Apryl Childs-Potter, President, Nashville Health Care Council

In an interview with Invest:, Apryl Childs-Potter, president of the Nashville Health Care Council, discussed policy, workforce, and innovation shaping the region’s healthcare economy. “Nashville’s intentional, collaborative growth has created not just an industry hub but a resilient and vibrant economic model that other regions could emulate,” said Childs-Potter.

What trends have most impacted Nashville’s healthcare ecosystem and the Council’s work over the past year?
Across healthcare, not just in Nashville, a new administration always brings change and opportunity. This year is no exception. Shifts in policy and the budget reconciliation process have influenced how the industry forecasts growth and prepares for what’s ahead.

Locally, every challenge or shift tends to bring new opportunities. We’ve seen a lot of discussion around business model changes, new strategic approaches, and emerging opportunities across the board.

Another major focus this year is the Nashville Health Care Council’s 30th anniversary. We’ve been celebrating that milestone throughout the year, from our annual Wall Street event to our third Nashville Health Care Sessions conference, which will take place Sept. 29-30. Nashville will also have a full week of related events and celebrations. That’s been a big highlight for us this year.

Where do you see the greatest areas of innovation in Nashville’s healthcare landscape?
Nashville has a high concentration of health systems, many operating facilities across the country and beyond. That concentration drives investment in technologies that improve care and boost efficiency.

Because healthcare is so complex, proximity to decision-makers matters. Companies want to be close to the systems they serve. That’s led to growth across several healthcare subsectors in the region.

We’re also seeing momentum in life sciences. Institutions like Vanderbilt are expanding bioscience and analytics programs, and the state is beginning to gain traction in that field.

How are shifts towards value-based care, health tech, and payer models creating opportunities in the market?
It’s a complex time. Changes in Medicare and Medicaid funding, particularly Medicaid, are reshaping how businesses are structured.

But shifts bring opportunity. Nashville has seen a surge in value-based care companies over the past five to six years, and that’s likely to continue as models evolve.

Right now, much of the momentum is around technology, especially tools like AI that enhance clinical decisions and streamline administrative processes. That’s where we’re seeing the most growth and conversation.

What are the biggest workforce challenges facing healthcare organizations today, and how are they addressing them?
The workforce challenges that emerged after COVID-19 remain significant. While pressure has eased in some areas, there still aren’t enough people to meet growing care demands.

To address this, many organizations are turning to technology. There’s a strong focus on reducing administrative burdens — the paperwork and backend tasks that take time away from patient care. Technology is streamlining those functions, giving physicians and nurses more time with patients, which improves outcomes across the board.

There are also efforts to expand licensing pathways, making it easier for more people to train for nursing and hospital roles. Not every task requires a top-tier license, so rethinking how roles are structured is helping meet needs more efficiently.

In education, Nashville and Middle Tennessee are preparing the next generation of clinicians and healthcare leaders. Students are immersed in rigorous academics and positioned close to leading companies. Whether pursuing clinical degrees or MBAs in healthcare administration, they’re learning alongside industry experts, which is a unique advantage the region offers.

How is Nashville’s education infrastructure supporting the healthcare workforce pipeline?
The region has an incredible breadth of educational institutions supporting healthcare talent at every level. From credentialing programs at Nashville State to new initiatives at Meharry and Belmont, including the launch of Belmont’s medical school, the landscape continues to expand.

Vanderbilt and Lipscomb also offer outstanding programs, especially in nursing, and the list goes on. There aren’t many places in the country where such a comprehensive spectrum of healthcare education is available in one market. Nashville truly stands out in that regard.

What makes Nashville’s healthcare ecosystem unique in a competitive national landscape?

Nashville’s healthcare ecosystem offers a model other cities could learn from. It was fundamentally business-led. The private sector took the initiative to grow the industry collaboratively, asking how they could work together to achieve that goal. That type of leadership from the business community is key to driving economic growth.

Another distinguishing factor is the focus. Many regions adopt a broad, catch-all strategy to economic development. Nashville, particularly when it was a smaller market, chose to concentrate efforts on one sector and did so relentlessly. That focus enabled not only the core industry to grow but also all of the supporting sectors around it.

As healthcare expanded, so did law firms, design firms, marketing agencies, financial services, and others that specialize in supporting the industry. Whether it’s hospital architecture, legal expertise in acquisitions, or tax services tailored to healthcare entities, Nashville has built a rich ecosystem of services rooted in sector-specific knowledge.

Now, if there’s a hospital acquisition happening in Florida, odds are someone on that deal team is based in Nashville. That brings in new business and revenue, which further supports the regional economy. Nashville’s intentional, collaborative growth has created not just an industry hub but a resilient and vibrant economic model that other regions could emulate.

How is the Council helping members navigate today’s complex policy environment?
We offer several programs designed to help members engage with and understand evolving policy issues. One of our key initiatives is the C-Suite Dinner Series, where small, curated groups of executives come together for off-the-record discussions on timely topics. It’s a chance to hear directly from peers on how they’re navigating challenges like Medicaid cuts or regulatory changes.

Additionally, I travel to Washington, D.C. quarterly to build relationships with policymakers, legislators, and other key stakeholders. We work to ensure that the Nashville Health Care Council stays top of mind for these leaders and continues to be a trusted resource.

We also host policy-focused events. For example, we brought in the new CMS administrator, Dr. Mehmet Oz, for a conversation with about 60 of our senior executives. Events like these allow for rich, direct engagement.

Throughout the year, we also bring in thought leaders from law, policy, and consulting firms to share insights on how systems are responding to new rules around Medicare, Medicaid, price transparency, and more.

Ultimately, it’s the Council’s commitment to creating a trusted space for dialogue that makes these programs work. Executives know that when they walk into a Council event, they’ll get candid, valuable information in a setting where confidentiality and peer exchange are respected. We consistently receive over 90% positive feedback on our programming, which is something we take great pride in.

How does the Council’s work support broader community prosperity through healthcare?
We focus on the business side of healthcare, starting with high-quality job creation. Healthcare roles in Nashville are among the region’s highest paying and play a major role in raising the local average salary.

Our goal is to ensure continued growth in these jobs while also expanding access. That includes building educational pathways that help people enter or move up in the field, no matter their starting point.

We also partner with groups like NashvilleHealth to connect our members with community-focused efforts. NashvilleHealth leads ZIP-code-level initiatives targeting chronic illnesses. While that’s outside our primary mission, we help bring members into those efforts where possible.

A strong example of our broader impact is the Council Fellows program. Each year, a curated group of top leaders come together to build relationships that often lead to board roles, partnerships, and shared problem-solving.

One recent cohort volunteered to help local safety-net hospitals strategize around budget cuts. We didn’t ask them to; they took that on themselves. That kind of collaboration reflects what the Council aims to cultivate: lasting connections that lead to real-world solutions.

What sets Nashville apart in terms of professional culture and accessibility?
When I first moved to Nashville, someone told me, “Everyone will give you the first meeting. You have to earn the second.” Even with all the growth, that culture remains.

Openness like that is often associated with smaller towns, but seeing it thrive in a city of Nashville’s size is impressive. It speaks to the collaborative spirit that defines the business community here.

What current initiatives or milestones are generating the most momentum for the Council’s work?
We’re excited to continue celebrating our 30th anniversary. It’s a milestone that honors what we’ve built and, more importantly, the ongoing opportunity to grow and strengthen our network.

While we’re known for large events, our sweet spot is smaller, curated gatherings where leaders can connect deeply around specific topics. This fall, we’re launching the Council Executive Forum series to do just that. It will complement our existing Leadership Health Care program for early career professionals and our annual Fellows program for senior leaders.

We’re also preparing for the third Nashville Health Care Sessions in late September — a dynamic event filled with new ideas, strong speakers, and meaningful connections.

Looking ahead, we’re already planning for 2026. Delegation work continues, and policy will play an even larger role in our programming next year. There’s a lot of momentum heading into what will be another important chapter.