What Happened in Vegas Definitely Won’t Stay There
HIMSS25 in Las Vegas was an absolute whirlwind, in the best possible way. I’m talking massive expo halls, groundbreaking technology, and more steps than I care to admit (I’ll get to that in a minute). This was my 6th year attending and I was reminded frequently throughout the week exactly why this is at the top of my “can’t miss” conferences list year after year.
From the moment I stepped onto the conference floor, it was clear that this year’s event was all about one thing: innovation. And, of course, puppies. Oh, and also AI! Ok – this year’s event was about a LOT of things.
AI Was Everywhere, And I Mean EVERYWHERE!
Artificial intelligence was for sure the belle of the ball at HIMSS25 and I loved to see it. If you threw a rock in the expo hall (which I do not recommend), you’d probably hit a booth touting the latest and greatest AI-powered solution. Every booth I came to, I thought “THIS is going to be what revolutionizes our industry!” And then I walked ten steps, and had the same thought all over again, with yet another incredible innovation.
I loved the dedicated “AI Pavilion” and found myself gravitating there frequently throughout the week, as it was packed with cutting-edge technologies aiming to transform healthcare and workforce management.
Another feature I always love is the ability to take in different talks and sessions from industry experts, not just within the actual curriculum but also happening right in the expo hall in the thick of the action. Some standout sessions included:
- How Northwestern Medicine Drives Better Outcomes with AI-Powered Process Intelligence – Real-world applications of AI making a tangible impact on patient care. Gotta love those evidence-based outcomes!
- AI at the Bedside: A Nurse’s Perspective – A primer on how AI is supporting overworked clinicians and improving workflows. Key takeaway: in this, as in all things, LISTEN to the NURSES!
- Generic AI Has Flatlined: Why Healthcare Demands Specialized Intelligence – We all know healthcare has never been one-size-fits-all, and this really hammered that point home with an AI lens. And this session title was so good, I took the time to jot it down.
From predictive analytics to patient engagement, AI is no longer just a buzzword and so much of the fear and trepidation I saw just a year ago around AI in healthcare seems to have dissipated FAST. The conversations around it weren’t just theoretical; they were packed with practical use cases proving AI is already transforming the way we deliver care, and showing how organizations big and small are jumping on board to embrace the change.
The results speak for themselves and healthcare providers really seem to be coming together to ensure the technology is safe, accountable, and pushing the limits of our capabilities like never before. I truly can’t wait to see how far we’ve come by this time next year.
The Real Challenge? Navigating the Expo Hall!
Any prior HIMSS participant knows that year over year, it’s really grown. But I was a little blown away by the sheer size of the conference this year. It was spread across multiple conference centers, with dedicated pavilions to house areas like cyber security, patient engagement, and first-time exhibitors. (Oh, SO much innovation on the market!)
Fortunately for me, I’m in the midst of a heated workplace “Daily Steps Challenge” so I was ready to tackle the expo hall with a vengeance. On Day 1, I crushed the leaderboard. By Day 2, my competitors claimed they were catching up, but I saw the numbers. Nice try.
Walking 20,000 steps a day was totally worth it, though. With so many incredible first-time exhibitors and interactive demonstrations, every corner of the conference had something exciting to offer. Whether it was workforce optimization solutions or AI-powered automation, the future of healthcare tech was on full display.
It could get a LITTLE overwhelming at times so for anyone considering attending next year, I definitely recommend bracing yourself, keep your expectations at a manageable level, and make sure to highlight the “must see” vendors and sessions in advance so you have a calculated plan of attack. Oh, and pack your walking shoes.
The True MVP of HIMSS: The Puppy Pavilion
I would be remiss if I didn’t give a special shout out to HIMSS for making sure my FAVORITE part of the conference was alive and well. That’s right, everyone - they brought back the fan-favorite Puppy Pavilion, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
Without fail, the line to get into the puppy pen and snuggle some shelter pups was the longest of any booth. These sweet doggos were on hand to provide a much-appreciated reprieve from the conference madness (because let’s be real, conferences can be overwhelming). I may or may not have started drafting a proposal to adopt one and make him the official Improvizations mascot.
His name? Improv, obviously.
The Best Part? The People (And Also, the Puppies)
Technology is exciting, but the real highlight of HIMSS25 was the people. Meeting with clinicians, healthcare executives, and tech partners reminded me why we do this work in the first place. Conversations about workforce management, process optimization, and the future of AI weren’t just interesting, they were essential.
The insights shared at this conference will undoubtedly shape the next wave of healthcare transformation and it’s exciting to have a chance to watch that unfold in real-time.
The Bottom Line on HIMSS, Workforce Management and More...
HIMSS25 proved yet again that healthcare is on the brink of a tech-driven revolution. AI, automation, and workforce management tools are changing the game, and the energy at this year’s conference was proof that we’re all ready for what’s next. Fear and uncertainty have been replaced by excitement and a palpable anticipation of what’s ahead of us all in the healthcare realm.
So, what’s my biggest takeaway? Innovation continues to be “in,” and I am here for it! If you’re tackling healthcare workforce challenges, embracing AI solutions, or just need a strategy to survive a 20,000-step expo hall, let’s talk.
And if you agree with me that my first order of business at HIMSS26 should be adopting a puppy named Improv so he can be our official office mascot, definitely let me know so I can add your name to my petition.
Until next time, HIMSS!
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