By Julie Bastien, Vice President, Marketing, eVideon Health
LinkedIn: Julie Bastien
LinkedIn: Vibe Health by eVideon
Last month, healthcare leaders came together in Las Vegas for the HIMSS ‘25 Strategy Summit—a powerful “check-in” ahead of the spring 2025 HIMSS Global Health Conference. This gathering wasn’t just another meeting; it was a chance for us to pause, reflect, and thoughtfully consider how our strategic planning is shaping up against the fast-evolving landscape of healthcare.
With the industry moving at what sometimes feels like lightning speed, it’s clear that understanding and anticipating these needs is more crucial than ever. The summit brought to light the pressing needs of the C-suite across vendor and provider healthcare organizations, the progress we’ve made, and the challenges we still face across several key initiatives:
The Significance of Strategic Partnerships in Advancing Smart Hospital Initiatives
The growing focus on Smart Hospitals and HIMSS’s increased attention in this area is encouraging. As healthcare organizations strive for enhanced interoperability and more efficient, connected facilities, hospital leaders face significant financial pressures. Leading hospitals are now creating integrated technology ecosystems that transform care delivery and patient experiences. At eVideon, we’re working with our extensive network of integration partners—such as Samsung, HatchMed, Caregility, Andor, Care.ai, CBORD, and WebMD Ignite—to accelerate the pace of innovation, reassuring us about the industry’s future.
These collaborations aren’t just about managing resources; they’re about unlocking innovative solutions to help us build future hospitals and care delivery models. With the right partners, we can advance our initiatives more efficiently and effectively, creating “smart” facilities that better serve both patients and healthcare professionals.
Addressing C-Suite Challenges
The Strategy Summit featured a CIO panel which includes leaders from The Permanente Medical Group, El Camino Hospital, Southern Nevada Health District, and UC Davis Health. The panelists shared valuable insights into the challenges facing healthcare organizations today, specifically addressing the constant pressure on operations leaders to leverage technology to solve problems. While there’s historically been an emphasis on technology adoption and implementation, the panel discussed the pressure to increase patient volumes, address financial constraints, and build loyalty and trust with today’s healthcare consumer.
Recruitment challenges also earned a spot among trending topics. Automation was proposed as a promising solution, with some organizations experimenting with systems that seamlessly integrate conversational data into the EHR. And, of course, cybersecurity remains a top priority—a constant thread across all discussions, given the ever-present risks and increased attention on the security of health information.
I found it particularly interesting that the conversation around innovation appears to be evolving. The panelists discussed a shift in how technology investments are being evaluated and funded. They noted increased involvement from the CFO and stressed the importance of presenting these investments from a value and impact perspective, particularly now when financial scrutiny is tighter than ever. It’s no longer just about the latest tech trend; it’s about a deeper understanding of the long-term benefits and strategic advantages these technologies can bring.
Equity and inclusion also stood out as vital themes, emphasizing that every initiative should consider the broader experience of both patients and clinicians. It’s clear that for any innovation to succeed, it must be inclusive and mindful of the diverse needs of everyone it touches.
Tips for Sponsors and Exhibitors
Making the most of the Global HIMSS conference was a meaningful discussion at the summit. This question is something many teams are asking, especially as budgets constrict and participation requires an ever-increasing strategic plan. Whether attending or exhibiting, an organization’s investment in the conference must be well-thought out, and for many vendors, ROI-oriented. When attending, CIOs and IT leaders appreciate speaking with individuals who can discuss the “why” behind a product, offering insights into how it addresses specific industry needs.
There were comments as well on the role of technology in enhancing the attendee experience. Specifically, the HIMSS App emerged as a valuable tool for networking, with many attendees using it during the event for quick meetups. Additionally, presentations in the specialty pavilions and lunch and learns were highlighted as effective ways to engage attendees, particularly when vendors can facilitate introductions to power users or current clients.
And finally, due diligence remains essential. Attendees expect vendors to have researched their organizations before engaging, demonstrating an understanding of their specific challenges and needs. This homework can mark the difference between a lead and a relationship.
The HIMSS 25 Strategy Summit underscored the importance of aligning with C-suite priorities, specifically understanding their financial constraints, drive for efficiency, and approach to innovation. For sponsors and exhibitors, adapting to these evolving demands is crucial for success. As we move closer to HIMSS 2025, focusing on strategic partnerships, innovation, and a deep understanding of industry challenges will be more important than ever.