Literature Review

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.

Empathy is the strongest form of leadership: Kyle Godhard Cleveland.com; by guest columnist Kyle Godhard, VP of Human Resources at Hospice of the Western Reserve; 11/16/25 ... In hospice care, that compassion runs especially deep. Staff walk alongside patients and families in their final days, often carrying emotional weight long after each goodbye.  In such a setting, leadership must offer more than direction; it must offer empathy. At Hospice of the Western Reserve, we believe compassionate leadership is not only kind, but also strategic. And it may be the most important investment any healthcare organization can make. ... Compassionate leadership doesn’t replace high expectations. It strengthens them. It builds teams that trust one another, stay committed and show up fully for patients and families. 

[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. ...

Finding their "why": Women in healthcare share their journeys at Alys Smith Symposium The Parthenon; by Abby Ayes; 11/13/25 ...  This year, the [seventh Alys Smith Symposisum on Women Professionals] celebration centered on Melanie Hall, Hospice of Huntington CEO and Marshall University alumna, whose keynote address offered a glimpse into resilience, loss and purpose. ... Hall’s story began with a spark of curiosity. “In early high school, you’re trying to figure out what you’re going to do,” she said. “So, I signed up to be a candy striper.” ... In 2013, Hall’s husband encouraged her to apply for the CEO position at Hospice of Huntington. A few months later, tragedy struck when a house fire destroyed everything her family owned. “Thankfully, all my family made it out,” Hall said. “But life changed in just a few hours.” ... As she wrapped up her keynote, Hall left the audience with a reminder about finding purpose in the unexpected turns of life. [Continue reading.]Editor's Note: Thank you Melanie for your leadership both through Hospice of Huntington and throughout your community. This article ends with, "Students, faculty, and community members were given the chance to ask questions, connect, and learn about nontraditional pathways in healthcare, a fitting close to an evening dedicated to women whose care, courage and conviction define what it means to serve."

From good to better with Andrew Molosky Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Andrew Molosky; 11/12/25 In this week’s special joint episode of TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership, host Chris Comeaux welcomes Andrew Molosky, President and CEO of Chapters Health System.  Together, they explore what it means to lead with perseverance, authenticity, and vision in times of change. Andrew shares powerful insights on cultivating culture, navigating uncertainty, and the role of vulnerability in leadership. 

What is the best way for CNOs to tackle change management? healthleaders; by G Hatfield; 11/10/25 CNOs need to be equipped to support their nurses throughout times of change. With many constant changes happening in healthcare, from mergers and acquisitions, to leadership changes, to new technology implementation. All of these shifting variables have major impacts on the nursing workforce in any health system and can cause major disruptions in workflow and nurse wellbeing. CNOs must also keep in mind that big changes affect patients as well. The challenge for nurse leaders lies in handling that change with patience, confidence, and clear intentions. CNOs must design change management strategies that are inclusive, transparent, and responsive, while being as communicative as possible throughout the entire process.

[Canada] Sheridan awarded over $1 million to advance research on health equity, leadership systems and unhoused care Sheridan College, Ontario, Canada; Press Release; 11/10/25 Sheridan is advancing solutions to some of today’s most pressing social challenges — in healthcare, gender equity, and homelessness — through three applied research projects supported by more than $1 million in federal funding from the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF). ... [This funding will]  support development of innovative solutions that address pressing social issues and the needs of our community: amplifying the voices of patients receiving palliative care to improve clinical trainings, empowering women with sustainable pathways to leadership and examining the impact of mobile primary care units for the homeless and underhoused.

Hospice executive highlights Medicare benefits during National Hospice and Palliative Care Month ABC-WWSB, Sarasota, FL; by Thad Randazzo and Summer Smith; 11/5/25 November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time to discuss the benefits of hospice care and its importance to communities. Casey Cuthbert, executive director of Affinity Care Hospice of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties, said people often don’t understand that hospice care is a journey everyone faces. ... Many people don’t realize they have paid into Medicare hospice benefits throughout their working lives, Cuthbert said. Medicare covers hospice services at 100%, including the caregiving team of nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains.

National Alliance CEO Steve Landers on hospices’ top policy priorities Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 11/6/25Medicare advantage and telehealth are key hospice policy priorities for the National Alliance for Care at Home. On the home health front, the organization is also embroiled in efforts to stave off proposed payment and Medicaid cuts. The Alliance came into being last year with the merger between the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice. Hospice News spoke with Alliance CEO Dr. Steven Landers about how the two legacy organizations are integrating, the hospice public policy landscape and how providers can get involved at a grass roots level.

The future of hospice care: Opportunities and challenges – top news stories October 2025 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 11/5/25 In this episode of TCN Talks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner discuss the top news stories of October, focusing on AI in healthcare, innovations in hospice care, and the impact of personal experiences on healthcare practices. They explore the ethical implications of AI surrogates in life-or-death decisions, the importance of equitable access to hospice care, and the role of technology in improving care delivery. The conversation also highlights the significance of personal stories in shaping healthcare perspectives and the ongoing challenges in the hospice industry.