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Health systems announced the agreements, which still need ratification from union membership. About 15,000 nurses were poised to go on strike beginning Sunday.

Nurses are planning to walkout beginning Dec. 11, and most plan to be on strike for about three weeks. Hospitals, packed with patients with RSV and other illnesses, say the strike comes at a particularly difficult time.

The systems say they have now formally merged to create Advocate Health, forming one of America’s largest hospital systems. Analysts have said it could pave the way for more consolidations.

Making good on a threat to take legal action, Akram Boutros said his termination was improper. The board said Boutros was ousted for paying himself $1.9 million in bonuses without board approval.

Around the country, children’s hospitals are at or above capacity due to high numbers of patients with respiratory viruses.

Nearly one in 10 hospitals are in danger of closing their doors, the Texas Hospital Association says. Rural hospitals are at the greatest risk, but some urban hospitals could be forced to cut services.

With more nurses leaving bedside roles, health systems need to find ways to retain skilled and experienced professionals.

Maria Cristina Jimenez was hailed for her leadership skills. Police said her husband fatally shot her and then took his own life.

The two created fake purchase orders and then billed the Dallas VA Medical Center. They entered guilty pleas in federal court and could spend a decade in prison.

ECU Health hires its first chief nursing executive, HCA Gulf Coast appoints a new vice president, and the head of Pennsylvania's hospital association is retiring.

The California-based system says it has an agreement to sell two Chicago-area hospitals to Resilience Healthcare and Ramco Healthcare Holdings.

Dr. Akram Boutros gave himself bonuses over four years without disclosing the payments, the MetroHealth board said. An attorney for Boutros says the firing is retaliatory after he planned to expose misconduct by the board.

Excela Health and Butler Health System reached an agreement to create an organization with five hospitals. They hope to gain regulatory approval by the year’s end.

More than three quarters of the nation’s pediatric hospital beds are filled. The head of the Children’s Hospital Association said the system is being stretched to the limit.

In other news, MyMichigan Health hires a chief medical officer and Northwell Health selects a director for a maternal health center.

Most chief executives are men, but women are making progress in getting to the C-suite. Mindy Kairey of Korn Ferry says more companies are looking for leaders with empathy and positivity.

Health systems have made progress, but they still have a long way to go, says Clearwater CEO Steve Cagle. Hospital executives must drive change from the top.

While he said the virus isn’t the destructive force it was even a year ago, too many are dying from the virus. He also discussed long Covid and the federal government’s newest research agency.

The company announces a new collaboration with Epic to give providers more choices on the cloud, and new accelerators to help health organizations do more with their data.

In a speech over the weekend, the head of the American Medical Association cited lies aimed at doctors about abortion, gender-affirming care, and threats against physicians.

In other news, Kettering Health selects an interim CEO, Moffitt Cancer Center names its first innovation officer, and others take new roles.

From coast to coast, children’s hospitals are packed, largely with children with respiratory viruses. Some are fielding requests for beds from hospitals in other states.

No, Mehmet Oz won’t be among them. But more than a dozen doctors will be serving in Congress next year.

Even after suffering a stroke, Fetterman scored a decisive win over the TV star and celebrity doctor.

Experts say health systems must weigh the costs and the risk of products being unavailable. Hospitals need good data and strong leadership to deal with ongoing challenges.

Inpatient and outpatient volume more than doubled and have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to a new study. Researchers say the consequences could be seen for years to come.

Health systems should develop response plans, and they should make sure staff know what to do in an emergency.

The Department of Veterans Affairs should examine cancellations by type of care and examine if follow-up efforts are effective, according to the Office of Inspector General.