Literature Review

Forbes: 2026 America's best large employers and America's best midsize employers Forbes; by Rachel Rabkin Peachman; 2/10/26 ... The annual rankings were based primarily on survey responses from more than 217,000 employees working at companies within the U.S. that employ more than 1,000 people. ... As with all Forbes lists, companies pay no fee to participate or be selected. ... [Healthcare organizations listed in the top 50 organizations include the following, with rankings among all industries: ...]

10 healthcare workforce challenges defining 2026 Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 2/24/25 ... When Becker’s asked 103 healthcare leaders, “What do you anticipate being the most pressing workforce challenge in 2026, and how are you preparing to address it?” the responses revealed an industry preparing for permanent redesign. Across all 103 responses, 10 themes stood out. ...

Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz in hospice care. Here’s the latestPennLive Patriot News; by Matt Connolly; 2/25/26 Hall of fame college football coach Lou Holtz entered hospice care last month and there was speculation at the time that he could have days, if not hours, left to live. However, nearly a month later there has been no significant update on his condition, which is obviously good news after someone enters hospice care. ... Holtz, 89, is best known for his run as head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1986 through 1996. That included a 12-0 season and national championship in 1988. 

My family member passed away — do I get a discount for bereavement travel? Fodor's Travel |"Dear Eugene"; by Eugene Fodor; 2/23/26 In this month’s "Dear Eugene," we explore the benefits bereavement travelers have and tap experts for the best way to navigate grief while moving through the world. ... Several airlines (not all) offer bereavement fares, waivers, or what’s sometimes called “compassion fares,” but that doesn’t always mean you’ll save money. The real benefit of bereavement fares is the greater flexibility they offer.

Stolen ambulance crashes into Meridian medical building. What is Portico North? Idaho Statesman, Meridian, ID; by Hali Smith; 2/19/26 Offices in a Meridian medical building were closed Thursday after a stolen ambulance smashed into the six-story structure. The crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. Thursday at the Portico North building at the southeast corner of Eagle and Franklin roads. ... Portico North is owned by St. Luke’s Health System, whose Meridian hospital is one block to the south. ... “There is no clinical patient care provided in the Portico North building,” Myron told the Statesman. The site functions as a workspace for a health insurance company as well as St. Luke’s hospice care providers and home health teams. 

Bridge Hospice Pet Adoption Program KCBD-11, Lubbock, TX; by Julie Castaneda; 2/17/26 Bridge Hospice has started a Pet Adoption Program to help hospice patients, who often need loving homes for their well-loved pets during their end-of-life care.

Longmont restaurant owner hits the road to make hospital patient's wish come true NBC 9 News, Longmont, CO; by Colton Chavez; 2/6/26 A Longmont restaurant owner is driving to Montana this weekend to personally deliver baked potatoes to a patient who listed visiting his establishment as one of their wishes. Eddy Ellson, owner of Big Bear Baked Potatoes, received a message through his restaurant's website from a hospice nurse in Montana asking if he could share his recipe or send food to a patient named Kristle, who wanted to visit his restaurant but was too ill to make the trip. "One of her last wishes she asked the nurse to take her to Denver because she wanted to go to Big Bear Baked Potatoes," Ellson said. Instead of sending a recipe, Ellson decided to make the journey himself. He plans to cook for Kristle, her family, and her nurses on Super Bowl Sunday, when his restaurant is normally closed.

Another strike sends 31,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers to picket lines AP, U.S. News, Oakland, CA; 1/27/26 An estimated 31,000 registered nurses and other front-line Kaiser Permanente health care workers launched an open-ended strike this week in California and Hawaii to demand better wages and staffing from the health care giant. The picketing that began Monday marked the second major walkout in recent months by employees represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals. A five-day strike in October ended with negotiations resuming, but talks broke down in December. This week the union accused Kaiser of refusing to return to national bargaining discussions.

Best healthcare jobs in 2026: US News Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 1/13/26 For the third consecutive year, nurse practitioner earned the No. 1 spot in U.S. News & World Report‘s annual best jobs rankings. The media company released the rankings Jan. 13, highlighting the best jobs across 17 categories, including healthcare. 

I'm still working in the medical field at 83. My husband doesn't need me at home staring at him all day — I want to be productive. Business Insider; as told to Noah Sheidlower by Barbara Ford; 1/15/26 This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Barbara Ford, an 83-year-old registered nurse and patient advocate for a healthcare company. Ford's husband worked into his 80s until some health issues led him to retire. Editor's Note: For more, visit a compilation of Noah Sheidlower's similar interviews, "Read Business Insider's stories and watch our video after nearly 200 interviews with workers over 80." Also, pair this with today's post, "Retirement for Beth Dorsk: Her day is her own."

Hospice patient fulfills final wish of meal with his wife at Hard Rock Casino Fox 23 News, Catoosa, OK; by Paris Rain; 1/8/26 For one hospice patient, a simple trip to the Hard Rock Casino buffet became a final wish and thanks to a dedicated care team and community partners, that wish came true. For months, 84-year-old Tommy Evans talked about wanting to return to the Hard Rock Casino to enjoy the buffet, a place he and his wife once visited regularly. ... Transportation for the couple was donated, and the Hard Rock staff welcomed Evans on Thursday evening. “It’s an honor for me, as a chef, to be able to be a participant in this,” said Alfredo Vargas, executive sous chef at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. “We don’t have requests like this too often, so when this happened, we wanted to embrace it and make sure we did the best we could.” For Regina Marshall, the Compassus volunteer coordinator, the moment reflects the heart of hospice care.

The influence of private equity in health careHealth Affairs; 10/22/25Private equity investors have poured more than $1 trillion into the health care industry during the past decade. This Health Affairs Insider report examines the key factors surrounding private equity ownership of hospitals and physician practices.Publisher's Note: This article was featured in Health Affairs' year in review. Access to this report may require subscription.

A time for community and kindness Senior Concerns; by Martha Shapiro; 12/24/25 I am inspired by the spirit of the holidays and hope to carry some of it with me into the coming year. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season. Then Chanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and finally the New Year. ... In truth, each holiday brings its own traditions, but together they form a season that invites reflection, generosity, and connection. ... Recently, someone wished me “happy all the things.”  It was a sweet and funny way to say happy holidays without knowing what holiday I celebrate. Truthfully, I do not mind what holiday someone references if their intent is to be kind. ...  At the same time, I am reminded that the holidays are not joyous for everyone. ... This year, I am making a conscious effort to practice small acts of kindness towards others, and to intentionally recognize and thank those that do them for me.