On today’s episode, I talk with Greg Bentz, board chair of Saint Luke’s Health System, based in Kansas City, Mo., and chair of the AHA Committee on Governance. We discuss the important role and dynamic work of boards of trustees as hospitals and health systems navigate tremendous challenges after the pandemic.

Saint Luke’s has focused on and invested in “our people and technology” the past few years to “maintain the quality of our care and improve and reshape the efficiency” of care delivery, Greg explains. “[The board] listened carefully to what our team has been living through these past few years and tried to provide support for them, both technologically and with programs that would provide them with mental and physical support,” he says. The health system also has expanded digital care as part of its investment in technology, which has been well received by patients.

Greg discusses the “intentionality” it takes for hospitals and health systems to develop a diverse board, which has become a higher priority. He also explains how the Saint Luke’s Health System board and the subsidiary boards in the system work together to ensure all community voices are heard.

Board members are “great messengers” in telling the hospital story, to share the financial, health care and social contributions that hospitals and health systems provide to communities, Greg emphasizes.

I hope you find these conversations interesting and insightful. Look for them once a month as part of the Chair File.

Watch the episode.



 

Related News Articles

Chairperson's File
Public
Although hospitals and health systems are facing many pressures and challenges, now is the time to truly transform how we care for our patients and communities…
Headline
The AHA’s American Organization for Nursing Leadership will host its virtual Nurse Manager Institute on Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13. The event is designed for…
Headline
The AHA Sept. 9 announced Eric Fish, M.D., president and CEO of Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Ind., has been elected to fill a vacancy on its Board of…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services announced Aug. 27 in a post on X that Susan Monarez was no longer director of the Centers for Disease Control and…
Chairperson's File
Public
Workplace violence is never okay, and it’s an issue that is having an increasing impact on our field. Health care professionals are five times more likely to…
Perspective
Public
The job description for the ideal health care leader in coming years might read something like this:Wanted: Bold, compassionate innovator who unites clinical…