Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1541770
29 CIO / HEALTH IT Tech isn't healthcare's silver bullet By Naomi Diaz Health system leaders agree on one thing: technology won't fix healthcare's biggest problems on its own. Despite growing expectations that technology can solve the industry's biggest problems, health IT leaders say the most persistent myth is that innovation alone can fix what's broken. "e biggest myth is that technology alone can solve systemic issues in healthcare," Jordan Ruch, CIO of Atlantic City, N.J.-based AtlantiCare, told Becker's. "Tools like AI, EHRs, and automation are powerful, but they are not silver bullets. Success depends on thoughtful integration, governance, and collaboration with clinicians." at view resonates across organizations of all sizes. Technology, CIOs say, can amplify strong operations, but it can also make weak processes more visible. "Technology won't solve broken processes and workflows," Susan Ibanez, CIO of Southeast Georgia Health System, told Becker's. "Training for new solutions helps facilitate the value proposition and help ensure the organization is able to take advantage of the technical solution." At Gloversville, N.Y.-based Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, CIO James Wellman said many in the industry still fall for the allure of quick fixes. "Quite oen technologies, like AI, are sold as the panacea for fixing a problem or problems, when in reality you can make a problem worse, bigger or both unless you address the root cause," he told Becker's. "Technology is a tool that can be used to great effect, either positive or negative." at gap between promise and reality isn't about capability — it's about people. At Baltimore-based LifeBridge Health, Chief Digital and Information Officer Tressa Springmann said lasting change happens only when technology is paired with the right management and engagement strategies. "Technology alone fixes nothing – the changes come with high adoption which can only be driven by effective change management," she told Becker's. For some leaders, the conversation has evolved beyond systems and soware into the realm of leadership and culture. Darrell Bodnar, CIO of North Country Healthcare in Whitefield, N.H., said that real progress depends on alignment and trust, not just digital infrastructure. "Technology can amplify excellence, but it can't replace leadership, alignment, or culture," he told Becker's. "Our span of influence has expanded into becoming culture shapers, integrators, and trusted system leaders, driving not just digital progress, but the human and operational transformation that makes it meaningful." e message from CIOs is clear: technology is a catalyst, not a cure. Its value depends on how it's integrated, adopted and supported and whether the people behind it are ready to lead the transformation it enables. n 18 health systems listed as 'Most Wired' By Naomi Diaz T he College of Healthcare Information Management Executives has recognized 18 hospitals and health systems as having achieved Level 10 status in its 2025 Digital Health Most Wired survey. The designation honors organizations that demonstrate exceptional digital maturity and leadership across areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity, patient engagement and innovation, according to a Nov. 6 news release. Here are the 18 Level 10 acute hospitals and health systems that achieved Most Wired eligibility from CHIME in 2025: 1. AdventHealth (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) 2. Baptist Health (Jacksonville, Fla.) 3. Bon Secours Mercy Health (Cincinnati) 4. El Camino Health (Mountain View, Calif.) 5. Geisinger (Danville, Pa.) 6. MultiCare Health System (Tacoma, Wash.) 7. Northeast Georgia Health System (Gainesville, Ga.) 8. NYU Langone Health (New York City) 9. Parkview Health (Fort Wayne, Ind.) 10. Southcoast Health (New Bedford, Mass.) 11. Stanford Health Care (Stanford, Calif.) 12. UCHealth (Aurora, Colo.) 13. UNC Health (Chapel Hill, N.C.) 14. University Health (San Antonio) 15. University of Utah Health (Salt Lake City) 16. Virtua Health (Marlton, N.J.) 17. The MetroHealth System (Cleveland) 18. WVU Medicine (Morgantown, W.Va.) CHIME updated the Digital Health Most Wired methodology in 2025 to reflect the industry's rapid technological acceleration. The revised framework expands evaluation criteria to include AI adoption, virtual care programs, digital pathology, cybersecurity capabilities and climate resilience. It also introduces a dimensional scoring model that aims to assess organizations more equitably based on size, complexity and available resources. n