessing health care can feel out of reach — buried beneath challenges like transportation, childcare and job insecurity. In this conversation, Alejandro Quiroga, M.D., president and CEO of Children's Mercy Kansas City, and Mary Esselman, president and CEO of Operation Breakthrough, explore how one innovative partnership in Kansas City is changing that reality by bringing true whole-person care directly to the children and families who need it most.

For millions facing substance use disorders, stigma isn’t just harmful — it’s a barrier to survival. In this conversation, three leaders from CommonSpirit Health explore how the organization is confronting stigma head-on through education, storytelling and culture change. They also reveal how shifting language, training and grassroots efforts are helping patients feel seen and heard on their road to recovery.

Menopause affects half the population — yet it remains one of the most overlooked areas in modern health care. In this conversation, University of Illinois Chicago's Pauline Maki, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry, psychology, and obstetrics and gynecology, and Makeba Williams, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, unpack why menopause care is finally having a breakthrough moment. They explore the real impact of menopause on the brain and body, the gaps in medical training, and what it will take to deliver better care. With women spending over 40% of their lives in post-menopause, the future of health ca...

In this Leadership Dialogue conversation, Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist and the 2026 AHA board chair, speaks with Stacey Hughes, executive vice president of government and public policy at the American Hospital Association, about the forces shaping health care affordability — from federal budget concerns to patient access challenges. They discuss how hospitals and health systems can help not only inform but also shape policy, including by sharing real stories, real challenges and specific data.

Childbirth is supposed to be one of life’s most joyful moments — but for many parents, the reality of birth trauma can have lasting emotional and physical impacts. In this conversation, Katie Au, M.D. and Katherine Jorda, M.D., directors of the Perinatal Trauma Clinic at Oregon Health & Science University, explore how trauma can emerge during pregnancy, labor or postpartum. They also discuss why so many parents feel alone in their experience, and how trauma-informed, multidisciplinary care can transform recovery.

What does it take to turn a nursing shortage into a workforce pipeline? In this conversation, Denzil Ross, president of Indiana University Health South Region, and Erik Coyne, chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College–Bloomington, discuss how the organizations' partnership is using philanthropic investment to broaden nursing education for aspiring nurses. With expanded training facilities and flexible programs — including evening and weekend cohorts — this partnership is spreading nursing roots throughout Indiana.

The biggest threats to children’s health aren’t always clinical — they’re happening in communities every day. In this conversation, Mary Kate Daly, senior vice president and chief of community health of the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, explains how long-term investments, powerful community partnerships, and a first-of-its-kind community health hub are leading to better outcomes for kids in Chicago and beyond.

Youth mental health is at a critical juncture, with rising demand and limited access to care across communities. In this conversation, David Stark, chief of government and external affairs and philanthropy officer at UnityPoint Health, shares how a major philanthropic investment is helping expand mental health services for children and adolescents. Learn how a “no wrong door” model is transforming access and connecting young patients to the right services faster for better long-term outcomes.

Millions of Americans are burdened by medical debt — but solutions are emerging. In this conversation, Undue Medical Debt's Allison Sesso, president and CEO, and Eva Stahl, vice president of policy, engagement and research, share how the organization has helped eliminate over $27 billion in patient debt, and how hospitals are partnering with Undue Medical Debt to help relieve financial burdens for patients. Hear actionable strategies and ideas that are key to improving patient financial health.

The role of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is rapidly evolving as health care systems focus on the present and future. In this conversation, Phillip Chang, M.D., chief medical and quality officer of CommonSpirit Health, shares insights on measuring data and quality, leading clinicians through change and building a more patient-centered future.

As hospitals face rising demand, staffing shortages and overcrowded ERs, how can America's health care system keep up? In this conversation, Scott Edelman, executive director of Burke Rehabilitation, shares how post-acute care hospitals are helping relieve pressure on acute care facilities, and how these rehab centers act as a critical safety valve to improve patient flow, reduce length of stay and deliver better outcomes.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the future of health care — from predictive early warning systems that detect patient deterioration to ambient AI tools that streamline clinical documentation. In this Leadership Dialogue conversation, Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist and the 2026 AHA board chair, speaks with Amy Rockman, director of the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence, a systemwide initiative of Rutgers Health and RWJBarnabas Health. The two explore AI applications that are delivering measurable improvements in hospital mortality, safety, and clinician burnout, and how a “living lab” approach, interdisciplinary teams, and responsible AI integration are benefitting patien...

Improving community health requires more than clinical care alone. In this conversation, Venita Owens, president of Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center, and Andrea Hayes, manager of marketing and public relations for Baylor Scott & White, discuss how medical care, nutrition, education and fitness are coming together to support underserved populations in Dallas.

To learn more about the Healthier Together Conference, please visit https://healthiertogether.aha.org/

Some patients don’t need more care — they need a different kind of care. In this conversation, leaders from University of Utah Health share how an intensive primary care model is reducing hospital utilization and improving patient stability.

In this Advancing Health encore episode, Duke University's Anna Tharakan, lead project manager on Closing the Gap on Hypertension Disparities, and Bradi Granger, Ph.D., research professor at Duke University School of Nursing and director of the Duke Heart Center Nursing Research Program, discuss how Duke’s team is closing hypertension disparities by integrating community health workers, student ambassadors and local clinics.

As demand for mental health care rises, primary care clinics are expanding how they support patients. In this conversation, John Muir Health's Jeremy Fish, M.D., director of the Family Medicine Residency Program, and Pilar Corcoran-Lozano, PsyD, behavioral health core faculty and supervising psychologist of the Co-Training Program, discuss how training physicians and behavioral health professionals as a team is improving patient care, strengthening teamwork and expanding access to these vital mental health services.

Health care leaders are facing workforce shortages, rising burnout and growing demand for care. So, what’s working — and what's next? In this conversation, Gratia Pitcher, M.D., chief medical officer and patient experience dyad leader with Essentia Health, and Larissa Africa, vice president of health care workforce solutions with Staff Garden by Ascend Learning, discuss findings from the 2026 AHA Health Care Workforce Scan and how hospitals are redesigning care teams, using AI to reduce administrative burden, and building career pathways for the next generation of clinicians.

Hospitals impact far more than what happens inside their walls. In this conversation, Doug Brown, partner with Manatt Health and current chair of the American Hospital Association's Foster G. McGaw Prize Committee, discusses how hospitals are tackling food insecurity, workforce development, safe neighborhoods, and other social drivers of health through authentic community partnerships. Discover what it takes for hospitals to truly serve as cornerstones of their communities, and how the Foster G. McGaw Prize highlights these innovative programs that are making a difference.

To learn more about the Foster G. McGaw Prize and apply for the 2027 award...

In this Leadership Dialogue conversation, Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist and the 2026 AHA board chair, sits down with Mark Boucot, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Potomac Valley Hospital, to explore how rural hospitals can leverage technology and partnerships to deliver care close to home. From reopening a shuttered ICU to launching a low-cost virtual ICU partnership, Boucot shares how the 25-bed critical access hospital went from near-empty beds to full occupancy — all while keeping patients local and strengthening its community.

What does it take to ensure every child — no matter his/her ZIP code — has access to pediatric care? In part two of this conversation, leaders from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Mercer University School of Medicine reveal how targeted pediatric scholarships and deep community partnerships are building a sustainable pipeline of pediatricians committed to serving rural communities.

Miss Part One? Listen at https://www.aha.org/advancing-health-podcast/2026-02-23-rebuilding-georgias-rural-pediatric-pipeline-part-one

Across rural Georgia, more than 60 counties lack a single pediatrician. In this conversation, Jean Sumner, M.D., Dean of Mercer University School of Medicine, and Marc Welsh, vice president of child advocacy at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, share how an innovative public-private partnership is transforming access to pediatric care and building pipelines of rural-ready physicians.

Listen to Part Two of this conversation at https://www.aha.org/advancing-health-podcast/2026-02-25-rebuilding-georgias-rural-pediatric-pipeline-part-two

In this Advancing Health encore episode, Josh Neff, CEO of CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital, discusses a new cutting-edge communication platform that sends patient EKGs directly from the ambulance to the cardiologist in real time. Josh explains how this simple, affordable tool is cutting treatment times and saving lives in one of the nation’s most challenging regions for emergency cardiac care.