Monday, September 29
10:00 am HIMSS Virginia President’s Opening Welcome
Opening Keynote “Better Tech for Better Health: Informaticists as Catalysts”
Whende Carroll, MSN, RN, HIMSS
SIG Session Cybersecurity: Creating a Cybersecurity Roadmap: Guiding Smart Priorities and Effective Planning for Your Organization
SIG Chair|Moderator: Erin Trost, UVA Health
Paul Curylo, Inova
Brady Miller, Carilion Clinic
SIG Session Digital Consumer Experience: All-In Caring for Virginia’s Caregivers: A Showcase of Virginia Health System Accomplishments
Administrative burden is the #1 driver of burnout for our healthcare workforce. To address this, health systems across the Commonwealth came together to accelerate quality improvement projects that improve their workforce’s professional wellbeing. Join us to learn how your peers strengthened professional wellbeing through EHR optimization projects, lessons they are taking away as they continue their professional wellbeing work to retain and recruit the most talented workforce, and what’s next to sustain and scale our collective impact.
Moderator: Melissa Zuckerman, Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation
Jenna Dziuba, MSN, RN, Centra Health
Tracey Patterson, MSN, RN, UVA Health
Lindsey Stanton, DNP, Inova Health System
Gregory Szlyk, MD, Mary Washington Health
Richard Truxillo, Carilion Clinic
Eric Werner, MD, Children’s Specialty Group
Leigh Williams, Augusta Health
SIG Session Emerging Leaders and Lessons Learned Panel
Hear from the rising stars transforming Healthcare IT across Virginia. This panel spotlights emerging leaders that are driving innovation across clinical care, analytics, cybersecurity, clinician / patient experience and more. They will share what they have learned along the way, lessons on cultivating the next generation of health‑tech excellence and potential provide a look into what is next in their journey.
Moderator: Mike Canfield, HIMSS Virginia Board Member
Troy Goldie, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters
Terron Johnson, VCU Health
Reuben Southall, VCU Health
Mike Tremel, Augusta Health
The Challenging Landscape of Software Purchases and the Accounting Challenges They Present
The world of software has evolved since the days of CD-ROMS. CD-ROMS are largely a thing of the past, with software now being offered by providers via online downloads. In addition to this media change, software providers have also transitioned to providing software in multiple formats, including perpetual licenses, term licenses, and software-as-a-service (SAAS), offering the customer a variety of choices to meet their operational and cash flow needs. This changing software landscape has created accounting challenges for the companies who purchase them. This session will discuss some of these challenges and what can be done to address them.
Tracy Heideman, CPA, Wipfli
President’s Closing Day 1
5:15 pm – 8:00 pm Evening Reception in Elements
Tuesday, September 30
8:00 am Breakfast and Registration
President’s Welcome Day 2
Keynote: The Future of Healthcare IT in Virginia – Creating Better Tech for Better Health
Healthcare in Virginia is undergoing rapid transformation, shaped by new technologies, shifting regulations, and rising expectations from patients and providers alike. In this keynote, Leigh Williams, Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Augusta Health and President of Virginia HIMSS, will share a forward-looking vision for how we can create better tech for better health across the Commonwealth.
Drawing from her experience leading large-scale digital initiatives, Leigh will explore how interoperability, AI, and human-centered design are reshaping care delivery. She will discuss the importance of reducing friction for clinicians, addressing workforce well-being, and expanding digital equity so that all Virginians can access the benefits of innovation.
Attendees will leave with insight into the opportunities ahead—and inspiration to work together to ensure healthcare IT becomes not just a tool for efficiency, but a driver of trust, access, and healthier communities.
Leigh Williams, Augusta Health
Clinical Informatics SIG: AI In Clinical Care: Balancing Innovation, Safety, and Trust
Session Objectives:
Explore the ethical, educational, and operational challenges of AI in healthcare.
Discuss real-world examples of AI success and failure in clinical settings.
Engage in a dialogue about the future of AI and patient care.
SIG Chair|Moderator: Renee Emmer, VCU Health
Maruf Haider, MD, Carilion Clinic
Jeffrey Kim, MD, VCU Health
Andrew Markowski, MD, UVA
Amit Patel, DO, Augusta Health
SIG Session AI & Emerging Technologies: AI That Works: Lessons from Leaders
SIG Chair|Moderator: Trip Humphrey, Carilion Clinic
Alok Chaudhary, VCU Health
Charles Frazier, MD, Riverside Health
Ankit Mathur, UNOS
Matthew Schumaecker, MD, Carilion Clinic
Reducing Caregiver Implementation Stress
The introduction of new technology, procedures, and policies can lead to unexpected challenges for caregivers and associates alike. Understanding the impact of these changes is crucial for maintaining a healthy workplace. As we navigate these transitions, it’s essential to explore effective strategies that can help alleviate the stress that often accompanies them. In this session, we will delve into practical approaches that can minimize stress and enhance our resilience during the implementation of technology, process, or policies.
Chuck DeBusk, Kinetic Resolution LLC
SIG Session Advocacy: Virginia State and Federal Legislative Update
Julie Dime, VHHA
SIG Session Data & Analytics: Beyond the Hype: How AI Is Reshaping Healthcare Today
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s actively transforming how healthcare is delivered. From streamlining workflows to enhancing diagnostic accuracy, AI is making a measurable impact across the care continuum. This session will spotlight two real-world examples of how AI is elevating healthcare.
SIG Chair: Penny Cooper, Augusta Health
Roland Depratti
Fireside Chat: Leading Healthcare IT in Virginia – A CIO Perspective
Robin Parkin, UVA Health
Matt Curtin, Pivot Point (Highspring)
Closing Awards, Door Prize Giveaway, President’s Conference Wrap-Up
6:00 pm 20th Anniversary Dinner
Location: Elements
Wednesday, October 1
8:30 am Golf Tournament
9:00 am – 1:00 pm Innovation Workshop: Practical Tools for Implementing Technology for Better Health (FREE with conference registration – must be pre-registered)
Designed for health system IT professionals and their technology partners, this workshop brings together some of healthcare’s top innovation minds to share practical, people-centered approaches to transformation.
Craig Joseph, MD, Nordic Global
Ryan Noyes, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin
Leigh Williams, Augusta Health
Whende Carroll, MSN, RN, HIMSS