Radio Advisory

Nurse turnover rates have improved since the pandemic peak, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods: 40% of nurses report that they intend to leave their job within five years. As nurse leaders turn their attention from fighting fires to finding strategic levers for nurse retention, they may be missing a surprising opportunity: career pathing. Nurse career pathing has traditionally aimed at a core goal: to keep nurses at the bedside for as long as possible. But our research found that, to build a sustainable nursing workforce, nurse leaders need to focus on nurse engagement—not just retention. This week, host Abby Burns sits down with Advisory Board nursing experts Miles Cottier and Allyson Paiewonsky. They break down the state of the nursing workforce and what it looks like to do career pathing in a way that better balances nurses’ needs with those of the organizations. Hint: the path may look less like a ladder, and more like a branching river. We’re here to help: Radio Advisory Nursing playlist Ep. 245: Headcount might not explain your labor challenges. What will? Survey insights: Strategic imperatives for a sustainable nursing workforce New nurses say they're struggling. Here's how to help them. 4 ways to retain early career nurses Explore how Advisory Board resources can support your organization's journey A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In 2025, health systems are facing a relentless set of headwinds—from policy upheaval and shifting demographics to rising costs and rural access challenges. For some organizations, these pressures form a perfect storm. At Advisory Board’s Chicago Summit, host Rachel (Rae) Woods sat down with MaineHealth COO Kelly Elkins to explore how the $4B, 13-hospital Academic system is navigating these pressures without defaulting to survival mode. MaineHealth has achieved three consecutive years of $100M margin improvement by focusing on operational efficiency, scenario planning, and a three-lane growth strategy: strengthening core services, expanding into ambulatory care, and investing in adjacent businesses. Learn more about their approach—including their partnership with Optum Advisory—to sustain and scale care delivery across Maine and New Hampshire. We’re here to help: MaineHealth | Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Understanding the healthcare impacts Strategic Planner's survey 2025 Want to be at our next live Radio Advisory recording? Learn more about upcoming Advisory Board events. A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

To make philanthropy a reliable revenue stream, health systems need more than just generous donors—they need strategy, structure, and sustained investment. In this episode, Abby Burns speaks with Advisory Board philanthropy expert and founder of Twin Point Insights, Erin Lanahan, about how not-for-profit health systems can build high-performing fundraising programs. They explore the “four Cs” of effective philanthropy—clear expectations, consistent resourcing, compelling priorities, and committed allies—and unpack how leaders can apply these principles to boost ROI, strengthen donor relationships, and ensure long-term financial sustainability. We’re here to help: Healthcare Campaign Survey #1: Campaign Context 4 imperatives for successful fundraising campaigns [Ongoing research] Twin Point Insights: Healthcare Campaign Survey Series [Roundtable] HOME - Modernizing grateful engagement in a time of healthcare transformation [On-demand webinar] What the future of health system growth means for philanthropy leaders [On-demand webinar] Using market data to inform your philanthropy strategy [On-demand webinar] State of the industry: Exploring the future of healthcare philanthropy Key findings from the Medicare Advantage vision insurance consumer survey Oral oncolytics: Strategies for improving adherence and persistence A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In this discussion, Eric Gallagher, CEO of Ochsner Health Network, and Dr. Beau Raymond, CMO, dive into their innovative approaches to value-based care. They reveal how Ochsner has successfully managed around 600,000 value-based lives while achieving significant cost savings, including $44M from CMS. Highlights include their strategy for chronic disease management, the importance of transparent payer-provider partnerships, and plans to harness AI for case management optimization. Their focus on care redesign and prevention sets a new standard in healthcare quality.

In this insightful discussion, Lindsey Paul, an oncology expert, addresses rising cancer rates and innovative treatments. Kristin Strubel, a cardiovascular authority, analyzes bottlenecks in procedures and staff retention strategies. Gabriela Marmolejos, a women's health specialist, highlights the impact of policy on rural obstetrics and advocates for team-based care models. Ellie Wiles, focusing on neurology, talks about rising care costs and the shift to value-based payment models. Together, they explore critical trends shaping healthcare's future.

In this special episode of Radio Advisory, recorded at 9:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 1, 2025, host Rae Woods walks through two major healthcare policy disruptions: the federal government shutdown and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Rae explains the immediate implications for care delivery and funding as Medicare telehealth and Hospital-at-Home waivers expire and debates over ACA tax credits and Medicaid work requirements stall in Congress. She also unpacks new guidance from CMS on the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, outlining what leaders must do to apply for funding before the November 5th deadline and best position themselves to support their rural communities. We’re here to help: Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline Health policy roundup: CMS opens applications for $50B rural health fund A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

Nick Hula and Lauren Woodrow, experts from Advisory Board, dive into the future of ambulatory care. They challenge the outdated notion that bigger is better, arguing for a focus on operational efficiency and smarter growth. Key topics include the need for health systems to adapt to outpatient demands, the importance of aggregating outpatient services, and breaking clinician attachment to specific sites. The duo also discusses practical strategies to enhance capacity through technology and partnerships, redefining success in the evolving healthcare landscape.

Isis Monteiro, a provider operations expert at Advisory Board, dives into the untapped potential of care variation reduction (CVR) — a colossal $100 billion opportunity for health systems. She highlights common barriers like clinician buy-in and data trust that hinder progress. Monteiro also outlines strategies for engaging clinicians and standardizing care, plus practical paths for implementing CVR. The discussion is rich with insights on optimizing existing strategies for improved operational efficiency.

Making the most of the electronic health record (EHR) is not just a win for the CIO—it’s a non-negotiable for sustaining your business, supporting your workforce and serving your patients effectively. The EHR is a mainstay of our digital healthcare infrastructure. It’s a massive ongoing investment with the potential for enormous operational and strategic returns. But the fact is, most organizations are not reaping the kinds of returns they could be. This week, host Abby Burns invites Advisory Board digital health and AI expert Ty Aderhold and Optum Advisory Vice Presidents of Provider Technology Carol Chouinard and Jonathan Cooper to break down the missed opportunities, and why under-leveraging the EHR now matters for an AI-enabled future. We’re here to help: 6 pitfalls to avoid when planning an EHR implementation How to effectively prepare for (and implement) an EHR switch 4 questions to ask yourself before an EHR data conversion Want support assessing, optimizing, or converting your EMR? Get in touch with Optum Advisory’s EHR Services team. Or we can help you reach out directly. Email us at podcasts@advisory.com with the subject line "Help with EHR". Research Membership A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In this special episode of Radio Advisory, recorded on September 10th, 2025, host Rae Woods explains how recent federal actions led by HHS Secretary RFK Jr. are shaping vaccine policy and public health infrastructure. As she unpacks what’s happened so far, Rae outlines the implications for vaccine access, public trust, and hospital readiness. She also offers clear guidance to health leaders: clarify your communication with staff and patients, prepare for seasonal surges, and work together to track the effects of policy shifts on the cost and quality of care. We’re here to help: Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline How research funding cuts are impacting healthcare (and how to respond) 240: Hospitals are at capacity. What can we actually do about it? A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.