Philanthropy is more than a funding source — it’s a lifeline of hope, vision and transformation for hospitals and the communities they serve. In this first episode of a four-part series with the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), Alice Ayres, president and CEO of the AHP, discusses how philanthropy is no longer just an add-on, but a strategic driver for hospitals and health systems. Alice also shares how integrating philanthropy into the C-suite unlocks new funding pathways, strengthens community trust, and fuels innovation in patient care and workforce support.

Health care workers face immense stress, yet stigma and other barriers often prevent them from seeking the mental health support they need. In this conversation, Corey Feist, CEO and co-founder of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, and Tiffany Lyttle, R.N., director of cultural integration at Centra Health, explore how hospitals, health systems and states are expanding employee access to mental health care. They also discuss the importance of building workplace cultures where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength, and highlight innovative well-being programs that are improving the lives of the people who care for us.

For more information on this vital work, please visit:

https://drlornabreen.org/

https://drlornabreen.org/allinformentalhealth/about-us/

https://www.aha.org/suicideprevention/health-care-workforce/suicide-prevention-guide

In part two of this conversation on patient safety and AI, Randy Fagin, M.D., chief quality officer at HCA Healthcare, shares how one of the nation’s largest health systems is putting AI into practice by building responsible governance, reducing clinical and operational variance, and enhancing the work of front-line caregivers. Plus, hear key takeaways and lessons learned in effectively deploying AI across a complex health care enterprise.