Healthcare organizations in the United States are entering 2026 under pressure from persistent staffing shortages, clinician burnout, rising labor costs, and the disruptive integration of AI and automation. Left unchecked, these challenges risk compromising patient care, employee well-being, and the long-term resilience of the healthcare sector. HR leaders can gain strategic advantages by networking with peers and learning about talent acquisition and retention strategies in a competitive healthcare market at the 2026 People in Healthcare Summit. This forum brings together HR leaders to share insights and innovations for future-proofing the healthcare workforce and best practice approaches to cross-generational workforce integration.
The 2026 HRO Today People in Healthcare event includes one-on-one interviews, presentations on HR Executive’s role in preparing organizations for digital transformation, and panel discussions. The summit features 14 expert speakers with backgrounds in healthcare senior HR leadership roles. For more than a decade, HRO Today has recognized the dedication and achievements of HR executives at its global events. In keeping with this long tradition, the 2026 People in Healthcare Summit will once again shine a spotlight on HR leaders and teams who play a critical role in supporting the healthcare workers on the frontlines, ensuring they remain engaged, resilient, and ready to deliver improved patient outcomes.
The importance of this gathering stems from the systemic pressures facing healthcare. Staffing shortages and burnout directly impact care quality and access, while rising labor costs strain organizational finances. Simultaneously, the integration of AI and automation presents both opportunities for efficiency and challenges for workforce adaptation. These intersecting issues require coordinated human resources strategies that extend beyond individual institutions. The summit provides a platform for developing industry-wide approaches to talent management during technological transition.
By focusing on peer networking and knowledge exchange, the event addresses the need for collaborative solutions in a fragmented healthcare landscape. The participation of 14 seasoned HR executives ensures discussions are grounded in practical experience rather than theoretical approaches. This matters because effective human capital management in healthcare directly correlates with patient outcomes and system stability. As healthcare continues to evolve amid demographic shifts and technological advancement, forums like the People in Healthcare Summit help align workforce strategies with emerging care delivery models.
