Join ECG’s John Budd, Brian Deck, Clay Tellers, Amanda Adams, Sarah Kier, Daniel Marino, and Jessica Wells at the Becker’s 16th Annual Conference, April 13–16, in Chicago.
Why Attend?
Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting convenes senior healthcare executives for four days of focused discussion, practical insights, and meaningful connections. Attendees will gain peer-tested strategies, forward-looking perspective, and the relationships needed to navigate what’s next and lead with confidence.
ECG is a proud sponsor.
Panels:
Mastering Fiscal Sustainability: Thriving Despite Healthcare’s Financial Shifts
Monday, April 13
8:50 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (CT)
Clay will participate in a panel to discuss how health system leaders are navigating ongoing financial pressures while positioning for long-term stability. Executives will discuss strategies to manage costs, optimize revenue, and sustain growth amid changing reimbursement and market dynamics. Attendees will gain insights into achieving fiscal resilience in an unpredictable healthcare environment. Panelists include Rebecca Napier of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Paresh Shah of NewYork Presbyterian, Jake Stover of UK HealthCare, and Bess Wildman of UChicago Medicine.
The Next Evolution of Clinical Leadership
Monday, April 13
2:20 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CT)
Amanda will participate in a panel to examine how clinical leadership is evolving to meet the demands of modern healthcare. Executives will discuss new competencies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strategies for empowering physician and nursing leaders. Attendees will gain insights into how clinical leadership is driving innovation, quality, and organizational transformation. Panelists include Elizabeth Brill of Veterans Health Administration, Leong Koh of Northwest Permanente, Chhavi Katyal of Catholic Health, Carolyn Harraway-Smith of AdventHealth East Florida, and Jose Azar of Hackensack Meridian Health.
Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce Using Long-Term Talent Strategies in AMCs
Tuesday, April 14
9:20 a.m. to 10 a.m. (CT)
Jessica will participate in a panel to examine how academic medical centers (AMCs) are developing long-term talent strategies to build a resilient and future-ready workforce. Executives will discuss education pipelines, leadership development, and retention initiatives. Attendees will gain insights into how AMCs are shaping tomorrow’s healthcare professionals through strategic workforce planning. Panelists include Paola Buitrago of Emory Healthcare, Maryam Saeri of University of Chicago, Gaurava Agarwal of Northwestern Medicine, and Adrienne D. Sims of Indiana University Health.
One MGB: Mass General Brigham’s Journey to Integrate Two World-Class Academic Medical Centers
Tuesday, April 14
11:20 a.m. to 12 p.m. (CT)
Brian will moderate a panel to examine how Mass General Brigham (MGB) embarked on an ambitious, multiyear journey to integrate its two flagship hospitals—Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s—including the creation of single, unified departments that combine the clinical programs at each hospital in 2024. Brian will sit down with Phil Roberts, Senior Vice President of AMC Surgical Department Operations, to understand the vision behind this initiative; its anticipated impact on MGB’s patient care, teaching, and research missions; and what it has meant for leadership, decision-making, and operations in the departments he oversees.
Beyond FIFO: Intelligent Triage in Modern Care
Tuesday, April 14
2:10 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. (CT)
Sarah will participate in a panel to discuss emerging approaches transforming how health systems route and serve patients across the care journey. Physicians are already facing strained capacity and by defaulting to “first-in, first-out” scheduling the problem only compounds, making physician burnout and patient outcomes worse. Panelists include Beth Meese of Cleveland Clinic, Lisa Birdsall Fort of Ochsner Health, and William H. Morris of Tennr.
The Value-First Mindset: Healthcare’s Next Frontier
Wednesday, April 15
11:20 a.m. to 12 p.m. (CT)
Dan will participate in a panel to discuss how hospital and health system executives shift from volume to value as a strategic imperative. This panel explores care redesign, performance metrics, and culture change initiatives that align quality, cost, and outcomes to create sustainable, patient-focused healthcare models. Panelists include Tina Bishop Citro of WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, Adriana L. Herrera of Jackson Health System, and Emily C. Jakacki of Northwestern Medicine.
Driving Care Transformation: Strategic Leadership in Modern Care Models
Wednesday, April 15
1:20 to 2p.m. (CT)
John will participate in a panel to explore innovation in delivery models, workforce alignment, and patient engagement strategies that create scalable, efficient, and sustainable systems of care. Panelists include Abigail Caudle of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Stacy Reynolds of Atrium Health, and Todd Norris of Ballad Health.
