How did health systems perform in 2025, and which strategic growth priorities are top-of-mind for 2026?

Health systems have entered the year with both momentum from buoyed volumes, and mounting pressure as those volumes don’t necessarily translate to healthy margin.

This week, host Abby Burns sits down with Advisory Board expert Marisa Nives and Optum consulting expert Alex Kist to unpack results from Advisory Board’s annual Strategic Planner Survey. They explore how health systems are—and aren’t—running at growth, and what separates the systems that are able to turn volumes and revenue into margin, from those that aren’t.

Be sure to catch next week’s episode, when Advisory Board experts discuss the data that planners need (and often lack) to make these strategic decisions with confidence in 2026.

We’re here to help:

Webinar | The 5 growth levers to help make your health system stronger (not just bigger)
ICYMI: Webinar | The top 10 trends impacting health systems in 2026
Report | 6 ways to reduce referral leakage from primary to specialty care
Report | 3 ways to pursue differentiated growth for your service lines
Episode | Ep. 225: Patients are back – so why aren't hospital margins?
Playlist | Radio Advisory Provider Strategy and Financial Outlook playlist
Expert Insight | 3 trends shaping healthcare in 2026 (and how to respond)
Connect with an Optum expert | https://optum.co/3vrzyw

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A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.