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Intentional Leadership

Leadership Insights: The Changing Role of the Healthcare COO—From Operations to Impact

Tuesday, March 3, 2026
3:15pm - 4:15pm CT

The COO role in healthcare varies widely by organization, shaped by strategic priorities, operational needs, individual capabilities, and the preferences of the CEO and board. As a result, COO success often hinges on factors beyond their control. COOs must understand the defining elements of their role and how it compares to peers across the industry to effectively shape their impact. Likewise, CEOs and boards must evaluate how the COO role is structured and how it can be adapted for greater alignment with organizational goals and mission.


This session offers an overview of the evolving healthcare COO role, featuring insights from experienced COOs on their challenges, strategies and recommendations. Topics include strategic agility, cultural leadership and the COO’s path to the CEO. The session will conclude with audience Q&A.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the evolution of the COO role, its core responsibilities and strategic importance, with an eye toward how the role differs across healthcare organizations, based on research and firsthand accounts of COO panelists.
  • Discuss industry leaders’ insights on how to redefine the COO role, enhancing its impact across diverse organizational settings.