The Emerge Innovation Experience: Paving the Way for Meaningful Healthcare Partnerships
LAS VEGAS – The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) 2025 conference has made waves with its introduction of the Emerge Innovation Experience. This year’s event brought together key voices from various health systems, emphasizing the significance of establishing fruitful business partnerships within the healthcare sector.
Understanding the Nature of Effective Partnerships
During the panel discussion, Crystal Broj, the enterprise chief digital transformation officer representing the Medical University of South Carolina, highlighted what sets a strong partner apart. “A good partner is one who wants to be part of your team, has skin in the game. If you’re successful, we’re successful,” Broj articulated. Such perspectives are essential, as the complexities of the healthcare landscape demand deep collaboration and shared goals.
The Reality of Timelines in Healthcare Alliances
Broj further shed light on a common misconception many vendors harbor—that they can finalize contracts within a short meeting. “It takes months, not just one meeting,” she stated, emphasizing the need for patience and thorough understanding when forging partnerships in healthcare technology.
Navigating the Intricacies of Healthcare Technology
According to Adam Landman, an emergency physician and chief medical information officer at Mass General Brigham, the landscape of healthcare technology is riddled with complexities. “Healthcare and health tech is hard,” he remarked, stressing the importance of working with individuals who are well aware of these challenges.
Preparing for the Storms Ahead
Landman advocated for a partnership model that can withstand difficulties that the industry faces. Such alignment is crucial for navigating the numerous “storms” the healthcare sector is currently encountering.
Voices of Innovation and Action
The panel, moderated by Oriana Beaudet, the vice president of innovation at the American Nurse Association Enterprise, addressed pressing issues within the healthcare system. Alongside Broj and Landman, Sameer Sethi, the chief data and analytics officer at Hackensack Meridian Health, contributed invaluable insights regarding financial stability amidst a workforce shortage.
Financial Strain and the Quest for Sustainability
While the financial health of healthcare systems is under scrutiny, Sethi pointed out that those operating with a 3% margin are considered to be doing well in today’s environment. As costs rise, especially regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, this margin could dwindle further. “There should be a CPT code for AI,” Sethi suggested, highlighting the need for structured reimbursement models as the technology matures.
The Crucial Role of Problem-Solving Solutions
A recurring theme across discussions was ensuring that implemented solutions are effective in addressing actual problems. Broj posed a critical question: “How do you incorporate it in the workflow?” She asserted that no professional wants to engage with tools that feel unintuitive or complex.
Evaluating Return on Investment
Landman noted that the return on investment (ROI) for new technologies should focus not just on cost but also on quality improvement and relieving time constraints for healthcare providers. “It’s a really challenging time, particularly with all the changes,” he observed, alluding to the uncertainty surrounding the continuation of telehealth and home hospital waivers.
Addressing Existential Threats to Healthcare
Landman further outlined the existential risks if essential services like Medicaid and Medicare face cuts, stressing that such changes would dramatically affect systems operating on already thin margins.
A Snapshot of Dissonance in Technology Adoption
Broj pointed out a disconnect within healthcare establishments—they may be in 2025, but many staff members are still confronting outdated technology. “Right now, we’re in the space of bridge technologies,” she noted, providing a stark reminder of the need to advance rather than lag in technological adoption.
The Need for Workforce Training
As the healthcare landscape evolves, a significant investment in workforce training is essential for keeping up with advancements. The industry must prioritize upskilling its workforce to navigate this changing environment effectively.
Creating Orchestration for Technological Advancements
Sethi concluded the conversation by expressing a need for an orchestration project that can effectively integrate various technological solutions. This all-encompassing strategy will be crucial for maximizing the benefits of innovations in healthcare.
Conclusion: Building for Tomorrow’s Challenges
The discussions at the HIMSS 2025 Emerge Innovation Experience reinforce the notion that collaboration and innovation are vital for addressing today’s healthcare challenges. As financial pressures mount and technological advancements accelerate, health systems must cultivate partnerships that are flexible, aligned, and focused on problem-solving. The time to act is now, and as the industry grapples with change, a strategic approach to partnership and technology integration will spell the difference between survival and success in the future.
