Plenary Sessions

Pre-Plenary Entertainment

Arrive early to the plenary session and be treated to an unforgettable performance by the San Diego Chorus, an award winning, competitive chorus performing 4-part, a cappella harmony in the barbershop style.

Join us for this special pre-session entertainment and start the AHA Leadership Summit off on the right note. Doors open at 12:45 PM.

Conference Welcome and Opening Remarks

Rick Pollack, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Hospital Association

Beyond Resilience: A New Path to a Strong Culture

Daniel Pink, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of The Power of Regret; When; To Sell is Human; Drive and A Whole New Mind

As the world emerges from the pandemic, organizations everywhere are reexamining their operations and priorities. What do they stand for? How should they navigate what comes next? And how might they build cultures where people can do their best work and be their best selves?

Pink will draw on an unprecedented two-year study of our most misunderstood emotion: regret. He will show that ignoring or rejecting regrets is a colossal mistake. Instead, confronting regrets systematically can deliver an array of organizational benefits. It can sharpen leaders’ decisions, speed learning and development, and boost individual and team performance. He will show how the four core regrets shared by people around the world contain the seeds of a reimagined and more powerful corporate culture. By understanding what people regret the most, we can learn what they value the most – and that can help organizations of every kind attract top talent, deepen employee engagement, and strengthen loyalty and commitment.

With Pink’s trademark blend of big ideas and smart takeaways, compelling stories and sharp humor, this presentation provides an urgent and inspiring map for flourishing in unpredictable times.

AHA Town Hall: Navigating the 2024 Political Landscape

Featuring introductory comments from Joanne M. Conroy, MD, Chief Executive Officer and President, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, N.H.; Chair, AHA Board of Trustees

Paul Begala, Political Analyst and Commentator, CNN
Stacey Hughes, Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public Policy, American Hospital Association 
Scott Jennings, CNN Contributor, Conservative Columnist, & Former Presidential Advisor

Join political commentators Paul Begala, former advisor to President Bill Clinton, and Scott Jennings, former special assistant to President George W. Bush, for a discussion on the 2024 election and the current political landscape. Moderator Stacey Hughes, AHA executive vice president, will share insights on AHA’s advocacy priorities and policies affecting hospitals and health systems on Capitol Hill.

The Future of Health Care Delivery: Achieving Transformative Change

Featuring introductory comments by John M. Haupert, President and Chief Executive Officer, Grady Health System, Atlanta; Immediate Past Chair, AHA Board of Trustees

MODERATOR: Geoff Bennett, PBS NewsHour Co-Anchor
PANELISTS:
Tina Freese Decker, MHA, MSIF, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Corewell Health, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Chair-Elect, AHA Board of Trustees
Jaewon Ryu, MD, JD, Chief Executive Officer, Risant Health 
Lisa Shannon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Allina Health, Minneapolis
 

Join this panel of future-forward thought leaders as we explore the health care delivery system of the future and the incremental and transformative changes needed to get there.

Just Health: Achieving Health Equity for All

Dayna Bowen Matthew, Author of Just Medicine: A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Health Care; Dean and Harold H. Greene Professor of Law, George Washington University Law School

Q&A Moderator: Joy A. Lewis, Senior Vice President, Health Equity Strategies, American Hospital Association; Executive Director, Institute for Diversity and Health Equity

Join this session to explore the fundamental issues of health equity and how we can achieve it for all. Dayna Bowen Matthew examines how deep structural racism embedded in the fabric of American society perpetuates disparities in health outcomes and life expectancy for people of color. With compelling evidence spanning discrimination in housing, education, employment, and the criminal justice system, Dayna Bowen Matthew shows the pervasive nature of racial inequality and its detrimental impact on minority health. Discover actionable strategies and a clear pathway toward dismantling these barriers, ensuring equitable health opportunities for everyone. Embrace the call to action as Matthew urges health care providers to champion the fight against systemic inequities facing their patients. Following the presentation, Matthew will be joined by the AHA’s Joy A. Lewis for a facilitated Q&A session.

Pre-Plenary Entertainment

Arrive early to the plenary session for an electrifying performance by Mariachi Divinas, the renowned female mariachi ensemble from San Diego. With their vibrant stage presence and authentic musicality, Mariachi Divinas honor the deep cultural roots of mariachi music, promising an unforgettable experience for all.

Join us for this special pre-session entertainment and lose yourself in the infectious rhythms of Mariachi Divinas. Doors open at 10:10 AM.

Innovation in a Tumultuous World

Mick Ebeling, Founder and CEO, Not Impossible Labs; Author of Not Impossible: The Art and Joy of Doing What Couldn’t be Done

Innovation often thrives in the face of adversity, but what happens when the world is turned upside down by a global pandemic? Join Mick Ebeling, founder of Not Impossible Labs, as he shares insights from a decade of collaborating with unconventional partners to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges. Discover how to foster an innovation culture amidst disruption and uncertainty, embracing experimentation as a pathway to breakthrough solutions.

Mick Ebeling will delve into the origins of Not Impossible, illuminating the NI design process that has propelled the organization's impactful work. Explore how Not Impossible has adapted to the demands of our strange new world, offering compelling examples of their latest world-changing initiatives. From health care innovations to humanitarian efforts, hear how embracing creativity and collaboration can lead to transformative outcomes, even in tumultuous times. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into maintaining an innovation mindset in the face of adversity and learn how to navigate the challenges of our rapidly evolving world with resilience and ingenuity.