Walking into this year’s CHIME Fall Forum felt like reconnecting with a community that has shaped much of my professional journey. After decades in healthcare IT, including years spent as a nurse, consultant, and CDIO at a health system, and now in my role as CIO in Residence at symplr, I have learned that the most valuable insights often come from conversation, connection, and shared experiences.
With the 2025 Forum behind us and 2026 quickly coming into view, the themes CIOs raised this year provide a clear lens into where our industry is headed.
Top trends CIOs discussed at CHIME 2025
CHIME always encourages candid dialogue, and this year those conversations pointed to several priorities for CIOs preparing for 2026.
AI in healthcare IT: from hype to real outcomes
Unsurprisingly, AI once again dominated the discussion this year, as CIOs focused on practical questions:
- Which AI use cases produce measurable results?
- How do we implement and govern AI responsibly?
- What value can we deliver today, not five years from now?
We finally have enough digital data to apply AI in ways that support clinical teams and operations. The tone this year felt less speculative and more grounded in actual outcomes.
Healthcare IT efficiency and cost reduction strategies
Financial pressure continues to shape CIO priorities. Leaders spent significant time discussing how to streamline systems, reduce redundancy, and maximize the value of existing technology. With budgets under pressure, efficiency remains central to every digital strategy heading into 2026.
Tackling burnout with better data
CIOs shared how they use data to identify true sources of burnout and design targeted solutions. As someone who has led both clinical and IT teams, I found these conversations encouraging. We are finally addressing the root causes rather than applying surface-level fixes.
Cybersecurity and compliance readiness
Cybersecurity remains a top priority for every CIO. Threats grow more sophisticated each year, and maintaining readiness requires continuous investment, education, and alignment with national frameworks. Regulatory shifts expected in 2026 also remain top of mind, especially as digital health innovation expands.
Pro Tip
Are you ready to lead real enterprise change? This practical guide helps CIOs and digital health leaders break through the noise by consolidating scattered point solutions, uniting teams around shared goals, and delivering measurable improvements in care, cost, and agility.
Download eBook
What CIOs are excited about for 2026
Despite ongoing pressures, CIOs expressed optimism. They highlighted enthusiasm for:
- AI and automation that deliver measurable improvements
- Rapid technological evolution
- Data that finally drives insights rather than overwhelm
- Value-based technology purchasing
- Collaborative ecosystems that reduce silos and redundancies
CIOs are excited about finally leveraging the massive amount of data collected over the last decade. Better analytics and maturing AI capabilities are helping teams turn data into decisions that improve care and operations.
Application rationalization insights for CIOs
During our CIO focus group, we explored what drives application rationalization and consolidation. The themes were clear: reduce cost, reduce complexity, standardize systems, and align digital strategy across the enterprise.
Some organizations already have formal programs, while others are just beginning. Either way, CIOs agreed that rationalization must function as a long-term strategy. The consistency of responses showed how universal these pressures are across healthcare.
Digital transformation in healthcare: aligning people, process, and technology
CIOs repeatedly emphasized that technology alone cannot solve organizational challenges. Success requires alignment across people, processes, and technology. With my background spanning both clinical care and digital leadership, this message resonates deeply. When teams collaborate early, ask the right questions, and design workflows that reflect real needs, technology becomes a catalyst rather than a complication.
Preparing for CHIME 2026
Reflecting on this year’s Forum, I feel optimistic about the direction digital leaders are heading. CIOs are:
- Using data more intelligently
- Supporting teams with empathy and clarity
- Driving efficiency without stalling innovation
- Collaborating across organizations and disciplines
- Reducing friction and operational complexity
- Strengthening cybersecurity and governance foundations
The challenges ahead will not disappear, but our collective ability to address them, together, grows stronger every year. I look forward to the conversations, partnerships, and innovations that CHIME 2026 will bring.
