Effective governance is essential to the success and sustainability of health care organizations, particularly in environments defined by regulatory complexity, financial pressure, and patient-centered accountability. This accepted practitioner research presentation examines the attributes that distinguish healthy, high-performing boards of directors and trustees in health care organizations.
Grounded in extensive real-world experience, the presentation draws on the author’s service as a board member and board chair at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, a 280-bed regional medical center employing approximately 2,500 staff and more than 270 physicians. While informed by relevant governance literature, the session places particular emphasis on practitioner insight gained through years of board leadership and service on board-level ethics committees.
The presentation features three case-based discussions that explore board dynamics from multiple perspectives, including the relationship between the board and the hospital CEO, the role of the board chair in managing governance challenges, and the interaction between the board and the hospital foundation’s executive leadership. These cases provide practical illustrations of how governance decisions, board culture, and interpersonal dynamics shape organizational effectiveness.
Building on these examples, the session outlines essential attributes of healthy boards, including thoughtful board composition and orientation, mission-focused and scorecard-driven meetings, engaged and visible board members, balanced approaches to board continuity and turnover, strong stakeholder and patient focus, and productive, trust-based relationships with executive leadership. The presentation concludes with actionable recommendations for health care leaders and individuals considering board service.
Author and Affiliation
Robert Bell, Tennessee Technological University
Join us at the SAM International Business Conference to explore how effective governance practices strengthen health care organizations. This presentation will be delivered in person, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly in discussion around real-world board challenges and lessons learned.
Register to attend the conference at www.samnational.org/conference and take part in conversations advancing health care leadership and governance practice.