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Apr 29, 2026·MobiHealthNews

The American Medical Association (AMA) sent three letters to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, requesting that better safeguards be put in place for the use of AI chatbots in mental healthcare and citing four key areas for consideration. "The AMA warned that the rapid rise of mental health chatbots – along with reports of risks such as encouraging self-harm and privacy breaches – highlights the urgent need for clear guardrails to protect patients and maintain public trust," the announcement reads. The letters were sent to members of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus as well as members of the House of Representatives' Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus and Congressional Digital Health Caucus. In the correspondence, the organization commended Congress for holding meetings last year that focused on AI's integration into daily life and the emerging risks associated with mental health chatbots and AI companionship.

Apr 24, 2026·arrowheadregional.org

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) has appointed Andrea Daugherty, a nationally recognized senior health care information technology (IT) executive, as the inaugural Chief Information and Digital Transformation Officer. “We are looking forward to Andrea bringing her combination of real-world data expertise, equity-focused risk models, and her health equity lens,” said ARMC Chief Executive Officer Andrew Goldfrach, FACHE. “This will help us meet people where they are and deliver measurable improvements in prevention and population health outcomes.” The Chief Information and Digital Transformation Officer role is central to ARMC’s strategy to become the Inland Empire’s provider of choice. It reflects the organization’s commitment to a digitally enabled future for the communities it serves. Daugherty brings 15 years of digital health executive leadership, with a track record of building and developing high-performing teams and leading large-scale digital transformations across academic medical centers, integrated delivery systems, and enterprise health care organizations.

Apr 13, 2026·ufhealth.org

Craig Richardville, MBA, CHCIO, CDH-E, has been appointed senior vice president and chief digital and information officer for the UF Health clinical enterprise, effective May 1. In this role, Richardville will serve as the senior executive responsible for enterprise digital strategy, information technology, data and analytics, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity across UF Health. He will partner closely with clinical, academic, research and administrative leaders to advance UF Health’s mission through secure, innovative and high-performing digital and information capabilities. Richardville brings more than 30 years of national health care IT and digital transformation leadership, including nearly two decades as a chief information or digital officer for some of the nation’s largest and most complex health systems. Most recently, he has served as deputy chief information officer at UF Health, where he has played a key role in strengthening operational performance, advancing Epic modernization efforts and deepening collaboration across the system. He is nationally recognized for his leadership in health care innovation and has received numerous honors.

Apr 10, 2026·premierhealth.com

Premier Health announced today that Margaret Lozovatsky, MD will join the system as its new Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO), effective May 4, succeeding outgoing leader Mikki Clancy, who recently retired after 32 years of service to the organization. A nationally recognized physician executive and digital transformation leader, Dr. Lozovatsky brings more than 15 years of experience advancing clinical excellence through technology, innovation, and responsible AI integration across major U.S. health systems. Dr. Lozovatsky currently serves as Chief Medical Information Officer and Vice President of Digital Health Innovations at the American Medical Association (AMA), where she has been instrumental in shaping national strategy on digital health, artificial intelligence governance, and physician workforce readiness. Before joining the AMA, Dr. Lozovatsky held senior informatics leadership roles at Novant Health, BJC HealthCare/Washington University School of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Health System, and NorthShore University HealthSystem. Her background advancing digital innovation, education, and clinical excellence in academic environments aligns strongly with Premier Health’s commitment to strengthening academic medicine in the region. Her arrival comes at a pivotal time as Premier Health and Wright State University deepen their collaboration through an enhanced affiliation agreement—an initiative designed to elevate medical education, research, clinical innovation, and the transformation of care delivery for the communities we serve.

Apr 8, 2026·SecurityWeek

Signature Healthcare runs Brockton Hospital, a 200-bed community hospital, and the Signature Medical Group, which employs more than 150 physicians across 15 locations. The healthcare organization reported responding to a cybersecurity incident on Monday. Impatient care and walk-in emergency services remained open, but ambulance traffic was still being diverted on Tuesday. “Upon identifying suspicious activity within a portion of our network, we immediately activated our incident response protocols. We moved to down-time procedures to ensure high-quality patient care and safety,” Signature Healthcare stated. While surgeries and procedures have not been impacted, chemotherapy infusion services have been canceled, and patients have been notified of potential delays at Signature Medical Group and urgent care practices. Some of its retail pharmacies were closed on Monday. They reopened on Tuesday for consultations but were unable to fill prescriptions.

Apr 6, 2026·MedCity News

There’s a new lawsuit added to the growing list of legal challenges hospitals have brought against the way CMS calculates payments to facilities that treat a large share of Medicare patients. This week, 131 hospitals sued HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., arguing that CMS is wrongfully reducing billions in payments for hospitals serving vulnerable patient populations. The complaint, filed on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, claims the agency’s methodology violates federal law and unfairly hurts hospitals that care for large numbers of low-income patients. Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments are intended to support hospitals that serve a high number of uninsured and low-income patients. These payments are meant to counterbalance safety net hospitals’ uncompensated care costs so that they can be more financially stable, as well as protect people’s access to care.

Mar 30, 2026·urmc.rochester.edu

The University of Rochester Medical Center has established a new Digital Strategy and Innovation Office to strengthen how it leads, coordinates, and scales digital technologies across UR Medicine. The new office is intended to help URMC move more quickly and strategically as digital tools, artificial intelligence, automation, and virtual capabilities play a growing role in patient care, research, education, and operations. “As advances in healthcare accelerate, digital capabilities now touch nearly every part of our organization,” said David Linehan, MD, CEO of URMC and dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. “Establishing this office ensures we can move with greater speed and focus, make more intentional investments, and scale what works best across our system.” Linehan has appointed Gregg Nicandri, MD, UR Medicine’s chief medical information officer, to lead the office as its inaugural chief digital and innovation officer. In this role, Nicandri will lead development of an enterprise-wide digital strategy designed to align innovation and execution across UR Medicine, with a focus on delivering meaningful impact for patients, providers, learners, and staff. “Dr. Nicandri is exceptionally well suited to lead this effort,” Linehan said. “He brings deep experience in digital strategy, clinical informatics, innovation, and the practical application of technology to improve care delivery. He has also been a strong leader in developing tools that reduce administrative burden for providers and create more time for meaningful interaction with patients.”

Mar 23, 2026·bsmhealth.org

Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) announces Dylan Clark as its new chief analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) officer, effective Feb. 16. Clark joins the ministry’s information technology team and reports to Edmund Siy, chief information and technology officer, BSMH. In this new position, Clark will guide BSMH’s enterprise strategy for data, analytics and artificial intelligence — work that sits at the center of some of healthcare’s most transformative change. He will partner with leaders across the ministry to evaluate and scale technologies that improve patient care, protect sensitive information, lift operational efficiency and spark responsible innovation. His portfolio includes shaping a comprehensive AI roadmap and ensuring every deployment aligns with the ministry’s Mission and the Ethical and Religious Directives. “Dylan’s background in expanding enterprise analytics and responsibly scaling AI makes him an exceptional fit for this role,” said Edmund Siy, chief information and technology officer, BSMH. “He brings the vision and technical depth needed to advance our mission‑aligned approach to data, analytics and artificial intelligence.”

Mar 20, 2026·Healthcare IT Today

At the HIMSS conference, healthcare leaders underscored the practical application of AI, advocating for its scalability beyond initial pilot projects. Speakers from UC San Diego Health emphasized the need for a workflow reimagining to fully leverage AI's capabilities and drive operational improvements. A notable example showcased AI’s ability to transform auditing by enabling real-time review of 100% of patient encounters, significantly enhancing compliance and operational efficiency. This paradigm shift suggests that healthcare organizations can harness AI not only for operational benefits but also to improve patient experiences through personalized communication strategies.

Mar 16, 2026·epic.com

GuardDog Telehealth's recent admission of providing patient medical records to law firms has considerable implications for healthcare technology, raising serious concerns about data privacy and ethical practices. This shift from intended chronic care management to the commercial sale of patient records underscores the potential risks when companies pivot their business models. Additionally, UPMC's alert about privacy breaches involving the National Medical Exchange emphasizes the need for stringent data protection measures and reinforces the necessity for healthcare professionals to remain vigilant regarding patient information security. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in maintaining trust in health technology systems as they evolve.

Mar 16, 2026·Nextgov

Charles Worthington, the outgoing Chief Technology Officer and Chief AI Officer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, announced his departure after a six-year tenure marked by significant advancements in healthcare technology. He emphasized his mission to integrate private sector innovations into government services, leading initiatives such as the VA: Health and Benefits App and the modernization of VA.gov. Worthington's leadership was crucial in the establishment of the Office of the CTO and the VA Digital Service team, which focused on utilizing AI to mitigate challenges like clinician burnout. His departure raises questions about the future trajectory of AI initiatives within the VA and the continuous improvement of veteran services.

Mar 16, 2026·HIT Consultant

WVU Medicine is expanding the use of the Abridge AI platform to over 2,800 clinicians across its network, aiming to alleviate physician burnout and improve patient access in rural regions. This initiative emerged from clinician demand rather than a top-down directive, underscoring its practical integration into existing workflows. A recent survey indicated significant benefits, including a 78% increase in patient focus and a 61% reduction in cognitive load, which are crucial for enhancing provider satisfaction and efficiency. By streamlining clinical documentation, Abridge has the potential to transform how healthcare professionals manage administrative tasks, ultimately improving the quality of patient care.

Mar 11, 2026·HIT Consultant

At the HIMSS 2026 conference, Epic Systems reported that over 85% of its customers are actively using its artificial intelligence tools, highlighting a major advancement in AI integration within healthcare. The suite, which includes Art for clinical applications, Penny for financial operations, and Emmie for patient interactions, is already providing significant clinical and operational advantages. Notable achievements include a 69% lung cancer detection rate at The Christ Hospital, surpassing national averages, and a 42% reduction in prior authorization submission time at Summit Health. These developments indicate the transformative potential of AI technologies in enhancing patient care and streamlining healthcare processes, underscoring their growing importance to healthcare professionals.

Mar 9, 2026·HIT Consultant

LexisNexis Risk Solutions is enhancing its integration within the Epic Connection Hub, providing U.S. hospitals with advanced identity verification tools designed to protect patient access to the Epic MyChart platform. This integration aims to ensure that only verified patients can access their personal health information while offering a seamless user experience. By incorporating a modular suite of security tools, including ThreatMetrix and One Time Password authenticators, healthcare IT teams can customize their security measures based on specific risk profiles. This approach moves away from traditional password reliance, utilizing passive behavioral analytics to detect fraudulent activities without compromising user convenience, ultimately strengthening the overall security framework of health systems.

Mar 9, 2026·Nextgov

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline claims processing and improve efficiency, particularly in response to the increased volume of claims following the passage of the PACT Act in 2022. The VA's AI strategy includes implementing machine learning tools, such as the Automated Decision Support (ADS) system, to automate tasks like document intake and preliminary adjudication, thereby delivering benefits to veterans more rapidly than traditional methods. This initiative not only aims to enhance operational efficiency but also integrates AI into healthcare functions, helping clinicians identify veterans at risk and improving care delivery. As the VA plans to expand these AI applications further, healthcare professionals should anticipate significant changes in how claims are processed and managed within the system.

Mar 5, 2026·HIT Consultant

Overlake Medical Center & Clinics has partnered with Hyro to implement AI voice agents, streamlining the management of MyChart password reset requests that previously burdened their contact center. This initiative has led to a 51% automation rate of these requests in just four months, cutting interaction costs and alleviating pressure on staff. Furthermore, the use of web-based AI agents has effectively resolved nearly 90% of patient inquiries autonomously, achieving high engagement rates. By targeting practical challenges first, Overlake's approach underscores the potential of AI to enhance efficiency and transform administrative workflows in healthcare.

Mar 5, 2026·Healthcare IT News

Epic Systems will unveil a suite of AI technologies at the upcoming HIMSS26 conference, including the Agent Factory, a no-code platform that lets users create customized AI agents for autonomous decision-making. This innovation aims to enhance healthcare operations and patient engagement, with tools like the AI Charting tool, Art, already improving patient visits through real-time insights. Additionally, the adoption of tools like Penny and Emmie is helping organizations streamline revenue cycle management and patient interactions, respectively. As Epic emphasizes agentic AI that can operate independently, these advancements signify a significant shift in how healthcare professionals can leverage AI to enhance care delivery and operational efficiency.

Mar 5, 2026·MobiHealthNews

KeyCare, the first Epic-based virtual care company in the U.S., has raised $27.4 million to advance its AI capabilities and expand its Epic-native virtual workforce, totaling over $55 million in funding to date. Unlike typical direct-to-consumer telehealth models, KeyCare integrates directly with health systems' electronic health records, ensuring continuity of care and better coordination between virtual and in-person services. This model positions KeyCare as a scalable solution for healthcare providers facing capacity challenges in primary and urgent care, thus enhancing patient experience and care management. The implications for healthcare technology indicate a shift towards more integrated telehealth solutions that support existing healthcare frameworks rather than disrupt them.

Mar 5, 2026·aboutamazon.com

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched Amazon Connect Health, an agentic AI solution designed to streamline administrative tasks for healthcare providers by integrating with existing Electronic Health Records (EHRs). This platform automates functions such as patient verification and appointment scheduling, thereby improving clinical workflows and freeing up staff for more direct patient engagement. Early adopters like UC San Diego Health and One Medical report substantial efficiency gains, including reduced call abandonment rates and improved visit documentation. The introduction of this technology highlights the potential for AI to transform healthcare operations by enhancing productivity and patient care.

Mar 2, 2026·Becker's Hospital Review

Hospitals and health systems are increasingly adopting new Electronic Health Record (EHR) platforms to align with broader digital transformation strategies, focusing on standardization and improved operational efficiency. Factors driving this shift include organizational consolidation, modernization efforts, and enhanced revenue cycle management. Notable recent implementations include OhioHealth Morrow County's adoption of Epic and HCA Healthcare's rollout of Meditech Expanse across 43 facilities. These transitions signal a significant move towards integrated care models that can improve clinical alignment and support patient engagement initiatives.