Literature Review

4 ‘pivot points’ for hospice, palliative care growthHospice News; by Holly Vossel; 12/8/25Hospice and palliative care providers have achieved many successes, but are facing an uncertain outlook as patient populations and the loved ones supporting them grapple with unmet needs. Hospice and palliative care services have driven down health care costs while developing interdisciplinary models that address a wide scope of physical, emotional, spiritual and practical needs, Dr. Ira Byock, palliative care physician, author and advocate, said during a recent GeriPal podcast. However, significant gaps exist in the availability and sustainability of these services under current regulatory frameworks, he indicated. ... [His recently published white paper] outlined four [components] to consider when developing sustainable strategies for hospice and palliative care businesses. These included:

Brené Brown and Adam Grant say the best leaders do this. Mediocre managers do the opposite Fast Company; by Inc.; 11/22/25 Are you a 'learner' or a 'knower'? How can you tell if someone is a great leader? They always want to know more. They’re interested in mastery of a subject or skill. They ask great questions. And, as they find out more, they sometimes change their mind. They’re a “learner.” But these days, most CEOs and other leaders take the opposite approach. They think of themselves as “knowers.” They appear to have all the answers. That’s bad for them, their direct reports, and the organizations they lead.

Nurse executive graduate brings life to hospice care  Augusta University - JAGWire, Augusta, GA; by Nina Siso; 12/2/25 When someone says the word “hospice,” words like “illness” or “dying” might come to mind. But for Ashley Perkins, it’s more than that. “We bring life to the rest of the time you have. It’s about what’s important to you, and how we can help you with that,” Perkins said. Perkins is graduating from the Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Executive program through Augusta University’s College of Nursing. The program is designed exclusively for chief nursing officers, vice presidents of nursing and other nursing leaders aspiring to pursue executive-level nursing positions. Already a vice president of hospice services at a not-for-profit organization, Perkins pursued an advanced degree to be able to contribute more. 

The future of hospice care: Opportunities and challenges Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Ira Byock and Cordt Kassner; 12/3/25 In this meaningful episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Cordt Kassner and renowned Hospice pioneer Dr. Ira Byock to explore why Hospice and Palliative Care matter now more than ever—especially during the holiday season, when reflection and connection take center stage.The conversation traces the evolution of Hospice, highlighting how its mission has expanded beyond end-of-life care to fostering true well-being for patients and families. Dr. Byock challenges long-held assumptions about Hospice, urging a reframing of the narrative to emphasize life completion, compassion, and the profound impact these services have on the broader healthcare landscape.

Honoring the lives and legacies of hospice leaders - November 2025

Awards and Recognitions: November 2025

Agentic AI in digital transformation: Why autonomy won’t fix the people and process problems Forbes; by Nono Bokete; 11/25/25 Agentic AI, the buzzy term for autonomous systems that can plan, act and adapt with minimal human input, is being marketed as the holy grail of digital transformation. And don't get me wrong: It's powerful. ... The potential is incredible. But potential means nothing without the people and process infrastructure to sustain it. ... The Common Pitfalls (Why 40% Will Fail): ...

Optum Health names CEO Becker's Payer Issues; by Jakob Emerson; 11/14/25 Optum Health, the care delivery arm of UnitedHealth Group, has named Krista Nelson as its new CEO. ...  She was previously named COO at Optum Health earlier this year after serving as CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s Medicaid business since 2024 . She has been with the company since 2009. Patrick Conway, MD, CEO of Optum, had been serving as CEO of Optum Health since June, when then-CEO Amar Desai, MD, was named president of Optum integrated care. ... For 2026, Optum said it will work with fewer providers and plans to switch to a direct physician employment model.Editor's Note: See "UnitedHealth Group names Patrick Conway CEO of Optum Health," posted 6/27/25

The government shutdown showed why healthcare reform keeps failingForbes; by Rita Numerof; 11/20/25The government shutdown that ended last week exposed a familiar pattern in healthcare policymaking. A dispute over whether temporary ACA subsidies should be extended escalated into a 43-day standoff that snarled air travel, caused millions of federal workers to miss paychecks, disrupted SNAP food benefits and slowed the economy. The shutdown should prompt policymakers and industry leaders to confront why healthcare costs keep rising and why the system remains resistant to reform. Lasting progress demands an honest examination of structural forces that push costs upward.Guest Editor's Note, by Chris Comeaux: Dr. Rita E. Numerof offers an incredibly clear diagnosis of the root causes of our nation's broken healthcare system. More importantly, she outlines the foundational principles and core tenets required to rebuild it correctly. Listen to our podcast where she details the tenets of this essential fix: https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/transforming-healthcare-a-conversation-with-rita-e.-numerof. 

Health system C-suites ‘knee deep’ in generative AI Becker's Health IT; by Laura Dyrda; 11/12/25 ... During the AI Summit at Becker’s 13th Annual CEO+CFO Roundtable, leaders from health systems and technology companies shared what they’ve learned from deploying generative AI at scale — from building predictive models to redesigning governance and culture.

CEOs’ 5-year plans for building strong C-suites Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 11/7/25 Hospital and health system CEOs are planning their strategies to build a strong C-suite over the next five years to meet today’s healthcare needs. Becker’s connected with four CEOs to learn the steps they are taking now for long-term leadership strength.

[United Kingdom] 'I lie awake wondering how we fund our hospice' BBC News, Manchester, England; by Paul Burnell; 11/18/25 The boss of a large hospice has told how its financial problems are giving her sleepless nights. Rachel McMillan, chief executive of Moya Cole Hospice in Manchester, said it needed £20,000 daily to run it. "It keeps me awake at night - every day it is always a challenge." "The funding model is archaic, it's not fit for purpose," Ms. McMillan said. "We have to raise £20,000 every single day of the year just to keep the doors open."Editor's Note: I trust that you--our readers--can relate. And yet, our US Medicare payments provide much more financial support than UK counterparts. Still, Moya Cole Hospice--in the midst of tough financial decisions--continues to focus on quality care, as demonstrated in their ongoing top quality scores of "Outstanding" for the pattient and family care they provide.

How CFOs can harness the power of their shifting role HealthLeaders - Analysis; by Marie Defreitas; 11/17/25 As turnover rises and expectations expand, CFOs are redefining their influence; from financial stewards to enterprise strategists and even future CEOs. The role's evolution demands new skills, deeper relationships, and a broader vision of what value means. ...