‘Not just tech upgrades’: CEOs press CIOs on strategic value of EHR, AI

Hospital CEOs are asking their CIOs for more than technical promises before approving large-scale EHR or AI projects. Executives want evidence of measurable impact on strategy, finances, workforce satisfaction and patient care.

“At Val Verde Regional Medical Center, when looking for justification on large-scale investments, common questions include: Does the implementation align with the organization’s strategic plan? Will it improve workflows? Will it improve staff productivity? What is the ROI? Is it secure?” Keith Willey, CIO of Del Rio, Texas-based Val Verde Regional Medical Center, told Becker’s.

He added that integration with existing systems and clarity on long-term support are critical, citing the hospital’s work with an AI listening vendor that integrates with its Meditech Expanse EHR.

Sustainability and mission alignment are also top priorities for hospital leaders.

“At Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System I’m asking my CIO for ROI and sustainability — revenue lift and efficiency gains — to justify large-scale EHR and AI implementations,” E.J. Kuiper, president and CEO of the Baton Rouge, La.-based system, told Becker’s. “Will the technology improve clinical quality and workforce engagement, reducing burnout? I’m also asking for assurance that these investments provide competitive advantages while advancing the mission, including cyber, ethics and compliance considerations.”

Some executives find that low-risk financial models help ease adoption. Traci Thibodeaux, CEO of Beauregard Health System in De Ridder, La., described her organization’s 2024 automation and AI rollout as “a nominal front-end deposit to trigger development and programming of the bots and a reasonable, sustainable back-end contingency fee. We’ve had incredible early returns.”

She told Becker’s that the technology allows disparate systems and processes to work together efficiently, improving both care delivery and business operations.

Michael Coyle, CEO of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, Iowa, said executives increasingly expect CIOs to show that technology investments support broader organizational goals.

“These discussions are less about the technology itself and more about how it directly supports clinical excellence, financial sustainability, provider retention and patient outcomes,” he told Becker’s.

He said his hospital evaluates new systems based on operational and clinical ROI, impact on provider and patient experience, scalability and measurable outcomes such as throughput, patient satisfaction and adverse events.

“Ultimately, CEOs and CIOs want assurance that investments in EHR or AI aren’t just tech upgrades. They must be strategic moves that drive measurable improvements in care, efficiency and long-term organizational resilience,” he said.

A 2023 Gartner Peer Community survey underscores the importance of the CIO–CEO relationship in these decisions. Among 100 CIOs surveyed, 55% reported directly to the CEO and 98% said a strong business relationship between the CIO and CEO is essential for an organization’s success. While most CIOs reported strong respect and communication with their CEOs, only 62% rated their shared vision as strong, highlighting the ongoing need for alignment.

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