Elevating Governance: Real-World Tools for Effective Board Leadership in Transforming Healthcare Systems

Healthcare organizations are navigating a perfect storm of workforce shortages, financial strain, shifting consumer expectations and evolving care delivery models. In this climate, strong, adaptive governance is more critical than ever. This session equips healthcare executives with practical tools to strengthen board leadership and optimize governance across diverse settings, including hospitals, integrated delivery networks and community-based organizations.

Panelists bring dual perspectives as healthcare system leaders and cross-sector board members, drawing on experience that spans institutional governance and community service. As affiliation models and system partnerships grow more complex, executives must operate within layered governance structures, such as joint operating committees, strategy and finance councils, and oversight groups with reserve powers, that balance local autonomy with systemwide accountability.

This session explores how to align these structures for clarity, performance and mission fidelity. Attendees will gain practical insights into board recruitment, composition, succession planning and performance evaluation. The session also addresses governance dynamics: defining the roles of governance versus management, enhancing collaboration, and engaging boards as strategic partners in transformation efforts.

Attendees will gain practical resources and real-world examples, such as:

• Governance models supporting various business strategies and affiliations


• Planning guides for succession planning and performance evaluation


• Examples of committee functions (e.g., strategy, finance, affiliation)


• Techniques to improve communication and engagement between executives and boards

Case studies will illustrate how strong governance supports service line expansion, digital innovation, equity-focused initiatives and community trust, especially during times of uncertainty such as hospital closures, market shifts, and economic or political volatility. Designed for healthcare executives at any career stage, this session is particularly valuable for those working with or serving on governance bodies during transformation, affiliation or strategic repositioning, where effective board leadership is foundational to success.