Radio Advisory

Pediatric hospitals are one of the most important segments in the industry to watch right now. Although children’s hospitals make up only 5% of total hospital market share, more than 40% of U.S. children rely on Medicaid, leaving pediatric organizations disproportionately exposed as the Medicaid-related provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect.

The pressures inside pediatric care were mounting even before this moment. After years of outperforming adult hospitals, children’s hospitals have seen margins fall from double digits to just 1% last year. Rising bad debt, higher supply and labor costs, a rapid shift toward lower margin outpatient care, and emerging challenges like declining birth rates and vaccine policy upheaval have created a perfect financial storm. While some of these dynamics are unique to pediatrics, the sector also offers an early warning signal for the rest of healthcare — and an opportunity to translate lessons across both worlds.

In this episode, host Abby Burns and Advisory Board expert Vidal Seegobin break down why pediatric leaders must simultaneously manage immediate-term margin pressure, prepare for a more ambulatory-dominant model, and futureproof their organizations amid shifting demographics. Vidal also shares actionable steps leaders can take now, along with the critical lessons pediatric hospitals offer the wider healthcare ecosystem.

We’re here to help:

5 insights on the state of pediatric hospitals today

12 things CEOs need to know in 2026

The State of the Healthcare Industry in 2026

Read Advisory Board's 2026 research agenda

3 trends shaping healthcare in 2026 (and how to respond)

278: Dr. Emily Oster on fighting misinformation and rebuilding trust in healthcare

277: Patient distrust is costing you. Here’s how to rebuild it.

Learn how outpatient shifts can impact your organization by using Advisory Board’s Market Scenario Planner tool.

Sign up today for this Optum Health Webinar: Scaling your EHR: How Optum Health built an enterprise platform to redefine care delivery.

A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

GLP-1s have quickly become a cornerstone of obesity and metabolic care — but the real challenge isn’t whether they work, it’s how the healthcare system uses them. Leaders are grappling with tough questions around hype, access, safety, cost, and long-term sustainability.

In this episode, recorded live at the 2025 HLTH conference, Rae Woods moderates a candid conversation with four physician leaders:

Angela Fitch, MD: Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at Knownwell

Florencia Halperin, MD: Chief Medical Officer at Form Health

Spencer Nadolsky, MD: CEO and Founder of Vineyard

Nathan Wood, MD: Director of Culinary Medicine at Yale

Drawing from frontline clinical experience and emerging data, the panel explores why medication only approaches fall short, how wraparound care improves outcomes and adherence, and what it will take for GLP 1s to deliver true value for patients, employers, and payers.

We’re here to help:

Ep. 229: Live from HLTH: What Can’t GLP-1s Do?

Ep. 248: Drugs, surgeries, and shortages: the state of obesity care in 2025

Ep. 222: It's not just GLP-1s; here's what comprehensive weight management looks like

Ep. 279: ‘Food as medicine’: What it is, why it matters, and how to do it right

5 trends shaping pharma strategy for 2026 (and how to adapt)

Innovative solutions to today’s obesity care challenges

From reactive to proactive care: 4 key takeaways about today's COVID-19 landscape

A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In Part 1 of Radio Advisory’s What CEOs need to know in 2026 series, we explored how responsibility for protecting access is diffusing as the safety net continues to fray. But that’s only one way control over healthcare delivery is shifting. In Part 2, we turn to other subtle — but significant — ways power is moving away from traditional centers of influence.

As utilization and costs rise, purchasers are reaching the limits of their traditional approaches to spend management. In 2026, new players are stepping in as purchasers seek specialized solutions for specific treatments and conditions, increasingly delegating outcomes management to third party vendors. At the same time, a growing ecosystem of advisors and external voices is reshaping the options available to patients and clinicians alike.

In this episode, hosts Rachel (Rae) Woods and Abby Burns are joined once again by Advisory Board experts Natalie Trebes and Max Hakanson. Together, they break down how the diffusion of ownership over rising healthcare costs — and the expanding influence of new players on clinical decisionmakers — are redefining the power dynamics every healthcare leader must navigate.

Missed part one? Be sure to subscribe to Radio Advisory so that you never miss an episode!

We’re here to help:

Explore Advisory Board's 12 Things CEOs Need to Know in 2026 for strategies to help your organization thrive.

281: What CEOs need to know in 2026 (Part 1)

Read Advisory Board’s 2026 research agenda

The State of the Healthcare Industry in 2026

3 trends shaping healthcare in 2026 (and how to respond)

Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline

280: The questions Advisory Board is asking in 2026

[Webinar] State of the Industry: Managing spend amid rising costs

[Webinar] State of the Industry: Shaping care decisions amid diffusing influence

We want to hear from you. What are your challenges? Where are you seeing opportunities? Email us at [email protected]

Explore Advisory Board's 12 Things CEOs Need to Know in 2026 for strategies to help your organization thrive. Not a member? Access a complimentary excerpt today.

A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In 2026, traditional healthcare leaders are facing nontraditional power dynamics. That’s why we’re kicking off the new year with a two-part series focused on the trends and challenges CEOs must be prepared to navigate in the year ahead.

In Part 1, hosts Rachel (Rae) Woods and Abby Burns sit down with Advisory Board experts Natalie Trebes and Max Hakanson to unpack how the shrinking safety net is reshaping access to care – and why every CEO needs to prepare for the ripple effects.

Coming next week: In part two of our What CEOs Need to Know in 2026 series, we’ll take a closer look at the spillover effects resulting from the diffusion of power and control.

Be sure to subscribe to Radio Advisory so that you never miss an episode!

We’re here to help:

12 things CEOs need to know in 2026

Read Advisory Board’s 2026 research agenda

The State of the Healthcare Industry in 2026

3 trends shaping healthcare in 2026 (and how to respond)

Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline

Ep. 280: The questions Advisory Board is asking in 2026

We want to hear from you. What are your challenges? Where are you seeing opportunities? Email us at [email protected]

Learn about Advisory Board Research Membership.

A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In 2026, Radio Advisory is diving into the biggest questions shaping the future of healthcare. We aren’t just here to talk about challenges, we’re here to help you determine your next best action. Our first episode of the year drops Tuesday, January 13. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

We want to hear from you. What do you want to hear about in 2026? Where are you seeing opportunities or facing challenges you think we should explore? Email us at [email protected]

We’re here to help:

Read Advisory Board’s 2026 research agenda

State of the Industry: Protecting access amid funding cuts

State of the Industry: Managing spend amid rising costs