148 hospital and health system CIOs to know | 2025

Chief information officers are harnessing cutting-edge technologies to enhance, streamline and elevate the delivery of healthcare.

The IT leaders featured here are driving forward-thinking strategies that create meaningful improvements for both patients and providers. Working closely with their skilled teams, they’re transforming their hospitals and health systems through initiatives like EHR upgrades, advanced cybersecurity solutions and expanded telehealth offerings.

Note: Becker’s Healthcare developed this list based on nominations and editorial research. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of included leaders or associated healthcare providers. Leaders cannot pay for inclusion on this list. Leaders are presented in alphabetical order. We extend a special thank you to Rhoda Weiss for her contributions to this list. 

Contact Anna Falvey at afalvey@beckershealthcare.com with questions or comments.

Robert T. Adamson, PharmD. Executive Vice President and CIO of RWJBarnabas Health (West Orange, N.J.). Dr. Adamson has transformed RWJBarnabas Health’s IT and EHR capabilities, culminating in a historic Epic “Gold Star Level 10” achievement immediately upon activation, the first in the vendor’s global history. He led the $855 million “Epic Together” implementation across 12 hospitals, maintaining momentum through the Covid-19 crisis by initiating a productivity-boosting “strategic pause” that increased project efficiency by 43%. Under his leadership, the system earned 15 of 19 Epic operational excellence trophies and College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Level 10 Most Wired” recognitions at 11 facilities. A pharmacist by training and seasoned executive, Dr. Adamson bridges clinical and IT priorities with precision and vision. He serves on multiple academic and governance boards and is widely published in pharmacy and health IT. 

Chris Akeroyd. CIO of Lee Health (Fort Myers, Fla.). Mr. Akeroyd serves as CIO of Lee Health, a role he assumed in June 2025 after nearly a decade with Children’s Health in Dallas. He heads up the system’s IT strategy and digital transformation efforts, bringing almost 30 years of leadership experience in healthcare, telecommunications and financial services. Prior to taking on his current role, he was executive vice president and CIO for Children’s Health, where he oversaw the system’s information services group and championed overall enterprise digital business enablement. Other previous roles include IT positions at UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas and at information services company InfoNXX. 

Deb Anderson. CIO of Endeavor Health (Evanston, Ill.). Ms. Anderson brings a mission-driven, human-centered approach to digital innovation at Endeavor Health, guided by personal experiences and a collaborative leadership style. She has helped launch groundbreaking technologies, including one of the world’s first virtual care platforms, years before telehealth became a norm. At Endeavor Health, she drives agile platform strategies and oversees Epic integrations that enhance patient-centered care across multiple hospitals. Her efforts contributed to an Epic “Gold Stars 10/10 Genomics Suite” rating and the system’s elevation to No. 21 on CB Insights list of’ most AI-ready health systems. With a background spanning IBM, Abbott and Silicon Valley innovation labs, Ms. Anderson seamlessly blends corporate agility with healthcare transformation, reshaping care delivery while promoting workforce wellness and transparency.

Mike Angelakos, DrPH. CIO of Geisinger (Danville, Pa.). Dr. Angelakos leads strategic planning for Geisinger’s enterprise IT with a focus on collaboration, digital innovation, operational efficiency, patient satisfaction and care quality. He identifies opportunities to modernize systems and drive program development like Geisinger’s cloud computing initiative, which transitioned nearly 900 applications to Amazon Web Services and streamlined operations by retiring more than 450 applications. Dr. Angelakos led a restructuring of Geisinger’s IT department, breaking down silos to create a more agile organization that is better aligned with strategic goals and positioning Geisinger as a technological leader in the U.S. healthcare sector. Under his direction, Geisinger achieved the CHIME Most Wired, Level 10 award for four consecutive years, highlighting the use of technology in improving patient health outcomes and care delivery.

Paola Arbour. Executive Vice President and CIO of Tenet Healthcare (Dallas). Ms. Arbour is executive vice president and CIO of Tenet, overseeing leadership and strategic direction for the health system’s IT systems. She also identifies opportunities to support the company’s care network with digital technology, data automation and customer experience. She has headed strategic imperatives for the system, including the Voice of the Consumer strategy, which made IT a business enabler to achieve companywide objectives and outcomes. She also helped the system launch a vendor revitalization program and a self-funded innovation team.

Michael Archuleta. CIO for Mt. San Rafael Hospital (Trinidad, Colo.). Mr. Archuleta is a forward-thinking CIO who has positioned Mt. San Rafael Hospital among Colorado’s most innovative hospitals through bold technology adoption and AI integration. His strategic focus on cybersecurity, patient experience and seamless digital workflows has enhanced both care delivery and operational resilience. Mr. Archuleta is nationally recognized as one of College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ “Most Wired” leaders for seven consecutive years and was named a top 100 HITEC awardee. Under his leadership, the hospital has emerged as a leader in tech-driven transformation, improving communications and clinical performance in a rural setting. He collaborates closely with C-suite leaders to align IT strategy with business objectives and future healthcare trends. Mr. Archuleta is also a board advisor and industry thought leader.

Scott Arnold. Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer at Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital. Mr. Arnold leads the implementation of all technology and cyber systems across Tampa General Hospital to ensure the collection, maintenance, safety and privacy of patient records. As part of his role, he is also responsible for overseeing biomedical devices and integrating their use at Tampa General within the context of their existing technologies. Mr. Arnold aims to make Tampa General a leader in innovation and one of the best academic medical centers in the United States, understanding the important role that patient experience plays in providing healthcare services. He used the GE Command Center, which monitors the location, care and status of every patient in the hospital, to monitor and flag potential sepsis threats for patients, which has led to a dramatic reduction in mortality from sepsis. 

Lisa Avellino. Vice President and CIO for Gaylord Specialty Healthcare (Wallingford, Conn.). Ms. Avellino was appointed vice president and CIO of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare in January 2025. She brings two decades of experience in IT leadership and digital innovation to her role, including her most recent tenure as chief information, security and technology officer at Moses Weitzman Health System in Middletown, Conn. She has also served as director of IT and communications operations at Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health System.

Omer Awan. Vice President and CIO of Fred Hutch Cancer Center (Seattle). Mr. Awan leads enterprise IT strategy at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, where he has engineered a sweeping digital transformation to modernize operations and enhance clinical research. His initiatives include consolidating clinical, research and administrative systems into a unified Amazon Web Services cloud platform, migrating hundreds of applications and driving operational efficiency. Mr. Awan spearheaded the deployment of an ambient AI solution that reduced clinician documentation time by 25%, directly improving provider satisfaction and patient experience. His restructuring of the IT department fostered agility and innovation, aligning technology with institutional research and care goals. A strong advocate for cybersecurity, he implemented advanced protections to ensure data privacy and compliance across all systems. In addition to his leadership at Fred Hutch, Mr. Awan holds advisory board positions and co-founded a nonprofit in Charlotte, N.C. to positively impact the community.

R. Hal Baker, MD. Senior Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer of WellSpan Health (York, Pa.). Dr. Baker oversees IT, health information management, medical informatics, cybersecurity, digital and biomedical devices for WellSpan Health, with a special focus on the creation of the system’s Analytics Center of Excellence and Innovation Center. His leadership has contributed greatly to the health system’s expansion of its telehealth capabilities. He also helped create a central alert team to monitor real-time data, which allows for early detection and immediate treatment of sepsis. Dr. Baker also practices primary care as part of WellSpan Medical Group at Apple Hill Internal Medicine. 

Barbara Ballard. CIO for Valley Health System (Winchester, Va.). Ms. Ballard has brought strategic foresight and cost-saving innovation to Valley Health System since taking on the CIO role in 2022. She led a high-impact virtualization initiative that saved $1 million in hardware and $340,000 annually in energy costs by migrating critical applications to VMware. Under her guidance, the system also launched a dedicated business intelligence and analytics service line, improving performance monitoring and data-driven decisions across clinical and financial domains. Ms. Ballard is known for cultivating cross-functional collaboration and leading high-performing IT teams aligned with organizational goals. Her leadership helped earn Valley Health System “Digital Health Most Wired” recognition from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, as well as consistent safety accolades from The Leapfrog Group. Ms. Ballad brings prior experience driving analytics strategy at Kettering (Ohio) Health Network.

Oliver Banta. Chief Business Services and Information Officer for East Alabama Health (Opelika). Mr. Banta leads cybersecurity, IT strategy, infrastructure and innovation efforts at East Alabama Health, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and secure patient data systems. His calm and assured leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic established him as a trusted figure within the organization, facilitating a culture of resilience and innovation. Mr. Banta has introduced advanced technologies such as telehealth and data analytics to improve operational efficiency and care quality. He was named a 2022 “CIO of the Year” ORBIE award winner for his leadership and contributions to healthcare IT. Mr. Banta’s approach blends strategic foresight with hands-on dedication to patient-centered digital solutions.

Daniel Barchi. Senior Executive Vice President and CIO at CommonSpirit Health (Chicago). Mr. Barchi joined CommonSpirit Health in November 2022 with more than 20 years of experience in health IT and consumer digital tools. He is responsible for the strategic vision and IT management at CommonSpirit Health. He oversees the health system’s innovation, analytics, artificial intelligence, telemedicine and pharmacy efforts. Mr. Barchi previously served as CIO for NewYork-Presbyterian and as CIO of Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health System.

Tom Barnett. Chief Information and Digital Officer for Baptist Memorial Health Care (Memphis, Tenn.). Mr. Barnett leads information and digital strategy for the 24-hospital Baptist Memorial Health Care network, which serves Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. His role focuses on IT infrastructure, clinical workflows and digital engagement, pairing technology with thoughtful process redesign to create lasting value and patient impact. His leadership resulted in the health system’s Epic migration to Amazon Web Services, earning the system the 2024 “CIO100” and “CSO50” awards for innovation and security. A three-time finalist for the Tennessee ORBIE “CIO of the Year”, he is widely respected for his pragmatic, results-driven leadership. His previous executive roles span University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center, NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, Ill. and Detroit-based Henry Ford Health. 

Steven Beal. Senior Vice President and CIO of MemorialCare (Fountain Valley, Calif.). Mr. Beal has years of progressive experience managing complex initiatives, information systems business functions and executive level support for MemorialCare, which includes four hospitals, 330 care locations, a physician group and 2,600 physicians. He serves on the board of directors for the MemorialCare Innovation Fund, one of the nation’s early pioneers in strategic investments. Mr. Beal provides strategic and tactical leadership for innovative, cost-effective technological and digital solutions to help ensure the best possible experience for internal customers and patients. Engaged at all levels of governance, he advises leadership in technology, staff development, business models and financial planning, as well as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships. A key aspect of his current focus is evolving the system’s approach to technology support and delivery mechanisms into a more product oriented model, versus the traditional project focused model. Additionally, he is championing a more strategic effort to advance digital health, including AI technologies like ambient listening and new digital front door tools to enhance the overall patient experience. 

Tom Bentley, BSN. Chief Information and Digital Transformation Officer for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus). Mr. Bentley leads IT and digital transformation at OSU Wexner Medical Center, where he has launched a series of strategic initiatives to modernize care delivery and improve operational efficiency. Under his leadership, the system deployed Epic “Hyperdrive Phase II”, AI-enhanced ambient listening, iPhones for point-of-care staff and smartcard-enabled employee badges. Mr. Bentley also implemented the supply chain management software Tecsys for inventory management, and upgraded scheduling software to reduce workflow complexity. His dual focus on technology innovation and fiscal stewardship supports the organization’s mission of advancing health in Ohio and beyond. With a nursing and informatics background, Mr. Bentley bridges clinical needs with digital strategy. His contributions earned the medical center accolades such as Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society “Stage 7”, Epic “Honor Roll Level 10” and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Most Wired Level 9” status.

Leo Bodden. Senior Vice President and CIO of Westchester Medical Center Health Network (Valhalla, N.Y.). Mr. Bodden brings decades of experience to his role at WMCHealth, where he is leading a sweeping digital transformation focused on patient experience, system integration and AI-powered population health management. Previously, at NewYork-Presbyterian in New York City, he directed the digital overhaul of clinical applications, sunsetting over 1,000 systems while unifying operational and clinical workflows. His development of “imaging as a service” helped expand access to diagnostic services while improving patient experience and data utility. At WMCHealth, Mr. Bodden now leads enterprisewide digital standardization efforts to build a unified, secure and data-driven care environment. He is also recognized for integrating large regional networks and aligning physician services with broader organizational goals. With a background spanning engineering to executive leadership, he is committed to scalable innovation in healthcare IT.

Darrell Bodnar. CIO of North Country Healthcare (Whitefield, N.H.). As CIO of North Country Healthcare, Mr. Bodnar has unified five disparate EHRs and patient portals into a single Meditech Expanse system across hospitals and home health agencies, dramatically enhancing clinical and operational cohesion. He led the health system’s participation in The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Most Wired” program, achieving “Level 9” recognition for both acute and ambulatory environments. He also helped launch initiatives like ambient listening and advanced analytics to improve clinician experience. His efforts helped cut mammogram result waiting times by nearly 50%, improving outcomes and reducing patient anxiety. Mr. Bodnar also modernized IT infrastructure with Office 365, Fuji PACS and cloud migration, all while integrating policy governance and security protocols systemwide. Passionate about community, he supports local veterans through the Sons of The American Legion organization and co-owns a local business that reinvests in regional causes. 

Geoffrey Brown. CIO of Piedmont Healthcare (Atlanta). Mr. Brown has more than 35 years of experience in health IT, at both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. He has experience with IT management, consulting and strategic planning, and previously served as the technology chair for the Virginia Health Reform Initiative.

Paul Browne. Senior Vice President and CIO of Henry Ford Health System (Detroit). Mr. Browne joined Henry Ford Health System in February 2018 after spending time as CIO and senior vice president of applied informatics for Tenet Healthcare. He has experience overseeing the information services across Tenet and specializes in transformational change in complex organizations. Mr. Browne also focuses on developing clinical intelligence capabilities across large systems.

Bradd Busick. CIO of MultiCare (Tacoma, Wash.). Mr. Busick serves as CIO at MultiCare, a major health system comprising 13 hospitals, over 300 care sites and 27,000 employees. He leads enterprise IT, biomedical engineering and the system’s “Community Connect” program, as well as the enterprise digital strategy, which advances innovation across clinical, operational and patient-facing technologies. A nationally recognized leader, Mr. Busick was named a “National Healthcare CIO of the Year” by InspireCIO and one of the top 150 innovative CXOs in the nation by Constellation Research. A thought leader in the healthcare technology space, he has given a TED Talk on digital transformation in healthcare, outlining how systems can reimagine the ways that technology can support better outcomes. He has also been featured in CIO Magazine. Additionally, Mr. Busick is an adjunct faculty member at Pacific Lutheran and a teaching assistant in Brown University’s graduate program.

Bobbie Byrne, MD. CIO of Advocate Health (Charlotte, N.C.). Dr. Byrne has more than 15 years of experience in clinical informatics and 10 years of professional practice experience. She is CIO of 67-hospital Advocate Health, one of the nation’s five largest not-for-profit, integrated health systems, formed by the merger of Advocate Aurora Health based in Downers Grove, Ill. and Milwaukee, with Charlotte-based Atrium Health. Before the merger, she was CIO of Advocate Aurora Health.

Deborah Cancilla. CIO and Executive Vice President of Data Strategy for Temple Health (Philadelphia). Ms. Cancilla is reshaping Temple Health’s IT landscape by unifying operations, enhancing data strategy and driving digital transformation. She successfully implemented Epic at Philadelphia-based Fox Chase Cancer Center and is now overseeing the launch of Temple Health’s first patient-facing mobile app, while also modernizing intranet communications and integrating AI. She also helped expand telehealth access and ensured continuity of care during Covid-19, doubling virtual visits systemwide. Ms. Cancilla’s focus on underserved communities and breaking institutional silos has strengthened collaboration and scalability across the system. 

Eric Carey. Vice President and CIO of Valley Health System (Ridgewood, N.J.). Mr. Carey has transformed Valley Health System’s digital landscape by spearheading the creation of a state-of-the-art smart hospital in Paramus, N.J., which integrates AI-driven fall prevention, real-time location systems and interactive patient room controls. Under his guidance, the system earned a “Level 9 Digital Health Most Wired” designation in 2024 and maintained 21 consecutive years of recognition for digital excellence. He expanded the IT department to 110 professionals, supporting over 60 locations and streamlining operations across clinical and administrative functions. Mr. Carey’s leadership in implementing Meditech Expanse has enabled real-time monitoring of conditions such as sepsis and Covid-19, empowering clinicians with timely, actionable insights. Recognized as a New Jersey “INNOVATE100” honoree, Mr. Carey is also a sought-after speaker at national College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and Meditech forums.

Matthew Chambers. CIO of Baylor Scott & White Health (Dallas). He served as CIO of Scott & White for two years before it merged with Baylor in 2013, when he became CIO of the entire system. He now oversees health IT for more than 52 hospitals and 49,000-plus employees. Mr. Chambers works with the executive team to align information systems strategies with business objectives. He also led the system’s EHR implementation.

Deepesh Chandra. Chief Digital and Information Officer for Montefiore Einstein (Bronx, N.Y.). Since joining Montefiore Einstein in 2023, Mr. Chandra has led a sweeping digital transformation focused on cloud migration, AI integration and cybersecurity resilience. He orchestrated a major partnership with Amazon Web Services to build a scalable, secure infrastructure and enhance decision-making with predictive analytics. Mr. Chandra also championed a collaboration with Amazon One Medical to expand care access, while deploying patient-centered digital tools and AI-powered automation that aim to improve efficiency and reduce clinician burden. A cybersecurity advocate, he has implemented next-gen threat detection to safeguard operations and patient data. Previously, he was chief analytics officer at Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health.

Marc Chasin, MD. Senior Vice President and CIO of Onvida Health (Yuma, Ariz.). Dr. Chasin, both a physician and seasoned CIO, bridges clinical care and IT at Onvida Health to ensure that technology empowers provider workflows and patient care. Since joining in 2024, he has focused on modernizing core systems like Epic EHR, improving infrastructure and deploying generative AI to enhance diagnostic accuracy. His leadership is rooted in real-world clinical understanding, ensuring tools are practical and intuitive for clinicians. Dr. Chasin ensures that every digital advancement directly enhances quality, access and provider-patient connection. Under his guidance, Onvida Health has been named a College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Most Wired” hospital for five consecutive years. Prior to Dr. Chasin’s current role, he held top IT roles at Westchester (N.Y.) Medical Center and Boise, Idaho-based St. Luke’s Health System, consistently driving digital innovation.

Saad Chaudhry. Chief Digital and Information Officer for SSM Health (St. Louis). Mr. Chaudhry oversees a wide range of technology and data operations at SSM Health, including clinical informatics, analytics, digital engagement and enterprise IT strategy. With more than 20 years of global experience, he has held leadership roles at major institutions like Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine, Pittsburgh-based UPMC, healthcare corporation McKesson, and Middle Eastern healthcare brand Saudi German Health. He is a College of Healthcare Information Management Executives-certified CIO and digital health executive, recognized by Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society as a “Top Future-50 Leader” for his transformation work abroad. Mr. Chaudhry serves on the boards of CHIME and the software company Graphite Health, and teaches as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University’s School of Health. His deep expertise in healthcare systems and digital transformation positions him as a global thought leader in patient-centered technology.

Zafar Chaudry. Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Officer and CIO at Seattle Children’s. Dr. Chaudry joined Seattle Children’s as its chief digital officer in 2017. In his current role, he provides vision and leadership for the development of technology initiatives and enterprisewide information systems and services for Seattle Children’s. His goal is to enable clinicians with the best technology to deliver safe and excellent care to patients. Dr. Chaudry began his career as a physician and has more than 30 years of experience in all aspects of IT. His background includes work in both healthcare and corporate settings in the U.S., Australia, Western Europe and the U.K. across enterprise infrastructure development, business intelligence, unified telecommunications, and the implementation of healthcare information systems and EHRs. He previously served as CIO at Cambridge University Hospitals in the United Kingdom.

Lynnette Clinton. CIO of BayCare Health System (Clearwater, Fla.). Ms. Clinton leads BayCare’s 700-person information services, clinical engineering and innovation teams with a focus on AI integration, digital transformation and disaster preparedness. She oversees a $276 million IT budget and more than 400 applications, ensuring resilient operations, including seamless system continuity during two hurricanes. Ms. Clinton’s emphasis on strong governance and empathetic leadership fuels BayCare’s technology evolution while improving patient and team member experiences. With 28 years of IT experience, she mentors rising leaders and fosters a culture of feedback-driven improvement. Her crisis response, technical expertise and hands-on leadership have helped earn BayCare multiple national honors, including a spot on Healthgrades’ “America’s 50 Best Hospitals” list and on the USA Today and Energage “Top Workplace USA” list.

Meridith Coburn. Vice President of IT and CIO at Saint Francis Health System (Tulsa, Okla.). Ms. Coburn oversees all information technology for Saint Francis Health System, which includes 11,000-plus employees across its flagship hospital, another urban hospital, two rural hospitals, an affiliated university teaching hospital and more than 115 physician clinic sites. Her team is responsible for all software applications for inpatient services, ambulatory, home health, hospice, rehabilitation, outpatient and inpatient dialysis, radiology, oncology and laboratory. She also is in charge of technology infrastructure, such as computers and networks, and led the system’s successful move to Epic, Workday and Hyland document management software. Saint Francis has its own telecommunications company, which is one of the largest phones in the state. Additionally, she oversees Medicall, the phone-answering service for all physicians. Ms. Coburn has helped to modernize its technology and tech systems. She originally joined the Saint Francis system in 1997. 

Yeman Collier. Senior Vice President and CIO for University of Chicago Medicine. Mr. Collier leads all aspects of IT at UChicago Medicine, overseeing infrastructure, project management, information security and the integration of digital tools into clinical, research and business operations. With over 17 years of experience, he brings a deep understanding of academic medical centers and a track record of aligning IT capabilities with evolving healthcare demands. Mr. Collier is recognized for his collaborative leadership, having unified UChicago Medicine’s privacy and information security offices to strengthen compliance and data protection. He joined the organization in July 2024, following successful CIO tenures at UT Health San Antonio (Texas), Duarte, Calif.-based City of Hope and Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare. His approach drives digital transformation that prioritizes safety, operational effectiveness and patient-centricity.

Sunil Dadlani. Executive Vice President, Chief Information and Digital Transformation Officer at Atlantic Health System (Morristown, N.J.). Mr. Dadlani is responsible for the enhancement of digital patient and consumer experiences, which includes delivering transformative technology solutions to elevate patient care, outcomes and interactions. He is committed to leveraging technological innovation to provide the highest quality care and ultimately build healthier communities for the 7.5 million patients Atlantic Health System serves. He is particularly focused on the expansion and diversification of intelligent automation, including AI, throughout the healthcare system. He assesses broad technology needs by reflecting on industry-guiding principles, the evolving patient experience, investment models, branding and marketing, available data, work effort and investment maximization. 

Jim Daly. Vice President and CIO of Washington Regional (Fayetteville, Ark.). Mr. Daly joined Washington Regional in 2017 as director of information services and moved into the CIO role in 2020. He and his team leverage strong IT governance and operating models to ensure they deliver the highest technology value possible to Arkansas’ top ranked hospital and the Northwest Arkansas community.

Bruce Darrow, MD, PhD. CIO of the Mount Sinai Health System (New York City). Dr. Darrow was appointed CIO of Mount Sinai Health System in November 2024, bringing to the role a unique blend of clinical, academic and informatics expertise. A board-certified cardiologist and clinical informaticist, Dr. Darrow treats patients with a wide range of cardiovascular conditions while advancing health IT to improve care delivery and outcomes. Throughout his career, he has received numerous honors for medical education and patient care, including the Dr. Joseph N. Muschel “Housestaff Award” and multiple Solomon Berson teaching awards. He is a four-time recipient of the “Cullman Family Award” for excellence in physician communication and has been recognized as a Castle Connolly “Top Doctor” in the New York Metro Area since 2016. Dr. Darrow is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and an active member of the American Heart Association. 

Myra Davis. Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Innovation Officer for Texas Children’s Hospital (Houston). Ms. Davis oversees a 500-person IT team across 90 sites, spearheading digital transformation, cybersecurity and innovation for the largest freestanding children’s hospital in the U.S. Her leadership has driven the implementation of intelligent process automation, AI documentation tools, virtual care networks, and data governance strategies that optimize operations and support clinical excellence. Ms. Davis has championed more than a dozen major programs, including AI-based diagnostics, remote patient monitoring and a clinical document integrity platform that generated nearly $90 million in net revenue. Texas Children’s cybersecurity strength under her direction earned a No. 1 ranking from a leading cybersecurity firm, and the organization maintains Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society “Stage 7” and Magnet designations. A multiple-time ORBIE “CIO of the Year” honoree, Ms. Davis also serves as faculty for the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and has influenced national healthcare IT conversations. Her career is marked by over three decades of turning technological innovation into measurable improvements in patient care and hospital operations.

Randy Davis. CIO and Vice President of Support Services at CGH Medical Center (Sterling, Ill.). Mr. Davis has overseen health IT at CGH Medical Center since November 1996. He is responsible for the technology initiatives at the hospital, which includes a medical staff of 115 physicians and 1,500 employees.

Tracy Donegan. Chief Information and Innovation Officer of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Healthcare (Los Angeles). Ms. Donegan has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, including time as assistant vice president of Cognizant Healthcare Provider’s consulting practice before joining Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital. She has experience with business process transformation, consolidation and large-scale technology implementations. Ms. Donegan supports the hospital’s leaders in achieving their objectives with technology focused on population health, healthcare delivery models and value-based reimbursement.

Jake Dorst. Chief Innovation Officer and CIO of Tahoe Forest Health System (Truckee, Calif.). Mr. Dorst oversees the IT department at Tahoe Forest Health System, where he led the system’s efforts to unify EHR and provide better coordinated care. He also modernized the health system’s infrastructure to improve the network performance across the system’s two hospitals and six specialty clinics.

Ron Double. CIO for Parkview Health (Fort Wayne, Ind.). Mr. Double led Parkview Health to Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society “Stage 7” certification for both inpatient and outpatient settings in 2023, a distinction achieved by fewer than 20% of providers globally. His digital leadership enabled groundbreaking uses of the EHR, including a virtual nursing model using Epic’s sepsis surveillance to trigger timely interventions and improve outcomes. Mr. Double has overseen the integration of five major facilities, including the transformation of an outpatient center into a full-service hospital and the launch of Parkview Southwest, a large-scale outpatient center. His efforts also supported three Ohio-based hospitals joining the system, requiring seamless IT and clinical onboarding. Mr. Double also champions workforce development, having established an endowed scholarship for first-generation IT students at Purdue University Fort Wayne. 

Vince Doyle. CIO for Medical City Healthcare (Dallas). Mr. Doyle leads IT strategy for one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing healthcare divisions, supporting 22 hospitals and over 23,500 physicians and employees at Medical City Healthcare. Under his direction, the division has successfully integrated six hospitals and multiple new sites into its digital ecosystem, aligning EHRs and infrastructure to ensure clinical and operational continuity during major expansions. Mr. Doyle’s team is implementing a systemwide third-party clinical application in 2025 to streamline workflows and elevate patient care. Notable facility projects under his leadership include the $50 million Medical City Mental Health & Wellness Center and expansions at Medical City McKinney, Arlington and Frisco, Texas, all of which are supported by scalable IT infrastructure. Despite the complexity of rapid growth, Mr. Doyle’s department posted its highest-ever employee engagement scores. 

Robert Eardley. CIO of University Hospitals (Cleveland). Mr. Eardley has transformed the IT experience at University Hospitals by emphasizing simplicity, mobility and intuitive design across a system of 21 hospitals and 30,000 caregivers. In 2024, he led an EHR optimization initiative that unified more than 150 legacy interfaces and introduced automated provisioning for over 5,000 providers, boosting clinical access and efficiency. Mr. Eardley also oversaw a full migration to a cloud-based operating system, enabling mobile collaboration and real-time resource access across the enterprise. The system’s patient- and provider-facing digital tools now underpin its national accolades, including Epic “Gold Stars Level 9” status, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Most Wired” designation and the U.S. News & World Report‘s “Best Regional Hospital for Equitable Access” award. Mr. Eardley’s leadership extends to internal councils focused on emerging tech and digital consumer journeys, ensuring strategic alignment across innovation efforts. He brings operational rigor and future-ready thinking from prior CIO roles at Houston Methodist and roots in the consulting world. 

Mike Elder. Vice President and CIO of Phoebe Putney Health System (Albany, Ga.). Mr. Elder leads Phoebe Putney Health System’s digital transformation efforts, including a comprehensive Meditech Expanse rollout across inpatient, ambulatory and hospice settings. He piloted the outpatient Meditech Expanse Ambulatory solution at five clinics, laying the foundation for seamless data exchange and enhanced care coordination across the health system. To address workforce challenges, Mr. Elder helped launch a virtual nurse program and streamlined nursing workflows using point-of-care technology, reducing burnout and boosting clinical efficiency. His partnership with the CNO also advanced recruiting efforts through the “Living and Learning Community” initiative with local universities. Recognized with The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ “Digital Health Most Wired” distinction, the system continues to embrace technology under Mr. Elder’s leadership, continuously improving care delivery and patient outcomes.

Dave Fiser. Senior Vice President and CIO of The MetroHealth System (Cleveland). Mr. Fiser was promoted to senior vice president and CIO of The MetroHealth System in April 2023. Prior to joining the system as vice president and CIO in 2018, he served as vice president and CIO of Cleveland Clinic Akron General for nearly a decade. In his current role, he oversees IT for the health system, which includes four hospitals and more than 20 health centers as well as 40 additional sites that support around 1.4 million visits per year.

Jerry Fox. Chief Information and Digital Officer at BJC Health System (St. Louis). Mr. Fox is responsible for IT, information security operations, biomedical engineering technology and digital initiatives across BJC’s 24 hospitals and its clinics, service organizations and programs. He spearheaded BJC’s shift to telehealth and virtual care services, enhancing online features for quicker execution and scheduling functionality, thus resulting in significant new patient growth. Under Mr. Fox’s leadership, BJC introduced interactive online triage functions that allow patients to enter in symptoms and receive on-demand virtual care, specific to their conditions, which has resulted in an approximately 70% increase in digital platforms usage. Mr. Fox also serves as executive co-sponsor for the system’s consumer-centric initiatives and as a board member for College Bound St. Louis.

Rick Frederick. CIO of Cottage Hospital (Woodsville, N.H.). Mr. Frederick joined Cottage Hospital in 2011 as director of IT and became CIO in 2014. He oversees the hospital’s IT strategic planning as well as EHR security and technology initiatives. During his tenure, he helped the hospital achieve Meaningful Use Stage 2, develop IT policies and design a remote radiology reading solution with multiple vendors.

Mark Galea. Senior Vice President and CIO for Willis-Knighton Health (Shreveport, La.). Mr. Galea has quickly advanced Willis-Knighton Health’s digital maturity since becoming CIO in 2023, launching a comprehensive data governance framework that reduced inefficiencies and enhanced data transparency. His three-tiered model, which is focused on governance, management and analytics, led to improved operational insight and savings of over $500,000 annually through contractor conversion and resource optimization. Mr. Galea directed the ambitious rollout of Meditech’s Expanse Ambulatory solution across 132 clinics in just 14 months, consolidating three disparate EHRs into one streamlined system tailored for both primary care and specialty practices. He further extended the solution into oncology, enabling support for infusions, therapies and advanced cancer treatments like proton therapy. Mr. Galea also leads the James K. Elrod Innovation Center, advancing professional training and community engagement through a virtual hospital and educational programming. His previous leadership roles with Cleveland Clinic, Accenture and Gartner helped develop his deep industry expertise.

Michael Garcia. Vice President and CIO of Jackson Healthcare (Miami, Fla.). Mr. Garcia has worked more than 20 years focused on IT in large healthcare organizations. He has experience establishing governance, policies and technology platforms to connect the business and technical sides of organizations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the charge to ramp up telehealth and remote work. He was promoted from corporate director of information services to CIO at Jackson Healthcare in 2012.

Ismelda Garza. CIO of Cuero (Texas) Regional Hospital. Ms. Garza leads Cuero Regional Hospital’s IT strategy, overseeing infrastructure, cybersecurity and digital transformation, including the implementation of Meditech Expanse. Her leadership has optimized IT workflows and bolstered cybersecurity while improving clinical and operational efficiency, positioning the hospital as a rural healthcare technology leader. Ms. Garza has expanded telehealth services and implemented innovative, resource-efficient solutions in a rural setting where budget constraints are critical. She is active in national health IT circles, sharing expertise on EHRs, governance and rural cybersecurity through Medical Users Software Exchange, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals. A community advocate, Ms. Garza founded the Big Bearcat/Little Bearcat mentorship program to support local youth. 

Eric Gasser, RN. CIO and Vice President of Information Systems for Wooster (Ohio) Community Hospital Health System. Mr. Gasser brings 20 years of healthcare IT and clinical experience to his role at Wooster Community Hospital Health System, using his background as a registered nurse to champion clinician-led innovation in documentation and workflow optimization. Through his “Freeing Up Nurses’ Time” campaign, Mr. Gasser empowered nurses to submit documentation improvement ideas, resulting in forecasted annual time savings of 1,600 hours. He leads the system’s IT, telehealth and cybersecurity programs, ensuring compliance, connectivity and clinical usability across platforms. Mr. Gasser has held multiple leadership roles within the organization over 18 years, consistently praised for his problem-solving and collaborative approach. Among various other responsibilities, he is tasked with ensuring robust HIPAA-compliant security protocols are enforced systemwide. His work has helped the system earn top honors, including multiple CMS 5-star ratings and a spot on Newsweek‘s “World’s Best Hospitals” list.

Thomas Gordon. Senior Vice President and CIO of Virtua Health (Marlton, N.J.). Mr. Gordon has driven Virtua Health’s digital evolution through groundbreaking initiatives like enterprisewide AI deployment, Epic integration, enterprise resource planning modernization and predictive analytics development. Overseeing IT for five hospitals and over 400 care sites, Mr. Gordon led implementations of virtual nursing, telehealth, centralized logistics, and AI-powered tools such as DAX Copilot and sepsis predictive models. His leadership enabled the system to achieve the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’s “Most Wired Level 10” status for two consecutive years, along with several other national recognitions for innovation and care quality. Mr. Gordon has been with the system since 1997, and played a central role in integrating the Lourdes Health System and in supporting operations during the Covid-19 pandemic. He is actively engaged in leadership forums including Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, the Health Management Academy and academic boards.

Cherodeep “Chero” Goswami. Chief Information and Digital Officer for Providence (Renton, Wash.). Mr. Goswami serves as chief information and digital officer at Providence, overseeing all technology functions, cybersecurity, AI and digital platform strategy across one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S. In his role, he drives initiatives to reduce administrative burdens for clinicians and implements transformative technologies aligned with Providence’s mission to serve vulnerable populations. Prior to joining Providence, he was system vice president and chief information and digital officer at Madison, Wis.-based UW Health, where he led strategic direction for IT, AI integration and digital innovation. He also held multiple leadership roles at BJC Healthcare in St. Louis, including vice president of business relationship management, guiding enterprisewide tech strategies. In addition to healthcare, his experience spans finance, telecommunications and transportation.

Adriana Guzman. CIO at Loretto Hospital (Chicago). Ms. Guzman assumed the role of CIO at Loretto in December 2023, with duties including management and oversight of a new Meditech Expanse implementation project. She is also in charge of the entire IT staff and its functions.  She has a breadth of experience in the implementation of healthcare software programs and years of experience as an IT executive. She also brings strong negotiating capabilities to the technology and consulting aspects of her role.

David Hall, MD. CIO at OSF HealthCare (Peoria, Ill.). Dr. Hall has been the CIO at OSF HealthCare since 2020, overseeing more than 400 employees across the IT department. These teams are responsible for all software used by OSF and its subsidiary, Pointcore, across ambulatory, inpatient, diagnostics, revenue cycle, resource planning and reporting departments, as well as medical and clinical informatics that implement and optimize that technology. The division maintains expert technicians in the IT service, cybersecurity and technology infrastructure, including data center storage of approximately 12 petabytes of data in each of two data centers. His teams support more than 50 clients, not limited to OSF HealthCare, at over 800 locations. His teams’ work has saved tens of millions of dollars in the last several years, lowering IT’s percent of the net patient revenue. In 2024, OSF was one of less than 100 systems to achieve the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Most Wired” status, marking the 13th straight year. The system reached “Level 9” status in both ambulatory care and inpatient care. Dr. Hall joined OSF in 1999 in internal medicine-pediatrics, transitioned to informatics in 2006, became vice president and chief medical information officer in 2011, and transitioned to senior vice president, along with retaining the CMIO position, in 2017.

Amanda Hammel. Senior Vice President and CIO of Memorial Hermann Health System (Houston). Ms. Hammel is leading one of the largest Epic transformations in the country, executing a $700 million rollout across 15 hospitals and 250 care sites to unify clinical, operational and financial systems at Memorial Hermann Health System. Her efforts have ensured immediate interoperability via Epic’s “Care Everywhere” platform, exchanging millions of records within weeks and improving care coordination across the Houston region. Beyond the EHR, Ms. Hammel has adopted the National Institute of Standards and Technology framework, along with technical playbooks for disaster recovery and continuity, elevating the system’s cybersecurity posture. She is also advancing AI adoption, from clinical applications to personalized digital experiences, while championing IT’s role in population health analytics and in-home care strategies. A mentor and equity advocate, Ms. Hammel supports women-led health tech startups through her role on the IGNITE steering committee. 

Justin Harlan, RN. Director of Information Technology for Redlands (Calif.) Community Hospital. As a registered nurse and director of IT, Mr. Harlan merges clinical expertise with strategic IT leadership to elevate patient care through cutting-edge technology at Redlands Community Hospital. He has led multi-million-dollar modernization initiatives, including the development of three-to-five-year IT roadmaps, resource optimization strategies and advanced cybersecurity protocols, all aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and care outcomes. Mr. Harlan is widely recognized for his ability to align technology with clinical and business objectives, leveraging tools like robotic process automation and structured query language-based analytics to advance digital transformation. He oversees a team of over 30 specialists and manages capital budgets, vendor relations and IT governance in close collaboration with hospital executives. His background includes healthcare leadership roles where he developed integrated acute and ambulatory IT environments and drove strategic alignment with clinical stakeholders. Mr. Harlan is an active participant in the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and the American Nursing Informatics Association.

Billy Helmandollar. CIO of DCH Health System (Tuscaloosa, Ala.). Mr. Helmandollar has elevated DCH Health System’s digital maturity from a “Level 5” to a “Level 9” designation in the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ “Digital Health Most Wired” rankings across acute, ambulatory and long-term care. He orchestrated a seamless Meditech Expanse implementation during the Covid-19 pandemic, eliminating over 450 legacy customizations and improving clinician workflows and system interoperability. Notably, his leadership reduced billing cycle times by 15 days, cut operating costs by $50,000–$100,000 annually, and enhanced clinical decision-making through expert-based workflows and real-time dashboards. Mr. Helmandollar extended the system’s EHR to independent practices through a hosted model, making advanced technology accessible to underserved physician offices. In recognition of his visionary approach, he received the Alabama ORBIE “CIO of the Year” award.

John Henderson. Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer at Rady Children’s Health (San Diego). In January 2025, Mr. Henderson joined Rady Children’s Health as its vice president and chief information and digital officer. He comes from his prior role as vice president and CIO of Children’s Hospital of Orange County (Calif.). In his new role, he is ensuring an aligned and engaged digital framework within the organization. His focus extends to enhancing patient and employee satisfaction, crafting a strong internal identity for the system, and preparing a long-term plan for success. 

Nolan Hennessee. CIO and Vice President of St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System (Savannah, Ga.). Mr. Hennessee has led a systemwide digital transformation at St. Joseph’s/Candler Health, uniting more than 100 providers across primary care, specialty care and oncology on a single EHR platform. His strategic initiatives integrated rural and suburban care sites and linked the cancer research center to community clinics, improving connectivity and continuity of care. A passionate advocate for health equity, Mr. Hennessee aligned IT strategy with community wellness initiatives like the Heartwood development, which integrates health, housing and education. Under his guidance, the organization launched the holistic “Bē Health and Well-Being” program, blending digital health with proactive wellness engagement. Mr. Hennessee also contributes to the broader health tech community as a speaker and panelist for the Georgia Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Donette Herring, RN. CIO for ECU Health (Greenville, N.C.). With more than three decades of experience in nursing, consulting and IT leadership, Ms. Herring has led ECU Health’s digital transformation since 2013, blending clinical insight with technological expertise. Her nursing-informed approach ensures that digital solutions improve patient outcomes, operational efficiency and clinical team wellbeing. Ms. Herring oversaw the integration of IT systems with East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine and championed innovations like MyChart Bedside and the “Hello World” texting initiative, directly benefiting over 1.4 million patients in rural North Carolina. She led ECU Health to achieve “Level 8 Digital Health Most Wired” recognition from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives in 2024 for excellence in infrastructure, analytics, patient engagement and more. Beyond technology, she is passionate about nurturing future healthcare leaders. 

Steve Hess. CIO of UCHealth (Aurora, Colo.). Mr. Hess oversees IT for UCHealth, a nonprofit health system with a workforce of more than 33,000 people. Mr. Hess manages the enterprise EHR system, website and patient portal. Prior to becoming CIO of the system, he was CIO of University of Colorado Hospital and spent time as CIO of ChristianaCare in Newark, Del.

George T. “Buddy” Hickman. Chief Digital and Information Officer of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Buffalo, N.Y.). Mr. Hickman leads the planning, development and implementation of technology policy and activation across Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, founded in 1898 as the first facility of its kind. Since Mr. Hickman joined Roswell Park in early 2024, his team has delivered advances translating to benefits for patients, clinicians, researchers and workforce members. His work has helped stand up a framework for shared leadership and governance of progressive digital health and IT, organizationwide AI policy and governance, AI integration, data and development efforts with clinical, translational and scientific research colleagues, and an IT improvement plan based on internally led assessments and surveys. His team has also developed patient and workforce applications, improved infrastructure resiliency and raised the customer experience. Mr. Hickman has served the health industry as a CIO for more than two decades, touching every facet of the clinical and business continuum while supporting academic and research missions. An industry speaker, author and mentor in digital health leadership, he is a past board chair for the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, actively serves on industry and vendor advisory boards, and is past recipient of the John E. Gall Jr. “CIO of the Year Award” from CHIME and HIMSS.

Scott Holtswarth. Network Vice President and CIO of St. Luke’s Hospital Health System (Chesterfield, Mo.). Mr. Holtswarth is transforming St. Luke’s Hospital’s digital experience through initiatives like the “patient digital front door,” intranet redesign, customer relationship management implementation and advanced scheduling systems. He spearheaded the adoption of the digital financial platform Cedar, improving patient billing experiences and generating nearly $4 million in incremental collections. Mr. Holtswarth’s digital check-in solutions and streamlined patient workflows have reduced wait times and congestion, all while achieving a 90% satisfaction rate and 83% engagement. He is known for uniquely aligning IT strategy with revenue cycle goals, creating strong interdisciplinary collaboration to improve operational performance. A nearly 30-year veteran of St. Luke’s, Mr. Holtswarth was also a finalist in the 2024 St. Louis ORBIE Awards. 

Geoff Hook. Senior Vice President and CIO of Nuvance Health (Danbury, Conn.). Mr. Hook oversees IT operations and strategy for Nuvance, a seven-hospital health system. He is responsible for a 330-member IT team, developing priorities and capital planning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Hook was instrumental in leading technology efforts for critical care initiatives, telemedicine and the shift to remote work. He was vice president of MaineHealth for three years before joining Nuvance.

Ross Hurd. CIO of Lake Chelan (Wash.) Community Hospital. Mr. Hurd oversees health IT at the 25-bed Lake Chelan Community Hospital. He became the hospital’s CIO in 2006 and has overseen the implementation of new technologies and partnerships, including a telestroke program that connects the critical access hospital to Swedish Medical Center in Seattle 24/7.

Eric Jimenez. CIO of Artesia (N.M.) General Hospital. Mr. Jimenez directs all IT operations at Artesia General Hospital, managing a $3 million annual budget and a 16-member IT team. He consolidated three EHR systems into one enterprise platform, and led the construction of a new data center that secures the hospital’s long-term growth and stability. Mr. Jimenez’s strategic cybersecurity framework has earned industry accolades, including the “Stage 6 Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model” recognition from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and multiple “Most Wired” awards from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. He introduced a phishing prevention campaign that reduced risk by 54% and has developed disaster recovery protocols aligned with national standards. Under his leadership, the hospital was named a “Great Place to Work” and received statewide recognition for community health excellence. Mr. Jimenez brings more than 20 years in healthcare IT to his current role.

Tony Johnston. CIO and Senior Vice President of Information Services for Cincinnati Children’s. With more than 30 years of pediatric health IT leadership, Mr. Johnston has helped shape Cincinnati Children’s into a national leader in digital innovation. He co-developed the hospital’s AI literacy curriculum, “AI 101”, ensuring every employee gains proficiency in emerging technologies. Mr. Johnston also led the deployment of Epic, constructed the system’s enterprise data center, and introduced the first-ever augmented reality and virtual reality training center inside a hospital. His vision has positioned information services as a collaborative partner in advancing patient care and institutional excellence. The health system has earned consistent honors under his tenure, including the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ “Digital Health Most Wired” recognition and Forbes’ “Best Employer” accolades. Mr. Johnston also serves on numerous national advisory boards, driving the healthcare technology conversation at both regional and national levels.

Jason Joseph. Chief Digital and Information Officer at Corewell Health (Grand Rapids and Southfield, Mich.). Mr. Joseph leads strategic and operational information services at Corewell Health, with a primary focus on simplifying and enhancing the healthcare experience for the system’s patients, health plan members, teams and communities. Through easy-to-use digital platforms, applications, technology and medical devices, Mr. Joseph and his team aim to make health more accessible and equitable. He also leads the system’s efforts in cybersecurity, data and analytics, clinical technology and emergency preparedness. Through his leadership, digital services keep over 64,000 team members productive on-site and from home. Recently, Mr. Joseph’s team created a mergers and acquisitions playbook that identified seven phases of integration and touched nearly all parts of the enterprise. The scope includes nearly $500 million in investments over a three-year implementation timeframe. He helped align leadership, rationalize hundreds of applications, transition to a single enterprise resource planning system for finance, HR and supply chain, and consolidate its clinical operating ecosystem. In total, the program aims to rationalize several hundred applications by July 2024. The scope and scale involve over 10,000 program participants and will impact nearly 100,000 users across the enterprise and its community partners, providing a modernized and simplified foundation for digital automation, AI enablement and standardized operations.

Bruk Kammerman. Senior Vice President and CIO for Avera (Sioux Falls, S.D.). Mr. Kammerman became senior vice president and CIO of Avera in February, responsible for creating and delivering on its IT vision and plan to become a data-driven organization. He also supports consumer experience initiatives and leads digital technology implementations. Mr. Kammerman was regional CIO of MultiCare Health System in Spokane, Wash., before joining Avera.

Joel Klein, MD. Senior Vice President and CIO of University of Maryland Medical System (Baltimore). Dr. Klein is responsible for system-level IT initiatives, including security and informatics. This encompasses Epic EHR, business applications, infrastructure, security, a clinical innovation team and informatics. Dr. Klein led the systemwide rollout of an enterprise resource planning system, as well as a systemwide time and attendance platform. He also designed and implemented the system’s IT governance model and oversees its IT strategy. In addition, he manages an annual budget of about $230 million.

Matt Kull. Chief Information and Digital Strategy Officer for Inova (Falls Church, Va.). Mr. Kull leads all technology and digital strategy for Inova, where he has been a driving force behind the organization’s innovation journey and digital transformation. He successfully implemented AI-powered healthcare solutions such as Hyro and Abridge, enhancing patient interactions, clinical documentation, overall experience and efficiency. Under his leadership, Inova was the first in the nation to earn The Joint Commission’s “Responsible Use of Health Data” certification, highlighting his ability to champion innovation while safeguarding data privacy. His prior roles at Cleveland Clinic and Dallas-based Parkland Health included overseeing global tech expansions and implementing groundbreaking infrastructure like quantum computing and 5G-enabled hospitals. Mr. Kull’s expertise has been recognized nationally, including features in Forbes and numerous “CIO of the Year” accolades from Inspire CIO, DallasCIO and D CEO Magazine.

Brian Lancaster. Senior Vice President and CIO of Children’s Mercy Kansas City (Mo.). Mr. Lancaster is leading Children’s Mercy Kansas City through a major digital transformation, including an EHR transition from Oracle Health to Epic and a hybrid cloud infrastructure deployment using Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. These efforts are creating new opportunities for informatics and cloud engineering while improving care delivery and operational scalability. Under his leadership, the organization was selected for a $10 million Amazon Web Services grant to support children’s health innovation. Mr. Lancaster held previous leadership roles at Nebraska Medicine and Cerner, where he honed his experience in health IT transformation. 

Josh Lee, MD. Senior Vice President and CIO for TMC Health (Tucson, Ariz.). As both a practicing internist and CIO, Dr. Lee brings a rare combination of clinical insight and IT expertise to TMC Health’s technology strategy. He has led enterprisewide AI integration, advanced analytics, EHR optimization and public health collaborations, all aligned with enhancing quality, equity and access. Dr. Lee successfully integrated a major cancer practice, launched infrastructure for a new hospital, and contributed to sepsis care improvements via the “Yale CARES” initiative. His work with the Pima County (Ariz.) Health Department has elevated regional interoperability and public health data sharing. He continues to see patients at TMCOne, the system’s one-stop-shop for primary and specialty care, while mentoring future medical professionals as an associate professor at the University of Arizona.

Naomi Lenane. CIO and Senior Vice President of Information Services for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston). Assuming her role in 2017, Ms. Lenane is responsible for all software and infrastructure supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s clinical and business operations. She is recognized for her business-oriented approach to directing tech projects from inception to execution. During her more than two decades at the institute, she has played an integral role in major operating milestones, including serving as the information systems leader for opening of regional campuses and the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care, the implementation of a new EHR and the transition to hybrid work during the Covid-19 pandemic. She also led the implementation of a customer relationship management solution, which transformed the patient contact experience. Ms. Lenane is a key player in various ongoing initiatives, including technology planning efforts for the proposed future cancer hospital. She is an active member of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, achieving the CHIME “Certified Healthcare CIO” certification. She co-chairs the Society for Information Management Boston Women, which focuses on women leaders in technology.

Raymond Lowe. Senior Vice President and CIO of AltaMed Health Services (Los Angeles). Mr. Lowe has a background in IT executive leadership, EHR deployment, strategy and financial management. He joined AltaMed Health Services in January 2018 as senior vice president and CIO after spending five years as senior director of IT enterprise technology and infrastructure at Dignity Health in San Francisco. He also has experience as an IT leader with Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health and Services and Kaiser Permanente based in Oakland, Calif.

Sophy Lu. Senior Vice President and CIO of Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.). Ms. Lu is responsible for health IT at Northwell, deploying technology and business strategies as well as overseeing technology purchases, establishing IT policies, and ensuring security and privacy of technology systems. Her role impacts more than 1,900 team members and 3,000 solutions. Ms. Lu has spearheaded various application strategies at Northwell, including the rollout of ICD-10, the initiation of the digital transformation of patient engagement and access, digitization of imaging, EHR optimizations, technology solutions for the Covid-19 pandemic response, recovery and vaccine efforts, and the transformation of Northwell’s EHR to Epic. She has been with Northwell Health since 2010 and has been in her current role since April of 2022. Upon assuming the role, Ms. Lu became the nation’s first Asian American and Pacific Islander hospital system CIO.

Roger Lutz. CIO of Independence Health (Butler, Pa.). Mr. Lutz steers IT strategy at Independence Health, bringing nearly three decades of IT and cybersecurity experience to the role. Following the merger of Butler Health and Excela Health, Mr. Lutz has led the integration of systems and resources, tackling fragmentation and building a cohesive, future-focused digital environment. He champions automation and AI to alleviate staffing shortages and streamline operations, improving responsiveness in clinical and administrative workflows. One of his core focuses is interoperability, as he advances application programming interfaces integration to open the EHR for greater patient and provider insight and accessibility. Mr. Lutz is also an adjunct professor, a College of Healthcare Information Management Executives-certified digital health leader, and an FBI InfraGard sector chief. Independence Health’s facilities have earned extensive national recognition in cardiac care, stroke treatment and surgical excellence under his IT leadership.

Scott MacLean. Senior Vice President and CIO for MedStar Health (Columbia, Md.). Mr. MacLean oversees IT, cybersecurity and analytics at MedStar Health, stewarding a $300 million technology portfolio and leading an 850-member team. With nearly three decades in health IT, including 21 years at Boston-based Mass General Brigham, he brings extensive experience in infrastructure modernization, EHR optimization and international healthcare expansion. Mr. MacLean helped lead MedStar Health’s digital resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic and currently shapes enterprise AI and data governance strategy. Under his guidance, MedStar earned recognition as a College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Level 9 Digital Health Most Wired” program for both acute and ambulatory care. Mr. MacLean is also an active national thought leader, having chaired CHIME, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and CRISP Shared Services. Additionally, he has testified before Congress on cybersecurity. He is currently co-chair of MedStar’s information services diversity committee and serves on the board of Baltimore’s “We Our Us” unity movement. 

Don MacMillan. Senior Director of Information Services and Regional CIO of Maine Medical Center (Portland). Mr. MacMillan is the liaison between hospital executives and the IT team, working with leaders to use technology for organizational needs. He was director of patient care innovations at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis and ran an independent consulting company before joining Maine Medical Center.

Michael Mainiero. Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Information Officer of Catholic Health (Rockville Centre, N.Y.). As CIO, Mr. Mainiero oversees the transformation of Catholic Health’s digital strategy and technical landscape for patients, physicians and employees across six hospitals and hundreds of practice locations. Mr. Mainiero also oversees all aspects of cybersecurity, infrastructure and oversight of the Epic EHR to support clinical workflows, clinical efficiency, and outcomes for patient safety and quality. Before his time with Catholic Health, he spent 20 years at NYU Langone where he established an agile technology and informatics-driven culture while overseeing the digital transformation of its academic medical center. 

TJ Malseed. Chief Digital and Information Officer for Keck Medicine of USC (Los Angeles). Mr. Malseed oversees digital health, IT and cybersecurity across Keck Medicine of USC’s hospitals and clinics, supporting over 20,000 users with a team of nearly 500 IT professionals. Under his leadership, the system has implemented transformative technologies that personalize care beyond traditional settings, including AI scribes for physicians, automated waitlist systems, and expanded remote patient monitoring. He optimized the transfer center with AI to summarize extensive patient records in minutes, dramatically improving patient intake decisions. Mr. Malseed has also championed data democratization by launching a self-service analytics platform that empowers clinical and business users to generate insights independently. He has also led successful IT integrations during complex mergers and acquisitions, extending enterprise systems to thousands of new users. With initiatives like Keck Medicine’s longstanding IT internship program, Mr. Malseed combines innovation with mentorship to shape the next generation of healthcare IT leaders.

Mac Marlow. CIO of Southwestern Health Resources Farmers Branch (Texas). Mr. Marlow has been the CIO of Southwestern Health Resources Farmers Branch since October 2021, which he joined from Lehigh Valley Health Network. Mr. Marlow operates the SWHR Technology Managed Services Organization through an agreement with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He provides leadership and strategic direction for the organization’s robust technology services and products portfolio. Currently, he is working to standardize the network’s expansive EHR offering, enhance the high-performance technology team and expand technology oversight to support SWHR’s health plan, called Care N’ Care. Mr. Marlow also maintains the role of primary technology relationship manager for SWHR’s founding organizations, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Health Resources.

Novlet Mattis. Senior Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer for Orlando (Fla.) Health. With oversight of a $600 million budget and over 1,500 team members, Ms. Mattis leads Orlando Health’s expansive IT, digital innovation, supply chain, analytics and facility security operations. Her leadership has supported rapid system growth and technology modernization, including Epic consolidation, enterprise resource planning unification and cloud platform implementation. Ms. Mattis also spearheaded a sweeping AI-driven digital platform that supports virtual care, remote monitoring and ambient documentation, resulting in drastically improved safety, satisfaction and operational efficiency. She has built a high-performing IT organization with over 90% retention over four years and champions employee engagement through development initiatives. Her leadership has earned Orlando Health multiple national awards for health IT, including top College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and Epic honors.

Edward McCallister. Senior Vice President and CIO of UPMC (Pittsburgh). Mr. McCallister leads a 2,500-person IT division at UPMC, supporting more than 40 hospitals and 700 outpatient sites while overseeing over 3,600 applications and 490,000 connected devices. He is guiding the enterprise through a major unified Epic EHR transformation to streamline care and integrate technology infrastructure. Mr. McCallister also helped to enhance system resilience and digital access by overseeing AI integration, website modernization and cybersecurity maturation. As founder of UPMC’s “Women in IT” group, he is committed to organizationwide inclusion, mentorship and leadership development. His leadership has earned UPMC national honors, including Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society “Stage 7” status, “Most Wired Level 10” designation from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and multiple workplace awards.

Sheree McFarland. CIO of West Florida at HCA (Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla.). Ms. McFarland oversees health IT for 16 hospitals and more than 50 physician practices and other facilities for HCA’s West Florida region. In this role, Ms. McFarland provides strategic planning, budgeting and project management support for the health system. She has previous experience as director of IT for Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Pamela McNutt. Senior Vice President and CIO of Methodist Health System (Dallas). Ms. McNutt has nearly 45 years of health IT. In addition to her 31 year tenure as CIO of the seven-hospital Methodist Health System, Ms. McNutt serves as a member of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives policy steering committee and has recently concluded her 12-year appointment on the Texas Health and Human Services Commission e-health advisory committee. She has also served on the boards of both Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and was awarded the “John Gall CIO of the Year” award in 2002.

Jeremy Meller. CIO for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Mr. Meller first joined Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in 2012. He serves as CIO, a role in which he leads strategy and oversight for digital innovation, data analytics, cybersecurity, user experience, and clinical and business applications. He played a key leadership role in launching the new Arthur M. Blank Children’s Hospital, implementing advanced device integration, staff-supporting technologies and patient engagement platforms. His prior career includes CIO roles at Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic and Iowa Heart Center in West Des Moines, as well as leadership roles at Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health and Munson Army Health Center in Leavenworth, Kan. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Meller served as chief of information management and earned recognition as the Army’s “Information Management Officer of the Year”. He currently is a fellow of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and an active member of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives.

Nader Mherabi. Executive Vice President and Vice Dean, Chief Digital and Information Officer of NYU Langone Health (New York City). Mr. Mherabi, executive vice president and vice dean, chief digital and information officer, is responsible for all information technology activities for NYU Langone Health and for information technology’s development as a strategic organizational asset. Mr. Mherabi currently leads NYU Langone Health’s digital transformation initiative, driving the integration of the institution’s workflows, revolutionizing the digital patient experience and clinical environment, and empowering the institution with big data and advanced analytics to improve care delivery and efficiency. He has been at NYU Langone for over 20 years and has since made IT a strategic asset for the system. Through these advancements, the system can increase access to care, elevate clinicians with greater IT efficiency and enable research discoveries. 

Aaron Miri, DHA. Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer at Baptist Health (Jacksonville, Fla.). Dr. Miri is responsible for shaping the future of Baptist Health from an information technology perspective, with an emphasis on digital strategy, innovation, cybersecurity and the enterprisewide integration of technology. With more than 20 years of healthcare and IT experience, Dr. Miri has a track record of transforming care delivery for consumers, patients and providers through collaboration with clinicians, internal stakeholders and technology partners. In the first year of his tenure at Baptist, he spearheaded the health system’s EHR transition to Epic and the launch of digital applications like “Baptist Access”, an all-in-one wayfinding platform, and “Baptist MyChart”, a secure patient portal. In 2024, Dr. Miri was named “CIO of the Year” by Florida ORBIE, the state’s premier technology executive recognition program. In 2016, The Obama Administration appointed Dr. Miri to the federal health IT policy committee, after which he was reappointed for a second term. He currently serves as co-chair of the 28-member committee.

Mark Moch. Chief Information Officer at American Oncology Network (Fort Myers, Fla.). Mr. Moch is responsible for technology strategy, leadership and executive strategic direction at the American Oncology Network. He is responsible for all aspects of technology including all systems, infrastructure and informatics, the adoption of new technologies, and direction setting for the organization in support of breakthrough clinical research in cancer. Mr. Moch was part of the original leadership team that built the network in 2018. He has been instrumental in growing the network to reach over 200 physicians and care extenders in 70-plus locations across 19 states.

Jane Moran. Chief Information and Digital Officer at Mass General Brigham (Boston). Ms. Moran leads the development and operations of technology across an integrated academic health system, which includes founding members Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Among her key areas of focus are efforts to integrate Mass General Brigham’s digital landscape, streamlining systems across the expansive network of hospitals, clinics and providers. Leading a team of more than 1,800 digital experts, she works to employ a number of digital innovations that enhance patient access and care coordination, including implementation of conversational AI pilot programs to help individuals more easily schedule and manage appointments. Under her leadership, Mass General Brigham is expanding use of AI to equip and empower researchers to streamline clinical trial screening, and is building a data platform to optimize research operations and expand data available to investigators. Her team also replaced more than 50 legacy digital systems, streamlining and enabling easier workflow management for the health system’s 80,000-plus employees. These include her team’s successful implementation of a process where staff can more easily increase efficiency and drive meaningful progress in healthcare delivery. Ms. Moran was appointed to the Massachusetts governor’s 2024 AI task force to strengthen the state’s tech competitiveness.

Deb Muro. CIO of El Camino Health (Mountain View, Calif.). Ms. Muro has revolutionized patient engagement at El Camino Health by championing a seamless “digital front door” strategy that integrates mobile apps, ambient listening, online scheduling and chatbots into a frictionless care experience. Her innovations have driven El Camino’s recognition as a top-tier EHR organization, ranking in the top 10% for analytics and 20% overall, while transforming radiology workflows with AI that saves clinicians hours per shift. Ms. Muro’s consumer-focused vision includes extending the health system’s EHR to community-based physicians and deploying cloud-first infrastructure to ensure long-term reliability. Her leadership has earned her numerous honors, including the Bay Area ORBIE “CIO of the Year” award and YWCA “Tribute to Women Leadership” award. A respected national speaker, she has presented keynotes about innovative ways to reimagine healthcare at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and Reuters Digital Health. Ms. Muro is best known for her relentless drive to remove barriers and mentor rising leaders.

Dan Nash. CIO of Emanate Health (Covina, Calif.). Mr. Nash, a 30-year health IT veteran and CIO at Emanate Health, has been instrumental in advancing digital health strategy across California’s largest nonprofit system in the San Gabriel Valley. He successfully led the implementation of the Meditech Expanse EHR, incorporating physician input and establishing strong governance frameworks that have improved clinical satisfaction and decision-making. Under his leadership, Emanate Health has expanded digital initiatives like mobile tools for nurses, Covid-19 contact tracing dashboards, and interoperability projects that enhance continuity of care with referral partners. Mr. Nash also champions the new cancer center and ambulatory clinics, ensuring technology plays a vital role in expanding access and outcomes. A cancer survivor himself, Mr. Nash is personally invested in elevating care and patient engagement throughout the organization. He is frequently featured on national healthcare IT platforms and conferences.

Onyeka Nchege. Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer for Novant Health (Winston-Salem, N.C.). At Novant Health, Mr. Nchege leads the strategic deployment of cutting-edge consumer technologies and clinical solutions that elevate patient care and drive enterprisewide digital transformation. With nearly 30 years of leadership experience, including CIO roles at Toyota, Coca-Cola and Interstate Batteries, he brings a blend of operational insight and innovation fluency. His leadership at Novant has strengthened enterprise growth by aligning digital advancements with long-term organizational purpose and sustainability. His leadership has helped Novant earn accolades such as College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ “Most Wired” distinction and the National Committee for Quality Assurance validation for its “Community Connect” software. Thanks to his visionary approach to IT strategy and transformation, he was named “CIO of the Year” by the Carolina ORBIE Awards in 2024. Outside of the system, Mr. Nchege serves on the boards of Truveta, Apparo’s CXO tech council and Blumenthal. 

Heather Nelson. Senior Vice President and CIO of Boston Children’s Hospital. Ms. Nelson leads Boston Children’s IT team of over 400 employees, guiding innovation to support world-class pediatric care, research and education. She oversaw the hospital’s Epic EHR implementation on time and under budget, and is currently preparing for an enterprise resource planning system rollout. Ms. Nelson also spearheaded the deployment of the nation’s first private 5G hybrid network at a children’s hospital, expanding digital capabilities for remote and population health services. Her team supports over 28,000 devices and thousands of end users across the main hospital, satellite locations and a statewide pediatric physician network. Her work integrates AI and strategic technologies to improve efficiency, patient experience and staff support. 

Jamie Nelson. Senior Vice President and CIO of Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City). Ms. Nelson took the helm of Hospital for Special Surgery’s IT department in April 2012. Since then, she has revamped the team, growing ranks and creating new leadership positions like CMO, chief technology officer and chief information security officer. Under her leadership, the orthopedic hospital completed an EHR installation in January 2016 and earned HIMSS stage 7 certification in November 2017. The hospital earned the HIMSS Nicholas E. Davies Award of Excellence for IT last year. Before HSS, Ms. Nelson held IT leadership positions at Norwalk (Conn.) Hospital, where she served as CIO, and NewYork-Presbyterian, where she served as vice president of IT.

Chris Paravate. Chief Information Officer of Northeast Georgia Health System (Gainesville, Ga.). Since October 2014, Mr. Paravate has served as CIO for Northeast Georgia Health System. He oversees the information technology, clinical informatics and telecommunications departments for the health system’s four hospital campuses, over 100 ambulatory clinics and various outpatient locations. During his tenure with the system, he has helped launch the Epic EHR system and led the system’s first Community Connect project. Prior to his time with the system, he served as director of portfolio management for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. 

Erin Parker. Senior Vice President and CIO for Arkansas Children’s (Little Rock). Ms. Parker leads digital initiatives and systems security at Arkansas Children’s, focusing on enhancing accessibility for the workforce, providers and patients. She manages a division of over 200 team members, leveraging her experience in designing compliance initiatives tied to the organization’s EHR. Ms. Parker aligns IT strategies with business objectives and actively seeks innovative technologies to give the hospital a competitive edge. Her background in auditing and compliance ensures the highest ethical standards in all IT activities, as she collaborates to meet relevant laws and regulations. Throughout her 15-year tenure at Arkansas Children’s, she has held leadership roles like system compliance officer and HIPAA privacy officer. She first began her journey as a volunteer in 2001.

Keith Perry. Senior Vice President and CIO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis, Tenn.). Mr. Perry became the CIO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2015 after serving as associate vice president and deputy CIO of University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has experience overseeing the IT budget, implementing high performance computing programs and security.

Michael Pfeffer, MD. CIO and Associate Dean for Stanford (Calif.) HealthCare and Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Pfeffer serves as the CIO and associate dean for Stanford Health Care and Stanford University School of Medicine. In this role, he oversees technology and digital solutions, paving the way for novel research, teaching and compassionate care across two hospitals and more than 150 clinics. He also has a focus on bringing artificial intelligence into Stanford’s healthcare operations. Prior to joining Stanford, he acted as assistant vice chancellor and CIO for UCLA Health Sciences.

Charles “Chuck” Podesta. CIO of Renown Health (Reno, Nev.). With an impressive track record spanning almost 45 years, 30 of which have been spent as a CIO, Mr. Podesta has driven digital transformation across academic healthcare organizations in the U.S. He leads efforts in cybersecurity, data and analytics, clinical technology, digital automation and AI. He also co-leads best-in-class technology to create one holistic customer experience that is digital when wanted and human when needed. Implementing a unified EHR, MyChart smartphone app and real-time information, the system allows consumers to choose a physician, have online video visits, self-schedule appointments via website, refill medications and receive text appointment reminders. As a result, 30% of new patient appointments are made online, and visits reached record highs. Partnering with the medical group, Mr. Podesta’s team utilized AI-driven analytics for physician workload management to streamline administrative tasks, alleviate provider burnout, and enhance patient and provider satisfaction. Since he joined the system in 2021, Renown Health has been recognized as a “Most Wired” health organization by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives each year, and has achieved Epic “10 Stars” status.

Audrius Polikaitis, PhD. CIO of University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (Chicago). Dr. Polikaitis oversees the IT systems for UI Health, including the EMR. During his tenure, the health system became among the first 10 percent of hospitals to go fully paperless in 2013. He has expertise in computing and hospital IT, supporting the system’s 450-bed hospital and 21 outpatient clinics.

Ellen Pollack, MSN, RN. Former CIO of UCLA Health Sciences (Los Angeles). Ms. Pollack brought decades of experience to her role at UCLA Health Sciences, where she helmed a 1,000-member IT team across academic and clinical institutions. In 2024, she oversaw a pioneering randomized controlled trial of AI scribe technologies, which led to a 7% drop in physician burnout and restored valuable physician-patient face time. Her work supported a deeply human-centered technology vision, balancing cutting-edge innovation with compassionate care delivery. With a background in clinical informatics, Ms. Pollack led UCLA Health’s EHR implementation, which was the largest of its kind in 2013, and was the system’s first CNIO. She also drove interdisciplinary collaboration between research, IT and clinical teams. Her leadership supported UCLA Health’s status as the No. 1 hospital in California, as well as its accolades from Vizient, Forbes and Newsweek for excellence, equity and workplace culture. Ms. Pollack retired from her role in June of 2025.

Andy Price. Vice President, Chief Information and Information Security Officer at St. Claire HealthCare (Morehead, Ky.). Mr. Price directly oversees IT, cybersecurity, privacy, informatics, analytics, and clinical engineering for St. Claire HealthCare. His direction of IT strategy and innovation efforts has led to improved patient care and clinician satisfaction. He works with all departments to optimize systems. Mr. Price volunteers with the Health Sector Coordinating Council, and is a member of the 405d Task Group and several school technology boards and advisory groups. 

Robecca Quammen. Senior Vice President and CIO at ScionHealth (Louisville, Ky.). Ms. Quammen has been serving as senior vice president and CIO for ScionHealth since autumn 2023. Her role entails leading IT and information security strategy and overseeing operational solutions for the system’s clinical, nonclinical and administrative support functions across 76 specialty hospitals, 18 community hospital campuses and associated health systems, and approximately 25,000 team members. She brings over three decades of healthcare experience, with a particular focus on the technology solutions that enable providers to best care for patients and protect their information. During her short time thus far at ScionHealth, Ms. Quammen has led the organization’s efforts to bring more IT and information systems support in-house through the addition of dedicated support team members, bolster security while educating team members on security best practices, and more. She is also founder and board chair of HealthITq, which matches independent healthcare consultants with clients.

Shafiq Rab, MD. Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer and System CIO of Tufts Medicine (Burlington, Mass.). Dr. Rab has pioneered a revolutionary healthcare IT ecosystem at Tufts Medicine, creating the world’s first public cloud-based digital health platform, which serves as a model of scalability, security and innovation. A national interoperability leader, he has contributed to standards like “Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources”, “Blue Button 2.0”, and CMS’s “Data at the Point of Care Application Programming Interface”, enhancing real-time data flow and care coordination. His equity-driven initiatives include multilingual digital front doors and social determinants of health integration, improving access for diverse populations. Dr. Rab has also championed automation and AI to reduce administrative burdens, allowing clinicians to focus more on patient care. An industry leader, he has been College of Healthcare Information Management Executives board chair and 5G committee leader. 

Steve Ready. Senior Vice President and CIO of Norton Healthcare (Louisville, Ky). Mr. Ready is responsible for information systems infrastructure, support for clinical and business applications, strategic planning and related areas for the healthcare system. The system, which is Louisville’s second largest employer with nearly 23,000 employees at more than 400 locations, includes five Louisville-based hospitals, three hospitals in Southern Indiana, and one in West Louisville scheduled to open in late 2024. Mr. Ready’s contributions during his career with Norton Healthcare have included many systemwide implementations, including the EHR system, the Workday cloud-based platform for human resources and financial management, and the robust IS service and support model in place today. Mr. Ready and his team of nearly 600 IS professionals embrace innovative technology while ensuring that medical data remains secure.

Brad Reimer. CIO of Sanford Health (Sioux Falls, S.D.). Mr. Reimer serves as CIO for the nation’s largest rural health system, serving 2.4 million patients and over 425,000 health plan members across the upper rural Midwest. In his role, he oversees all technology systems, including patient-critical applications, business solutions, infrastructure and information security. With expertise in technology innovation, data analytics and virtual care, he has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s digital capabilities. Under Mr. Reimer’s leadership, Sanford Health has strengthened its information security program, optimized efficiencies and enhanced technical infrastructure to support a $350 million virtual care initiative. Mr. Reimer also pioneered a reverse rounding program, connecting IT teams with frontline caregivers to better understand technology’s role in patient care. This initiative, which has brought purpose and meaning to IT roles, has increased recruitment and retention. Additionally, Mr. Reimer launched “ask me anything” virtual sessions to boost communication and engagement, ensuring transparency and team alignment. 

David Reis, PhD. Vice President and CIO of University of Miami (Fla.) Health System. Dr. Reis was CIO of Hackensack Meridian Health in Edison, N.J., before joining the University of Miami Health System in June 2020. He also was the top IT executive at Burlington, Mass.-based Lahey Health. Dr. Reis oversees UHealth’s medical informatics, security, data and technology efforts.

Michael Restuccia. Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Penn Medicine (Philadelphia). Mr. Restuccia first joined Penn Medicine in 2006 as an information services management consultant and was named CIO two years later. In 2020, he oversaw efforts to fully integrate telemedicine throughout the health system, and in 2019, drove advances in data analytics, precision medicine and EHR optimization. Under Mr. Restuccia’s leadership, Penn Medicine’s information services team has consistently been included on CHIME’s Healthcare’s Most Wired list over the last decade.

Jackie Rice, BSN, RN. Vice President and CIO of Frederick (Md.) Health. Ms. Rice has redefined precision medicine at Frederick Health through the integration of Expanse Genomics with the Meditech EHR, embedding genomics into clinical workflows across specialties ranging from oncology to family medicine. Her leadership has enabled more than 7,000 genetic tests annually, streamlined appointment preparation, and launched pharmacogenomic alerts to improve prescribing safety and effectiveness. Ms. Rice’s holistic approach democratizes access to personalized medicine and has drawn patients from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., expanding Frederick Health’s regional influence. She continues to innovate by extending genomic applications into behavioral health and nutrition, positioning the organization at the forefront of patient-centered, proactive care. As president of the Maryland Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and a national presenter, she shares her insights widely, most recently at HIMSS 2025. Her efforts earned Frederick Health Magnet redesignation and College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Most Wired” honors. Ms. Rice has also been recognized with the HITMC “Provider Trailblazer of the Year” award.

Donna Roach. CIO of University of Utah Health (Salt Lake City). Ms. Roach is CIO of University of Utah Health, where she leads digital strategy, clinical and business applications, infrastructure, innovation and security teams across five hospitals and 11 community health care centers. Her innovative approach to healthcare has led to the implementation of transformative digital solutions, including improved interoperability, clinical automation and business innovation. In addition to her executive role at University of Utah Health, she co-chairs the system’s digital engagement committee, serves as a board member for the Utah Health Information Network and the KLAS Advisory Board, and is a lifetime fellow for HIMSS and CHIME. Thanks to her dedication to healthcare IT, Ms. Roach received the HIMSS John A. Page Distinguished Fellows Service Changemaker Award and the ONCON Icon Award for Top 50 Technology Professionals in 2023. She has over 35 years of healthcare industry experience and most recently served as vice president for information services at St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare and Washington University Medical School.

Andrew Rosenberg, MD. CIO of Michigan Medicine-University of Michigan Health System and Medical School (Ann Arbor). Dr. Rosenberg has overseen the planning and execution of IT strategy and services for Michigan Medicine as the CIO since 2016. Previously, he was the inaugural chief medical information officer at Michigan Medicine. In 2018, he was also the interim CIO and vice president of IT for the University of Michigan. He is a critical care anesthesiologist and tenured faculty in the UM Medical School.

Jordan Ruch. CIO of AtlantiCare Health System (Egg Harbor, N.J.). Mr. Ruch is spearheading one of healthcare’s boldest digital transformations at AtlantiCare, where he’s leading the global-first rollout of a fully integrated Oracle Health EHR and enterprise resource planning platform. A passionate technologist with over 25 years of experience, he champions AI, clinical innovation and human-centered design, as demonstrated by a 42% reduction in provider documentation time using generative AI. Mr. Ruch also leads bedside device integration to automate data capture and free up clinical time, aligning technology directly with hands-on patient care. He also heads AtlantiCare’s System AI council. With prior roles as chief technology officer and chief innovation officer at West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health, Mr. Ruch has a proven track record of large-scale implementations, including a historic Epic go-live that achieved 10 “gold stars”. 

Maria Russo. CIO of OU Health (Oklahoma City, Okla.). Ms. Russo joined Oklahoma’s flagship academic health system in October 2020. She has led major IT advancements at OU Health, including a new network build, an enterprise imaging and radiology solution, an IT team reorganization and an Epic EHR implementation that resulted in an Epic “Gold Star 9” status. She also helped successfully integrate the IT systems of the hospitals and clinics when OU Health formed in 2021. This resulted in a “Level 8”  designation from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ “Digital Health Most Wired” survey. Ms. Russo and her team have improved IT service management by increasing first-call resolution response rates and adding updated request processes through ServiceNow software, thereby increasing overall employee satisfaction. She has enhanced cybersecurity by building a leadership team, implementing a National Institute of Standards and Technology framework and optimizing best practices. In addition, she was recently recognized as a 2025 “Top 10 Hospital CIO” according to Healthcare Tech Outlook. 

Sonney Sapra. Senior Vice President and CIO for Samaritan Health Services (Corvallis, Ore.). Mr. Sapra leads technology and innovation strategy at Samaritan Health Services, overseeing IT, informatics, analytics and cybersecurity for both the health system and its health plan. He was instrumental in moving Samaritan’s Epic EHR to Microsoft Azure, making it the third health system worldwide to do so, and championed early adoption of ambient AI tools through a partnership with Abridge. Known for driving organizational change, Mr. Sapra chairs the system’s inclusivity and belonging council and integrates data-informed equity efforts into healthcare strategy. He also actively contributes to workforce development, advising students and serving on the dean’s council of excellence at Oregon State University. Mr. Sapra’s dual leadership in tech and equity initiatives positions him as a unique CIO shaping both systems and workplace culture. Under his leadership, Samaritan Health Services has earned “Most Wired” recognition from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and Epic “Gold Stars Level 9” distinction.

Carson Seelinger. CIO of CARTI (Little Rock, Ark.). Mr. Seelinger leads CARTI’s IT and cybersecurity operations, managing a 21-member team that supports over 1,100 employees across Arkansas. As CIO and designated security officer, he oversees technology infrastructure, medical equipment implementation, and cybersecurity training and audits. His tenure has included key initiatives that strengthened CARTI’s cybersecurity posture while delivering cost savings and operational efficiencies. He is a contributor to the FBI healthcare cybersecurity working group, Arkansas Hospital Association’s cybersecurity alliance and the Health-Information Sharing and Analysis Center. At just 32 years old, Mr. Seelinger is recognized for his strategic thinking, innovation and ability to bridge business, clinical and IT objectives.

David Seo, MD. Senior Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer for Nicklaus Children’s Health System (Miami). Dr. Seo leads Nicklaus Children’s Health System’s digital transformation with a clear focus on clinician efficiency, patient-centered technology and access equity. Under his leadership, the system has earned 11 consecutive years of recognition as a College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Digital Health Most Wired” organization, including 2024 “Level 9” awards for both acute and ambulatory services. His efforts have centered on leveraging AI and next-gen technologies to enhance care outcomes and operational performance. A board-certified cardiologist with prior executive IT roles at the University of Miami Health System, Dr. Seo bridges clinical and digital realms with rare fluency. He prioritizes technology that not only streamlines workflows but also closes digital divides for families across Florida.

Muhammad Siddiqui. CIO of Reid Health (Richmond, Ind.). Mr. Siddiqui uses his CIO role at Reid Health to drive innovation that directly benefits caregivers and patients. He led the successful implementation of “Arintra”, an AI-based coding platform that handles most outpatient coding, reducing delays and easing workforce constraints. Through the Epic “Refuel” initiative, he modernized outdated systems and improved workflows across clinical and revenue teams, aligning documentation, billing and leadership visibility. Mr. Siddiqui also pioneered smart hospital rooms integrated with Epic, empowering patients to manage their experience and easing nurse workload. His leadership is built on cross-functional collaboration, thoughtful AI governance and clear alignment with rural healthcare realities. His leadership has earned the system “Epic Gold Stars Level 10” and College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Level 9” status.

David Singer. CIO for LCMC Health (New Orleans). Returning to LCMC Health after a brief tenure at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville, Mr. Singer brings deep institutional knowledge and a proven track record of IT transformation. In his previous seven-year service at LCMC Health, he led major software implementations and strategic initiatives that improved safety, access, talent management and revenue cycle performance. Now, as CIO, Mr. Singer is focused on Epic optimization, technology consolidation, and the alignment of IT operations with system growth goals and care quality standards. He is particularly skilled at guiding leadership teams through periods of rapid change and systemwide upgrades. Mr. Singer’s leadership brings continuity and momentum to LCMC Health and its digital health capabilities.

Gagan Singh. Senior Vice President and CIO of Ascension (St. Louis). As CIO of Ascension, Mr. Singh leads one of the nation’s largest nonprofit healthcare systems in executing an IT strategy grounded in data, infrastructure and clinical application excellence. Since taking on the role in 2022, Mr. Singh has built out foundational systems that enhance data exchange, promote real-time analytics, and ensure seamless clinical and business operations across the enterprise. His leadership has introduced a comprehensive data governance model, a master patient index and an adaptive claims warehouse, all core components in Ascension’s shift to a data-driven organization. Prior to becoming CIO, Mr. Singh served as chief data officer, giving him a strong grounding in enterprise analytics and informatics. His work ensures that clinicians and administrators alike have access to the tools and insights needed to improve care delivery at scale. 

Edmund Siy. Chief Information and Technology Officer for Bon Secours Mercy Health (Cincinnati). Mr. Siy was appointed chief information and technology officer of Bon Secours Mercy Health in May 2025, where he leads IT strategy and operations, cybersecurity, AI deployment and clinical informatics across the seven-state health system. He is charged with modernizing and optimizing the organization’s technology ecosystem to improve the patient experience and empower clinical staff. Prior to joining the system, he served as senior vice president and chief digital and information officer at Hunterdon Health in Flemington, N.J., where he advanced integrated digital platforms for patients and providers. He brings multi-industry IT expertise, including prior roles in media, entertainment and real estate. He is active in the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Alan “Al” Smith. Senior Vice President and CIO of Lifepoint Health (Brentwood, Tenn.). Mr. Smith oversees IT, cybersecurity and digital innovation across Lifepoint Health’s $9 billion-plus enterprise, which spans more than 120 facilities and 55,000 employees nationwide. Under his leadership, the system has executed four IT infrastructure integrations and launched a unified post-acute EHR system, promoting consistency and efficiency across its growing network. He also spearheaded the launch of an enterprisewide enterprise resource planning system that is redefining organizational workflows and operational scalability. Mr. Smith has expanded digital tools such as remote patient monitoring and analytics-driven AI to enhance patient access, care quality and decision-making. His cybersecurity strategy ensures secure, compliant interoperability across diverse EHR systems. A respected voice in the industry, Mr. Smith actively contributes to national health IT boards and veteran mentorship programs.

Laura Smith. Senior Vice President and CIO of UnityPoint Health (West Des Moines, Iowa). Ms. Smith is responsible for the IT division of UnityPoint Health, which includes a team of hundreds of IT professionals in several locations, the oversight of a multimillion-dollar IT operating budget and delivery of an IT portfolio of projects each year.

Robin Sodano. CIO and Senior Vice President of Information Services for UMass Memorial Health (Worcester, Mass.). Ms. Sodano has driven UMass Memorial Health’s IT modernization, including leading the system to an Epic “Gold Stars Level 10” designation, an honor achieved by only seven health systems nationwide. With 25 years of service, she has overseen the seamless integration of Milford (Mass.) Regional and Southbridge, Mass.-based Harrington Hospital into Epic and Workday, consolidating over 42 IT platforms and unifying workflows. Her team also implemented cutting-edge technologies like voice-command beds and patient-driven digital displays, enriching the clinical experience at the new North Pavilion. MS. Sodano is deeply committed to fostering a culture of feedback, inclusion and professional growth. Her leadership philosophy centers on technology as a catalyst for patient care and caregiver support, resulting in Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society “Stage 7” and College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Most Wired” recognitions. 

Glynn Stanton. CIO for Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health, Yale Medicine and Yale Health. Mr. Stanton serves as CIO and CISO for Yale New Haven Health System, overseeing cybersecurity, IT audit, patient privacy, disaster recovery and HIPAA compliance across a vast regional footprint. He transformed the health system’s security capabilities, expanding a team of three into over 40 professionals and consolidating identity and access management into a unified security office. He has advanced technologies like “tap and go” authentication and participates in statewide health information exchange security efforts. Nationally recognized for his expertise, he collaborates with the American Hospital Association and other organizations to advocate for improved cybersecurity standards and affordability. Mr. Stanton also enhances collaboration with Yale University and lectures there frequently to develop cybersecurity talent pipelines. 

Jennifer Stemmler. Chief Digital and Information Officer at Adventist Health (Roseville, Calif.). Ms. Stemmler was named CIO of Adventist Health in 2023. She leads the system’s strategy for technology and digital transformation, overseeing all technology including operations, digital solutions, clinical and business applications, cybersecurity and innovation. She also partners with the system executive team to develop a comprehensive digital and technology roadmap that will drive clinical efficiencies, innovation, access, productivity, revenue streams and connectivity. Her work impacts care delivery, consumer engagement, virtual care, operating efficiencies, business process automation, revenue cycle and more. Recently, she successfully rebuilt internal application teams. In the last year, Ms. Stemmler has led the organization through a strategic evaluation of IT platforms and led the design of curated, personalized, digital-first experiences partnered with targeted operational change strategies, leading to several revenue-impacting outcomes for the organization. 

Brian Sterud. CIO of Faith Regional Health Services (Norfolk, Neb.). Mr. Sterud became CIO of Faith Regional Health Services in 2012 after working as director of information management at Brookings Health Systems. He completed the CIO Boot Camp of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and is a certified healthcare CIO from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems.

Joey Sudomir. Senior Vice President and CIO for Texas Health Resources (Arlington). Mr. Sudomir has led Texas Health Resources through sweeping technology transformations, including the launch of Epic’s revenue cycle system, Oracle/PeopleSoft enterprise resource planning and consumer digital tools. He also pioneered the organization’s AI executive task force, developing governance and safety structures for AI implementation. As co-architect of a nationally recognized cybersecurity program, he helped reduce insurance costs while strengthening digital resilience. Mr. Sudomir has been instrumental in delivering virtual care and improving patient and provider experience across the health system’s 800-member information technology services team. His leadership has supported the system’s consistent ranking among Fortune‘s “Best Places to Work” list.

Rich Temple. Vice President and CIO for Deborah Heart and Lung Center (Browns Mills, N.J.). With more than 25 years of healthcare IT experience, Mr. Temple is the strategic force behind Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s digital evolution. He has implemented advanced analytics dashboards that guide process improvement and operational efficiency while enhancing clinical decision-making. A vocal advocate for interoperability and patient-centric access, Mr. Temple ensures seamless integration of care records across platforms and providers, positioning the center as a national leader in coordinated specialty care. His future-focused agenda includes expanding mobile capabilities and exploring the use of AI for automation and workflow optimization. Mr. Temple’s leadership has earned the hospital top recognitions, including multiple U.S. News & World Report rankings and Women’s Choice Awards for patient safety and heart care. Beyond his executive duties, Mr. Temple contributes thought leadership across industry conferences, publications and webinars.

Shane Thielman. Corporate Senior Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer for Scripps Health (San Diego). Mr. Thielman leads the vision and execution of Scripps Health’s digital and technology strategy, overseeing a robust network that includes five hospitals and over 30 ambulatory sites. He has been instrumental in implementing a unified EHR and revenue cycle platform that streamlined operations and improved alignment across the system. Mr. Thielman played a key role in launching a centralized operations and command center, as well as a systemwide bed placement system powered by real-time intelligence. He also advanced Scripps Health’s AI governance, helping vet and guide the use of technologies that reduce cognitive load and improve safety and care quality. His efforts in digital innovation have expanded virtual visits, patient communication tools and telemonitoring services to boost both access and experience. A recognized leader, he has earned multiple speaking and mentorship accolades within the industry.

Tanya Townsend. Chief Information and Digital Officer for Stanford (Calif.) Medicine Children’s Health. Ms. Townsend is chief information and digital officer for Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, where she leads digital transformation and technology-driven initiatives with a focus on enterprise resource planning systems, operational excellence and strategic planning. She most recently served as senior vice president and CIO for New Orleans-based LCMC Health. Ms. Townsend has been at the cutting edge of digital healthcare throughout the entirety of her career, beginning with her early interest in medical informatics back when EHRs were still in their infancy. Today, she is devoted to applying IT industry best practices to pediatric and obstetric care, empowering a remote workforce and other game-changing initiatives. In addition to her role at the health system, she recently served on the CHIME board of trustees. She also served as a 2022 CHIME board chair, one of only three women to hold the position in 30 years.

Amy Trainor, RN. CIO and System Vice President for Ochsner Health (New Orleans). Ms. Trainor oversees the alignment of information services with strategic initiatives at Ochsner Health, which comprises 46 hospitals, more than 370 health and urgent care centers, and a Connected Health digital medicine program. Under her leadership, Ochsner has begun implementing various innovative IT initiatives, including a new generative AI tool that helps providers respond to patient questions more efficiently. Over the course of the upcoming year, she aims to reduce inbox burden and improve documentation for providers. She will also lead the team responsible for the design, implementation and use of healthcare information services systemwide. Before becoming CIO, Ms. Trainor served as chief applications officer and vice president of clinical systems for Ochsner. She first joined Ochsner in 2011 from Cerner, where she implemented an EHR at a local community hospital and hospital clinics. 

Stephen Tuohy. Senior Vice President and CIO of Trinity Health (Livonia, Mich.). Mr. Tuohy provides cross-functional IT leadership for the Trinity Health enterprise in his role as senior vice president and CIO. He is tasked with owning the technology vision, strategy and roadmap, identifying key emerging trends and technologies, evolving the IT architecture, and modernizing the existing IT infrastructure. He is actively working to improve the current climate of disruption and security risks. From an operational standpoint, he oversees IT finances, workforce management, performance management, and IT process and methodologies. His chief accomplishments include leading the reorganization of more than 1,400 IT colleagues around a centralized IT structure called “OneTIS” and the development of a new IT operating model. 

Joel Vengco. Senior Vice President of Information Technology Services and Chief Information and Digital Officer at Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare. In his position at Hartford HealthCare, Mr. Vengco is responsible for leading all technology operations, enterprise applications, and data and digital transformation initiatives across 8 hospitals and more than 400 clinical sites. He is currently leading the charge to move the organization’s data to Google Cloud’s Healthcare Data Engine. He brings over 20 years of related experience to his role, having most recently acted as senior vice president and chief information digital officer at Springfield, Mass.-based Baystate Health. His primary professional goal is to utilize data and digital to personalize the patient experience. 

Michael Ward. CIO at Anderson Healthcare (Maryville, Ill.). In his role as CIO, Mr. Ward is responsible for identifying and implementing technology that supports Anderson Healthcare’s overarching goals. One of his accomplishments was overseeing the implementation of Meditech Expanse EHR across all of the health system’s facilities, thus enabling the organization to reduce costs and improve care. After the EHR was implemented, Mr. Ward introduced a value-based care solution that would improve patient outcomes, support data-driven care, and optimize workflows in order to improve reimbursement, efficiency, patient satisfaction and incentive opportunities. Initial outcomes include several time-saving benefits, such as a 50% reduction in both length and content of office visit documentation for primary care, medical specialties and surgical specialties. Prior to his current role, he served as director of information technology at the system’s flagship hospital.

Mike Ward. Senior Vice President and CIO at Covenant Health (Knoxville, Tenn.). Mr. Ward has served as senior vice president and CIO of Covenant Health since 2003, responsible for managing the health system’s IT infrastructure and cybersecurity strategy. Covenant Health’s IT infrastructure encompasses nine acute-care facilities, dozens of specialty clinics for cancer care, rehabilitation and behavioral health centers, over 80 physician clinics and a local data center. Mr. Ward oversees a team of more than 300 IT employees, who manage IT services in areas like clinical operations, finance, human resources, telecommunications and telehealth. He is also the primary leader for the system’s cybersecurity initiatives. Mr. Ward and his team focus on IT innovation and optimization, including the implementation of novel telehealth services, including virtual urgent care and advanced care at home. In addition, Mr. Ward also participates in vendor management and negotiations. He reviews and edits contracts to ensure each vendor is HIPAA compliant and aligns with Covenant Health’s cybersecurity standards.

Chad Wasserman. Senior Vice President and CIO for HCA Healthcare (Nashville, Tenn.). Mr. Wasserman leads technology strategy for HCA Healthcare’s vast network of 186 hospitals and 2,400 care sites, overseeing more than 6,000 IT professionals in support of over 14 million patient encounters annually. Promoted to CIO in 2024, Mr. Wasserman has been instrumental in driving innovation at scale, including one of the largest iOS platform deployments in the country and the organization’s dynamic analytics capabilities through Google Cloud. He is currently leading the systemwide implementation of Meditech Expanse, further advancing clinical integration and operational efficiency. With nearly three decades at the health system, Mr. Wasserman previously held senior roles in digital experience, infrastructure and IT operations. He also serves the broader tech community through the Nashville Technology Council and Belmont University’s analytics advisory board. Under his leadership, HCA Healthcare has achieved top rankings in patient safety and been named one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” by Fortune.

Scott Waters. Chief Information and Technology Officer at Overlake Medical Center and Clinics (Bellevue, Wash.). As Overlake Medical Center and Clinics’ chief information and technology officer, Mr. Waters drives the system’s strategy and technological innovation. This includes the creation of policies around the organization’s technology infrastructure, as well as ensuring systemwide data protection. He also manages the planning and oversight of financial sustainability initiatives. In addition to his work at Overlake, he serves as a board member for the Washington state chapter of the HIMSS and as an advisory board member of SeattleCIO.

J.D. Whitlock. CIO of Dayton (Ohio) Children’s. Mr. Whitlock joined Dayton Children’s in 2018 as CIO, focused on using technology to make care delivery easier. Mr. Whitlock is also committed to population health and makes it a priority to develop IT functions supporting access to care. He has more than 20 years of experience in health IT, hospital administration and analytics, previously serving as vice president of enterprise intelligence at Mercy Health in Cincinnati, now Bon Secours Mercy Health.

Ellen Wiegand. Senior Vice President and CIO for VCU Health (Richmond, Va.). Ms. Wiegand oversees the full spectrum of IT at VCU Health, aligning technology with mission-driven goals of equity, innovation and clinical excellence. She established VCU’s technology and data council and its AI workgroup, creating systemwide governance to guide strategic investments and implement responsible AI practices. Ms. Wiegand has led various transformative projects, including the rapid opening of a new children’s hospital tower and the rollout of AI-powered ambient listening, which has improved documentation, reduced stress and boosted physician efficiency. Her leadership helped drive a successful post-Covid financial recovery by cutting costs and sunsetting legacy systems. Committed to workforce empowerment, she also launched a mentoring program and promoted internal talent, resulting in exceptional staff engagement and national recognition. 

Joshua Wilda. Chief Digital and Information Officer at University of Michigan Health-West (Wyoming, Mich.). Mr. Wilda brings 18 years of experience to his role, including expertise in strategy and the implementation of innovative healthcare solutions. His position as chief digital and information officer entails the executive leadership and strategic oversight of UM Health-West’s health information technology division and the corporate project management office. He led the integration of an enterprise EHR system and co-led the adoption of a mature enterprise information and analytics delivery system and corporate project management office. He has also co-led initiatives to implement telemedicine, remote patient monitoring and advanced use of AI, machine learning and predictive analytics. Mr. Wilda serves as the co-chair of The Academy: AI evaluation committee, vice chair for the Mary Free Bed YMCA board of directors, vice president of Growing Roots and council member for the Grand Valley State University Masters Healthcare Administration advisory council.

Keith Wiley. CIO for Val Verde Regional Medical Center (Del Rio, Texas). Mr. Wiley became Val Verde Regional Medical Center’s CIO in 2019 after spending 14 years as network manager at St. Johnsbury-based Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. His initial aim upon joining the medical center was managing Meditech implementation for the main hospital and clinics organizationwide. The deployment of the EHR program is one of his major accomplishments, allowing all VVRMC facilities to share information. Upon becoming CIO, Mr. Wiley assumed responsibility for all IT-related activities. He led the organization in the integration of a new EHR just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, implementing point-of-care devices, telehealth and remote patient monitoring. Though rural health organizations have limited access to resources, Mr. Wiley always pursues the latest technologies, the latest of which being smartphone devices that allow nurses to document vitals, administer medication and manage their time more efficiently.

Leigh Williams. Vice President and CIO of Augusta Health (Fishersville, Va.). Ms. Williams has guided Augusta Health’s digital evolution, helping the organization shift from a hospital-based facility to a regional, multispecialty healthcare system serving over 300,000 Virginians. She played a key role in designing Augusta Health’s Medicare-approved ACO, which includes 410 providers and improves care coordination for 8,400 patients. Ms. Williams also led the integration of specialty practices into an advanced, cohesive clinical infrastructure, including oncology, cardiology, gastroenterology and other service lines. Her leadership has been instrumental in the system’s national accolades, including CMS’s “Health Equity Award” and multiple Healthgrades and Leapfrog recognitions. As a multi-certified health IT leader and published author, she is respected for fostering culture, innovation and equity. 

Patrick A. Woodard, MD. CIO of Monument Health (Rapid City, S.D.). Dr. Woodard serves as CIO at Monument Health, a $1.2 billion regional health system serving a five-state area in the Midwest. He leads the organization’s IT, innovation, data and analytics, AI, informatics and portfolio management functions. With a strong focus on improving patient access and experience, Dr. Woodard also champions initiatives that enhance caregiver wellbeing and integrate emerging technologies into care delivery. Before joining Monument Health, he held executive leadership roles including chief digital officer at Memphis, Tenn.-based Methodist Le Bonheur Health System and CMIO at Reno, Nev.-based Renown Health. Board-certified in internal medicine, he brings a clinical perspective to his leadership, advocating for holistic and collaborative approaches to systemwide transformation and aligning technological advancement with the human-centered values of care and connection.

William “Bill” Young. CIO for Berkshire Health Systems (Pittsfield, Mass.). Mr. Young joined Berkshire Health Systems in 2009 as CIO, where he spearheads the organization’s IT strategy and operations. With a robust background in technology and healthcare, he has been instrumental in driving innovative solutions that enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Berkshire Health Systems, under Mr. Young’s leadership, has been recognized as a College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Most Wired” healthcare system. Mr. Young is actively involved in the community, where he serves on the boards of the Mass Health Data Consortium and Adams Community Bank. He is a fellow of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Mark Zeman. CIO for SUNY Upstate Medical University (Syracuse, N.Y.). Mr. Zeman leads information systems across SUNY Upstate Medical University’s academic, clinical and research enterprises, fostering a culture of innovation and transparency within the IT workforce. Under his leadership, the organization ranked No. 35 globally on Computerworld’s 2025 “Best Places to Work in IT” list and third in career development. He created internal development teams like the staff development office and the “CARE committee” to ensure workforce engagement, recognition and continuous improvement. Mr. Zeman is currently championing an organizationwide crowdsourced innovation platform to advance operations, efficiency and wellbeing. His leadership has contributed to the organization’s recognition with multiple Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and Epic “Honor Roll” awards, as well as numerous national quality and safety designations.