Visionary Voices

Healthcare organizations are rethinking how they deliver secure, reliable access to the applications clinicians and staff depend on. What role can cloud-based virtual desktops play in that transition?

In this episode of Visionary Voices, powered by Optimum Healthcare IT, Scott Manchester, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Nerdio, brings his experience at Microsoft to a conversation about the future of healthcare’s digital workspace. Topics include Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), Nerdio’s work with Microsoft, and the considerations shaping health systems’ virtual desktop strategies.

The conversation examines agility, security, and scalability alongside the regulatory requirements and patient data concerns that influence healthcare modernization.

Key topics include:

• Scott’s journey from Microsoft to Nerdio and his perspective on virtual desktop innovation.
• Nerdio’s role in helping healthcare organizations manage Microsoft cloud environments.
• How AVD compares with other virtual desktop approaches.
• The shift toward cloud-native healthcare operations and what it means for IT leaders.

What makes KLAS one of the most trusted organizations in healthcare IT? In this episode of Visionary Voices, we sit down with Adam Gale, CEO of KLAS, to explore how transparency, provider feedback, and meaningful relationships have shaped the organization for nearly three decades.

Adam shares how KLAS earns and maintains trust across the healthcare industry, what separates organizations that use feedback to improve from those that simply chase rankings, and why the ultimate measure of success is better care for patients.

The conversation also looks ahead to the future of healthcare technology, discussing how KLAS will continue to evolve alongside AI, digital transformation, and the rapidly changing needs of health systems.

Whether you’re a healthcare executive, technology leader, or industry partner, this episode offers valuable insights into the importance of listening, learning, and continually improving.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How KLAS built and maintained its reputation for trust and objectivity
• Why provider feedback matters more than rankings alone
• How healthcare organizations can use performance insights to drive meaningful improvement
• Memorable examples of KLAS making an impact on patient care
• Adam Gale’s perspective on the future of healthcare IT and KLAS

In this episode of Visionary Voices, host Larry Kaiser sits down with Allen Coleman from Duke Health to discuss the organization’s multi-year cloud transformation journey with Microsoft Azure. The conversation explores how Duke Health is modernizing its IT infrastructure, moving away from traditional on-premise data centers, and building a more secure, scalable, and future-ready digital environment.

Allen shares insights into the decision-making process behind the move to the cloud, the importance of strategic partnerships during large-scale transformation initiatives, and how cloud adoption is helping drive innovation across the organization. The episode also dives into workforce development, the growing need for cloud-savvy healthcare IT teams, and the role of AI and innovation labs in shaping the future of patient care and operational efficiency.

From cloud strategy and infrastructure modernization to AI enablement and healthcare IT leadership, this episode offers valuable insights for healthcare executives navigating digital transformation.

In this episode of Visionary Voices, we sit down with Alex Krinsky of CLEAR to explore how a company best known for transforming the airport experience is now making a bold move into healthcare.

Alex shares the story behind CLEAR’s expansion into the healthcare ecosystem, what the past year has looked like, and why identity has become such a critical component of modern care delivery. The conversation dives into CLEAR’s partnerships across the industry, including its work with Epic and participation in CMS’ Health Tech Ecosystem initiative.

We also unpack the growing risks around access, identity verification, and fraud—especially as health systems face ongoing workforce shortages and rely more heavily on third-party resources. Alex offers insight into how CLEAR is helping organizations reduce risk while improving operational efficiency during times of rapid transformation.

This is a forward-looking conversation on the role of digital identity in healthcare, and what leaders should be thinking about over the next 3–5 years.

In this episode of Visionary Voices, we sit down with Jim Bilsky, Vice President of Enterprise IT Operations at Baptist Health Jacksonville, to explore what it really takes to scale IT in the midst of rapid organizational growth.

As Baptist Health continues to expand across Northeast Florida, including major facility investments and increased demand for advanced care, Jim shares a behind-the-scenes look at how IT plays a critical role in enabling that growth. From infrastructure planning and onboarding strategies to governance and decision-making frameworks, this conversation highlights how technology leaders can support expansion without disrupting operations.

We also dive into the balance between maintaining existing systems and adopting new tools, and what it means to “keep the ship moving” while evolving for the future. Jim offers practical insights on what has worked, lessons learned along the way, and how strong governance and clear priorities can drive success at scale.

If you're navigating growth, modernization, or IT transformation within your organization, this episode delivers real-world perspective from a leader doing it every day.

In this episode of Visionary Voices, we explore the evolution of healthcare technology management (HTM) with industry experts Carol Davis-Smith and Matt Baretich. From how HTM teams were traditionally measured to how they are delivering value today, this conversation examines the shifting role of technology management across modern healthcare environments.

The discussion covers the growing importance of data in decision-making, the challenges organizations face in turning data into actionable insights, and how HTM teams are moving beyond compliance toward more strategic contributions. Looking ahead, the episode offers perspectives on what will matter most over the next decade, including standardization, expanding care settings, and the continued alignment between technology and patient outcomes.

This episode provides healthcare leaders with practical insight into how HTM is evolving and what steps organizations can take to stay ahead.

In this episode of Visionary Voices, we sit down with Charity Darnell, Vice President and Assistant Chief Information Officer at Methodist Health System, to explore what it takes to lead meaningful digital transformation in today’s healthcare environment.

Drawing from her clinical background in nursing, Charity shares how frontline experience shapes smarter technology decisions and more effective leadership. The conversation dives into one of healthcare’s most complex challenges, application rationalization, and why creating space for innovation requires both strategic discipline and organizational alignment.

We also explore the human side of transformation, including how leaders can foster the cultural shifts needed to embrace emerging technologies like AI while maintaining a strong focus on patient care. Charity offers practical insights on communication, change management, and the mindset required to move organizations forward.

This episode is a must-listen for healthcare leaders navigating transformation and looking to balance innovation with real-world impact.

In this episode of Season 2 of Visionary Voices, we welcome Matt Kull, EVP and Chief Information & Digital Officer at Inova Health, for a deep dive into IT governance, organizational efficiency, and how CIOs can drive meaningful innovation at scale.

Matt shares how strong governance models enable smarter decision-making, faster execution, and alignment between clinical, operational, and digital priorities. The conversation explores how leaders can shift culture in environments without formal governance structures, how to evaluate the true value of innovation, and which principles consistently lead to better health system outcomes.

We also discuss Inova’s national leadership in responsible data use, their broader digital strategy, and lessons other CIOs can apply as they balance transformation with trust, compliance, and performance.

Topics include:

• IT governance and enterprise decision-making
• Driving organizational efficiency
• Measuring value in innovation
• Responsible use of health data
• CIO leadership strategies

Tune in to hear how Inova is shaping the future of digital health and what today’s healthcare leaders can learn from their approach.

In this first episode of Season 2 of Visionary Voices, we sit down with Mike Prokic, VP and Chief IT Strategy Officer, and Nick O'Connor, VP and Chief Technology Officer, from Trinity Health to explore how one of the nation’s largest health systems is modernizing imaging and accelerating innovation through the cloud.

From the pivotal moment that sparked Trinity Health’s transformation to the real-world impact of a cloud-based PACS environment, this candid conversation dives into what it takes to modernize at scale. Our guests share measurable benefits for clinicians and IT teams, and how emerging technologies like AI are shaping their roadmap forward.

Expect thoughtful insights, honest reflections, and a conversation designed for healthcare technology leaders who want to stay ahead of what's next.

Topics include:

• Cloud-based imaging and PACS modernization
• AI and automation in healthcare IT
• Managed services strategies
• Building an innovation-ready future

Tune in to hear how Trinity Health is turning vision into action, and what other health systems can learn from their journey.

In this episode of Visionary Voices, we sit down with Dr. Chris Longhurst, Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer at UC San Diego Health and Executive Director of the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center for Health Innovation. From his go-to burrito order to breaking new ground with spatial computing in the operating room, Dr. Longhurst shares why IT innovation isn’t just about tech—it’s about timing, trust, and transformation.

We explore what it takes to implement cutting-edge technologies without disrupting daily operations and how UC San Diego Health’s use of the Apple Vision Pro redefines patient care in real time.

Tune in to learn:

• Whether healthcare is still lagging—or leading—in tech adoption
• How to prepare your IT infrastructure for innovation
• Why the operating room might be the next frontier for spatial computing

Whether you're a CIO, clinician, or just tech-curious, this episode delivers thought-provoking insights and a few laughs along the way.