Highlights from the NJDVHIMSS 2024 Fall Conference: Fostering Resilience in Healthcare – Building for the Future
The 17th Annual NJDVHIMSS Fall Conference returned to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City for three days of learning and networking bringing together vendors, providers, sponsors, and members.
The event drew over 450 attendees from the New Jersey and Delaware Valley Chapters, all eager to explore the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Through thought-provoking keynote and breakout sessions, and countless networking opportunities, participants gained valuable insights into emerging trends in the healthcare space. Key topics included Healthcare Analytics, Policy & Innovative Care-Delivery outside the boundaries of the Hospital Walls.
Day One – Golf Outing
The conference teed off on October 15th with a vibrant and well-attended golf outing at the Ballamor Golf Club. Healthcare leaders from the New Jersey and Delaware Valley Chapters came together to network and connect in a relaxed setting, setting the stage for the exciting days ahead.
Day Two – A Day of Insight and Innovation at the Healthcare Conference
Day two of the conference was packed with valuable sessions and networking opportunities that brought together experts from various fields in healthcare. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments and takeaways from the day.
We started the day with a keynote session presented by Dr. Liz Kwo MD on the digital transformation in healthcare technology and what we, as consumers, can expect moving forward. She highlighted the rising costs and stress in healthcare, noting that while consumers are eager to use AI-powered tools, there remains a level of skepticism about their efficacy and security. Kwo also discussed the clinician’s role and how they can apply their expertise to adapt to emerging models, redefine their roles, and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset to thrive in this evolving landscape.
After a quick break, the CISO panel kicked off. We were joined by moderator Charles Aunger, CEO of HEAL Security, Monique St. John, CISO and ACIO, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Phil Curran, Chief Information Assurance and Privacy Officer of Cooper University Healthcare, and Krista Arndt, Associate CIO of St. Luke's University Health Network.
Panelists discussed the pressing concerns surrounding cybersecurity in healthcare, from the latest cyberthreats to the importance of multi-factor authentication and creating robust disaster recovery policies. The conversation centered on how emerging AI-driven cybersecurity attacks are becoming more sophisticated and unfortunately, more and more people will continue to fall victim to such attacks. The panelists stressed the human element in cybersecurity, reminding attendees that people continue to be a significant vulnerability in the digital landscape.
Throughout the day we had various speakers from a multitude of organizations who participated in breakout sessions. Organizations included: RWJ Barnabas Health, Montefiore Health System, Jefferson Health, Virtua Health, Lehigh Valley Health, Atlantic Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, Main Line Health, Oscislawski LLC, Montefiore Health System, Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Virtua Health presented a sepsis detection model leveraging machine learning to enhance early intervention while minimizing alert fatigue. Main Line Health showcased efforts to reduce postpartum complications using remote blood pressure monitoring. Hackensack Meridian Health shared a burnout reduction program through EHR optimization, informed by clinician feedback. New Jersey Innovation Institute discussed evolving home care models like Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) at Home versus Hospital at Home, emphasizing regulatory and tech innovations
Closing out the day with the last Keynote session, Malik Brown, President and CEO of Graduate Philadelphia, shared a thought-provoking keynote on the connection between education, living-wage employment, and community-level public health. Brown emphasized that improving educational attainment is a key driver of health outcomes, and that real change requires opening up pathways for individuals to live a better life, which can have far-reaching effects on community health.
Day Three – Finishing Strong
The final day of the conference started with a technology leadership panel that was moderated by Paul Contino, CIO of University Hospital and featured the following panelists: Anna Schoenbaum, Associate CIO at Penn Medicine, Tom Balcavage, Senior Vice President of Information Services and Technology, at Jefferson Health, and Tom Gordon, CIO of Virtua Health. They covered topics like adopting digital tools (EHRs, telemedicine, mobile health apps), leveraging data analytics for better patient care, and overcoming interoperability challenges. The conversation also covered cybersecurity, risk management, and the essential role of CIOs in driving change within healthcare organizations, balancing innovation with security, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
The final keynote was delivered by Kaitlan Baston, NJ Commissioner of Health. She highlighted the challenges surrounding social determinants of health. Her presentation addressed the most pressing healthcare issues in the community and offered insights into strategies for improvement. Baston’s engaging talk sparked thoughtful discussions about healthcare solutions.
We’d like to extend our gratitude to all our sponsors, members, vendors, and providers for their incredible support of both chapters. This event wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of you who joined us this year. We have plenty of events that will take place in the coming months. Stay tuned!