HIMSS 2026: Reid Oakes - Chief Operating Officer, HIMSS

Why It Matters

HIMSS’s focus on AI readiness, governance, and collaborative learning equips health systems to adopt emerging technologies safely and effectively, accelerating industry‑wide digital transformation.

Key Takeaways

• HIMSS focuses on AI readiness, governance, and data interoperability.
• Member tools include assessments for digital health maturity and workforce development.
• HIMSS promotes global knowledge sharing, leveraging early adopters to accelerate innovation.
• Conference attendees urged to plan goals, network, and learn from peers.
• Leapfrogging markets illustrate faster AI adoption compared to legacy infrastructure.

Summary

At HIMSS 2026, Chief Operating Officer Reid Oakes outlined the organization’s strategy for guiding its 130,000‑plus members through the rapidly evolving landscape of digital health, AI, and data interoperability. He emphasized that HIMSS serves as a central hub for assessing organizational readiness, providing governance frameworks, and delivering workforce development resources that enable members to adopt emerging technologies responsibly. Oakes highlighted several concrete tools: maturity assessments for AI and digital health, certification pathways for professionals, and standards‑driven data portability initiatives. These offerings aim to help health systems move beyond checkbox compliance toward measurable outcomes, while also fostering a collaborative ecosystem where members can share best practices and lessons learned. A memorable remark from Oakes compared today’s AI leapfrogging to the mobile‑phone revolution, noting that many regions bypass legacy infrastructure and accelerate adoption. He urged conference participants to arrive with clear objectives, leverage networking opportunities, and draw on peer experiences to translate technology investments into real‑world impact. The broader implication is that health organizations must adopt a structured, data‑centric approach to AI, balancing innovation with governance and ethics. HIMSS’s role as a convenor and standards advocate positions it to shape the next wave of health‑tech transformation, influencing both policy and operational execution across the industry.

Original Description

“How do we make sure human connection doesn’t become a scarce resource in the age of AI?” 🤖💬

During HIMSS 2026 in Las Vegas, Reid Oakes, Chief Operating Officer at HIMSS, joins Peter Birch to discuss the impact of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on global healthcare, workforce development, and the importance of collaboration in a rapidly changing environment.

What does true readiness for AI adoption look like in large healthcare organisations? How can leaders balance the technical and ethical demands of digital transformation? And what role does global collaboration play when some markets leapfrog ahead with new technologies while others are still building the basics? The answers aren’t simple—listen to the complexities and solutions Reid discusses in this short interview.

Catch this conversation and many others recorded during HIMSS26 Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted by Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society in a special playlist available here on YouTube under our channel as well as the Talking HealthTech Podcast on your favourite platform.

#digitalhealth #healthtech #AI #HIMSS #interoperability