Birmingham, Ala.-based UAB Medicine has named Terri Couts its next chief digital and information officer as the health system prepares for the next phase of its $380 million Epic EHR implementation.
Ms. Couts will assume the role Jan. 11, 2027, according to a Nov. 10 news release. She joins UAB Medicine from San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare, where she serves as senior vice president and chief information and digital officer.
In her new role, Ms. Couts will oversee UAB Medicine’s enterprise technology, data and digital strategy, including EHR optimization, cybersecurity, digital transformation and telehealth services spanning more than 40 sites across Alabama. She will report to UAB Chief Operating Officer Janet Hadar.
Her appointment comes ahead of UAB Medicine’s next Epic go-live, scheduled for Feb. 27, 2027, at UAB Hospital and other locations.
The University of Alabama System approved a roughly $380 million budget for the Epic transition in September 2024. The project covers EHR, revenue cycle and clinical research functions, with funding allocated toward implementation and certain labor and operational costs over seven years.
The health system began its phased Epic transition at UAB St. Vincent’s facilities in summer 2026.
Ms. Couts will succeed Joan Hicks, who plans to retire April 30, 2027, after 28 years with UAB Health System. Ms. Hicks will remain in her role through the second wave of the EHR implementation and subsequent stabilization period, working alongside Ms. Couts during the transition.
“Her arrival comes at an important time as we prepare for the next phase of our enterprise-wide electronic health record platform implementation and continue integrating our hospitals and clinics,” Ms. Hadar said in the news release.
Before joining Sharp HealthCare, Ms. Couts spent nearly a decade at Sayre, Pa.-based Guthrie Clinic, where she advanced to executive vice president and chief digital information officer. Her work included EHR optimization, implementing a centralized virtual command center to improve patient flow and safety, using artificial intelligence to reduce administrative burdens and overseeing technology integration during health system mergers.
She previously held leadership roles supporting EHR implementations at New York City-based NYC Health + Hospitals and Burlington-based University of Vermont Health Network.
Ms. Couts began her healthcare career as a registered nurse in pediatric cardiac and neonatal intensive care.
