HIMSS 2025: Key Takeaways and the Road Ahead
By Stacy Fox, SVP, Market Development & Growth
As we wrap up another HIMSS conference, it's clear that healthcare is at a pivotal moment. HIMSS 2025 wasn't just about showcasing new technologies-it was about charting the course for meaningful transformation in our industry with urgency. There was a notable shift in its attendee demographics, with fewer senior healthcare executives and decision-makers compared to previous years. Instead, the conference hosted an increased presence of frontline healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff.
Healthcare Cybersecurity was a hot topic during the event, with General Nakasone emphasizing the need for a team-based approach, urging organizations to recruit and retain staff capable of navigating AI-driven security challenges to protect patient data and healthcare infrastructure. Experts also emphasized the need to balance technology with a human-centric approach, ensuring innovations created support rather than replace patient care. This approach is deeply embedded in The Garage's philosophy. The Garage has always championed a digital-first, data-first, platform-based strategy that is human-centric, empowering value-based care and achieving the Quintuple Aim. The themes discussed at HIMSS further reinforce our approach and underscore the alignment between industry advancements and our mission to drive meaningful, patient-centered transformation.
Key Themes and Observations
- Leveraging Technology to combat burnout while keeping Healthcare Human-Centric: As healthcare organizations grapple with increasing workforce shortages, burnout, and minimal budgets, there's an urgent need to find solutions that alleviate these pressures and hit KPIs and benchmarks quickly while simultaneously maintaining high standards of care. Organizations are also actively seeking tools that complement rather than replace the human aspect of care so care can remain compassionate and effective while reducing staff strain.
With a guaranteed ROI of 6 months or less, Bridge helps organizations meet their KPIs and benchmarks quickly while maintaining the highest standards of patient care. We understand the importance of balancing technology with the human touch. Bridge is designed to complement - not replace - the provider-patient relationship, reducing staff strain while empowering value-based care. - Cybersecurity in the Spotlight: Healthcare continues to be a prime cyberattack target due to the sensitive nature of patient data and the increased reliance on digital systems. As threats grow, cybersecurity is at the forefront. Organizations must be vigilant, implement robust defenses, and leverage skilled crew and advanced technology to safeguard patient information and healthcare infrastructure from evolving risks.
At The Garage, cybersecurity is a top priority, and we take a proactive, multi-layered approach to protecting sensitive healthcare data. We ensure Bridge adheres to the highest data protection and compliance standards, earning an "A" rating on HIPAAOne's Security Assessment. - AI Progress and the FOMO Effect: As AI continues to take healthcare by storm, there's widespread FOMO (fear of missing out) as organizations rush to adopt its capabilities - no one wants to be left behind. Healthcare leaders and providers alike recognize AI's potential to improve patient outcomes, optimize operations, improve decision-making, and drive cost efficiency. As a result, the pressure to adopt and implement AI technologies is quickly intensifying, with organizations eager to stay ahead of the curve. This raises the question - how do we cut through the noise and find the most impactful solutions while maintaining the provider-patient relationship?
At The Garage, we utilize applied intelligence in our technologies and combine the power of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data-driven insights. By combining the power of technology with human expertise, we address these complex healthcare challenges. Our Blaze Copilot tool is a care manager's AI-powered digital assistant that automates routine and repetitive tasks, increasing outreach and productivity and driving exponential outcomes. Learn more about it here. - The Power of Interoperability and Data Exchange: Seamless data exchange and interoperability are foundational to a modern healthcare system that is efficient, sustainable, and patient-centered. With rapid advancements in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and interoperability, healthcare organizations can now exchange data across various sources, breaking down silos and ensuring real-time access to critical patient information. HIMSS 2025 highlighted significant advancements in FHIR-based integration standards and patient data access, further improving system exchange.
Our Bridge platform is EHR and backend agnostic and facilitates seamless data sharing across the healthcare ecosystem, aggregating and normalizing disparate data sources. With its bi-directional data feeds and digital-first, data-first approach, Bridge enables smooth, real-time communication, providing actionable insights that empower more informed decision-making and personalized care. With all of the data in one inclusive hub, care teams can do what they do best, spend less time searching for the information they need, and focus more on their patient's care. Learn more about our approach here.
What Was Missing?
- Specialty Care in Value-Based Care: While HIMSS 2025 covered a wide range of topics, there was a noticeable gap in discussions around specialty care integration into Value-Based Care models. The conversation around specialty care was limited, focusing primarily on pediatric care and mental health. Notably, Dr. Kaitlan Baston, the New Jersey Commissioner of Health, highlighted state-level innovations being implemented to address the nation's top causes of death among young people - overdose, suicide, and homicide. While these discussions were necessary, the overall conversation around integrating specialty care into Value-Based Care models was largely absent, underscoring a missed opportunity for a broader dialogue on specialty care's important role in healthcare. Pranam Ben spoke about specialty care being the key to value-based care a few weeks ago at VIVE 2025. See our VIVE reflections here.
- The Quintuple Aim Overlooked: Despite the informative discussions on innovation, technology, care models, and cybersecurity at HIMSS 2025, there was a noticeable lack of focus on the Quintuple Aim (lower costs of care, better care for the patient, improved health of communities, sustainable service models for care teams, and equitable access to care for all) and a heavier focus on the Quadruple Aim (lower costs of care, better care for the patient, improved health of communities, sustainable service models for care teams.) This absence stood out, especially given the growing emphasis on value-based care models. To truly impact care, we must continue to take action to achieve health equity. See our posture on the Quintuple Aim here.
Attendance and Industry Pulse
While attendance at HIMSS 2025 showed an uptick from the previous year, numbers still haven't reached their historical peaks. This trend reflects the ongoing evolution of the healthcare industry, with healthcare leadership seeking more focused, high-impact events. The increased presence of frontline workers showcases how the boots on the ground are getting involved.
Charting the Future of Healthcare
HIMSS 2025 highlighted how technology is changing healthcare, but it also revealed key gaps needing attention. While AI, cybersecurity, and data interoperability took center stage, there was a lack of discussion on integrating specialty care into value-based care models and addressing the full scope of the Quintuple Aim.
Looking Ahead: The Garage's Perspective
As we reflect on HIMSS 2025, our vision for the future of healthcare is clearer than ever:
- Data-Driven Transformation: We're doubling down on our commitment to leveraging data for meaningful insights and actionable outcomes.
- AI with Purpose: Our focus is on developing AI solutions that address real-world healthcare challenges, not just technological showcases.
- Inclusive Value-Based Care: Specialty care is a focus of ours for driving the future of value-based care.
- Interoperability at the Core: Our platform will continue to prioritize seamless data exchange, fostering better collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem.
- Addressing the Quintuple Aim: Every solution we develop will be measured against its ability to advance all five aspects of the Quintuple Aim.
At The Garage, we believe the future of healthcare is NOW. We're active participants, driving change through innovation, collaboration, and a relentless focus on improving healthcare for all.
Are you ready to join us in shaping the future of healthcare? Let's connect and explore how we can make a difference together.
