Edge Perspectives

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, Jayme Zage, PhD is joined by Sg2 Principals Rebecca Limestall and Brian Esser to explore what true differentiation means in today’s health care landscape. They dig into why many health systems struggle to stand out and how focusing on micro-level strategies, stakeholder priorities, and market dynamics can create sustainable competitive advantages. From rural ac...

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, host Jayme Zage, PhD is joined by Sg2 experts Rachael Zirkelbach and Nikita Arora to explore the evolving dynamics of post-acute care and care-at-home strategies. From bifurcated health system readiness to workforce challenges and the surge in AI-enabled home care, the conversation dives deep into how organizations are navigating capacity constraints, policy sh...

Sg2 Senior Directors Tori Richie and Tony Guth join host Trevor DaRin to explore the “ambulatory first” mindset—where care delivery is driven by outpatient strategies rather than hospital-centric models. They unpack why legacy health systems have struggled to make meaningful progress, how rethinking organizational structures and capital allocation can help, and the initial steps that signal real t...

Sg2 Perspectives host Trevor DaRin is joined by colleagues Brian Esser and Ryota Terada for an in-depth discussion on physician alignment—a topic that remains as essential as ever in today’s health system landscape. The group dives into the evolution of alignment strategies, examining why employment has become the default model, what opportunities still exist within clinically integrated networks...

In one of the most highly anticipated Sg2 Perspectives episodes of the year, host Trevor DaRin is joined by Tori Richie and Danni Park, the lead architects behind Sg2’s Impact of Change® Forecast. Together, they unpack the major themes and debates that shaped this year’s forecast spanning population shifts, policy uncertainties, breakthrough innovations, and evolving care models. From the aging po...

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, host Jayme Zage, PhD is joined by Andrew Rebhan, Sg2’s digital health expert to explore whether innovation in digital health still exists beyond the dominant AI narrative. They discuss the current state and future of virtual care, the role of asynchronous monitoring, the resurgence of interest in ambient documentation, and how AI is reshaping data management in...

In this episode, host Trevor DaRin is joined by Sam Fredin, Vizient’s Director of AI Strategy & Technology and Andrew Rebhan, Sg2’s digital health expert, to explore the current state of AI adoption across industries, with a focus on health care. Together, they unpack what’s hype vs. reality, how organizations are experimenting with AI tools, and why the most immediate impact may not be financ...

Host Jayme Zage, PhD, kicks off The Wider View, an Sg2 Perspectives Podcast series focused on topics that are important to all types of organizations in the health care landscape.  This episode explores strategic collaborations between health systems and their industry partners. Joined by Caroline Brown of CDB Strategy and Sg2’s Karl Karlsson, PhD, the conversation goes beyond transactional relati...

Our host Tori Richie is joined by cardiovascular service line expert Josh Aaker, PhD to unpack the data and dynamics behind the growing pressure on heart care services. From rising inpatient volumes to workforce shortages, Josh shares strategic insights on managing capacity constraints, improving procedural efficiency, and preparing for the aging patient population.   We are always excited to get...

Our host Trevor DaRin is joined by Dr. Erick Macias and Matt Mindrup from SSM Health in St. Louis to explore the groundbreaking Behavioral Health Urgent Care model. Learn how this innovative care delivery approach is transforming mental health access by providing same-day, walk-in support for individuals in crisis—without the barriers of insurance or long waits. From patient stories to system-leve...

Emergency departments are busier than ever—and facing serious strain. Hosts Jayme Zage, PhD and Tori Richie break down the return of ED volumes, the ongoing challenges with triage and boarding, and the creative, forward-thinking strategies health systems are using to turn the tide. From policy shifts to innovative fast-track models, this episode is packed with insights into navigating the future o...

Primary care is evolving—fast. But instead of reinventing the wheel, health systems are accelerating existing strategies to meet today’s demands. In this episode, host Trevor DaRin is joined by Sg2 Director Hailey Mulliner to explore how organizations are rethinking their primary care models to better support both patients and providers. From workforce shifts and panel size expectations to AI tool...

Host Tori Richie brings together a group of Vizient and Sg2 experts to talk about the rapidly evolving GLP-1 landscape including Heather Pace, a Senior Clinical Manager for Ambulatory Services for the Vizient Center of Pharmacy Practice Excellence, Stacy Lauderdale, Associate VP of Evidence-Based Medicine for Vizient, and Emily Fitt, a Consultant with Sg2 Intelligence.   We are always excited to g...

Our host Trevor DaRin is joined by Sg2 Associate Principal Justin Cassidy, PhD, to explore our latest research on advanced procedures—high-margin, strategically significant encounters critical to service line development. They discuss where these procedures are occurring, trends in inpatient versus outpatient growth, and how health systems can use this framework to inform strategic planning, acces...

How does organizational design influence performance and care consistency across a health system? In this episode, our host Jayme Zage, PhD, is joined by Erika Johnson, Victoria Beal and Vern Herbener from the Vizient Research Institute to discuss their latest study exploring decision-making structures in multi-hospital systems. The team shares surprising findings about centralization, stakeholder...

Our host Trevor DaRin is joined by Sg2 Principals Brian Esser and Rebecca Limestall as they share insights from their recent discussions with health systems, covering financial stability, strategic growth, and the evolving role of systemness. They also explore how organizations are shifting from reactive problem-solving to proactive transformation by challenging old assumptions, embracing change m...

The aging population is growing and it's not slowing down anytime soon. Sg2 Senior Directors Tori Richie and Tony Guth join our host Jayme Zage, PhD, to explore the long-term impact of the "silver tsunami," why strategic segmentation is key, and how health systems can adapt to better serve seniors today and in the decades ahead.   We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners....

Too many strategic plans end up as static documents that don't drive real decisions. Sg2 Experts Principal Rebecca Limestall and Senior Director Janelle Kwan join our host Trevor DaRin to explore why plans fail, how to make them actionable, and the key distinction between differentiation vs. prioritization in strategy. Learn how health care organizations can rethink their approach to planning for...

What’s keeping academic medical center CEOs up at night—and what opportunities are they chasing? Sg2 Experts Senior Principal Bill Woodson and Associate Principal Justin Cassidy, PhD,  join our host Jayme Zage, PhD, to unpack insights from top AMC leaders, covering ambulatory strategy, system integration, financial pressures, and the evolving role of AI.   We are always excited to get ideas and fe...

AI scribes are one of the hottest digital health innovations, promising to ease clinician burden and reduce burnout. But do they truly deliver? Sg2’s Senior Director Andrew Rebhan joins host Trevor DaRin to break down real-world adoption, early results, and whether AI documentation tools are living up to expectations—or hitting a ceiling.   We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our...

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, host Trevor DaRin is joined by Sg2 Principals Brianna Motley, Rebecca Limestall, and Brian Esser to explore key themes from Sg2's Health Care's 3-Year Horizon webinar. They discuss three major areas shaping the industry - defining value beyond value-based care, integrating health to meet evolving consumer needs, and rethinking strategies for an aging population...

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, our host Jayme Zage, PhD, is joined by Walter Holbein and Matt Sondreaal to discuss how clinical innovation in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) care can enhance health system performance. They explore the value of screening, the importance of training care teams, and how minimally invasive procedures are transforming patient outcomes. To see the findings of the...

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, explore the trends reshaping insurance coverage with our host Trevor DaRin and Sg2 Principal Brian Esser and Senior Director Tori Richie as they dive into the challenges and opportunities ahead. From shifting payer patterns to the rise of high-deductible plans, this episode unpacks the evolving dynamics that health systems must navigate to stay ahead.   We are...

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, Sg2 experts Director Donnelle Jageman and Senior Director Tony Guth join our host Tori Richie as they dive into the evolving world of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). They explore trends shaping the ASC landscape, key factors influencing market adoption, and strategies for health systems to stay competitive in this rapidly growing space.   We are always excit...

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, host Jayme Zage, PhD, is joined by Sg2 Principal Brianna Motley and Vice President Catherine Maji to discuss the groundbreaking Data on the Edge series. They explore how combining utilization, clinical, operational, and cost data reveals surprising insights into health system performance and highlights actionable strategies for improvement. From emergency depar...