HIMSS 2026 Reflections
HIMSS 2026: Reflections from Las Vega
Where Innovation Meets Responsibility and Execution Begins
“When an entire industry aligns around improving lives, real change becomes possible.”
After an energizing week at HIMSS26 in Las Vegas, I’ve had a chance to step back and reflect on the conversations, insights, and relationships that made the experience so meaningful. Like many HIMSS conferences, this year was filled with discussions around AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and the future of digital health. But what stood out to me wasn’t just what we’re building as an industry. It was how seriously we’re thinking about applying it.
There’s a noticeable shift happening.
Less focus on possibility.
More focus on responsibility.
And maybe most importantly, a renewed emphasis on keeping patients at the center of everything we do.
AI Is Transforming Healthcare — With Humans Still in the Loop
AI was everywhere at HIMSS. That’s not surprising. What was different is how the conversation has evolved. We’ve moved past the excitement phase and into something more grounded. Organizations are actively exploring how AI can support clinical decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and make sense of increasingly complex healthcare data.
But alongside that momentum, there was a consistent theme I heard again and again: “AI still needs human oversight.”
Leaders are asking more thoughtful questions now. How do we validate these tools? How do we monitor them over time? How do we ensure they are safe and effective across different patient populations? AI has incredible potential, but healthcare is approaching it with the level of care it deserves. Technology can enhance workflows, but clinical expertise remains essential to ensuring the right outcomes.
Interoperability and FHIR Are No Longer Future State
Another major theme throughout the week was interoperability, and more specifically, the role of FHIR. What struck me most is that interoperability is no longer being talked about as a long-term goal. It’s becoming the expectation.
Across conversations, there was a shared understanding that healthcare systems need to communicate seamlessly. Not eventually, but now. FHIR is playing a central role in making that possible by enabling more efficient data exchange and giving providers access to more complete, real-time patient information. I had several conversations with people who were genuinely excited about what this unlocks.
When you can access the right data at the right time, it changes everything:
- Care coordination improves
- Decision-making becomes more informed
- Patients experience more connected care
And while financial ROI always comes into play, there was a strong recognition that the real value is much bigger. It’s about improving the quality of life for the patients and communities we serve.
From Buzzwords to Real-World Impact
One of the most encouraging shifts I noticed across the exhibit floor was the nature of the questions people are asking. They’re no longer focused on features or theoretical capabilities. They’re focused on outcomes.
In conversation after conversation, I heard variations of the same core questions:
- How will this integrate with our current systems?
- How quickly will it deliver measurable value?
- How will it improve care for the people we serve?
That shift matters. It signals that the industry is moving beyond innovation for innovation’s sake and toward solutions that can deliver meaningful, measurable change.
Prior Authorization and Interoperability Are Converging
One of the more practical and important conversations happening at HIMSS was around prior authorization and the impact of CMS-0057-F. A highlight for me personally was learning from Kim Boyd at Leavitt Partners, who provided valuable insight into how this regulation is shaping the future of interoperability and data exchange. What’s becoming clear is that prior authorization is not just being improved. It’s being rebuilt.
The shift toward FHIR-based APIs and standardized exchange is changing how providers and payers interact:
- Moving away from portals
- Reducing reliance on manual processes
- Embedding workflows directly into clinical systems
This is a meaningful step forward, not just for operational efficiency, but for creating a better experience for both providers and patients.
The Power of Relationships
As important as the technology is, one of the most rewarding parts of HIMSS is always the people. This week I had the opportunity to reconnect with current clients, meet future clients, and build relationships with so many new professionals across the industry. Those conversations are what make events like this so valuable.
They provide perspective.
They highlight real challenges.
And they help shape how we think about what comes next.
Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through collaboration.
What I’m Taking Away
Looking back on the week, a few themes continue to stand out:
- AI is rapidly transforming healthcare, but human oversight remains essential
- FHIR is becoming the standard for interoperability, enabling better data exchange
- The industry is increasingly focused on real outcomes and measurable impact
- Prior authorization is evolving alongside interoperability, not separately
- At the center of all of this is a shared goal: improving lives
HIMSS reinforced something I’ve always believed. Progress in healthcare doesn’t happen because of technology alone. It happens when an entire industry aligns around using that technology in thoughtful, responsible, and meaningful ways.
And that’s exactly what I saw this week.
