Healthcare finances have remained steady in recent months, with many healthcare providers focusing on improving core health service offerings while reducing expenses. JPMorgan’s 2025 conference did not bring any major surprises, but it did highlight three key themes that Healthcare CIOs should pay attention to.
Health System Expansion
One of the main focuses for healthcare organizations is expanding their market share to have a larger pool of patients for value-based care. This expansion includes investments in building out outpatient access, such as ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers, outpatient imaging centers, and physical therapy clinics. By creating a robust ambulatory network and proprietary physician networks, health systems can reduce patient leakage and enhance the patient experience.
For example, Sutter Health is investing $800 million in two new outpatient medical campuses to upgrade technology and improve patient experiences with self-service features. Technology leaders are encouraged to leverage 5G/6G technology in infrastructure development to ensure that new constructions are equipped with the latest connectivity standards.
Application Rationalization
Large health systems are streamlining their technology stacks to establish a unified operational standard. Application rationalization is a significant focus, with organizations like CommonSpirit Health consolidating disparate EMR and ERP systems onto a single platform. In addition to technology consolidation, CommonSpirit Health is also implementing national programs like nursing residency programs, virtually integrated care models, patient connection centers, virtual patient monitoring centers, and digital consumer experience platforms across its system.
Healthcare CIOs will continue to be heavily involved in enterprise system implementation, with a focus on cloud ERP upgrades or system conversions. Many health systems are facing decisions about aging ERP systems and must choose between upgrading to modern cloud ERP solutions or transitioning to different cloud ERP vendors. Consolidating applications while transitioning to new enterprise systems remains a top priority for healthcare CIOs.
AI Partnership 2.0
AI solutions and integration continue to be key topics in healthcare conferences. Health systems are investing in AI ambient solutions to reduce physician documentation time. Reports indicate that AI solutions were a dominant focus in investor and enterprise attention in 2024, with AI-enabled digital health startups securing a significant portion of sector funding. However, studies suggest that AI ambient tools may not necessarily make clinicians more efficient as a group, raising questions about the ROI of AI in healthcare.
The insights from JPMorgan’s 2025 conference emphasize the importance of strong CIO leadership in guiding healthcare organizations through a technology-driven landscape. Successful healthcare CIOs must focus on adopting new technologies and staying informed about market trends to leverage technology for a competitive advantage.
