By Stephanie Fraser
Conference Correspondent, Answers Media Network
LinkedIn: Stephanie Fraser
Event: HIMSS 2025
When: March 2025
Where: Las Vegas NV
At HIMSS25, President and CEO Hal Wolf addressed a packed room of press attendees in Las Vegas, emphasizing record-breaking attendance and the industry’s growing focus on AI integration, cybersecurity, and scenario planning as healthcare leaders navigate regulatory uncertainty. The surge in participation reflects a renewed commitment to tackling emerging challenges and opportunities in healthcare technology, policy, and funding amid a shifting economic and political landscape.
AI: Already Here, But More Strategic Integration Needed
AI’s role in healthcare continues to be a defining issue, with Wolf reinforcing that AI is already widely utilized—whether recognized or not. From clinical decision support to workflow automation, AI is transforming patient care, data management, and administrative processes. However, the real challenge, Wolf noted, lies in strategically integrating AI into healthcare systems to enhance efficiency without disrupting workflows.
“The biggest leap forward will come when organizations have a clear AI implementation strategy,” he said. Hospitals and health systems that fail to integrate AI into their workflows, he said, risk inefficiencies and missed opportunities. “We must now move beyond experimenting with AI to establishing clear frameworks for adoption, training and governance.”
Cybersecurity: A Top Priority
Cybersecurity remains a critical concern for healthcare organizations, particularly as cyber threats increase in frequency and sophistication. HIMSS has prioritized cybersecurity as one of its four main focus areas, alongside AI, digital health transformation, and workforce development.
Wolf urged health IT leaders to strengthen their cybersecurity strategies, emphasizing the growing regulatory scrutiny and federal initiatives aimed at protecting patient data and ensuring system resilience. “Healthcare organizations must make cybersecurity a top investment priority,” he said. “A single breach can undermine trust and disrupt care on a massive scale.”
Workforce Development: Addressing the Talent Shortage
With healthcare workforce shortages continuing to strain the system, Wolf underscored the importance of training and equipping professionals to meet the evolving demands of digital health and AI adoption. Healthcare leaders are now tasked with not only filling talent gaps but also reskilling the existing workforce to manage AI-powered tools, cybersecurity risks and complex digital health environments.
“Workforce development is just as critical as AI or cybersecurity,” Wolf said. “Without the right people in place, even the best technology will fail to deliver its full potential.”
HIMSS is investing in educational initiatives, certification programs, and partnerships to equip professionals with the necessary skills to adapt to the next era of healthcare IT.
Looking Ahead
The HIMSS leader reinforced that healthcare is at a pivotal moment, with AI, cybersecurity and workforce sustainability reshaping the industry. As federal funding uncertainties loom, hospitals must take proactive steps to strengthen financial resilience, while investing in talent and technology to stay competitive.
With AI-driven transformation accelerating and cybersecurity risks rising, Wolf noted that HIMSS remains committed to helping healthcare leaders around the globe navigate the evolving landscape, ensuring that digital health advancements deliver meaningful improvements for patients, providers and health systems alike.
Wolf said increased conference participation, up 28,000 from 26,000 last year, signals a renewed industry-wide commitment to tackling emerging challenges and opportunities in healthcare technology, policy and funding.
The annual HIMSS conference runs through Thursday, March 6, concluding with a fireside chat with Olympian Simone Biles.