IT leaders play a crucial role in enabling real-time collaboration between healthcare providers and social service organizations. As healthcare transitions towards value-based care, seamless data exchange and cross-sector coordination are becoming essential for improving patient care and reducing costs.
Halima Ahmadi-Montecalvo, vice president of research and evaluation at Unite Us, emphasizes the importance of integrating social care programs into clinical workflows to drive better outcomes and maximize return on investment. Unite Us offers technologies that empower healthcare systems to address social determinants of health efficiently through a unified network of health and social care providers.
At HIMSS25, Ahmadi-Montecalvo will be speaking in an educational session focusing on SDOH program design, technology, data, and evaluation. The session aims to showcase successful community initiatives that leverage technology to create coordinated care networks connecting individuals to essential services such as housing, food security, and transportation.
In today’s healthcare landscape, interoperability remains a top priority as organizations strive for seamless integration with external partners. Real-time, cross-sector communication is crucial for tracking patient services and measuring their impact on health outcomes, especially in addressing social determinants of health at scale.
Technologies such as artificial intelligence and predictive analytics are revolutionizing healthcare by enabling early identification of high-risk patients and driving targeted interventions. These advanced insights help optimize resources, improve care coordination, and ensure timely support for both medical and social needs.
For CIOs and IT leaders attending HIMSS25, the focus should be on investing in interoperable systems that facilitate secure referrals and track social care interventions. Leveraging data and analytics to drive decision-making is also key in identifying care gaps, optimizing resource allocation, and measuring the impact of social care investments.
By embracing these innovations, CIOs and IT leaders can build a more connected, efficient, and sustainable healthcare ecosystem. As the industry moves towards value-based care, technology will play a vital role in driving collaboration, improving patient outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs.
