HIMSS25

While robust data governance will be required to ensure trustworthiness and compliance, Velatura Public Benefit Corporation's Prashant Natarajan believes that in 2026, AI will help more providers empower, engage and educate patients.

Penn Medicine's Anna Schoenbaum says the HIMSS Nursing Innovation Advisory Workgroup, which she co-chairs, has developed AI toolkits and customizable teaching slides to help leaders understand AI's complexity, costs and impact.

Nicole Rogas, RevSpring president, says health systems can improve the billing experience and collect more revenue by using AI and data analytics to create personalized messages delivered via patients' preferred contact methods.

Essex County College's Elvy Vieira says the college is increasing access to health technology jobs by offering a data science degree and credentialing courses, as well as a dual enrollment program for high schoolers.

AI tools can personalize patients' searches for providers, but Kyruus Health's Gen Conlin believes nurse informaticists' ability to ensure tool accessibility and accuracy are vital to ensuring patients find the right care.

Joan Webley of Hospitals Without Borders, which provides modular hospitals and clinics to regions in need, says attending HIMSS25 helped her gain insights and connect with people interested in the organization's mission.

With healthcare spending, particularly for Medicare Advantage, under scrutiny, 1upHealth's Dr. Don Rucker says AI-ready, open API platforms that can integrate and analyze disparate data are needed to inform care and control costs.

Dr. Sarah Hoffe, interim GI oncology chair at Moffitt Cancer Center, says telemedicine platforms and other technologies help ease nurse burnout, boost patient adherence and enable focused, personalized patient connections.

Edward Marx, CEO of Marx Advisory, recommends that healthcare leaders looking to drive innovation in their organizations become innovative themselves by bringing their C-suite to meet with and learn from partners.

Amid funding freezes and anxiety among patients and staff, Gabriel Garcia-Lopez of the Los Angeles LGBT Center says the center remains a vital lifeline for its patients by maintaining a strong digital engagement infrastructure.