Chief Physician Executives (CPEs) are uniquely positioned to bridge clinical care and strategic goals. In our latest Heard Around the C-Suite episode, we highlight insights from The Health Management Academy’s Fall 2024 CPE Forum, where CPEs shared their approaches to technology adoption, innovative workforce models, cybersecurity, and leadership development. This episode brings strategy executives into the room with CPEs, equipping them with practical insights to enhance collaboration with clinical leaders, align organizational goals, and implement solutions that drive both financial and clinical ROI.

Join Jerome Pagani, Executive Director of Strategy Catalyst, and Anika Rasheed, Strategy Catalyst Analyst, as they unpack key themes from the forum. The episode also includes clips from CPE Forum participants as they reflect on the innovations, strategies, and solutions discussed across the sessions.

Key Takeaways

• Collaborative Implementation Improves Tech Adoption: CPEs emphasized the importance of engaging clinical leaders early in technology planning to ensure new tools align with workflows and improve patient outcomes. Solutions are more likely to succeed when clinicians are treated as collaborators, not just end-users.
• Workforce Innovation Drives Retention: Programs like Corewell Health’s gig economy-style app can reduce clinician burnout by offloading non-clinical tasks, leading to significant time savings and higher retention rates. Other programs are helping clinicians work at the top of their licenses with greater flexibility while addressing staffing shortages and equity challenges.
• Cyber Attacks are Threats to Care Delivery: Treating cyberattacks as operational disasters, not just IT issues, is critical for maintaining care continuity. Building resilience must be a strategic priority for health systems.
• Beyond the Clinical: The CPE as a Coalition Builder: Balancing clinical practice with strategic responsibilities helps CPEs maintain trust and credibility, while succession planning and leadership development ensure long-term success.