What is keeping healthcare finance leaders focused as they look ahead?

Feedback from attendees of the 2025 National Healthcare Finance Conference offers a clear picture. Financial sustainability remains at the centre, but finance teams are also thinking about technology, capital planning, government policy, and how they can learn more effectively from organizations facing similar pressures.

Those priorities are helping shape the conversations continuing at the 2026 National Healthcare Finance Conference, taking place September 24–25, 2026, in Toronto and virtually. This year’s program brings together finance leaders to explore budgets, funding models, capital projects, system transformation, workforce costs, automation and AI.

Financial sustainability remains front and centre

Deficits, cash flow and balancing budgets were among the most frequently identified challenges in attendee feedback. Funding, revenue generation, capital funding and working capital also emerged as important concerns.

Those priorities continue into 2026. The conference is examining the economic outlook and its impact on budgets, changing funding models, cost containment and the financial decisions organizations need to make in an uncertain environment.

For finance leaders, these conversations ultimately come back to the same challenge which is strengthening financial sustainability while continuing to support organizational and patient-care priorities.

Technology is becoming part of the finance strategy

Attendees also identified opportunities to automate repetitive tasks, optimize workflows, streamline financial reporting and improve efficiency through technology.

AI was particularly prominent when respondents looked ahead, with interest in healthcare finance applications, back-office automation, digital transformation and implementation examples from other organizations.

The 2026 conference continues that conversation by including automation and AI among the emerging financial priorities being explored. The opportunity is increasingly practical, “Understanding where these technologies can create measurable value for finance teams and healthcare organizations.”

Real-world strategies resonate

Survey feedback also demonstrated the value attendees place on timely, applicable content. Relevant and diverse content was a leading positive theme, with attendees highlighting topics connected to current conditions and knowledgeable speakers.

That appetite for practical learning is reflected in the 2026 conference’s focus on expert insights, case studies and peer exchange.

Healthcare finance leaders want opportunities to see how their peers are approaching major projects, transformation and financial decision-making, and to take those lessons back to their own organizations.

Greater connection to system-level decision-making

Attendees also expressed strong interest in hearing from organizations influencing healthcare funding and policy, including government and system partners.

That connection is reflected in the 2026 program, with Auditor General of Ontario, Shelly Spence, among the featured speakers, alongside senior healthcare finance executives including Rob Bull, CFO at Sinai Health, and Jason Cole, Interim CFO at Newfoundland Health.

Learning from one another

Perhaps most importantly, attendees continue to value opportunities to connect with their peers. Previous feedback highlighted the ability to create connections and have candid conversations, while respondents also expressed interest in greater knowledge-sharing across organizations and regions.

The priorities emerging from that feedback are now carrying forward: financial sustainability, practical innovation, informed decision-making and peer collaboration.

They are also helping frame the conversations healthcare finance leaders will continue together in 2026.

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