Key Highlights from HIMSS 2025: A Transformative Year for Digital Health

Key Highlights from HIMSS 2025: A Transformative Year for Digital Health

The HIMSS (Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society) 2025 Global Conference & Exhibition, held March 3-6 in Las Vegas, brought together more than 28,000 healthcare and technology leaders to explore the future of healthcare innovation. With a focus on digital transformation, interoperability, health equity and emerging technologies, this year's event set the stage for meaningful advancements in healthcare delivery. Below are the key highlights from this year's conference.

1. Artificial intelligence (AI) moves beyond hype

AI was a central theme at HIMSS 2025, with discussions shifting from theoretical possibilities to real-world applications and outcomes. 

Key areas of focus included:

• Clinical decision support: AI-powered tools showcased their ability to augment physician judgment, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning.
• Predictive analytics: Hospitals demonstrated how AI is being used for patient risk stratification and resource allocation.
• Compliance automation: Sessions emphasized AI's role in ensuring regulatory compliance through real-time monitoring and smarter data governance strategies.

One of the most impactful presentations was by Dr. Zafar Chaudry, Chief AI Officer at Seattle Children's Hospital. Dr. Chaudry's team showcased groundbreaking clinical applications of AI that have already begun delivering significant patient outcomes. A particularly impactful example is their AI-driven initiative aimed at reducing opioid use in pediatric outpatient surgeries. Traditionally, opioids have been standard practice for sedation and postoperative pain management, posing risks of addiction. By leveraging AI to analyze extensive patient data, Dr. Chaudry's team successfully identified alternative medication combinations that effectively eliminate opioids from outpatient surgical procedures without compromising patient comfort or safety. Another remarkable achievement presented by Seattle Children's was their innovative use of AI to prevent pediatric strokes. By analyzing historical patient data and identifying subtle risk factors often unnoticed through traditional methods, their AI-driven predictive models enable clinicians to intervene proactively, significantly reducing the incidence of strokes among vulnerable pediatric populations.

2. Interoperability takes center stage

Interoperability emerged as a cornerstone of digital health transformation. The HIMSS Interoperability Showcase highlighted:

• FHIR-based standards: Real-world success stories demonstrated how FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) is enabling seamless data exchange across different systems.
• Collaborative use cases: From chronic disease management to immunization tracking, stakeholders illustrated how interoperability improves outcomes.

The "Cardiac Care & Tribal Health" case study underscores the critical role of interoperability in delivering seamless healthcare services to Native American and Veteran populations. By leveraging standards like HL7® FHIR® and DICOM, healthcare providers can facilitate "care without boundaries," ensuring patient data is easily accessible across diverse care settings. This is especially vital for Native American communities, who face distinct healthcare challenges shaped by socioeconomic disparities and historical factors. Enhanced interoperability enables better care coordination, significantly improving health outcomes for these underserved populations. Additionally, interoperability across exchanges as well as disease management through collaboration drives efficiencies, resulting in reduced IT costs as well as data processing costs. Interoperability also increases clinical efficiency and improves patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. 

3. Health equity gains momentum

The Health Equity Forum underscored the importance of addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Key initiatives included:

• Digital inclusion: Strategies to bridge the digital divide and improve access to virtual care solutions.
• Community-based models: Innovative approaches to delivering equitable care were shared by organizations tackling social determinants of health.

The Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation (PCCI) unveiled its "Know Thy Patient" (KTP) algorithm, an advanced AI tool designed to enhance care for diabetic and hypertensive patients by considering both clinical and social determinants of health (SDoH). This machine learning method clusters patients based on healthcare utilization patterns and SDoH factors, including criminal justice involvement and immigration concerns, which are often underreported in standard assessments. By identifying these underlying risk drivers, PCCI aims to develop targeted, culturally sensitive interventions that improve patient outcomes and resource allocation. This approach underscores the importance of addressing health inequities by integrating comprehensive socio-demographic insights into patient care strategies.

4. Cybersecurity as a priority

With the increasing digitization of healthcare systems, cybersecurity was a critical focus. Highlights included:

• Zero trust architectures: Experts discussed implementing robust security frameworks to safeguard sensitive health data.
• Emerging threats: Former NSA Director General Paul Nakasone delivered a keynote on evolving cybersecurity challenges and solutions tailored to healthcare environments.

Discussions at the conference highlighted the necessity for robust monitoring strategies to mitigate risks such as data breaches and compliance issues arising from AI usage. A HIMSS survey revealed that 37 percent of respondents are utilizing AI for technical tasks, including support and data analytics, while 34 percent are applying it to cybersecurity and administrative functions. The survey emphasized the need for proactive measures to address potential misuse, compliance issues or security risks associated with malicious AI agents. 

5. Emerging technologies and innovation

HIMSS 2025 introduced several new platforms for showcasing innovation:

• Emerge innovation experience: A dedicated space for startups featuring pitch contests and networking opportunities.
• Specialty pavilions: Exhibitors presented cutting-edge solutions in areas like blockchain for supply chain management, AI-driven diagnostics and patient engagement tools.

Samsung Medical Center (SMC), a large South Korean healthcare system, highlighted several key innovations, including the DARWIN platform, their advanced EHR system focused on enhancing care through standardization and integrated AI solutions. They introduced pediatric care robots, Nova and Lumi, utilizing AI and remote guidance to comfort young patients. Additionally, SMC deployed logistics robots to automate administrative tasks, allowing nurses more time for patient interaction. As a leader in digital health, SMC also showcased its extensive health information exchange, connecting thousands of care providers and pioneering paperless and filmless clinical environments.

6. Inspiring keynotes

The conference featured an impressive lineup of speakers who addressed pressing industry challenges:

• Simone Biles: The Olympic gymnast closed the event with a compelling talk on mental health advocacy.
• Dr. Seung-Woo Park: Samsung Medical Center's president emphasized balancing technological innovation with human-centered care.
• General Paul Nakasone: His keynote on cybersecurity provided critical insights into protecting healthcare infrastructure in an increasingly digital world.

Conclusion

HIMSS 2025 showcased the convergence of technology, policy, and human-centered care as the industry continues its journey toward a more connected and equitable future. From practical AI applications to groundbreaking interoperability solutions, this year's event highlighted actionable strategies that will shape healthcare for years to come.