clinical workforce
Our HIMSS26 interviewees say that early strategizing using the conference app to decide which sessions to attend from a packed agenda and which booths to visit in the busy expo hall can help make the most of attendance.
Although HIMSS26 attendees want to learn about new digital tools, they say the real value in coming back to the conference every year is in making new friends, checking in with old friends and sharing ideas and challenges.
Colorado Lt. Governor and Policy Influencer Changemaker Award recipient Dianne Primavera says belonging to the Colorado HIMSS chapter has enabled her to work closely with other state healthcare and policy leaders.
HIMSS-ACCE Changemaker Awardee Samantha Jacques, vice president of clinical engineering at McLaren Health Care, recommends that aspiring clinical engineers embrace technological change and continue to learn throughout their careers.
According to Dr. Vitaly Herasevich, Mayo Clinic professor and Chapter Leader Changemaker Awardee, successful healthcare leaders can align clinical and IT teams and act as "interpreters" between them to boost technology adoption.
Unlike other organizations, HIMSS offers members and conference attendees opportunities to join active groups that drive meaningful change in healthcare, says Changemaker Awardee Hiyam Nadel of Massachusetts General Hospital.
As a recently appointed HIMSS board member Dr. Meong Hi Son, Samsung Medical Center CMIO, says she is excited to elevate previously unheard voices and inspire young innovators who can help build the future of healthcare.
When asked how AI has changed their lives, clinicians attending HIMSS26 say that it has helped them with administrative tasks so they can reclaim time for direct care and connect more deeply with their patients.
After a successful podcast series in 2025 and panels at HIMSS25 and HIMSS26, the Project Management Institute's Karla Mae Eidem says PMI and HIMSS are planning to organize local events for project professionals.
2026 Senior Executive Changemaker Awardee Kassaundra McKnight-Young says vendors must work closely with clinicians to develop reliable tools that streamline workflows and that help care teams improve patient outcomes.