Sg2 Perspectives

Free-standing Emergency Departments and Microhospitals as Part of the System of Care

Host Trevor DaRin is joined by Sg2 experts Ivy Zhu and Tori Richie to explore the evolving role of freestanding EDs, hybrid ED–urgent care models and micro hospitals in health system strategy. Together, they discuss how these sites can improve access, relieve pressure on traditional EDs and support more efficient care delivery—when deployed with clear intent. The conversation also looks ahead to how virtual care, digital transparency, payer pressure and specialty urgent care models may shape the future of emergency and ambulatory access.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

Addressing Health Care Access Challenges

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, Jayme Zage, PhD is joined by Erika Johnson, Victoria Beal and Vernon Herbener of the Vizient Research Institute to explore the growing access challenges facing health care systems. Drawing on new research, they examine how aging populations and patients with multiple chronic conditions are driving disproportionately high utilization and care fragmentation. Together, they outline why health systems must rethink care models and adopt more coordinated, multidisciplinary approaches to better serve complex patient populations.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

 

Strategy to Sustain Rural Hospitals

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, host Jayme Zage, PhD, is joined by Sg2 Associate Principal Trevor DaRin to explore the growing urgency of rural hospital strategy. They discuss mounting financial, workforce and access pressures, along with emerging opportunities tied to funding, partnerships and telehealth-enabled care models. The conversation highlights how health systems can support rural sustainability while optimizing capacity, transfers, and patient outcomes.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

Pharmacy Strategy

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, Jayme Zage, PhD, is joined by Sg2 experts Justin Cassidy, PhD, and Brian Esser to explore the evolving role of pharmacy across the health care system. As care shifts toward ambulatory settings, pharmacy is both a critical revenue driver and a strategic lever for growth, innovation and value-based care. The discussion highlights how clinical advancements, consumer demand and employer pressures are reshaping pharmacy strategy across inpatient and outpatient settings.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

Integrative Medicine Strategy

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, Jayme Zage, PhD, is joined by Sg2 expert Hailey Mulliner to explore the growing momentum behind integrative medicine. They break down what integrative medicine includes, why consumer demand is accelerating, and how health systems can translate interest into viable strategy. The discussion also highlights evolving care models, competitive pressures from disruptors and the broader definition of ROI—including patient loyalty, new revenue streams and long-term value.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

Volume Trends and What’s Next

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, Jayme Zage, PhD, is joined by Sg2 experts Tori Richie and Karyl Kopaskie, PhD, to unpack a notable shift in health care volumes as annual growth stabilizes. Together, they explore the drivers behind softening inpatient growth, recent operational efficiency gains, innovation and evolving payer pressures. The conversation highlights how outpatient migration and changing patient complexity are reshaping strategy, even as overall growth persists.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

Structured Communication for Better Execution

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, Jayme Zage, PhD, is joined by Sg2 experts Rebecca Limestall and Janelle Kwan to explore why strategic plans often fail—and how effective communication can change that. They unpack how clear, consistent, and audience-specific messaging drives alignment across stakeholders and sustains momentum through execution. The conversation introduces a practical framework for communication and highlights the critical role of messengers, timing and organizational culture.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

 

Rethinking Health Care Consumerism

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, host Tori Richie is joined by Sg2 experts Yelena Bouaziz and Nikita Arora to unpack the evolving reality of health care consumerism. Drawing on new national survey data, they challenge common assumptions and reveal what consumers truly value—long-term relationships, coordinated care and loyalty-driven experiences over transactional convenience. The conversation explores how health systems can rethink strategy, align around a consumer-focused “north star” and design care models that reflect real patient needs.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

Medicare Advantage: A Closer Look

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, host Trevor DaRin is joined by Sg2 Intelligence Director Ryota Terada to examine the evolving realities of Medicare Advantage. Moving beyond headlines, they explore new data on utilization, cost and patient mix—highlighting meaningful differences from fee-for-service. The conversation unpacks what these trends mean for health system strategy, operations and financial sustainability

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

AI and Patient Navigation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping how patients search for, access and navigate care. Host Trevor DaRin is joined by Sg2 Senior Director Andrew Rebhan to explore the rise of the “AI care broker” and what it could mean for health care’s digital front door. From OpenAI and Anthropic to payers and disrupters, they unpack how AI intermediaries may increasingly steer patient decisions—often before a health system is even in the picture.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

Health Care’s Three-Year Forward View

Sg2’s Three Years Forward webinar highlights the forces set to shape health care strategy through 2026. Host Trevor DaRin is joined by Sg2 experts William Woodson, Chad Giese and Brian Esser to examine mounting financial pressures, shifting site-of-care dynamics and widening economic divergence across markets. Together, they explore what system optimization, ambulatory and post-acute growth and emerging clinical innovations—from AI to advanced therapeutics—mean for performance in the years ahead.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

 

Refining Pediatric Strategy with Data

In this episode, we unpack new pediatric research from the Vizient® Clinical Data Base (CDB) with Sg2 Associate Principal Rhae Ana Gamber and Vizient’s Research, Analytics and Insights team—Lead Hannah Murphy, PhD, and Associate Principal Alyssa Harris. From rising ICU utilization and RSV surges to firearm injury, diabetes and mental health, the team explores how clinical complexity and community vulnerability are reshaping pediatric care. By layering in the patent pending Vizient Vulnerability Index™, they reveal how social risk factors influence where and how children access care—and with what outcomes. Tune in for data-driven insights that help health system leaders translate pediatric trends into strategic action.

 

Vizient Vulnerability Index™ Patent Pending. Copyright Vizient Inc. 2022. All rights reserved.

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

Optimizing the Cath Lab

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, host Jayme Zage, PhD, is joined by Sg2 Senior Director Joshua Aaker, PhD, to explore how health systems can tackle rising cardiovascular (CV) demand amid growing capacity constraints—especially in the cath lab. As transcatheter valve procedures expand and outpatient volumes surge, cath labs are becoming a critical bottleneck for growth and performance. Jayme and Joshua discuss how organizations can use scenario planning tools, data-driven insights and operational alignment to optimize cath lab utilization without defaulting to costly new construction. Tune in to learn how strategy, finance, operations and quality leaders can come together to future-proof CV services.

 

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We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

 

Building Resilient Health Systems

In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, host Jayme Zage, PhD is joined by Sg2 experts Catherine Maji and Jodi Eisenberg to unpack new research on the relationship between quality and health system resilience. The conversation explores why quality is no longer just table stakes—but a strategic lever tied to financial performance, workforce stability, and long-term sustainability. From executive leadership and culture to data, accountability, and system-wide alignment, this episode reframes quality as a core driver of organizational strength in today’s pressured healthcare environment.

 

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We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.

 

 

Rethinking Pain Management

Pain management touches nearly every patient and every site of care, yet most health systems still struggle to define it as a cohesive strategy. In this episode of Sg2 Perspectives, host Trevor DaRin is joined by Sg2 experts Justin Cassidy, PhD, Donnelle Jageman and Kate Zentner to explore why pain is a critical front door to health care services. The conversation examines new non-opioid innovations, shifting reimbursement policy and the expanding role of ambulatory and virtual care. Listeners will learn how a more comprehensive, system-wide approach to pain management can improve access, capacity and financial performance.

 

Sg2 Perspectives Listener Feedback Survey:

We would love to hear from you - Please click here

 

We are always excited to get ideas and feedback from our listeners. You can reach us at sg2perspectives@sg2.com, or visit the Sg2 company page on LinkedIn.