Who
- North Bay section CEOs and hospital leaders
What
On Oct. 16, the North Bay section gathered for dinner to welcome new CEOs and foster connection in a relaxed setting. The evening was an opportunity for hospital leaders to build relationships, share insights, and discuss the challenges ahead.
Amy Herold, MD, shared her recent promotion from chief medical officer at Providence Queen of the Valley Hospital to chief administrative officer. Her promotion is a personal achievement and a testament to ongoing leadership growth within the health care ecosystem.
The conversation gravitated toward behavioral health with Adventist Health Northern California President Eric Stevens highlighting the importance of moving beyond short-term fixes. He championed the idea of focusing on long-term, patient-centered approaches, drawing on the concept of The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. Stevens encouraged a shift toward behavioral health strategies that engage patients meaningfully and promote their dignity, echoing Australia’s ranching model of “digging wells rather than building fences.”
Special thanks to Kirsten Barlow, California Hospital Association vice president, policy, who was a key voice in the lively discussions around behavioral health. Her contributions underscored the strength of the One Team and the collaborative spirit Hospital Council aims to cultivate across hospitals.
Takeaway/Next Steps
The evening reinforced the need for an “infinite game” mindset in tackling both leadership and care delivery challenges. Hospital leaders will continue to explore long-term strategies to improve behavioral health services with an emphasis on fostering patient engagement and dignity.
Contact
RVP Meghan Hardin at mhardin@hospitalcouncil.org