HIMSS25 in Las Vegas wrapped on March 6th earlier this month. The event was year 2 of the new event owners Informa Markets while HIMSS continues to develop the programming and content. Like all other events it has been an up and down road coming back from the COVID years. But do we really want everything to be the same as before COVID? When I go to report at HIMSS, I have my beat, and there is so much going on you have to use a narrow lens to keep on point. But one of my favorite things to do post conference is listen to the buzz after. What were other people doing or saying? Even if it is not the same as before do we like it? Did the event meet the hype? I rounded up some posts I thought were interesting. And check out all our conference coverage while you are reading.
Stephanie Fraser
HIMSS25: Bridging Transgender Care Gaps
Kathryn Redman, MS MIS, an analytics expert from Saint Luke’s Health System, led a compelling discussion on the systemic inequities facing transgender and non-binary patients—barriers that contribute to delayed care, misdiagnoses, and poor health outcomes for an already vulnerable population.
HIMSS25: Driving Payer Innovation with AI, Digital Health and Collaboration
A distinguished panel of health plan leaders gathered to discuss how payers are moving beyond fee-for-service models and embracing AI, digital health and value-based care to advance patient outcomes and drive system-wide transformation.
HIMSS25 Tackles AI, Cybersecurity and Workforce Readiness Amid Regulatory Uncertainty
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.
By Beth Friedman
My HIMSS 2025 Story: AI, Alacrity and Three Heathers
After attending more HIMSS Conferences than I can count, I can confidently say HIMSS’25 was the most dynamic yet. The energy was undeniable—packed sessions, buzzing exhibit halls, and a crowd that showed up ready to tackle healthcare’s biggest challenges. Despite ongoing industry disruption, the focus remained clear: finding smarter ways to cut costs, boost efficiency, and enhance patient engagement through innovative health technology.
What Happens in Vegas…..HIMSS25
Herman Oosterwijk
What in AI makes you wake up excited in the morning and might keep you thinking at night? That was an ice-breaker question the panel moderator asked during the HIMSS AI preconference. The answers were inspiring. It ranged from a nurse who saw huge potential for EMR users who have to deal with software that “has been developed by a bunch of software engineers in a basement” to a physician who can spend more “face-time” with patients and save a significant time in documenting and summarizing an episode. The capability and opportunity of redesigning healthcare using AI was a common theme.
Connection Drives Improvement and Impact at HIMSS25 by DirectTrust
Kathryn Ayers Wickenhauser, Chief Strategy Officer, and Susan Clark, Senior Director of Community and Advocacy, took to LinkedIn throughout the week to share highlights, soundbites, and key learnings from their time in Vegas, including the Interoperability Pre-Conference Forum and show floor session with our new Chief Technical Officer, Lisa Nelson. While it is difficult to narrow down, here are several of their top takeaways.
While I always appreciate the education at these events, it’s always the discussions and relationships that shine through for me. It was wonderful to see and connect with so many DirectTrust members, accredited organizations, and partners. I also loved meeting so many new people and organizations!
I’m still trying to wrap my head around four whirlwind days. See what she was left with.
Janae Sharp
LinkedIn Post
My journey with HIMSS started with Belief—the belief that we had the power to create value, bring together communities, and drive meaningful change. A shared belief fuels my efforts at Sharp Index and Utah HIMSS efforts to connect innovators, clinicians, leaders and patients, knowing that when the right people come together, real transformation happens.
Hot Takes from HIMSS25 – Through the Lens of CommonWell
HIMSS25 is in the books, but the takeaways are still fresh. Their team at CommonWell spent the week immersed in the energy of the show floor, deep in conversations about the future of health IT. AI was everywhere (because of course it was), patient access is finally gaining real traction, and the interoperability conversation has shifted from why to how. There’s a lot to unpack—and a lot of work ahead—but one thing is clear: healthcare is changing, and interoperability is at the center of it all. Here’s what each of them took away from the week.
Since 2021 we have been interviewing guests from and about HIMSS. Check out our playlist.
