BRight Minds in Healthcare Delivery

Season 2, Episode 4 – The Health System of the Future: Evolving Enterprise Strategies, Ambulatory Growth and M&A Perspectives with Andre Maksimow

What does it mean to be a health system in 2026? In this episode of Bright Minds in Healthcare Delivery, Eric Tower welcomes Andre Maksimow, Senior Vice President in Kaufman Hall's Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, for a discussion on the forces reshaping healthcare delivery that will impact the health system of the future. Andre shares how health systems have evolved beyond the traditional hospital-centric model and the resulting impact on inorganic growth strategies and M&A dynamics.

Eric and Andre explore the challenges and opportunities health system leaders face as they navigate declining hospital margins, accelerating physician practice losses, post-acute care constraints, and increased retail healthcare threats. They also discuss how organizations can evaluate strategic investments across the broader enterprise and position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive healthcare landscape.

About Andre Maksimow

Andre Maksimow is a Senior Vice President in Kaufman Hall's Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, where he advises Boards, CEOs, and executive leadership teams on developing inorganic growth strategies and implementing mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other innovative partnerships. With more than two decades of healthcare M&A experience, he helps organizations evaluate where to invest and strengthen competitive positioning by executing strategic M&A transactions across acute care, physician, post-acute, provider-sponsored health plans, outpatient imaging, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care and other healthcare service sectors.

In this episode of BRight Minds in Healthcare Delivery, host Eric Tower speaks with Tom Sundlof, a former attorney in the FDA's Office of the Chief Counsel and a recent addition to Blank Rome, about the shifting regulatory landscape at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and what it means for healthcare innovation in 2026.

Tom shares insights from more than a decade at the FDA, discussing recent leadership turnover, evolving agency priorities, and key initiatives such as the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher program. He also examines how political pressure, transparency concerns, and internal agency dynamics are influencing drug and device review processes.

A central focus of the conversation is the rise of AI‑enabled medical devices, digital health tools, and remote patient monitoring. Tom explains how these technologies are challenging traditional regulatory frameworks, where the lines are drawn between regulated medical devices and unregulated software, and why early engagement with the FDA is critical for innovators.

The episode offers a practical, real‑world look at how companies can navigate FDA oversight, balance innovation with patient safety, and position their products for regulatory and commercial success in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

In his practice, Tom provide clients with counsel on regulatory, compliance, and enforcement matters for medical devices, combination products, and other FDA-regulated industries.

In this episode of BRight Minds in Healthcare Delivery, host Eric Tower speaks with Jack Hill, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Development at Nomi Health, about how direct contracting, data transparency, and zero–out-of-pocket plan designs are reshaping healthcare delivery for employers, providers, and patients.

Jack shares how Nomi is partnering with health systems, including its recent collaboration with Henry Ford Health, to improve access to care, streamline revenue cycles, and reduce costs for self-funded employers. He also discusses Nomi's national expansion, the growing demand for transparent data analytics through Artemis Health, and why employers and providers are seeking alternatives to traditional insurance models.

This episode offers a clear look at how innovative benefit structures can improve utilization, patient outcomes, and financial sustainability, and why 2026 may be a pivotal year for healthcare disruption.

Jack is a veteran healthcare executive with nearly 40 years of experience across insurance carriers, provider practice management, and reinsurance. For the past 15 years, he has focused on developing direct‑to‑employer provider contracting models. At Nomi Health, he leads the creation of provider networks nationwide and advances Nomi's mission to modernize employer‑sponsored healthcare.

Join host Eric Tower and his guest Rob Monahan, Managing Director at Triangle Healthcare Advisors, for an insightful conversation on the BRight Minds in Healthcare Delivery podcast. In this episode, Eric and Rob dive deep into the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery, focusing on the business of infusion care, mergers and acquisitions ("M&A"), and the strategies driving innovation in patient services. Rob shares lessons learned from his extensive career in healthcare M&A, and offers practical advice for sellers navigating today's dynamic market. The discussion explores:

• The transformation of home and ambulatory infusion care, including recent trends and growth drivers.
• How private equity and corporate buyers evaluate healthcare businesses—and what sellers can do to maximize value.
• The impact of reimbursement models, the 340B program, and site-of-care shifts on providers and patients.
• Key mistakes to avoid when preparing a healthcare business for sale.
• The importance of compliance, data management, and building a strong organizational bench.

With more than 25 years of experience in M&A, Rob has advised on transactions exceeding $30 billion. His impressive credentials, including an MBA and CPA, position him as a leader in the field. Rob's extensive background with major healthcare organizations equips him with the knowledge to navigate complex transactions effectively.

Join host Eric Tower for a thought-provoking episode of the BRight Minds in Healthcare Delivery podcast as he welcomes Rick Goddard, Senior Vice President, Market Alliances at Lumeris, and Alex C. Nisenbaum, a data privacy and information security attorney at Blank Rome, to explore how intelligent technologies are reshaping the future of healthcare in the United States. The conversation delves into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence ("AI")—including the emergence of agentic AI—on patient outcomes, healthcare delivery, and strategic innovation. The trio also discusses the latest regulatory frameworks and compliance strategies for AI, guiding listeners through the evolving landscape of responsible technology adoption in healthcare. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on harnessing AI to create new and novel approaches to healthcare delivery.

At Lumeris, Rick has a history of leading strategic partnership alliances, business model expansion, and go-to-market commercialization. Prior to joining Lumeris, Rick served as an executive leader at Advocate Physician Partners. He led the Clinical Innovation Department with responsibility for population health analytics, accountable care organization ("ACO") program administration, value-based payment, and innovation strategy deployment. Additionally, Rick has several years of consulting leadership experience from his time at GE Healthcare Camden Group. He has also worked in a variety of healthcare provider settings ranging from physician groups to some of the largest health systems in the country.

In this episode of the BRight Minds in Healthcare Delivery podcast, host Eric Tower is joined by Danielle Bangs of VMG Health for a dynamic conversation on the evolving landscape of American healthcare. Together, they dive into timely topics shaping today's health system universe, including the impact of neutral site payments and the ways health systems are reorienting themselves—whether by reducing their physical footprints or exploring innovative partnerships. Gain insights into how organizations can approach partnership opportunities, the key steps involved in pursuing collaborative ventures, and the strategies driving transformation across the industry. Tune in for actionable guidance on navigating the complex future of healthcare delivery.

Danielle is a Director at VMG Health. She advises healthcare organizations on mergers, affiliations, joint ventures, and other transactions, including partner selection, deal structuring, valuation, and negotiation. She also provides expertise in financial and business planning, working with health systems, community hospitals, academic medical centers, behavioral health providers, health plans, and CINs/ACOs. Danielle holds an MHA from the Sloan Program in Health Administration at Cornell University, a B.S. in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University and is a Certified Valuation Analyst through the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts.

Curious about how habits shape successful businesses, especially in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape? In this episode of BRight Minds in Healthcare Delivery, host Eric Tower welcomes Andrew Sykes, a professor at the Kellogg School of Management and the CEO of Habits at Work. Eric and Andrew dive into the power of habits to drive positive outcomes, discuss the challenges of organizational transformation, and reveal practical strategies for making change easier—even when new KPIs and value-based care initiatives feel overwhelming.

Andrew shares insights into the three golden rules for building new behaviors and the careful use of incentives to motivate change. Plus, they explore the essential skills for earning trust—inside and outside the healthcare industry. If you are eager to discover actionable tips on leading change, motivating teams, and fostering trust, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Andrew grew up in South Africa and built one of the country's largest healthcare consulting businesses. He has lived, worked, and run businesses on six continents, and has been a salesperson for 25 years. Andrew is the author of The 11th Habit, a Tedx speaker, and a lecturer at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. As the founder of Habits at Work, Andrew and his team help customer-facing teams build relationships, create and leverage trust, and uncover their customer's needs beyond what's on the surface.

In this episode of BRight Minds in Healthcare Delivery, host Eric Tower engages in a thought-provoking conversation with guest Dr. David Schreiner, former president and CEO of Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, which merged with OSF Healthcare in January 2025 to create OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center. Dr. Schreiner shares insights on the changes that drove the hospital's board to reconsider its trajectory and decide that independence was no longer sustainable. He recounts the decade-long journey of preparing for an affiliation, including how he led the board through the transition, the strategic process of finding the best partner for affiliation, and the transparent approach taken with employees and community members. The conversation also touches on current issues and trends in healthcare, such as Medicaid and the fiscal viability of rural hospitals.

Today, Dr. Schreiner is a nationally recognized speaker, mentor, consultant, and author with a mission to inspire leaders, transform organizations, and advance the well-being of rural communities. With more than 35 years of healthcare leadership experience, Dr. Schreiner has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead with integrity, foster resilience, and achieve sustainable success in the face of complex challenges. Drawing from his experiences, he recently authored a book titled "Be The Best Part of Their Day: Supercharging Communication with Values-Driven Leadership," which focuses on effective executive communications and how to create meaningful interactions with key stakeholders. Learn more about Dr. Schreiner at https://drdavidschreiner.com/.

On this episode of BRight Minds and Healthcare Delivery, Dan Yunker, SVP of Risk and Compliance at Kodiak Solutions, joins host Eric Tower as they explore innovative strategies and trends in healthcare. Dan offers a brief overview of Kodiak Solutions, a technology-driven firm established by Crowe LLP. He outlines the range of services provided to clients, which include the automation of financial close processes, revenue cycle management, and risk and compliance services. Then they delve into the future of healthcare delivery, focusing on improving patient outcomes and operational performance. The conversation highlights how Kodiak Solutions uses data and technology to identify and mitigate risks, improve operational performance, and support value-based care. They also explore the potential and challenges of using artificial intelligence in healthcare, emphasizing its promise in improving outcomes and operational efficiency.

Dan brings more than 30 years of experience providing solutions to and serving in the healthcare provider industry. Prior to Kodiak, he was a principal in the healthcare consulting practice at Crowe LLP. A recognized industry thought leader with an extensive background in leading healthcare organizations to identify and execute process improvement, Dan specializes in finance, revenue cycle, and risk and compliance. Dan holds a B.A. in industrial engineering from the University of Illinois Chicago and an M.B.A. in healthcare from the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University. He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Healthcare Financial Management Association, and the Association of Healthcare Internal Auditors.

In this episode of Bright Minds in Healthcare Delivery, host Eric Tower interviews Michael Stamatinos, who has nearly 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector. They discuss the importance of innovation in healthcare, focusing on creating access to care, food, and housing, as well as the leadership and collaboration needed to drive innovation. Michael emphasizes the need for building relationship equity and creating small, immersive groups to foster authentic innovation. He also shares insights on overcoming challenges in healthcare innovation, such as aligning resources and maintaining momentum. Listeners will learn about the critical components of successful innovation and the importance of perseverance and consistency in driving meaningful change in the healthcare industry, and beyond.

Michael's deeply rooted passion for making healthcare accessible inspired him to launch the Advancing Healthcare Innovation Consortium and Omorfi, Inc. With more than 17 years in business development, strategy, and marketing in healthcare, his areas of expertise include building ecosystems for sustainable growth. Michael has applied his Relationship Equity Principle throughout his career, assisting investors and teams by developing growth strategies that build trust and authority with health startups and organizations globally. Michael also hosts the Advancing Healthcare Innovation Show, which promotes knowledge exchange and industry-wide collaboration, fostering growth through innovative discussions. He's written extensively, authored "Getting to the Decision Maker," and co-founded Mastermind Unit, a non-profit supporting children's charities.