Health systems nationwide have experienced remarkable achievements in performance over the past two years—while facing unprecedented pandemic challenges. How durable are these improvements?

Vanderbilt University Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Jeff Balser shares stories of how the Nashville-based system was able to break down traditional silos and focus on problem-solving, build relationship capital among leaders, and establish greater trust.

Dr. Balser makes the case that convening leadership from culturally dissimilar groups at a regular cadence—done from a command center approach out of necessity during the pandemic—must continue. And the social capital built in the last two years must be sustained if we are to innovate, deliver patient-centered care, and earn communities’ trust in our institutions and caregivers.