Designing the Board of the Future: Governance Innovation for Academic Medical Centers

Leadership StrategiesNext Generation BoardsHealthcarePrivate CapitalHealth ServicesBoard and CEO AdvisoryBoard Effectiveness
文章图标 Article
Portrait of Sarah Eames, leadership advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates
Portrait of Sarah Brooks, leadership advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates
九月 25, 2025
4 文章图标
Leadership StrategiesNext Generation BoardsHealthcarePrivate CapitalHealth ServicesBoard and CEO AdvisoryBoard Effectiveness
Executive Summary
Academic Medical Centers need governance transformation to thrive in healthcare's rapidly evolving landscape through 2035.
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Over the next decade, academic medical centers (AMCs) will face profound shifts in care delivery, scientific discovery, digital transformation, and financial models. In response, the structure, composition, and responsibilities of governing boards must evolve.  This white paper explores the optimal board organization for AMCs through 2035, including board size, member profiles, committee design, leadership development, and strategic oversight. It provides a blueprint for boards to govern with agility, relevance, and foresight in an increasingly complex healthcare ecosystem. This proprietary research is based on partnering with more than 30 academic medical centers on more than 100 executive searches in the last 3 years.

The imperative for governance transformation in academic medical centers sits at the nexus of clinical care, research, and education. They are mission-driven yet financially constrained; community-rooted yet globally competitive. The next decade will demand that boards balance fiduciary responsibility with innovation, clinical excellence, digital adoption, and workforce resilience.

By focusing on these areas and adopting a forward-thinking approach, AMC boards can effectively navigate the complexities of the current healthcare environment and ensure the continued success of their institutions.

 

 

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Future Governance

The academic medical board of the future must be smaller, sharper, and more strategic. Success will hinge on member expertise, dynamic committee structures, intentional development of leaders, and deep engagement with technological and societal shifts. By acting now, AMCs can future-proof their governance structures for a more resilient, agile, and innovative healthcare future.

 

 

Appendix: Future Board Composition (2025-2035)

  • CEO of the Academic Medical Center
  • Academic Physician-Scientist Research Institute Leader
  • Technology Digital Health Executive
  • Healthcare Private Equity Partner
  • Public Health Thought Leader
  • Former Government Health Official
  • AI/Data Science Entrepreneur
  • CEO Business/Economic Development Leader
  • CFO Finance Executive with Payer/Provider Experience
  • Academic Dean or Provost

 


 

Authors

Sarah Eames leads the Russell Reynolds Associates’ Healthcare Services practice. She is based in New York.
Sarah Brook leads the Russell Reynolds Associates’ Academic Healthcare practice. She is based in Stamford.