Summit connects innovation to better patient care

(Photo by UTHealth Houston)

As healthcare rapidly evolves through artificial intelligence, digital tools, and data-driven insights, the path forward depends on more than technology alone. It requires people willing to explore what’s possible and work together to turn innovation into better care.

That idea was at the heart of the 2026 UTHealth Houston Center for Digital Healthcare Innovation Informatics Summit on Sept. 15 at the TMC Innovation Factory.

With this year’s theme, “Star Wars: From Foundation to Future: Advancing Healthcare Informatics Together,” the summit brought together healthcare professionals, innovators, and technology leaders to explore how informatics is shaping the future of clinical care, research, and patient access.

Throughout the day, speakers highlighted the progress already made while looking ahead to the opportunities and responsibilities that come with an increasingly digital healthcare environment.

Building on the foundation

Amar Yousif, MBA, vice president and chief information officer at UTHealth Houston, opened the summit by welcoming attendees and setting the stage for conversations about the future of healthcare informatics.

“What a wonderful gathering and a wonderful theme that we get to experience today,” Yousif said. “It is fitting to have the CDHI Summit, where the ‘I’ in stands for ‘innovation’ at the TMCX Innovation Factory at the world-famous Texas Medical Center.”

Yousif introduced Michael Patriarca, MBA, MS, FACHE, executive vice president and chief business affairs and strategy officer at UTHealth Houston, who presented the opening keynote, “Building What’s Next: Strategy, Technology, and Innovation,” connecting the university’s Future in Focus strategic planning process with its growing use of data, informatics, technology, and artificial intelligence.

As UTHealth Houston develops its first university-wide strategic plan in more than a decade, Patriarca emphasized, “Our job now isn’t to start the work from scratch; it’s to unite what’s already happening, build a structure around it, and scale it as one institution. This is both a strategic priority and a foundational capability for UTHealth Houston over the next decade.”

Setting the stage for innovation

Babatope Fatuyi, chief medical information officer at UTHealth Houston, followed Patriarca by challenging attendees to think differently about the role of innovation in healthcare.

Rather than pursuing technology simply for the sake of having something new, Fatuyi emphasized the importance of understanding the problems that need to be solved and determining whether proposed solutions truly benefit patients, staff, and the broader healthcare community.

He also highlighted the importance of being willing to reassess existing approaches. Innovation, he said, should include recognizing when a solution is no longer serving its intended purpose and having the discipline to move in a different direction.

“The essence is not to innovate every week,” he said. “That’s not possible. But it’s key to have an area where folks know that we care about them, that despite all that we invested, we’re still listening and seeing where we can provide help and support.”

Making access more seamless

The morning shifted toward one of the most important challenges in healthcare: making it easier for patients to access the care they need.

Kristi Bradley, vice president and chief revenue cycle officer at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, explored the role technology can play in improving patient access and creating a more seamless experience for patients and healthcare teams.

Her presentation highlighted how digital innovation can help address barriers to care while improving processes that connect patients with providers and services.

“What we want to do is automate those things that are routine, irritating, and voluminous,” she said. “And we want to free up our people so that where we can apply people to this discussion with a patient, we can create and foster that sense of true care.”

Special recognition

The summit also honored individuals whose work has contributed to advancing innovation and collaboration across the organization.

During the awards presentations, Olasunkanmi Adeyinka, MD, chief medical information officer at UT Physicians, presented the Robert J. Yetman, MD, Physician Champion of the Year; Collaborator of the Year; and Innovation of the Year awards.

• Robert J. Yetman, MD, Physician Champion of the Year – Susanna Spence, MD, professor in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
• Collaborator of the Year – Anitha Chandran, assistant director of Epic and Clinical Integration and Healthcare IT at McGovern Medical School
• Innovation of the Year – Michell Patriquin, PhD, associate professor and assistant dean of Digital Health and Innovation at UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Health Sciences, and John S. Dunn Distinguished Professor at McGovern Medical School

Keeping technology connected to care

Technology may transform how healthcare is delivered, but its value ultimately depends on how effectively it supports patients and the people caring for them.

Martin J. Citardi, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Memorial Hermann Chair, and vice dean of clinical technology at McGovern Medical School, explored that connection during his presentation on clinical presence.

The morning sessions also gave attendees an opportunity to connect with colleagues during a networking break and lunch, continuing conversations sparked by the day’s presentations.

Turning information into insight

The afternoon brought the conversation to the intersection of informatics, research, and the electronic medical record.

Mujeeb Basit, MD, assistant vice president and chief medical informatics officer for advanced analytics at UT Southwestern Medical Center, presented “Research Utilization of Epic EMR,” examining how information captured through electronic medical records can be used to support research and generate new insights.

The presentation highlighted the growing potential of healthcare data to support discovery while reinforcing the importance of thoughtful, effective use of information in research and clinical settings.

The summit concluded with a panel discussion focused on artificial intelligence, innovation, privacy, and law. Panelists explored the opportunities presented by rapidly advancing AI technologies, as well as the considerations that must accompany their adoption in healthcare.