IT leaders must enable real-time collaboration between healthcare providers and social service organizations – and as healthcare moves more toward value-based care, seamless data exchange and cross-sector coordination will become mandatory for improving care and reducing costs.
That’s what Halima Ahmadi-Montecalvo, vice president of research and evaluation at Unite Us, has to say going into HIMSS25 week. Unite Us, a vendor of technologies designed to streamline social care programs for greater impact, is in Booth 2216.
Ahmadi-Montecalvo will be speaking in an educational session entitled “SDOH Program Design, Technology, Data and Evaluation that Drives ROI” on Tuesday March 4 at 2 p.m. in the Venetian, Level 5, Palazzo J. She will be addressing attendees along with an executive from North Carolina Medicaid and a doctor of nursing practice from Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.
We spoke with her to get her expert views on social determinants of health and health IT, and discuss the topics in the session she is about to present.
Q. What will you be trying to communicate to hospital and health system attendees at HIMSS25?
A. We will demonstrate how communities can drive better outcomes and maximize ROI by integrating social care into clinical workflows. Our technology empowers hospitals and health systems to move beyond identifying social needs to addressing them efficiently through a unified accountable network of health and social care providers.
Health systems already recognize the significant impact of social determinants of health on patient outcomes, yet they often struggle to implement scalable, measurable systems. Unite Us bridges the gap by: embedding social care into clinical operations; enabling providers to make real-time, secure, closed-loop referrals; track interventions; and measure the impact of services on health outcomes.
By leveraging data-driven insights, hospitals can reduce avoidable emergency department visits, lower readmission rates and improve chronic disease management – ultimately driving cost savings and enhanced patient care.
In collaboration with our partners from North Carolina Medicaid, NC Department of Health and Human Services, and First 1,000 Days Suncoast Initiative at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, we will highlight how communities are successfully using our technology to create a sustainable coordinated care network that connects community members to essential services such as housing, food security, transportation and much more – while ensuring accountability and reimbursement for community-based organizations.
By demonstrating real-world impact, we will showcase how health systems can scale their efforts, meet value-based care objectives, and improve both individual and community health outcomes at scale.
The broader message is clear: Healthcare solutions require collaborative partnerships beyond hospitals with technology acting as the vital enabler for this joint work.
Q. What technologies do you believe will dominate this year at HIMSS25 and why are they important to healthcare at this moment in time?
A. Interoperability remains a key priority as health systems seek seamless integration with external partners, including social service organizations. True interoperability goes beyond one-way data sharing – it requires real-time, cross-sector communication that allows healthcare providers to securely track the services patients receive and measure their impact on health outcomes.
This level of connectivity is essential for addressing SDOH in a meaningful and scalable way.
Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics also are transforming healthcare by enabling earlier identification of high-risk patients and driving proactive, targeted interventions. As health systems face growing cost pressures and workforce shortages, these advanced insights help optimize resources, improve care coordination, and ensure patients receive timely support for both medical and social needs.
Additionally, data-driven health IT systems are redefining how providers measure the value of social care. By capturing the impact of services such as housing, food assistance and transportation on patient health and overall healthcare costs, these technologies empower health systems to make informed, ROI-driven decisions.
Unite Us equips providers with the tools and insights needed to integrate social care into clinical operations, reduce barriers to care and improve whole-person health outcomes.
Q. What is some advice you can give CIOs and other IT leaders and workers attending HIMSS25?
A. CIOs and IT leaders at HIMSS25 should prioritize technologies that enable real-time collaboration between healthcare providers and social service organizations. As the industry shifts toward value-based care, seamless data exchange and cross-sector coordination are essential for improving and reducing costs.
Investing in interoperable systems that facilitate secure, closed-loop referrals and track social care interventions will be key to delivering whole-person care at scale.
Another critical focus is leveraging data and analytics to drive decision making. Actionable insights can help identify gaps in care, optimize resource allocation and measure the impact of social care investments. Real-world examples, such as the Healthy Opportunities Pilot and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s maternal and child health programs, demonstrate how technology-powered social care coordination leads to improved community health outcomes.
By embracing these innovations, CIOs and IT leaders can build a more connected, efficient and sustainable healthcare ecosystem.
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