School of Medicine dean joins panel on the future of health care

School of Medicine Dean Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., will be one of two experts on a panel discussing hospital operations in a post-COVID environment on July 20. Hosted by Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit America’s Essential Hospitals, the hour-long virtual moderated panel, titled How Essential Hospitals Can Reset for the Future, will begin at 2 p.m. 

Saavedra will be joined by Ted Day, executive vice president of strategic planning and business development at University Health System in San Antonio, Texas. During the interactive panel, Saavedra and Day will discuss the challenges facing public hospital systems, including labor shortages, financial stability and how medical centers are preparing for populations to move off Medicaid post-COVID.  

“I am honored to represent VCU School of Medicine in this important and timely discussion,” Saavedra said. “As health systems across the country grapple with the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain committed to serving our most vulnerable communities through comprehensive, compassionate care.”  

AEH, founded in 1981 as the National Association of Public Hospitals, supports hospitals dedicated to health care access and equity, emphasizing underserved communities. With more than 300 members across the U.S., AEH delivers its mission through research, education and policy development.  

The panel is the first of three moderated discussions in AEH’s “Mitigating Financial and Operational Care Delivery Challenges for Essential Hospitals” learning series for health care and hospital administrative professionals. The series will cover a broad range of topics surrounding financial, care delivery and operational challenges. 

Register here to attend the series.