HIMSS24 Recap: Team Science Enabled by Bold Leaders and Technology

At the heart of this year's HIMSS24 conference, a story unfolded—one that spoke not just of technological advancements but of human ambition, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of better health for all. In our Databricks customer theater sessions, led by Dr. Randi Foraker and Dr. Jeff Thompson, we were offered a glimpse into a future where healthcare transcends traditional boundaries, powered by the unity of team science, visionary leadership, and cutting-edge technology

Being invited to showcase our collaboration with such esteemed professionals in the Databricks Customer Theater was a proud moment that underscored our commitment to advancing healthcare through technology. Their sessions were a tangible representation of our shared vision for a future where technology and team science converge to unlock new possibilities in healthcare. This experience has deepened our resolve to continue supporting leaders like Dr. Foraker and Dr. Thompson, fostering environments where innovation thrives and making significant strides towards improving patient outcomes through collaborative science.

Dr. Randi Foraker and Jake Gower Speak at HIMSS24 Databricks Customer Theater Session

Dr. Randi Foraker's session at HIMSS24, "Seeing the Unseen in Health Data," offered profound insights into the evolving landscape of healthcare, data science, and the vital role of epidemiology in advancing patient care and public health. Here's a summary that encapsulates the key points discussed:

1. Epidemiology's Critical Role: Dr. Foraker, an accomplished epidemiologist, emphasized the significance of epidemiology in understanding health patterns, risks, and outcomes at both individual and population levels. Her work is foundational in identifying health trends and informing public health strategies.
2. Advancing Population Health: As the Director of the Population Health Center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Dr. Foraker highlighted the importance of tailored healthcare that addresses the needs of each patient and region. This approach ensures that healthcare systems can effectively manage and improve the health outcomes of diverse populations.
3. Bridging Data Science and Healthcare: A key theme of the discussion was the essential collaboration between researchers, data scientists, and healthcare providers. By bringing these groups closer, healthcare systems can harness predictive analytics and AI to improve patient care. The integration of translational science findings into clinical workflows is crucial for making informed decisions and advancing healthcare delivery.
4. AI as a Physician's Co-Pilot: The session underscored the role of AI in healthcare as an augmentative tool rather than a replacement for human expertise. Optimizing workflows and clear communication among stakeholders are paramount for leveraging AI effectively in clinical settings.
5. The Shift Towards Team Science: Dr. Foraker argued that the era of solitary research endeavors is dwindling. Today's complex health challenges necessitate a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, underscoring the transition towards team science.
6. The Role of Advanced Technologies: The transition to sophisticated platforms like Databricks on Azure signifies a leap towards more integrated and efficient research environments. Such platforms enable the consolidation of data across various research departments, facilitating groundbreaking discoveries in data science and healthcare.
7. Focus on Impactful Research: The move towards advanced data platforms also reflects a strategic shift in how teams allocate their time and resources. By minimizing the burden of data engineering and preprocessing, researchers and clinicians can concentrate on impactful work that directly enhances patient outcomes and advances the field of translational science.
8. The Decision for Databricks: Adopting Databricks was highlighted as a strategic, albeit challenging, decision aimed at fostering better collaboration and research outcomes. Features like cluster management, security enhancements through Unity Catalogue, and environments that prioritize bringing research to data have been pivotal in transforming how team science is conducted.

Dr. Foraker's session at HIMSS24 not only illuminated the unseen aspects of health data but also charted a path forward for integrating data science with healthcare delivery. By emphasizing the importance of epidemiology, population health, and collaborative research, she outlined a future where healthcare is more personalized, predictive, and preventative, thanks to the strategic use of data and AI technologies

Dr. Jeff Thompson and Jake Gower Speak at HIMSS24 Databricks Customer Theater Session

Dr. Jeff Thompson's session at the conference, titled "How a Digital Research Platform is Changing the Game in Clinical Research," shed light on an ambitious initiative at Kansas University Medical Center (KUMC) to revolutionize its approach to clinical research. Here's a summary of the pivotal points and outcomes from his talk:

1. Vision for Team Science and Data Utilization: Dr. Thompson outlined his strategic vision to enhance team science at KUMC, aiming to unlock the full potential of the center's data assets. His goal was to empower research teams to excel in translational science, transforming how research contributes to healthcare advancements.
2. Navigating People, Process, and Technology Challenges: Recognizing that the shift was not merely technological but also cultural and procedural, Dr. Thompson highlighted the complexity of transitioning KUMC into leveraging a digital research platform. The center, traditionally not cloud-native, faced significant hurdles in adopting new technologies, necessitating a comprehensive approach that addressed people, processes, and technology.
3. Proof of Concept for Cloud Data Platform: At the heart of this transformation was a proof of concept aimed at identifying a secure, efficient digital platform suitable for KUMC's needs. Dr. Thompson emphasized the importance of security in this selection process, advocating for the potential of mature cloud data platforms to revolutionize research through a small yet influential group of early adopters.
4. Collaborative Support: The initiative received robust support from partners including Microsoft and Databricks, marking a collaborative effort to modernize KUMC's research capabilities. Starting with valuable datasets like C3OD and Heron, the project aimed to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of a cloud-based approach to research data management.
5. Realizing the Benefits: The transition to using Databricks showcased immediate advantages, particularly in automating data preprocessing and enhancing the data science environment's maturity. These early wins validated Dr. Thompson's vision and set the stage for broader adoption across the institution.
6. Ongoing Success and Future Investments: The initiative has been a significant success, with Dr. Thompson planning further investments in training and tools to augment his team's capabilities. By upskilling an already talented team with knowledge of Databricks and other cloud technologies, KUMC aims to sustain and expand its research excellence.

Dr. Thompson's session highlighted the transformative impact of digital research platforms on clinical research, illustrating how strategic investments in technology, coupled with a focus on team development and process improvement, can substantially enhance the quality and efficiency of research. This initiative not only represents a significant leap forward for KUMC but also serves as a model for other institutions seeking to leverage digital technologies to advance their research missions.

In conclusion, the HIMSS24 conference was a vivid reminder of the incredible strides being made at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and collaborative science. The insights shared by Dr. Randi Foraker and Dr. Jeff Thompson, amplified by our participation at the Databricks Customer Theater, highlighted not only the potential of data science and digital platforms to revolutionize healthcare but also the critical importance of visionary leadership and team collaboration in realizing this potential. These sessions reinforced our belief in the power of unity—between data, technology, and people—to overcome the challenges facing healthcare today. As we reflect on the discussions and the enthusiastic response from the community, we're invigorated to continue our journey, supporting the pioneers at the forefront of this transformation. The road ahead is filled with possibilities, and together, we are poised to make an indelible impact on the future of healthcare, one breakthrough at a time.