Strong leadership, patient-focused care and good relationships with their partners are among the keys for independent community hospitals to not only survive but also to thrive, Hospitals & Health Networks Daily reported. According to Ryan E. Ross, a senior director with FTI Consulting, other circumstantial factors can play a role, such as geography or barriers that hamper competition, and capitalizing on data-driven analytics. And while these independent hospitals can often become even stronger after an affiliation, if they don't choose the right partner, expenses can creep up. Read the full FierceHealthcare article.