Podcast: Stepping into the CEO Role with Cedars-Sinai's Next Leader

Peter Slavin is preparing to guide the Los Angeles-based health system into a new era.

Taking the helm of a health system right now as an incoming CEO is no easy feat. To combat the multitude of financial and operational obstacles in the way of keeping a system humming, new leaders have to rely on their experience while learning on the fly.

Peter Slavin, who is set to replace longtime CEO Thomas Priselac at Cedars-Sinai on October 1, expects his varied background to be an asset as he transitions into the role.

After serving as president of Massachusetts General Hospital from 2003 to 2021, Slavin pursued opportunities in advising, consulting, and healthcare investment, which rounded out his view of the industry, he shared on the HealthLeaders Podcast.

“The experience certainly taught me a lot about the array of healthcare activities that are going on out there,” Slavin said. “I learned a lot more about health insurance companies, technology companies, and other actors in the healthcare system. So that's really helped sort of broaden my perspective and understanding of the healthcare system writ large.”

Addressing workforce challenges will be at the top of Slavin’s to-do list when he takes the reins, along with general financial stewardship.

As expenses continue to rise at hospitals and health systems everywhere, Slavin acknowledged CEOs need to be as creative as ever to cut costs and get the most bang for their buck.

One of the ways Cedars-Sinai can do that is through philanthropy, Slavin highlighted.

“Raising funds from donors to create vocations to help advance the mission of the organization and commercializing the intellectual property of the organization, making sure that the fruits of the research effort are actually making it into the commercial world and in the course of doing so, generating resources that can help support the overall enterprise,” he said.

Listen to this week’s episode to hear more on how Slavin plans to strategize for some of the top pain points facing CEOs.