Highlights from the NJHIMSS 2025 Spring Conference: Reclaiming Care Time – Enhancing Operations for Patient Experience
On June 12, NJHIMSS hosted its Spring Conference at the APA Hotel Woodbridge, bringing together nearly 200 healthcare professionals for a full day of learning, collaboration, and networking. Centered around the theme “Reclaiming Care Time: Enhancing Operations for Patient Experience,” the event explored how healthcare organizations across New Jersey are leveraging technology and innovation to improve efficiency, reduce clinician burden, and drive better outcomes for patients.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from clinical and IT leaders through keynotes, panel discussions, and real-world use cases focused on aligning operations with patient needs. The agenda spotlighted AI, virtual care, digital transformation, and value-based care.
Opening Panel: Aligning Operations and Digital Strategy
The day kicked off with a dynamic panel featuring:
• Brian Dobosh, VP of Digital Health, RWJBarnabas Health
• Harshal Shah, Director of Virtual Care, Hackensack Meridian Health
• Nate Scadlock, CMIO, Optum
• Casey Hafford, Director of Strategic Accounts, RoundTable Strategic Solutions
The panelists explored how these organizations are aligning operational workflows, data infrastructure, and digital tools to create a more seamless and patient-centric care experience. Panelists shared strategies to reduce friction in the care journey, highlighting the role of automation, AI, and remote tech in improving patient flow, communication, and access.
“The opinion of AI has changed. Everyone can play around with it and see the value, whereas before, it was more unknown,” noted Dobosh, emphasizing the evolving mindset around emerging technologies.
Harshal Shah pointed to the importance of usability and simplicity: “We need to introduce ease of use. Rolling things out needs to be easier for patients.” The conversation also touched on tools like DAX and ART, and how modern patient portals are helping streamline access and communication.
Real-World AI Use Cases for Clinical & Population Health
The next session featured a panel of experts immersed in healthcare AI:
• Dr. Kennedy Ganti, VP of Health Informatics, RWJBarnabas Health
• Mary Aitken, Director, Healthcare Innovation Solutions (HCIS)
• Vikas Khosla, CEO, Digital Health Strategies
This insightful discussion walked attendees through high-impact AI and machine learning use cases that are transforming both care delivery and hospital operations. From predictive clinical models to tools that support population health management, the panel highlighted how health systems are realizing ROI from well-executed AI strategies.
As Dr. Ganti summed it up, “Technology is the great connector, but people need to bring it all together.” The conversation reinforced that while AI has enormous potential, it’s the human element consisting of collaboration, adoption, and trust, that determines success.
Tackling Post-Acute Readmissions with Real-Time Insights
After lunch, representatives from PointClickCare led a session focused on value-based care and strategies to reduce readmissions:
• Christine McBride, State Director
• Cathy Guttman, Associate Director of Value Based Care
• Sean O’Regan, Director of Value Based Care
With post-acute care transitions emerging as a key pressure point in value-based models, this session explored how real-time visibility into clinical data and medication management at skilled nursing facilities can support better decision-making and reduce penalties.
“Value-based care is the new normal, and it’s here to stay,” said Guttman. She emphasized the need for flexibility and openness when forming post-acute care networks and called out AI as a game-changing tool in identifying risk and optimizing outcomes. The presenters also shared insights into the barriers providers face, particularly around integrating data across networks and managing cost pressures under the new administration.
Keynote: Driving Digital Transformation in Healthcare
The final session of the day was led by Jennifer D’Angelo, Chief Operating Officer at the New Jersey Innovation Institute. With more than two decades of experience transforming healthcare systems through innovation and strategic leadership, D’Angelo offered a forward-looking keynote on the power of digital transformation. She also spoke about the importance of maintaining a technological edge while fostering collaboration, adaptability, and innovation.
Wrapping Up: Networking and Next Steps
The day concluded with a lively networking happy hour, giving attendees the chance to reflect on the sessions, share takeaways, and create new connections with peers and sponsors.
NJHIMSS would like to extend a sincere thank you to all our speakers, members, sponsors, and vendors who made this Spring Conference such a success. Your continued support is what allows us to bring these important conversations to life.
We look forward to seeing you at the NJDVHIMSS Fall Conference this November in Atlantic City!