Putting People First: Key Takeaways From the 2025 AHA Leadership Summit

At this year’s American Hospital Association (AHA) Leadership Summit, the conversation centered on what matters most in healthcare transformation: people. While many industry events lean heavily into technology and innovation, this leadership-focused gathering reminded attendees that sustainable progress starts with investing in culture, partnerships, and the human experience. 

Tegria’s Andrea Corona, PharmD, BCACP, Managing Director of Care Operations, and Cameron McLees, Managing Director of Patient Access & Experience, attended the summit in Nashville and shared a few standout themes from the event. 

Partnership Is Essential

Health systems can’t go it alone. To meet the evolving needs of the populations they serve, hospitals must partner not only with community-based organizations but also with each other. Collaboration was a recurring theme across sessions, with leaders emphasizing the importance of working together over owning every aspect of care delivery. 

Invest in the Employee Experience 

Speakers across the summit reinforced the connection between culture, employee experience, and patient outcomes. Investing in people isn’t just good for morale—it’s essential for performance and long-term success. This people-first approach aligns with Tegria’s care operations work, where technology is a tool, not the solution itself. 

Change Management Is a Core Competency 

Healthcare is in a constant state of change. Leaders who treat change management as a foundational skill—rather than an afterthought—can better equip their teams to adapt and thrive. Laura Kaiser, President and CEO of SSM Health, shared her experience investing in a yearlong change management program for over 500 organizational leaders. 

People don’t resist change—they resist uncertainty.

KEY INSIGHT SHARED AT THE SUMMIT

Patient Access Must Evolve 

As patient expectations shift, so must healthcare delivery models. Organizations must invest in telehealth, hospital-at-home programs, and other digital platforms to meet patients where they are. The traditional, brick-and-mortar model won’t be sustainable long-term—and leaders need to start planning for that reality now. 

People-First Transformation as a Catalyst for Change 

Human-centered leadership emerged as a defining theme of the summit. For Tegria, this emphasis reinforces a core belief: Meaningful healthcare transformation begins with the people who deliver and receive care. While technology plays an important role, lasting impact comes from cultivating a strong culture, building trust, and leading with compassion.