This article was originally published on Becker's Healthcare.
After more than 30 years as a licensed pharmacist and health IT strategist, I’ve helped numerous hospitals and health systems successfully implement and optimize leading EHR platforms at all stages of digital transformation. As I settle into my new role as an Epic advisory leader at Nordic, I’m reflecting on the amazing evolution our industry has seen from paper charts to technology-dominated care models.
I’m also contemplating how the pace of change we’re experiencing now is faster, more complex, and more demanding than ever. In this environment, long-term success isn’t just about adopting new technologies. We must be ready for what comes next with the right strategy, the right foundation, and the right people in place to turn innovation into impact.
AI and Epic are reshaping healthcare delivery
We’re in the middle of a powerful disruption. Priorities like human-centered care design, digital front doors, interoperability, precision medicine, and social determinants of health are driving how we think about delivery of care, manage data, and engage with patients.
With stunning speed, AI has gone from a buzzword to a daily tool. As highlighted at Epic’s recent Users Group Meeting, this groundbreaking technology will soon work alongside practitioners to predict length of stay, draft clinical notes, guide patients through their care journeys, and even predict future events needing clinical interventions. These new tools reflect a broader move across platforms toward smarter, more connected care that has the potential to enhance patient experience, reduce clinician burnout, and improve operational efficiency.
Innovating with health IT amid budget cuts and rising expectations
The possibilities are thrilling, but for many leaders, they’re also exhausting. Between rising expectations, shrinking budgets, and the pressure to deliver measurable results, it’s easy to feel like you’re chasing technology instead of harnessing it to achieve your clinical, operational, and financial goals.
We face a critical challenge: building resilient strategies that scale with progress, avoid costly missteps, and deliver lasting value. Without a strong strategy, modernization can lead to wasted investments, fragmented workflows, security risks, and frustrated teams. We must ensure our organizations are positioned to thrive with new technologies rather than be overwhelmed by them.
Five cornerstones for sustainable health IT transformation
The risks of modernization are real, but so are the opportunities. By focusing on these five key areas, you can develop strategies that support sustainable transformation and help your enterprise avoid costly mistakes:
1. Governance: Aligning leadership for smarter decisions
Innovation succeeds when clinical, operational, and IT leaders are aligned. A clear governance framework ensures decisions are made with purpose, accountability, and measurable business value in mind. It’s the difference between chasing trends and driving meaningful breakthroughs.
2. Change management: Supporting people through change
Successful technology adoption is centered around humans. Engaging stakeholders, especially clinicians and frontline staff, early and often helps reduce resistance and increase ROI. Effective change management amplifies trust, boosts morale, and ensures new tools are actually used.
3. Cybersecurity: Protecting advancements at every layer
As digital tools expand, so do the risks. Cybersecurity must be embedded into every layer of your IT strategy, from infrastructure to applications, to safeguard patient data, maintain compliance, and ensure operational continuity. Security isn’t optional; it’s foundational.
4. Interoperability: Connecting systems, empowering care
Data silos slow progress. Seamless interoperability across platforms and care settings enables more informed decisions, better coordination, and more personalized care. Whether you’re using Epic or another leading platform, your systems need to talk to each other.
5. Strategic alignment: Investing in what matters most
Not every shiny new tool is worth the investment. Resilient IT strategies are grounded in long-term vision and mission-critical outcomes. Your team must evaluate technologies based on the value they bring to patients, providers, and the organization as a whole.
You don’t have to do this alone. The right implementation partner can help cut through the noise to create a clear, achievable path forward. At Nordic, we team up with hospitals and health systems to build strong foundations for innovation, offering end-to-end support, platform expertise, clinical and operational insight, and strategic guidance tailored to your specific needs.
Are you struggling to align health IT investments with your organization’s goals? Read our e-book for essential insights on strategy, cybersecurity, change management, governance, and interoperability to unlock the full value of your tech stack.
Conclusion: Resilience is the new readiness
Epic’s UGM gave us a breathtaking look at what’s ahead, from robust AI features that touch every part of the healthcare ecosystem to patient portal integrations designed to lighten administrative workloads and bolster security.
Healthcare modernization is moving fast, and the stakes are high for everyone. Without a solid IT foundation, even the most promising technologies can fall short. But with the right strategy and the right partner, transformation becomes sustainable, scalable, and impactful. The future of care is being shaped now. Are you ready to embrace it?
Nordic’s team of healthcare-focused experts can help you prepare for the future of care and get the most out of your technology investments. Contact Nordic today to discuss your goals and priorities.