Date of Conferral

1-28-2026

Date of Award

January 2026

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Health Sciences

Advisor

Miriam Ross

Abstract

Non-profit healthcare organizations face ongoing challenges in aligning leadership competencies with the dynamic demands of the healthcare environment, with a significant gap persisting in formal leadership training and communication development for both emerging and established leaders. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine existing knowledge on healthcare leadership in non-profit hospitals and provide best practices in leadership communication to decrease leadership-gap in current and future leaders in non-profit hospitals. The review question focused on determining evidence-based strategies for enhancing communication training and leadership skill development among administrative leaders. Kotter’s 8-Step Process provided a framework for successful organizational change. After a thorough review of the literature for years 2020-2025, a total of 22 articles were evaluated using the Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice model. The analysis resulted in four main themes: improve leadership training programs, defining leadership traits, leadership theory implementation, and mitigate leadership gap. Eleven subthemes support these themes with the following examples: establish core skills and information about relationship management. Three key recommendations emerged from the analysis: First, the implementation of evidence-based training for developing effective leadership skills. Second, update leadership training programs regularly to reflect contemporary leadership competencies and address the evolving challenges faced by healthcare leaders. Third, promote leadership engagement through active participation in team-based decision making. Strong leadership fosters positive social change by emphasizing the importance of community health initiatives and improving equitable access to healthcare services.

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