HAP’s Leadership Summit: Day 2

May 13, 2025

 

The second day of HAP’s annual Leadership Summit provided a full slate of dynamic speakers focusing on issues on the minds of hospital leaders.

Tuesday opened with remarks from HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings, who emphasized that hospitals are navigating uncertainty under a pressurized environment.

“This fight isn’t ours alone because the issues that we advocate for aren’t hospital issues; they’re community issues,” she said. “This fight isn’t ours alone because we know you cannot have healthy, vibrant communities in Pennsylvania without strong, financially stable hospitals.”

Here are some important points from day two of HAP’s premiere event.
 

Threading the Needle

Baligh Yehia, MD (left), president, Jefferson Health and a member of HAP’s Board of Directors, interviewed Michael Park, partner, Alston and Bird on federal policy shifts. The discussion focused on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s proposed Medicaid cuts and their impact on hospitals. Park outlined the process the proposal will follow as legislators give their feedback and where hospital leaders should focus their attention.
 

Embracing AI in Health Care

The data compiled by health care organizations could be put to work, according to speaker Barry Chaiken, MD, MPH, author, Navigating the Code and Future of Healthcare 2035. When researched and chosen appropriately, AI tools can use health care data to optimize clinical operations, he said. In addition, AI’s potential for customization can help advance patient care.
 

Changing Times, Changing Methods

In order to thrive in today’s environment, hospital leaders need to adapt, according to speaker Dawn Samaris, managing partner, Kaufman Hall. Hall focused on the headwinds that are creating challenges for hospitals’ ability to sustain access to quality health care. Hospital leaders need to reframe the conversation and consider new or different ideas moving forward, she said.
 

Addressing Workplace Violence and Safety Measure

Hospitals need to take safety measures seriously, since interpersonal violence doesn’t stay a home, according to Jason Grellner, vice president, healthcare, Evolv Technologies. Grellner suggested ways hospitals can bolster safety, from simple measures like window coverings to hiring outside security companies.
 

Better Health Through AI

Krishna Yalamanchilli, head of commercial operations, Pegasys, detailed the emerging importance of AI in health care. He explained that AI should be valued for its use in supplementing the care people provide and not seen as a substitute.