The state of Alaska named Robert Lawrence, MD, its chief medical officer, Alaska Public Media reported May 3.

Dental was the physician specialty with the highest deal volume in 2023, according to VMG Health's "2024 Healthcare M&A Report."

Here are three recent transactions in the healthcare industry that have left physicians wary, as reported by Becker's since Jan. 17:

Dallas, Texas-based Steward Health Care has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following a months-long saga of financial distress, according to a May 6 news release from the health system.

The Arizona Medical Group Management Association told national MGMA May 1 it would end its affiliation, following a trend of organizations departing and rebranding as Healthcare Leaders Association.

CMS has increasingly scrutinized Stark law policy, settling a record $12.56 million in Stark law voluntary self-referral disclosure settlements in 2023.

Touro hospital, part of New Orleans-based LCMC Health, named Christopher Lege, MD, its CEO, Biz New Orleans reported April 30. 

Two executives at OrthoNet, a White Plains, N.Y.-based claim processing company, were sentenced to prison and to pay restitution for a scheme that defrauded their company of more than $4 million.

States in the central regions of the U.S. are typically higher-paying for physicians, according to Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report" for 2024.

Many healthcare providers were hopeful that Congress would reconsider its proposed Medicare reimbursement rates for 2024; however, recent updates by the agency have dashed the hopes of some clinicians.

Nevada is the state that is predicted to have the lowest nursing competition by 2030, according to personal finance site WalletHub.

An anesthesiologist formerly employed by Lakewood Medical Center in Lee's Summit, Mo., pleaded guilty to stealing fentanyl from the hospital.

Optum, parent company of ASC chain SCA Health, is shuttering its telehealth business.

The Federal Trade Commission on April 23 voted to ban noncompete clauses for most U.S. workers, and eight leaders joined Becker's to discuss how the decision could affect the physician workforce. 

Private practice physicians face a host of challenges, but this doesn't mean that there aren't advantages to practicing privately.

The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 to ban noncompete clauses for most U.S. workers April 23. 

There are many systemic issues that all healthcare professionals are forced to grapple with, including staffing shortages, rising practice costs and decreasing reimbursement.

The five wealthiest healthcare billionaires have a combined net worth of more than $60 billion, according to Forbes' 38th annual World's Billionaires list released April 2. 

Phoenix Children's appointed a new chief medical officer, added two associate chief medical officers and instated an inaugural physician-in-chief.

Self-employed physicians have outearned employed consistently since 2019.