Three-day summit highlights policy shifts, workforce challenges, AI & operational innovation shaping the future of healthcare
NASHVILLE, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Healthcareperformancegroup—HealthTrust Performance Group™ (HealthTrust), a leading healthcare performance improvement organization, gathered senior healthcare executives, policymakers and industry experts at its 2026 Executive Advisory Summit, held April 15–17 in Charleston, South Carolina. The event brought together forward-thinking leaders to collaborate on the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping healthcare.
Over the course of three days, attendees heard from experts and engaged in discussions focused on navigating policy and labor pressures, advancing clinical and operational innovation and leveraging emerging technologies to improve outcomes and efficiency. The summit served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, peer connection and actionable insights to support healthcare organizations regardless of size.
“Our Executive Advisory Summit is centered on the real challenges our members are working to solve, and the need to come together as a community has never been greater,” said Ed Jones, President & CEO of HealthTrust Performance Group. “In partnership with leading minds in healthcare, many of whom are our members, we discussed topics that challenge our thinking and help us lead with greater clarity as we work to drive meaningful progress in healthcare.”
Key Themes and Topics Covered at the Summit:
- State of the Industry Insights & Analysis
Rae Woods, Vice President at Advisory Board, delivered a data-driven overview of the healthcare landscape in 2026, highlighting the strategic decisions facing health system leaders as they balance financial pressures, an eroding safety net, and evolving care and payment models. She offered strategies to make informed decisions and lead effectively in a rapidly changing environment.
- Healthcare Policy and Reform
Jeff Cohen, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at HCA Healthcare, moderated a panel with Alston & Bird policy experts Jane Lucas and Jonathan Jagoda, examining the federal policy landscape, reimbursement pressures and the implications of upcoming elections. Panelists emphasized the need for providers to proactively navigate shifting payer dynamics and regulatory uncertainty as healthcare reform accelerates.
- Workforce and Leadership Transformation
McKinsey & Company partners Blair Epstein and Dr. Robin Roark led discussions on building high-performing leadership teams, aligning talent to organizational value and navigating executive transitions. Their session underscored the importance of culture, capability-building and strong leadership alignment in driving sustained performance.
- Payer, Employer and Value-Based Care Evolution
Aashish Shah, M.D, J.D., CMO & SVP, HealthTrust hosted a panel featuring Dr. Shealynn Buck, Chief Medical Officer at Lockton Companies; Dr. Ali Khan, Chief Medical Officer Medicare, CVS Aetna; and Dr. Neil Parikh, Chief Medical Officer Value-Based Care at Optum Health. The discussion highlighted the rapidly shifting payer and employer landscape, with a focus on affordability, access and the increasing role of value-based care models.
- From AI to ROI
Wout Brusselaers, CEO and Founder of Deep6 AI (a Tempus company), explored how healthcare organizations can move beyond AI hype to measurable value, emphasizing practical adoption strategies and return on investment.
The event is part of HealthTrust’s broader commitment to convening healthcare leaders through summits and conferences designed to promote knowledge sharing, innovation and best practices that can be used to help improve patient outcomes.
To learn more, visit healthtrustpg.com.
About HealthTrust Performance Group
HealthTrust Performance Group™ (HealthTrust) is a leading healthcare performance improvement organization owned and operated by health systems. HealthTrust is dedicated to strengthening provider performance and clinical excellence through an aligned membership model and business advisory solutions that leverage expertise, scale and innovation. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., HealthTrust supports approximately 1,900 hospitals and health systems in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, and more than 90,000 non‑acute sites of care, including ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, long-term care and alternate care sites. HealthTrust has been recognized as a Top Workplace in Middle Tennessee for four consecutive years.
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