The University of Minnesota and Essentia Health have announced a proposal to establish a new not-for-profit entity aimed at transforming healthcare in Minnesota. This initiative is designed to leverage the strengths of both organizations and potential partners to tackle urgent healthcare issues and improve care quality statewide. It seeks to enhance access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved rural and Tribal areas, while supporting the University of Minnesota Medical School. The framework aims to develop sustainable healthcare models, including telehealth, while addressing challenges such as rising costs, workforce shortages, and health disparities in the system.

Minnesota Unites to Revolutionize Healthcare with New Nonprofit Initiative University of Minnesota

Health systems in the U.S. are ramping up IT hiring in 2025 to integrate new technologies and enhance patient care. Children's Hospital Colorado is focusing on innovation, AI, and digital health, as noted by CIO Amy Feaster, who stressed the importance of AI development and workflow automation to improve operational efficiency. This trend reflects a growing need for skilled professionals to optimize technology and services in healthcare. Similarly, Children's Mercy Kansas City plans to expand its IT workforce to support its transition to a new electronic health record system and hybrid cloud infrastructure, as highlighted by CIO Brian Lancaster, indicating a broader shift toward modernized health IT capabilities.

Health Systems Boost IT Hiring to Transform Patient Care in 2025 Becker's Hospital Review

recently active, should be aligned more closely with the current administration's goals. The removal of all members from the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), as mandated by Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman, has sparked significant concern among cybersecurity experts and lawmakers. This decision comes at a critical time when the CSRB is investigating a major breach by the Chinese hacking group Salt Typhoon. Critics, including Rep. Bennie Thompson, argue that the move could jeopardize national security by undermining the board's impartiality and effectiveness, while others believe it may shield tech companies from accountability. Conversely, Chairman Mark Green has supported the administration's right to reorganize the board in line with its objectives.

Trump Administration's Cyber Safety Board Shakeup Sparks National Security Fears CyberScoop

SSM Health, a nonprofit health system in St. Louis, is initiating "Project One," which focuses on overhauling its electronic health record (EHR) system, particularly its Epic platform. Since becoming an Epic customer in 2005, SSM Health has faced challenges in consolidation due to multiple instances of the platform and other EHRs across its facilities. Chief Digital and Information Officer Saad Chaudhry highlighted that despite previous unification efforts, inconsistencies in workflows and implementations remain, necessitating a comprehensive rebuild. Project One will serve as a hybrid of an Epic upgrade and new installation, aiming to standardize workflows and improve infrastructure across SSM Health's operations in four states, ultimately enhancing clinical and operational efficiency.

SSM Health Launches Project One to Transform EHR System and Workflows Becker's Hospital Review