In 2025, health systems are facing a relentless set of headwinds—from policy upheaval and shifting demographics to rising costs and rural access challenges. For some organizations, these pressures form a perfect storm.

At Advisory Board’s Chicago Summit, host Rachel (Rae) Woods sat down with MaineHealth COO Kelly Elkins to explore how the $4B, 13-hospital Academic system is navigating these pressures without defaulting to survival mode. MaineHealth has achieved three consecutive years of $100M margin improvement by focusing on operational efficiency, scenario planning, and a three-lane growth strategy: strengthening core services, expanding into ambulatory care, and investing in adjacent businesses.

Learn more about their approach—including their partnership with <a href="https://optum.co/s04ti5">Optum Advisory</a>—to sustain and scale care delivery across Maine and New Hampshire.

We’re here to help:

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mainehealth.org/?utm_SFGOCampaignID=7015d000003CtoWAAS&utm_campaign=AD_48.5_ABRadioAdvisory_2025_USs&utm_medium=PC&utm_source=radioadvisory&utm_content=ep273_2025_description">MaineHealth | Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.advisory.com/topics/policy-and-payment/healthcare-policy-timeline?utm_SFGOCampaignID=7015d000003CtoWAAS&utm_campaign=AD_48.5_ABRadioAdvisory_2025_USs&utm_medium=PC&utm_source=radioadvisory&utm_content=ep273_2025_description">Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.advisory.com/topics/strategic-and-business-planning/obbba-healthcare-impacts?utm_SFGOCampaignID=7015d000003CtoWAAS&utm_campaign=AD_48.5_ABRadioAdvisory_2025_USs&utm_medium=PC&utm_source=radioadvisory&utm_content=ep273_2025_description">One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Understanding the healthcare impacts</a></li>
</ul>

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<a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8451494/Strategic-Planner-s-survey-2025?utm_SFGOCampaignID=7015d000003CtoWAAS&utm_campaign=AD_48.5_ABRadioAdvisory_2025_USs&utm_medium=PC&utm_source=radioadvisory&utm_content=ep273_2025_poa">Strategic Planner's survey 2025</a>

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<a href="https://www.advisory.com/company/products/advisory-board-events?utm_SFGOCampaignID=7015d000003CtoWAAS&utm_campaign=AD_48.5_ABRadioAdvisory_2025_USs&utm_medium=PC&utm_source=radioadvisory&utm_content=ep273_2025_poa">Want to be at our next live Radio Advisory recording? Learn more about upcoming Advisory Board events.</a>

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A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

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273: MaineHealth isn’t just surviving against the odds — it’s thriving

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