Advancing Health

For families living in poverty, accessing health care can feel out of reach — buried beneath challenges like transportation, childcare and job insecurity. In this conversation, Alejandro Quiroga, M.D., president and CEO of Children's Mercy Kansas City, and Mary Esselman, president and CEO of Operation Breakthrough, explore how one innovative partnership in Kansas City is changing that reality by bringing true whole-person care directly to the children and families who need it most.

For millions facing substance use disorders, stigma isn’t just harmful — it’s a barrier to survival. In this conversation, three leaders from CommonSpirit Health explore how the organization is confronting stigma head-on through education, storytelling and culture change. They also reveal how shifting language, training and grassroots efforts are helping patients feel seen and heard on their road to recovery.

Menopause affects half the population — yet it remains one of the most overlooked areas in modern health care. In this conversation, University of Illinois Chicago's Pauline Maki, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry, psychology, and obstetrics and gynecology, and Makeba Williams, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, unpack why menopause care is finally having a breakthrough moment. They explore the real impact of menopause on the brain and body, the gaps in medical training, and what it will take to deliver better care. With women spending over 40% of their lives in post-menopause, the future of health care depends on getting this right.

In this Leadership Dialogue conversation, Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist and the 2026 AHA board chair, speaks with Stacey Hughes, executive vice president of government and public policy at the American Hospital Association, about the forces shaping health care affordability — from federal budget concerns to patient access challenges. They discuss how hospitals and health systems can help not only inform but also shape policy, including by sharing real stories, real challenges and specific data.

Childbirth is supposed to be one of life’s most joyful moments — but for many parents, the reality of birth trauma can have lasting emotional and physical impacts. In this conversation, Katie Au, M.D. and Katherine Jorda, M.D., directors of the Perinatal Trauma Clinic at Oregon Health & Science University, explore how trauma can emerge during pregnancy, labor or postpartum. They also discuss why so many parents feel alone in their experience, and how trauma-informed, multidisciplinary care can transform recovery.