We recently had the privilege of attending the 8th Annual Gala of the American College of Healthcare Executives on Innovation and the Journey Ahead. It was an evening of inspiration and deep reflection. Among the highlights was a powerful presentation by Dr. Omayra Mansfield, whose insights left a lasting impression.

‍

Dr. Mansfield eloquently discussed the opportunities and challenges that innovation—particularly artificial intelligence—presents to the healthcare industry. While acknowledging AI's potential, she reminded us of a profound truth: innovation must always serve patients and support caregivers. No amount of cutting-edge technology can replace the human connection that lies at the heart of healthcare.

‍

‍

‍

One of the most striking topics of the evening was loneliness, which Dr. Mansfield emphasized as a critical public health issue requiring both social and technological interventions. Dr. Mansfield shared how loneliness is as detrimental to health as smoking a pack of cigarettes daily, a sobering statistic that applies across generations, from seniors to youth impacted by the unintended consequences of social media. Equally concerning was her observation of the overwhelming administrative burden placed on doctors. The avalanche of paperwork takes precious time away from connecting with patients and spending time with family, with studies showing that physicians can spend nearly half their work hours on administrative tasks.

‍

Healthcare, as Dr. Mansfield pointed out, is famously resistant to change. And yet, the need for "innovation reform" is clear. Her call for change was underscored by a moving story of loss and the importance of real human connection—something no technology can replace.

‍

The evening challenged me to rethink how we approach change and innovation in healthcare. It brought me back to first principles:

• Technology must give doctors more time with patients. This is the ultimate measure of success.

• Seamless integration is critical. New solutions must fit effortlessly into existing systems without requiring steep learning curves or adding complexity.

• Trust is essential. Caregivers need to trust that technology will solve problems, not create new ones.

• Quality is paramount. In healthcare, software bugs can have consequences as serious as real-world viruses. Precision and reliability are non-negotiable.

‍

These principles will guide us as we continue to partner with healthcare providers to develop and implement innovative solutions. Our goal is to address real-world concerns like those Dr. Mansfield so eloquently highlighted—reducing the burden on doctors and passing the benefits directly to patients.

‍

Innovation Reform isn't just about new tools or technologies—it's about reimagining healthcare to prioritize human connection and deliver meaningful change. To everyone working toward a better future in healthcare: let's keep these principles front and center as we innovate, reform, and ultimately serve the people who depend on us most.

‍

‍

If you connect with the article and want to learn more about Dr. Mansfield, we recommend you check out her book "The Trust Transformation." Sal has already started reading the book and highly recommends it! We can't wait to apply more of Dr. Mansfield's insights into practice here at Xennial! If you're interested in reading her book, you can get a copy here