HIMSS25 CEO briefing: Navigating digital transformation, AI, and global healthcare challenges
AI, cybersecurity, and workforce challenges are shaping the future of healthcare. HIMSS25 leaders are driving digital transformation and value-based care strategies to improve overall outcomes.
Las Vegas, NV — HIMSS President & CEO Hal Wolf took the stage at HIMSS25 for an extensive press briefing, offering insights into key issues shaping the healthcare technology landscape. From financial uncertainty and digital transformation to AI integration and global health equity, Wolf tackled pressing concerns and outlined HIMSS' role in driving change.
As Wolf fielded questions from journalists, his message was clear: The healthcare industry must act decisively, embrace innovation, and ensure that digital transformation enhances—not replaces—human expertise.
Financial Uncertainty and Healthcare’s Path Forward
One of the more urgent topics addressed was the volatile financing environment facing healthcare organizations. With over 50% of U.S. healthcare spending tied to federal funding, Wolf acknowledged growing concerns over potential cuts to the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare.
“If you're sitting in a hospital system relying on these revenue streams, you can’t afford to just sit and wait,” Wolf stated. “What you can do is scenario-plan—understand whether the cuts will be moderate or severe and identify the most strategic investments to make now, particularly in digital health.”
Wolf stressed that healthcare organizations must also take advantage of current funding opportunities for digital transformation before potential reductions in 2026. He advised providers to prioritize AI and automation investments now to optimize operations and clinical decision-making amid anticipated financial strain.
Bridging innovation with implementation: HIMSS’ Emerge initiative
One of the newest additions to HIMSS25, Emerge, was designed to accelerate the transition of emerging health IT solutions from concept to implementation.
“This is not a vendor showcase—it’s a strategic marketplace,” Wolf explained. “Emerge is about bringing applications that are in their second or third development phase and ready for real-world provider adoption.”
The inaugural year of Emerge has already been met with strong participation, but Wolf emphasized the need for ongoing refinement. “We’ll collect post-event feedback and conduct interviews to ensure that this initiative continues to evolve in meaningful ways,” he said.
AI integration in healthcare: The reality and the hype
When asked about AI’s role in healthcare, Wolf was clear: AI is not coming—it’s already here.
“AI is already embedded in operations, from chat functions and clinical documentation to decision support tools,” he noted. “Many hospitals are just beginning to realize the extent to which AI is influencing their workflows.”
However, Wolf pointed to a critical gap: many organizations lack a structured strategy for AI adoption. He warned that without a well-defined implementation plan, providers risk inefficiencies, cost burdens, and ethical dilemmas.
“The biggest leap will come when AI implementation is not just reactionary but strategically planned,” he emphasized.
He also addressed concerns around AI governance, liability, and bias, noting that hospitals and health systems must assume accountability for AI-driven decision-making.
“There hasn’t been a catastrophic AI-related lawsuit—yet. But it will happen,” Wolf predicted. “That’s why hospitals need to establish clear governance frameworks now, focusing on clinical decision support rather than full automation.”
Cybersecurity: A healthcare imperative
Cybersecurity was another major theme, as HIMSS continues to push the industry to elevate data protection efforts.
Wolf acknowledged the longstanding tendency of healthcare organizations to treat cybersecurity as a secondary concern—a “line item” that often takes a backseat to other IT priorities.
“That mindset has to change,” he asserted. “Cyber threats are no longer theoretical. Healthcare is one of the top targets for cybercriminals, and security must be integrated into every facet of digital health.”
HIMSS has responded by launching cybersecurity-focused forums and educational initiatives to ensure that providers and policymakers alike understand the stakes. Wolf emphasized that cybersecurity must be embedded into digital transformation strategies rather than treated as a separate compliance issue.
Global health equity and digital health expansion
While much of the discussion focused on U.S. healthcare policy and AI adoption, Wolf also highlighted HIMSS’ expanding global footprint. He underscored the organization’s growing partnerships with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission, helping nations deploy digital health initiatives tailored to their unique needs.
“Not every country has the financial resources of the EU or U.S.,” Wolf noted. “Through strategic partnerships, we’re supporting digital health transformation in underfunded regions, helping them build data infrastructure that meets global health standards.”
Wolf also pointed to HIMSS’ recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements with Turkey and other nations, reinforcing the organization's role in shaping global health technology policy.
The workforce crisis and the future of care delivery
A topic that surfaced repeatedly was the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals. With global clinician shortages projected to exceed 13 to 18 million by 2030, Wolf stressed that technology alone won’t solve the crisis—but it can help mitigate its impact.
“We are moving toward a new care delivery paradigm—one where remote monitoring, AI-driven diagnostics, and expanded scopes of practice will be essential to closing workforce gaps,” he said.
Wolf pointed to telemedicine, home monitoring, and AI-driven patient engagement as critical solutions that will enable early anomaly detection and intervention, reducing the burden on overwhelmed clinical teams.
“Healthcare ultimately comes down to one word: anomalies,” he said. “When we identify what’s not normal—whether at the individual or population level—we can intervene sooner and improve outcomes.”
Value-based care and digital transformation
As healthcare shifts toward value-based care (VBC), Wolf emphasized that digital health innovations must support efficiency, access, and quality outcomes.
“HIMSS has always been a strong advocate for value-based care,” he said. “We need an efficient healthcare ecosystem that treats patients with the best possible outcomes at the lowest possible cost.”
While VBC models have gained traction in programs like Medicare Advantage, Wolf noted that the transition remains incomplete. He stressed that digital health transformation—when properly executed—can accelerate the shift toward value-driven care.
Final thoughts: The path forward
Wolf closed the session with a call to action: Healthcare leaders must move beyond conversation and into implementation.
“The themes we’ve covered today—AI, cybersecurity, workforce development, health equity—aren’t theoretical. They’re happening now,” he stated. “The question is whether healthcare organizations will take proactive steps or simply react to changes as they unfold.”
As HIMSS25 continues, the focus remains clear: Strategic investment, policy advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration are essential to shaping the future of healthcare technology.
Kenneth R. Deans, Jr., DHA, MBA, FACHDM is the President and CEO of Health Sciences South Carolina