Board Governance: Reform-Driven Transformation and Reexamination of Fundamentals

摘要

Pre-reform governance practices will not be sufficient in the new environment. Boards must reevaluate their governance principles and fundamentals for relevance. They must frequently engage in prospective, generative, and strategic discussion that includes assessment of how population health, accountable care, clinical integration, value-based purchasing, the reimbursement structure, consumerism, exchanges, and other aspects of healthcare reform affect their organization in the context of culture, market, and strategic vision. Through many cycles of learning, Texas Health Resources has advanced both its leadership and governance structures, as well as developed a sophisticated multiyear governance plan that embraces comprehensive orientation, education, and communication that set the stage for ongoing strategic and generative discussions. These factors, along with its culture and people, carried Texas Health through the recent challenge of treating the country's first patient diagnosed with Ebola and of being thrust into the global media spotlight. These strengths also have prepared Texas Health for the transformational future, whatever it holds. As James Hinton says in his feature article, "The journey continues."