By Kate Gamble - HelathSystemCIO.com
As artificial intelligence continues to dominate strategic discussions, one of the biggest mistakes healthcare organizations can make is to jump too far ahead. Doing so, according to Anika Gardenhire, can result in incomplete data sets, which can then lead to bias. Instead, leaders must focus on ensuring the right infrastructure and repeatable processes are in place before turning on the tools. “Part of the difficulty of what’s happening from an AI perspective is that we keep wanting to skip steps,” she said in a recent conversation with Kate Gamble. “It requires real intentionality and work” – something she and her team have not shied away from.
During the interview, Gardenhire talked about the approach she has taken since becoming Ardent’s first chief digital and information officer in the fall of 2023, which started with a lot of listening and has progressed to exploring innovative initiatives such as virtual nursing. She also shared perspectives on what it takes to drive change successfully, what innovation should really be focused on, and what she loves most about being a leader.