If you look at most health systems’ mission statements, you’re likely to notice some common themes—improving health, advancing wellness, and enhancing quality of life chief among them. This is what communities want from their health systems, and it’s what drives so many people to pursue careers in healthcare.

The problem is that most health systems aren’t paid to effectively pursue these missions. Their revenue comes from treating the sick and injured, not from promoting health. And paradoxically, when health systems reduce waste and become more efficient, their revenue decreases.

In this article for The Governance Institute, ECG’s John Fink explains how health systems can align their mission with what drives their economic engine.

This article was originally published by The Governance Institute in May 2025.