One of the primary roles of The Governance Institute’s advisors is to provide education for boards of hospitals, health systems, and physician groups regarding “hot topics” in not-for-profit governance. This article explores some of the most popular topics that the advisors have been asked to focus on during board retreats over the past couple of years.

The governance advisors present ten hot topics:

1. Healthcare reform implications
2. Tax-exempt status justification
3. Conflicts of interest and independence
4. Executive and physician compensation
5. Compliance, Audit, and Risk Management
6. The board’s role in quality, safety, and service
7. Oversight of senior management
8. Board and committee structures
9. Competency-based governance
10. Board dynamics and culture