Tom O'Neil to Serve on The Governance Institute's Blue Ribbon Committee on Hospital and Health System Board Assessment

Managing Director Tom O’Neil was invited to serve on The Governance Institute’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Hospital and Health System Board Assessment. The committee, comprised of experienced chief executives, board members, academics, governance leaders, and healthcare and capital market experts, has released its report, “The Governance Advantage: Four Considerations for Hospital and Health System Board Assessment.”

The committee set out to identify where board assessment can make the greatest contribution to stronger governance. Boards have long provided stability for their institutions and communities. The Blue Ribbon Committee believes pent-up forces—including affordability and reimbursement pressure, demographic change, workforce constraints, and rapidly advancing technology—are creating greater volatility and placing a premium on board effectiveness.

The Blue Ribbon Committee believes boards should focus assessment on four considerations:

1. Effective governance is a strategic advantage worth investment
2. Effective governance requires ongoing self-improvement
3. Effective governance is fueled by board member fluency
4. Effective governance must keep pace with the Great Governance Migration

The Blue Ribbon Committee’s message is straightforward: effective governance does not result from structure, good intentions, or assessment alone. It requires continuing investment in the people, processes, fluency, and relationships through which boards govern. The four considerations provide a practical way for each organization to determine where that investment can make the greatest difference.

We encourage you to read the full report and connect with Tom O’Neil to understand how BRG can serve as an advisor to hospital and health system boards and governing bodies.