National industry discussion will examine whether AI and large language models can finally solve healthcare’s decades-long interoperability challenge

Concord Technologies, a leader in healthcare data exchange, interoperability and intelligent document processing, will convene healthcare leaders on the HIMSS 2026 main stage for a high-profile panel discussion on interoperability, moderated by the American Hospital Association.

Titled Rethinking Interoperability: Is It Time to Trust LLMs over Standards?, the session will take place Tuesday, March 10, from 2:40–3:10 p.m. at the HIMSS Global Health Conference in Las Vegas. Moderated by Suzanna Hoppszallern, Senior Editor of Data and Research at the American Hospital Association (AHA), the discussion will bring together provider and technology leaders to examine whether artificial intelligence — particularly large language models (LLMs) — represents a meaningful breakthrough in healthcare data exchange.

Despite decades of policy mandates, interoperability frameworks, and the adoption of standards such as HL7 and FHIR, true interoperability remains elusive. Fragmented systems, vendor constraints, regulatory complexity, and legacy infrastructure continue to hinder seamless data exchange.

New national survey findings reinforce this gap: while most healthcare leaders view interoperability as vital, nearly half report only moderate interoperability today, and one in four say their organizations remain at a minimal level.

To help ground the discussion in real-world executive perspectives, Concord Technologies has launched a brief, three-minute national survey of healthcare leaders. Insights gathered from CIOs, CMIOs, IT executives, clinicians, and innovators will inform the panel conversation and be synthesized into an AHA/Concord Market Scan report distributed to healthcare leaders nationwide.

As AI capabilities rapidly advance, healthcare leaders are increasingly asking whether a fundamentally different technological approach is required. Survey respondents express cautious optimism about AI’s role in interoperability, with nearly two‑thirds believing it can accelerate progress, while others remain uncertain or skeptical, underscoring why this debate is both timely and necessary.

The HIMSS main stage session will provide a live, interactive forum for this critical industry discussion. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in this survey and hear candid perspectives from provider and technology executives on:

• Why interoperability challenges persist after years of standards-based efforts
• Whether AI represents a practical solution or introduces new risks
• How organizations can prepare for AI-enabled interoperability
• What leadership and governance changes are required to drive meaningful progress

Panelists for this important discussion include:

• Sam Lambson, VP of Product Management, Data & Ecosystem Platform, athenahealth
• Kevin Hodak, VP of Strategy and Integration, Concord Technologies
• Kimberly Guy, VP of Patient Access and Experience, Oceans Healthcare
• Curt Swanson-Lewis, Director of Operations, North Shore Community Health

“Interoperability has long been treated primarily as a compliance and standards issue,” said Julie Freguia, Chief Marketing Officer at Concord Technologies. “At HIMSS, we’ll challenge that framing and explore whether AI changes the equation — and what healthcare executives must consider as they evaluate the next phase of digital transformation. We’re excited to collaborate with the American Hospital Association to bring healthcare leaders together around this important topic.”

The Market Scan report will be distributed to more than 20,000 healthcare leaders through the AHA Market Scan newsletter and targeted outreach following the conference.

Healthcare executives interested in contributing their perspectives ahead of the HIMSS discussion may complete the brief survey here.

About Concord Technologies

Concord Technologies is a leading provider of Secure Data Exchange, Intelligent Document Processing, and Interoperability solutions to healthcare providers, payers, and other highly regulated businesses. For over 30 years, Concord has transmitted billions of sensitive records containing valuable patient information securely and reliably across the company’s digital health network. Today, Concord processes more than 4 billion pages of protected data annually and is recognized for its Practical AI™ approach to solving administrative and interoperability challenges in healthcare.

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