Strategic Planning in Health Care Credential Series
Build the skills to design, execute and measure a strategic plan that drives real organizational results.
Who this series is for
Designed for health care strategy, planning, business development, marketing and finance professionals.
Strategic planning in health care calls for more than drafting a document. It requires a clear view of trends, a structured planning process and the ability to move from strategy to action. This series provides a step-by-step path to help you design a plan, engage stakeholders and monitor performance over time.
How this series supports your career
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Increased earning potential
In the SHSMD 2021 compensation survey, professionals with strategic planning skills reported significantly higher salaries. -
Readiness for leadership roles
The capabilities covered in this program are core requirements for many strategy and executive positions. -
Greater impact and satisfaction
Strategy professionals help shape organizational priorities and influence care delivery at scale. -
Organizational advantage
Organizations with clear, well-executed strategic plans are better positioned to navigate change.
What you will gain
- Design a performance-focused strategic planning framework for your organization.
- Conduct internal and external assessments to inform planning decisions.
- Define mission, vision, goals, strategies and metrics in one cohesive plan.
- Translate strategy into actionable tactics and communication plans.
- Align strategic and financial planning for sustainable execution.
- Earn a SHSMD credential in strategic planning.
Your five weeks at a glance
Build your foundation, explore market priorities and put your plan into practice.
| Week / dates | Focus | Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1January 26 & 28 | Strategic Planning Elements and Alignment | Ruth Portacci |
| Week 2February 2 & 4 | Laying the Foundation for Strategic Planning | Holly Sullivan |
| Week 3February 9 | Elective Sessions | Shay Pratt |
| Week 4February 16 & 18 | From Plan to Action | Jennifer Wilkerson, MHSA, FACHE |
| Week 5February 22–26 | Final Projects and Office Hours | Course faculty |
Explore the agenda
Core sessions, one live elective and a final project, supported by three optional faculty office-hours sessions during the final week.
Strategic Planning Elements and Alignment
Instructor: Ruth Portacci
Connect the elements of a strategic plan with financial priorities.
View modules and learning objectives
Module 1: Elements of a Strategic Plan
Tuesday, January 26, 2027
Review the core components of a strategic plan and the role of strategic metrics. Learn how to connect mission, vision, goals, and strategies to measures that track progress in a dynamic health care environment.
Learning objectives:
- Identify and define the core elements of a strategic plan.
- Develop strategic metrics that align with organizational goals.
- Link metrics to strategic objectives to support decision making.
Module 2: Integrating and Aligning the Strategic Plan with Financial Planning
Thursday, January 28, 2027
Examine the connection between strategic and financial planning. Learn why integration is essential for achieving goals and sustaining financial health, and review practical steps and common pitfalls.
Learning objectives:
- Explain the relationship between strategic and financial planning.
- Identify key elements of financial planning relevant to strategy.
- Apply practices that align strategic priorities with financial realities.
Laying the Foundation for Strategic Planning
Instructor: Holly Sullivan
Design a collaborative planning process grounded in internal and external assessments.
View modules and learning objectives
Module 1: Designing a Strategic Planning Process
Tuesday, February 2 and Thursday, February 4, 2027
Explore what strategy and strategic planning mean in practice. Learn how to design a collaborative, performance focused planning process that builds alignment across your organization.
Learning objectives:
- Differentiate between strategy and strategic planning.
- Conduct internal and external assessments that inform planning.
- Design a stakeholder inclusive planning framework.
Elective Sessions
Instructor: Shay Pratt
Benchmark strategic planning priorities and explore tomorrow’s market.
View elective details and learning objectives
Live session: Tuesday, February 9, 2027 | 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. CT
Strategic Planning for Tomorrow's Market
Benchmarking Strategic Planning Priorities
Discover what today's health care strategic planners are prioritizing through findings from a nationwide industry survey. Benchmark your organization's priorities against peers, examine the market forces influencing growth and competitive positioning, and explore how strategic planning can help leaders make more informed decisions about where to focus resources and investment.
Learning objectives:
- Identify top priorities at hospitals and health systems.
- Map the market trends affecting your growth and market position.
- Design exercises to engage your leaders in growth prioritization.
Registration also includes eight bonus on-demand session recordings from SHSMD Connections 2026. See the full list in Bonus Content below.
From Plan to Action
Instructor: Jennifer Wilkerson, MHSA, FACHE
Execute, communicate and monitor your strategic plan.
View modules and learning objectives
Module 1: Executing and Communicating Strategy
Tuesday, February 16, 2027
Learn how to move from a written plan to coordinated action. This session covers prioritization, tactical planning, and communication approaches that keep strategy visible and moving forward.
Learning objectives:
- Develop tactical plans that align with strategic priorities.
- Communicate strategy across different organizational levels.
- Apply change management techniques to support implementation.
Module 2: Monitoring and Sustaining Strategic Results
Thursday, February 18, 2027
Discover how to monitor and evaluate strategic performance. Learn how to select meaningful measures, use data to guide decisions, and embed continuous improvement into your planning cycle.
Learning objectives:
- Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Use dashboards and data to guide leadership conversations.
- Integrate feedback and learning to refine strategic plans.
Final Projects and Office Hours
Support: Course faculty
Complete your Strategic Planning Canvas and connect with faculty.
February 22 - February 26, 2027
This week is reserved for completing your final project: a Strategic Planning Canvas that applies to your own facility. Final projects are due this week.
Three optional office-hours sessions with course faculty give you the opportunity to ask questions about your project or any other part of the course. Attend any of the sessions to ask questions, hear what other learners are asking or simply listen in.
Learn from experienced health care leaders
Ruth Portacci
Vice President, Business Development
Ascension
Holly Sullivan
Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Consumer Experience
Corewell Health
Shay Pratt
Vice President of Research
Advisory Board
Jennifer Wilkerson, MHSA, FACHE
Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
Sheppard Pratt
INCLUDED WITH YOUR REGISTRATION
Keep learning with bonus content
Access pre-recorded content from past Strategic Planning Credential courses, plus these eight on-demand session recordings from SHSMD Connections 2026.
- Unlocking the Power of Healthcare Data: Data Analytics and Visualizations That Drive Strategic Growth
- (Executive Session) Market Strategy Earns Its Budget: Teaming With Physicians to Accelerate Results
- A New Frontier: How AI Expands What’s Possible in Healthcare Strategy
- Scenario Planning 2.0: Building Resilient Strategies for Healthcare's Next Disruptions
- Reimagining Population Health Through Direct-to-Employer Bundles
- The Strategist as Convener: Designing Conversations That Change the Future
- Supercharging Physician Relations with a PRM: A Panel on Turning Daily Tasks into Strategic Impact
- The Playbook: Rivals Unite to Champion Women’s Health as a Strategic Priority
What attendees said about these sessions
“Lot's to take back home. Our team is struggling with effective BI output. This session was very helpful.”
“Nice to have a concrete example of a program in practice, as well as a physician’s perspective on the panel!”
“Very informative, practical and aspirational. This had all the elements of a great session!”
“While I am very skeptical about AI, I left better informed and prepared for how to potentially implement AI tools for strategy work.”
“Great tools. Exceptional content. This is an area of growth in our strategy development for our ambulatory system.”
Earn your credential
Upon completion of all program requirements, registrants receive the SHSMD Strategic Planning in Health Care Credential.
Requirements include homework, discussion board participation, assessments, evaluations and the final project.
A practical resource to keep
All participants receive a complimentary digital copy of A Practical Guide to Health Care Strategic Planning.
From course graduates
“Great course with very informative sessions. Presenters were outstanding.”
“This experience exceeded my expectations; I would highly recommend it to my peers.”
“Really loved this class! So much great content and with my SHSMD membership I have lots of resources to support me as I gain experience.”
“This course was outstanding and very educational. Thank you!”
“This was my first course and thought it was great and would sign up for additional.”
Frequently asked questions
What if I cannot attend a live session?
All modules are recorded and available on demand. Live webinars run from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. CT unless otherwise noted.
What is included with registration?
Core strategic planning sessions, one live elective, eight SHSMD Connections 2026 recordings, pre-recorded content from past credential courses, a final Strategic Planning Canvas project, three optional faculty office-hours sessions and a complimentary digital copy of A Practical Guide to Health Care Strategic Planning.
How do I earn the credential?
Complete all program requirements, including homework, discussion board participation, assessments, evaluations and the final project.
Does the nonmember rate include membership?
Yes. The $1,100 nonmember rate includes one year of SHSMD membership. The SHSMD member rate is $850.
Bring your strategic plan to life.
Join the Strategic Planning in Health Care Credential Series.
January 26–February 26, 2027