Workforce Recovery: What’s Working and Why

AHA Leadership Scan: A Series of Virtual Panel Discussions

Workforce Recovery: What’s Working and Why 
A Collaborative Look at Scalable Staffing Strategies  

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 
1 - 2 p.m. Eastern; noon - 1 p.m. Central; 10 - 11 a.m. Pacific   

Health systems continue to face deep challenges in staffing, particularly in nursing. This session brings together leaders from education, clinical operations and workforce development to explore what is working in practice.  

Panelists will share results from collaborative models that prioritize reducing vacancy rates, employee success, regional alignment, and clinical impact.  

The discussion will offer insight into scalable strategies that have improved workforce readiness across multiple settings. The session aims to inform and contribute to a field-wide dialogue on workforce recovery.

Attendees Will Learn to:

• Identify elements of successful workforce development programs in health care.
• Review outcome data related to hospital vacancy rates, employee retention and culture improvement.
• Understand cross-sector collaboration strategies that support long-term talent pipelines.
• Apply replicable practices to address local workforce needs.

Session Panelists:

Laura Rashleger, MSN, RN, NEA-BC 
Vice President Nursing Operations and Virtual Nursing- Enterprise Nursing 
Advocate Health 

Rachel Culpepper DNP, RN, CENP 
Director - Clinical Operations 
Indiana University Health West Hospital

Holly Muller, DNP, MHA, RN, CRRN, NEA-BC 
SVP, PDS Chief Nursing Officer 
Presbyterian Healthcare Services 

Tom McNamara 
Chief Transformation Officer 
Unitek Learning

AHA Moderator:  

Elisa Arespacochaga, MBA 
Group Vice President, Clinical Affairs and Workforce  
American Hospital Association 
 

By attending the AHA Leadership virtual panel discussion "Workforce Recovery: What’s Working and Why" offered by the AHA, participants can earn up to 1 ACHE Qualified Education Hour toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.