274: The nurse engagement tactic leaders may be missing
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.
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273: MaineHealth isn’t just surviving against the odds — it’s thriving
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.
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272: How leaders need to rethink their approach to philanthropy
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.
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271: Inside Ochsner Health's strategy for successful VBC
Ochsner Health has been pushing the envelope on value-based care for decades. The New Orleans-based system has succeeded in driving significant cost savings—while improving quality— states that traditionally rank lower in America's Health Rankings The question is: how do they do it?
This week, host Abby Burns invites Ochsner Health Network’s Eric Gallagher, CEO and Dr. Beau Raymond, CMO to unpack their approach to building out a successful value-based care engine. Throughout the conversation, they share:
How they measure success (and what they’ve achieved)
How they evolved their system to the one they have in place today
What true payer-provider partnership does—and doesn’t—look like to them
How they are fine-tuning their value-based care tactics to meet oncoming headwinds
We’re here to help:
Expert Care in Louisiana and Beyond | Ochsner Health
How Ochsner Health grounded its VBC success in a culture of innovation
Radio Advisory Value-Based Care playlist
Ep. 243: What’s now and what’s next in value-based care
Ep. 250: VBC success is possible. Here's how Advocate Health does it.
Value-Based Care landing page
Help manage the long-term effects of COVID-19 with timely care
A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.
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270: Service line snapshot: What every health leader needs to know
Each year, Advisory Board delivers an update on the most significant trends shaping service line strategy – identifying exactly what service line and strategy leaders should prioritize in the year ahead.
In this episode, host Rae Woods is joined by Advisory Board experts Lindsey Paul, Kristin Strubel, Gabriela Marmolejos, and Ellie Wiles to unpack the universal challenges specialties are facing as we head into 2026.
Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear how access constraints, workforce pressures, policy changes, and innovative payment models are influencing key service lines—including oncology, cardiovascular, women’s health, and neurology.
Looking for insights on a specific service line? Jump ahead using the timestamps below:
1:26 – 6:50: Lindsay Paul on oncology
6:51 – 12:14: Kristen Strubel on cardiovascular
14:08 – 22:29: Gabriela Marmolejos on women’s health
22:30 – 27:58: Ellie Wiles on neurology
We’re here to help:
Oncology service line outlook – 2025
Cardiovascular service line outlook – 2025
Women’s health service line outlook – 2025
Neurosciences service line outlook – 2025
Orthopedics service line outlook – 2025
Watch our member testimonials and learn about upcoming Advisory Board events
Blood-based colorectal screening: A closer look for health plans
A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.
A top podcast for healthcare leaders, with over one million downloads, Radio Advisory is your weekly download on how to untangle the industry's most pressing challenges to help leaders like you make the best business decisions for your organization.
From unpacking major trends in care delivery—like site-of-care shifts and the rise of high-cost drugs—to demystifying stakeholder dynamics, to shining a spotlight on priorities that may get overlooked, we're here to help. Our hosts and seasoned researchers talk with industry experts to equip you with knowledge to confront today's unanswered questions in healthcare. New episodes drop every Tuesday. | www.advisory.com