Health systems continue to navigate persistent clinical workforce shortages, but some leaders are responding with practical, system-level strategies to stabilize their workforce. During a Becker's Healthcare virtual event hosted in partnership with Medicus, two leading healthcare executives shared how their organizations are closing coverage gaps and maintaining access to care.

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This blog highlights five of their most actionable approaches. In a follow-up piece, we’ll explore the lessons learned and forward-looking strategies these leaders are using to design more proactive, future-ready coverage models.

1.) Reevaluating Staffing Models

Much like other areas of healthcare, clinical staffing models are about finding the right balance—one that aligns each service line's needs with the organization's overarching goals. At Corewell Health, Chad Tuttle identified this balance as a key area of focus, particularly when evaluating employed provider models in contrast to contracted arrangements with independent providers or provider groups.

Tuttle explained that some clinical areas at Corewell Health are staffed exclusively through employed models, while others rely on long-term partnerships with contracted providers. When these partnerships encounter disruptions, Corewell reassesses the path forward. This may result in a restructured agreement or a shift to an employed model to maintain continuity and staffing.

Dr. Roose of Trinity Health New England echoed the importance of evaluating provider relationships at a system level. They have cultivated partnerships with key physician groups that now extend across multiple states. These long-standing alliances not only build trust but also strengthen recruitment pipelines and help scale provider services across different regions.

Key Takeaway: Both leaders emphasized the importance of tailoring staffing models to fit the organization's goals and each service line's needs. Trusted partnerships, whether employed or contracted, can create the flexibility needed to maintain continuity and support long-term growth.

2.) Expanding Coverage with Rotational Staffing

Healthcare leaders across the country are well aware of the ongoing challenges facing rural health systems, particularly when it comes to attracting talent to rural areas. At Corewell Health, which serves both rural and urban communities, this challenge led to a more deliberate approach to recruitment and partnership development.

Tuttle explained that some clinical areas at Corewell Health are staffed exclusively through employed models, while others rely on long-term partnerships with contracted providers. When these partnerships encounter disruptions, Corewell Health reassesses the path forward. This may result in a restructured agreement or a shift to an employed model to maintain continuity and staffing.

Dr. Roose of Trinity Health New England echoed the importance of evaluating provider relationships at a system level by cultivating partnerships with key physician groups that now extend across multiple states. These long-standing alliances not only build trust but also strengthen recruitment pipelines and help scale provider services across different regions.

For both Trinity Health of New England and Corewell, this strategy has improved care access while supporting a more resilient staffing model across varied care environments.Key Takeaway: A flexible, rotational staffing approach can extend specialty care across diverse geographic regions. By encouraging providers to serve both rural and urban areas, health systems can strengthen access, improve coverage consistency, and better respond to community needs.

3.) Integrating Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)

As the demand for physician services continues to outpace supply, the number of APPs is growing rapidly. As a response, leaders like Dr. Roose are leveraging the expertise and the growth of APPs to redesign certain care models to ensure access to care.

At Trinity Health of New England, Dr. Roose and his team have integrated and trained APPs into direct care models, while also cross-training them to be able to support multiple service lines within the health system. This approach has helped ensure access to coverage as the number of physicians available in the community continues to decline.

This approach, which utilizes the full capabilities of APPs within physician-led frameworks, has increased team flexibility, enabled the health system to maintain coverage as physician availability declines, and fostered a more adaptable, sustainable workforce model.Key Takeaway: Strategically integrating and cross-training APPs within physician-led teams can support broader clinical coverage, enhance care continuity, and help health systems respond to evolving staffing needs.

4.) Utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Technology

Technology continues to reshape healthcare, with growing potential to improve efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to care. For both Dr. Daniel Roose and Chad Tuttle, AI and technology are strategic tools for relieving staffing strain and streamlining clinical and administrative tasks.

One initiative at Corewell Health that Chad Tuttle described as a "homerun" is an ambient AI listening tool. The application listens during appointments, captures key clinical inputs, and drafts documentation, including orders and follow-up needs. Providers review and finalize the note before submitting. According to Chad Tuttle, the tool has reduced documentation time by nearly 60%, with providers describing it as transformational for their workflow and overall experience.

At Trinity Health of New England, Dr. Roose emphasized the role of telehealth and remote care models in addressing provider shortages. Through remote service delivery in radiology, neurology, and psychiatry, the organization has improved access and reduced strain on local clinicians. These models have supported care continuity, improved response times, and given providers more flexibility in how and where they practice.Key Takeaway: The strategic use of AI and telehealth has helped reduce administrative burdens, expand clinical capacity, and improve provider satisfaction. Whether through AI tools or virtual care models, both health systems leaders are seeing measurable gains in access, efficiency, and workforce well-being.

5.) Leveraging Interim Healthcare Staffing

Interim staffing continues to play a critical role in helping health systems manage fluctuations in provider availability and support service continuity. Both Dr. Roose and Chad Tuttle view interim healthcare staffing not as a last resort but as a strategic lever that works alongside long-term staffing plans.

Dr. Roose noted that locum tenens and permanent staffing are often viewed as separate strategies; however, they can be used together to stabilize care during staffing gaps, maintain patient access, and create space for long-term recruitment. Locum tenens can also help support new programs or service line expansions that need to launch before a long-term staffing model is in place.

During a period of critical radiologist shortages, Chad Tuttle demonstrated a strategic approach to interim healthcare staffing by leveraging the Medicus Transition Program. This project-based solution, designed for specialties facing multiple FTE gaps, enabled Corewell Health to augment its outsourced radiology group with support from Medicus locum tenens. As a result, Corewell Health maintained continuous access to radiological care, reduced strain on its radiologists, and supported the outsourced group’s effort to rebuild its provider pipeline.Key Takeaway: Locum tenens physicians and advanced practitioners can fill critical gaps, protect care continuity, and support long-term planning when used as part of a coordinated workforce strategy.

Looking Ahead

Improving provider coverage takes more than one solution. It requires a combination of strategies that address today's challenges while supporting long-term goals. For a concise summary of the key takeaways from this virtual event, click here.

The next article in this series will explore how Dr. Roose and Chad Tuttle are building proactive, future-ready coverage plans to support sustained workforce stability and care access.

Interested in learning more about the Medicus Transition Program? Complete the short form below to connect with a member of the Medicus team.