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In this episode, Priti Patel, MD, VP and Chief Medical Information Officer at John Muir Health shares her journey from family physician to CMIO, offering insights into her 23-year tenure and the evolution of clinical informatics. She also talks about key challenges such as change management, the integration of new tools like predictive analytics, and streamlining prior authorization.

Dr. Patel discusses the growing role of informatics in healthcare and how collaboration across clinical and IT teams has driven innovation. One of the key highlights at John Muir Health, a community-based health system, is the early adoption of ambient AI technology for clinical documentation, leading to:

• reduced cognitive load,
• time savings of up to 30 minutes per note,
• and enhanced provider-patient interactions. 

She also emphasizes the critical role of seamless EHR integration in driving adoption, with over 60% of providers now using the tool regularly.

Dr. Patel also outlines the organization’s enterprise-wide data strategy, including a robust data literacy initiative that’s empowering staff at all levels, starting with the C-suite, to make data-driven decisions and improve care quality and operational outcomes. She underscores that aligning digital strategies with organizational priorities—while focusing on improving the clinician and patient experience—is central to sustainable transformation. Take a listen.

Priti Patel is the Chief Medical Information Officer at a John Muir Health, where she leads efforts to thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies into clinical practice. She has been at the forefront of AI adoption in healthcare, guiding her organization to become an early adopter of Ambient AI scribes in July 2023. This pioneering work has helped reduce provider documentation burden, improve clinician satisfaction, and enhance the overall patient experience through seamless integration of AI into EHR workflows.

In addition to her work in AI, Dr. Patel has developed and led a system-wide data strategy focused on advancing data literacy and cultivating a data-driven culture. Through education, engagement, and strong governance, she has helped empower clinical and operational leaders to leverage data more effectively in decision-making and performance improvement.

Dr. Patel is passionate about bridging the gap between technology and clinical care, ensuring innovation supports the needs of patients, providers, and the broader health system.