August Calendar Kid: Riley’s vibrant smile and humongous hugs leave a lasting impression
(Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU – August 12, 2026)

What started out as knee pain in February 2025 led to the diagnosis of cancer for then 15-year-old Riley Oldaker. Despite aggressive treatment and knee-replacement surgery, the teen’s spirit and love of laughter have never wavered. children, teens and young adults, but almost never in anyone with Down syndrome. So, when Riley received his diagnosis last year, oncologist Dr. Frances Austin said he was only one of two known cases in the world.

Discovery Explains Link Between Post-Surgery Delirium, Dementia
(UVA Health – August 11, 2026)

UVA Health researchers have discovered how a form of delirium that often strikes older patients after surgery may set the stage for dementia – and identified a drug that could reverse the underlying brain changes. Nadia Lunardi, MD, PhD; Hari Prasad Osuru, PhD; and colleagues found that anesthesia, surgery and intensive care stress (ASI) altered gene activity in the brains of aged mice. These changes disrupted memory formation and regulation of the internal biological clock, leading to cognitive impairment and sleep disturbances similar to those observed in postoperative delirium in human patients.

Fueling the next generation of nurses at Centra and rising stars like Raegan
(Centra Health – August 11, 2026)

Meet Raegan Myers, RN, who works in the Emergency Department at Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital and received the Rising Star Award as part of the 2026 Nursing in Excellence Awards. Through support for nursing scholarships and generosity that provided state-of-the-art upgrades and manikins for the Centra Central Virginia Center for Simulation & Virtual Learning (VLC), you helped Raegan and many other aspiring nurses learn how to provide truly stellar care.

Groundbreaking therapy at Sentara Norfolk General offers hope to patients battling rare disease
(Sentara Health – August 11, 2026)

For more than 20 years, Chris Ellison of Virginia Beach has lived with a rare disease that required countless medical procedures just to protect his ability to breathe, speak, and swallow. He was just 18 years old when he was diagnosed with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), an uncommon condition caused by chronic infection and human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 or 11. According to the RRP Foundation, it affects only about 20,000 people worldwide. Looking back, the warning signs began years earlier.

New review prioritizes maternal mental health during pregnancy
(Children’s National Hospital – August 12, 2026)

Treating depression during pregnancy is essential to protecting the health of mothers, babies and families, according to a new review led by Children’s National that calls for a renewed focus on maternal mental health and access to evidence-based care. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, examines the role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs) in treating major depressive disorder during pregnancy. In the U.S., 5% to 6% of pregnant patients are treated with SSRIs, primarily for major depressive disorder, which affects about 12% of pregnant patients.

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac: Plants to Avoid
(Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters – August 12, 2026)

If your child enjoys spending time outdoors, there’s a good chance they may encounter plants like poison ivy, oak, or sumac – all of which can cause an itchy, irritating rash. While the reactions they cause are similar, the plants themselves look and grow differently. Knowing how to identify them can help you keep your family safe during hikes, camping trips, and backyard play. Here’s a quick guide for parents to help spot the difference between these plants and know what to do if your child ever comes into contact with one.

Sentara warns of ‘MyChart Medicare Kit’ scam
(Becker’s Hospital Review – August 12, 2026)

Norfolk, Va.-based Sentara Health is warning patients about a phishing scam that uses fraudulent emails promising a “MyChart Medicare Kit.” The fraudulent messages carry the subject line or text “Your MyChart Medicare Kit Awaits,” according to an Aug. 11 Sentara news release shared with Becker’s. The health system said the emails do not come from Sentara or MyChart and are designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or handing over personal information. Sentara advised anyone who receives the email to delete it immediately without clicking any links or buttons, including the unsubscribe option. The health system recommended patients confirm a sender’s email address, watch for spelling and grammar errors, and avoid offers for free items or services. It also urged caution with messages that pressure recipients to act quickly and said patients should never open attachments from unknown senders.

Three Tiny Fighters
(Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters – August 7, 2026)

When Tristan, Trenton, and Terry “Tre” Waters were born 15 weeks early, they were rushed to CHKD’s Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where the region’s smallest and sickest babies receive the highest level of care available. Due to the babies’ extremely low birth weights – just under 2 pounds each – a CHKD neonatal care team “Our care team was the heartbeat of our entire CHKD journey. They know about babies. They truly love them. And they are honest,” says the triplets’ mom, Kendall Perkins. “They cared for each baby according to their unique needs.”

UVA Health Celebrates 29 Future Nurses Who Completed the Summer 2026 Nursing Externship Program
(Prince William Living – August 11, 2026)

Twenty-nine enthusiastic nursing students gathered with UVA Health leaders, nurses, team members, and family members to celebrate the successful completion of the Summer Nursing Externship Program for UVA Health’s community hospitals in Manassas, Haymarket, and Culpeper. The ceremony included certificates of completion from Michelle Strider, MBA, RN, CPHQ, chief nursing officer; April Morrison, MSN, RN, director, nursing professional practice; and Katherine McNamara, MSN, RN, student and clinical program manager, officer of UVA Health Community Medical Centers and clinics in Northern Virginia and Culpeper. Students were recognized with cheering and applause from the UVA Health team members who came to acknowledge the finish line.

VHC Health Receives US News & World Report’s Best Regional Hospital Recognition
(VHC Health – August 11, 2026)

VHC Health, a leading community-based health system serving the Washington, DC region, is proud to announce its recognition as one of the 2026-27 Best Regional Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. VHC Health currently ranks third in both Virginia and Washington, D.C. with a four out of five-star patient experience rating. In addition, VHC Health received high performance designations in 17 procedures and conditions, including Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Colon Cancer Surgery and Diabetes. “This designation is a welcome recognition of our staff’s outstanding commitment to patient experience and continued excellence across all departments in the VHC Health system,” said Christopher T. Lane, President and CEO of VHC Health. “Every day, our teams are dedicated to delivering the highest-quality care to every patient we serve, and we couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the list of top-rated hospitals that help set the standard for healthcare.”

Wythe County Community Hospital Earns American Heart Association Rural Stroke Bronze Achievement Award
(Wythe County Community Hospital – August 11, 2026)

Wythe County Community Hospital (WCCH) has been recognized by the American Heart Association with the 2026 Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Bronze Achievement Award, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to providing evidence-based stroke care for patients across Southwest Virginia. The award recognizes hospitals that demonstrate dedication to improving stroke treatment and patient outcomes through adherence to nationally recognized clinical guidelines.

DeSantis touts $188 million from federal grant to help expand healthcare in Florida’s rural areas
(WUSF – August 11, 2026)

Gov. Ron DeSantis is touting $188 million in funding to help expand healthcare access throughout Florida’s rural communities. In a Tuesday announcement, DeSantis said the funds will be spent across 31 rural counties. “These investments in rural Florida will strengthen hospitals and clinics, expand the rural healthcare workforce, and help ensure Floridians can access high-quality care in their own communities,” DeSantis said in a statement. The awards are a part of Florida’s share from the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion federal initiative administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The program began this year and runs five fiscal years, with $10 billion available annually.

Massachusetts: State launches campaign to help residents navigate tough new Medicaid rules
(WBUR – August 11, 2026)

Gov. Maura Healey on Tuesday launched a $10 million effort to raise awareness about federally mandated changes to Medicaid, which will force members to cross new hurdles in order to keep their benefits. The goal, according to state officials, is to educate the 360,000 people affected so that they take action to try to prove their eligibility and retain their benefits. The changes included strict work requirements and twice-yearly eligibility checks for adults on the state Medicaid program, called MassHealth. Healey said the changes may affect delivery drivers, home health aides, college students and others who qualify for MassHealth because their income is below a certain threshold.

More than half of Nebraska’s federal rural healthcare funds have been awarded to hospitals, partners
(Nebraska Public Media – August 11, 2026)

More than half of federal funds given to Nebraska this year for rural healthcare have been awarded to rural hospitals, clinics and partner organizations. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last July created the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The funding awarded to states is meant to stabilize and expand healthcare access in rural America, as well as offset Medicaid cuts passed in the same bill. In December, the federal government awarded $218.5 million per year to Nebraska for the next five years.

Rural health panel divvies $205M in federal funds for Wyoming healthcare
(WyoFile – August 11, 2026)

In its marathon meeting Tuesday, Wyoming’s new rural health advisory panel earmarked roughly $200 million in President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation funds to a range of applicants hoping to bolster the state’s fragile healthcare system. Recipients ranged from hospitals to EMS providers, as well as maternal healthcare and workforce development organizations. It was a big push, but alacrity has been a theme running through the process since the federal government launched the program in September. A tight schedule of deadlines has necessitated haste. “We know that this has been a rapid process,” Wyoming Department of Health Deputy Director Franz Fuchs told the committee. But, he stressed, it’s important. “We want to use this as an opportunity to make the best decisions with these funds for the state of Wyoming.”

Texas fights court ruling requiring that defendants get quicker access to psychiatric hospitals
(The Texas Tribune – August 11, 2026)

Tracy McClain remembers clearly the first time her son was arrested and charged with a crime because she was the one who placed the 911 call. She told dispatchers that her son JohnRobert Holmes III, 21 at the time, was at risk of hurting himself, hoping that he would get the help he needed — a pathway to a bed at a state psychiatric hospital. When officers arrived and tried to detain him for a mental evaluation, Holmes ran, according to an arrest affidavit. He was booked into Williamson County Jail and released the same day without meaningful mental care, McClain said, and his charge — interfering with public duties — was dropped four months later.

Medicare Will Spend More Than $13 Billion on the Medicare Advantage Quality Bonus Program in 2026
(KFF – August 12, 2026)

The Medicare Advantage quality bonus program, established by the Affordable Care Act, increases Medicare payments to Medicare Advantage plans that qualify by having a star rating of 4 or above (on a five-star rating system). (See the KFF brief on Medicare Advantage payments for more detail.) Plans may, but are not required to, use the increase in payments to cover the cost of supplemental benefits, including reduced cost sharing, extra benefits not covered by traditional Medicare (e.g., vision, hearing and dental), lowering Part B premiums, and/or subsidizing Part D prescription drug coverage. The star ratings are intended to help consumers make informed decisions when choosing among Medicare Advantage plans and the potential for additional funding is intended to encourage plans to improve quality. However, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and others have suggested that the star ratings incorporate too many measures, do not adequately account for social risk factors, and may not be a useful indicator of quality because star ratings are reported at the contract rather than the plan level. Medicare Advantage contracts typically include multiple plans, which may have different benefits, costs, networks, service areas, and enroll different populations (i.e., plans that are open for general enrollment and special needs plans that limit enrollment to dual-eligible individuals).

Nearly three-quarters of health plans reported operating losses in 2025
(Healthcare Finance News – August 12, 2026)

Nearly three-quarters of health plans reported operating losses in 2025, with Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated plans (Blues plans) and regional nonprofit plans facing the greatest financial pressure, according to a HealthScape Advisors analysis. Among Blues plans, 83% reported an operating loss in 2025, up from 48% in 2023. The share of regional nonprofit plans with losses rose to 72% from 57% over the same period, according to Healthscape Advisors, a Chicago-based healthcare management consulting firm specializing in health plans and other payer organizations.

The biggest payer and provider trends from Q2
(Fierce Healthcare – August 12, 2026)

Elevated medical costs and policy turmoil continued to affect the financial performance of payers and providers in the second quarter. Providers are still feeling the sting of fluctuations in ACA plan enrollment, while payers pointed to the No Surprises Act’s arbitration process as a major challenge. Fierce Healthcare editor Dave Muoio and senior writer Paige Minemyer sit down for another deep dive into the biggest trends emerging from second-quarter earnings calls.

AI brings savings to clinical trials: study
(Axios – August 12, 2026)

Artificial intelligence isn’t just speeding up early-stage drug development, it’s starting to unlock millions of dollars’ worth of new efficiencies in clinical trials on cancer treatments, research shared first with Axios shows. Why it matters: AI-powered tools could shave months off time-consuming processes like recruiting and enrolling patients, monitoring results and interpreting data. That could free up resources for more clinical studies and possibly lower the high failure rate for new drugs.

From first 72 hours to first 90 days, tech extends hospital care beyond discharge
(Healthcare IT News – August 12, 2026)

For decades, hospitals have largely treated discharge as the end of the acute care journey. Once patients left the building with a folder of instructions and follow-up recommendations, responsibility shifted largely to them and their families. But that approach is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain as hospitals assume greater accountability for patient outcomes long after patients leave inpatient care. New payment models, continued pressure to reduce avoidable readmissions and growing expectations for coordinated care are forcing provider organizations to rethink what happens after discharge.

Healthcare CFOs face growing decision-making expectations. Many say they aren’t ready
(Fierce Healthcare – August 12, 2026)

Healthcare chief financial officers often say they are expected to be substantially involved in a broad range of enterprise decision-making, though many don’t believe they are appropriately equipped to contribute, according to a new Deloitte Center for Health Solutions survey report. Issues in the realm of consumer affordability, access and patient experience strategy, for instance, are the chief examples of what Deloitte describes in its report as a CFO readiness gap. On these, 74% of surveyed CFOs said they are expected to be regularly or heavily involved, but only 41% of CFOs said they were well equipped to do so.

Hospital Prepayment Requirements Add New Wrinkles to Patients’ Financial Responsibility
(KFF Health News – August 12, 2026)

Thomas Zordani flew from his home in Denver to Phoenix for a consultation with a Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon, hoping to find out what could be done to treat his debilitating headaches after worrisome brain scan findings. When making the appointment, Zordani said, he’d been told the clinic was in his insurer’s network. Upon arrival, Zordani was summoned to the clinic’s financial office and told he had to make a $5,000 preservice deposit, because Mayo had since determined it did not accept his insurance. He was automatically designated “self-pay,” even though his plan had out-of-network benefits. Not having that kind of cash on hand — and angry on principle — he refused. His appointment was canceled.

Hospitals Say They Found a Tool To Help Reduce Childbirth Risks: Wristbands
(KFF Health News – August 12, 2026)

Hospitals across the U.S. are trying to reduce maternal deaths and complications after pregnancies using one small tool: a silicone wristband stamped with the declaration “I Gave Birth.” The wristbands are part of a growing initiative first launched by North Carolina-based ECU Health as Congress sought to address the nation’s growing maternal mortality crisis during the covid pandemic. Since 2021, nearly 50 North Carolina hospitals and the state’s health department have begun distributing the wristbands, to give mothers and care providers a visual reminder of the life-threatening health risks after birth. The Connecticut state health department; large health systems in Arkansas, Georgia, and Mississippi; and hospitals in at least 24 other states have also embraced the program. The wristbands are intended to make emergency workers aware of postpartum risks, ensure better treatment, and help lower maternal mortality rates in the U.S., where nearly 70% of pregnancy-related deaths happen after the day of delivery — and nearly 40% happen after the six-week mark.

How 3 Leading Senior Care Organizations Approach Innovation
(HealthTech Magazine – August 10, 2026)

Late at night, when residents at Asbury Communities have a pressing question about tomorrow’s activities or dining options, they don’t have to wait for morning to ask. Now, they can pick up their room phone and ask Joy, a concierge powered by artificial intelligence. It’s similar to Alexa or Siri, but Joy is delivered through an aging tech provider’s AI bot that pulls information from Asbury’s resident engagement platform. It doesn’t replace human concierges, but it extends service to off-hours, says COO Todd Andrews.

Infographic: 5 questions to ask before scaling a digital innovation
(HealthLeaders Media – August 12, 2026)

Digital innovation can create significant value for hospitals and health systems, but not every technology is worth scaling. In our latest The Winning Edge webinar, The Winning Edge for Digital Innovation at Scale, Crystal Broj, chief digital transformation officer at the Medical University of South Carolina, Lynnette Clinton, chief information officer at BayCare, and Kopal Seth, associate chief medical information officer at Phoenix Children’s, discussed what executives should consider before expanding a digital initiative across the organization.

Infographic: Why are nurses leaving?
(HealthLeaders Media – August 12, 2026)

Authors of a recent journal article published in Health Affairs Scholar analyzed the newest data from the 2022 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) and found that nurses currently enrolled in nursing school or those holding graduate degrees were more likely to leave their organizations than those with only bachelor’s degrees. Here are some more facts of figures that CNOs need to know about why nurses are leaving the workforce.

Invasive mold disease linked to high rates of ICU care, death
(CIDRAP – August 12, 2026)

New surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlight the severity of invasive mold disease (IMD), finding that, during five years, 45% of patients with IMD at four hospitals died within 90 days, and half required mechanical ventilation. The findings, published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, are based on active, laboratory-based surveillance at two Atlanta-area academic hospitals and outpatient clinics from 2020 through 2024.

Millions of Americans lack adequate access to prenatal care: Report
(The Hill – August 12, 2026)

A new report from the March of Dimes says that 5.8 million women currently live in counties without full access to maternity care. The nonprofit organization founded by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt says 1 in 3 U.S. counties remains a maternity care desert, which is defined as an area without hospitals or birth centers that offer obstetric care, and lacks practicing obstetric clinicians like doctors or midwives. “Maternity care deserts are not naturally occurring, nor are they inevitable. They are the result of policy decisions and longstanding underinvestment in maternity care infrastructure,” the report entitled “Nowhere to Go” says.

Wearable digital IDs improve hospital security
(Healthcare Finance News – August 12, 2026)

Crayonic digital identity cards can remove the risk that lost traditional IDs present, since they operate on biometrics and shut down after not being worn for 20 seconds, according to CEO Peter Kolarov.

Why some workers are going on ‘do not disturb’ — and what healthcare leaders can do
(Becker’s Hospital Review – August 12, 2026)

A growing share of U.S. professionals are blocking out their calendars to avoid meetings — and the trend has direct implications for hospital and health system leaders trying to keep already stretched teams engaged. Leaders can address the issue by reevaluating meetings and identifying the root cause of disengagement, according to a July 29 Korn Ferry article. Time blocking, or workers effectively going on “do not disturb,” is one visible sign of workforce disengagement. It can also show up in subtler ways, such as employees intentionally leaving out-of-office messages in place while back in the office. For health systems already managing turnover risk among administrative and corporate staff, that disengagement can be an early warning sign worth watching. While it may not look the same at the bedside — especially for front-line clinical staff whose schedules are dictated by patient care, not calendar invites — healthcare executives have also recently reviewed their own meeting strategies, recognizing that the same fatigue can creep into leadership and administrative ranks.

HHS announces $4 million initiative to expand rapid syphilis testing and treatment to protect mothers and babies
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – August 12, 2026)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced a $4 million initiative to expand access to rapid, point-of-care syphilis testing, with a focus on reaching women in emergency departments and other nontraditional healthcare settings. “Congenital syphilis is preventable, yet too many mothers and babies are still suffering its devastating consequences,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “HHS is putting rapid tests where women receive care so we can detect infections earlier, treat them faster, and protect more babies.”

HHS, ONDCP, and HUD launch first-ever ‘Treatment First’ toolkit to combat homelessness and addiction
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – August 12, 2026)

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Sara Carter, and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner today announced the Best Practices Toolkit: Addressing Homelessness and Addiction Through Treatment First [PDF, 2.14 MB]. This first-of-its kind resource provides communities with practical and proven strategies to help Americans transition from homelessness and addiction to recovery and self-sufficiency. This toolkit advances a “Treatment First” model that prioritizes coordinated and accountability-driven engagement in evidence-based treatment and recovery support services to ensure access to effective, comprehensive, and evidence-based care necessary for homeless individuals.

Trump administration cuts Medicaid funding for youth gender-affirming care
(Healthcare Dive – August 12, 2026)

The CMS on Tuesday moved to end federal Medicaid funding for youth gender-affirming care, the latest in a string of actions by the Trump administration to restrict access. States will be barred from using federal Medicaid funds for gender-affirming care for individuals under the age of 18 starting mid-October, according to the new CMS rule. The Children’s Health Insurance Program will also be barred from providing the care, which includes puberty blockers and surgical operations, to people under the age of 19. The CMS estimates the policy will reduce federal Medicaid spending by about $175 million over the next decade. In 2023, Medicaid and CHIP spending for gender-affirming care for minors totaled $31 million, a fraction of the $923.7 billion in total Medicaid and CHIP spending that fiscal year.