President's Message

Posted on: 6/5/26

This week, I want to spend a moment talking about leadership.

I recently read an article from Axios that argued one of the greatest challenges facing organizations today is not a lack of strategy, resources, or even technology. It is a lack of trusted leadership. In a time when people are overwhelmed by information and uncertainty, they are looking for leaders who communicate clearly, act consistently, and tell the truth.

As hospital leaders, that message should resonate with us.

Our teams do not expect us to have every answer. But they do expect us to be visible. They expect us to communicate honestly. And they expect us to help them understand where we are headed and why.

Whether we are discussing workforce challenges, the impact of Medicaid cuts, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, or the future of healthcare delivery, our role is not to eliminate uncertainty. Our role is to provide clarity in the middle of it.

The best leaders I know do three things exceptionally well. They communicate frequently. They connect decisions to mission. And they never lose sight of the people they serve.

That is one of the reasons OHA continues to invest in leadership development opportunities for our members. Later this month, hospital leaders from across Oklahoma will gather for the OHA Healthcare Leaders Forum. The forum is designed to bring together leaders who are navigating many of the same challenges and opportunities facing healthcare today. It is an opportunity to learn, share ideas, and strengthen the leadership skills needed to guide our organizations through an increasingly complex environment.

We are also excited to begin development of IMPACT Oklahoma, a new executive leadership and coaching program designed specifically for hospital c-suite leaders. Through executive coaching, peer engagement, and focused leadership development, IMPACT Oklahoma will help prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders while strengthening those already serving on the front lines of leadership. We look forward to sharing more details in the coming months.

Leadership is not about having the loudest voice in the room. It is about being the most trusted voice in the room.

Thank you for your leadership, your commitment to your teams, and for all you do to serve your communities and improve health and healthcare in Oklahoma.

President & CEO