Insights from the U.S. News Healthcare of Tomorrow Conference

By Office of the President | Feb 25, 2025

I was honored to participate in the U.S. News & World Report Healthcare of Tomorrow: The Policy Perspective on February 20, 2025, which brought together policymakers, healthcare leaders, and industry experts for a meaningful discussion on the future of healthcare policy, innovation, and equity.

As a panelist on “Building the Future of Healthcare,” I joined Tanisha M. Sullivan, Head of External Engagement for Health Equity Strategy and Corporate Affairs at Sanofi, and Ed Haislmaier, Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Health and Welfare Policy. Moderated by Sumita Singh, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Health at U.S. News & World Report, the panel discussion focused on strengthening community partnerships, improving patient engagement, and expanding programs that enhance access to care.

We explored how healthcare leaders could implement innovative strategies to ensure high-quality, patient-centered care while tackling systemic challenges such as workforce shortages, price transparency, and integrating AI and emerging technologies.

Additionally, the panel discussed the importance of fostering diverse and inclusive leadership in healthcare, strengthening community-based partnerships to reduce disparities, and ensuring that historically underserved communities receive equitable, high-quality care. Other topics included the need for policy-driven innovation, particularly in areas such as Medicare and Medicaid reform, federal funding for research, and responsible AI adoption in healthcare. Addressing clinician burnout, recruiting and retaining the next generation of healthcare professionals, and adapting to the needs of an aging population were also key points in our conversation.

Discussions surrounding the role of AI in enhancing clinician efficiency, reducing administrative burdens, and improving patient outcomes, as well as the responsibility of policymakers to create sustainable policies that guarantee equitable healthcare access. State-level innovations, consumer-friendly healthcare models, and price transparency were also part of our discussion, reinforcing that patients must be at the center of all healthcare advancements.

The discussion was a powerful reminder that policy, academia, and industry collaboration are essential to building a resilient, innovative, and equitable healthcare system.

I sincerely appreciate Eric J. Gerter, U.S. News & World Report Executive Chairman, Marion Phillips, III, Senior Vice President of Community Development & DEI, and Michael Morella, Managing Editor. Engaging in thought-provoking discussions alongside these distinguished panelists, Tanisha Sullivan, Ed Haislmaier, and Sumita Singh, was an honor. I look forward to continuing these vital discussions to help shape the future of healthcare.

Tags: Conference