When I stepped into the role of CEO this past January, I knew I was joining a community that serves as the central nervous system of global healthcare. But knowing that intellectually and feeling it through the energy of our community are two very different things.
As I reach the end of my first three months in post, I wanted to share a few reflections on what we’ve learned and where we’re heading as we move into the latter half of 2026.
What We’ve Learned (The HL7 Mission)
The first thing that struck me isn’t just technology; it’s our shared stewardship. Whether I’m sitting in on a policy discussion or talking to our international affiliates, there is a profound sense of collective ownership over the future of patient care.
Over these first 90 days, we’ve spent a great deal of time in “listen mode,” and several themes have emerged:
- The Mission Is the Platform: Our community doesn’t just build standards; we build trust that allows data to move safely to the point of care.
- Scale Is Our Reality: We are moving beyond the “how” of data sharing toward managing interoperability at the scale of national records and entire health ecosystems.
- The Global Is Local: Whether we’re talking to colleagues in London, Berlin, or Chicago, the challenges of getting the right data to the right person are converging across borders.
The View Toward H2 2026: From Reflection to Action
As we look toward the second half of the year, our focus is shifting from immersion to action. We are not changing the what—our mission is solid—but we are refining the how.
In the coming months, we will lean more heavily into:
- Direct Care & National Records: Strengthening the standards that underpin longitudinal records and ensuring clinicians have what they need, when they need it.
- Patient Empowerment: Making sure “interoperability” isn’t just a back-office term, but a tool that puts health data directly into the hands of the people who own it: the patients.
- Broadening Our Community: Expanding who we are by welcoming the next generation of digital health leaders, including students and early-career innovators, to ensure our standards are built by those who will use them for decades to come.
- AI Readiness: Ensuring our standards are robust enough to support the emerging needs of intelligence-driven healthcare.
To the Team and the Community
Finally, a heartfelt thank you. I want to specifically recognize the HL7 headquarters team, who have been so instrumental in my onboarding. Your dedication behind the scenes keeps this global machine running, and I am incredibly grateful for your support during this transition.
To the wider community: transitioning leadership after two decades is a significant moment for any organization. You’ve welcomed me with open arms, asked brilliant questions, and offered incredible support.
HL7 is a volunteer-driven powerhouse. I am here to be your advocate, your connector, and your “un-blocker.” I’m looking forward to meeting more of you in person at our upcoming Working Group Meetings and DevDays.
The first 90 days have been a whirlwind of learning. The next six months? That’s where the real action begins.
If you have thoughts on where we are headed or just want to connect, please do reach out. You can contact me at ceo@hl7.org.
