Back

Maximizing AI in healthcare: insights from industry leaders at Nabla's Becker's Hospital Review webinar

6 minute read
Kenza Bouzoubaa

Kenza Bouzoubaa

Brand & Communication Manager

Ed Lee

Ed Lee

Chief Medical Officer

The adoption of AI in healthcare has surged, and its potential continues to expand. On February 6, 2025, Nabla hosted a webinar in collaboration with Becker's Hospital Review, titled "Maximizing AI in Healthcare: 3 Systems' Strategies for Efficiency and Growth." The session brought together CMIOs from Cedars-Sinai, Carle Health, and Boulder Community Health to discuss their experiences deploying ambient AI and its broader impact as it alleviates clinicians from documentation burden and enhances patient interactions.

AI: more than just another shiny object

Moderator Dr. Ed Lee, Chief Medical Officer at Nabla, kicked off the discussion by acknowledging the rapid evolution of AI and the skepticism that often surrounds new technology. Dr. David Lovinger, Associate CMO and Chief Informatics Officer at Carle Health, noted that AI adoption in healthcare requires a discerning approach:

We've all seen bright, shiny objects before—things that look great but fail to deliver. This feels different, especially with ambient AI.

The panelists agreed that 2024 was a pivotal year, as many health systems piloted AI solutions, learning what worked and what didn't. Dr. Yaron Elad, CMIO at Cedars-Sinai, added that AI is a hot topic at every level of the healthcare system:

Since ChatGPT came out, AI has been on everyone’s mind—from the boardroom to the clinicians to our patients. Cutting through the hype and making AI practical is the real challenge.

Ambient AI: a game changer in workflow efficiency

The panelists highlighted the value of ambient AI, which passively listens to physician-patient interactions and automatically generates clinical notes. Dr. David Whitling, CMIO at Boulder Community Health, shared an analogy that stuck with attendees:

When we tried to get everybody onto an electronic medical record, ten, fifteen years ago, it was a major lift to convince people of the value. This, on the other hand, really sells itself. It’s been a nice treat to turn something on and see people scamper to adopt it.

Dr. Lee added:

This is different from other tech rollouts—no more pulling teeth to convince clinicians. It’s like we turned something on, and suddenly, everyone wants it. One CMIO I know was even given a box of chocolates for implementing ambient AI. That’s the kind of response we’re seeing.

Dr. Lovinger also emphasized the impact of AI adoption on different generations of physicians:

Younger providers get up and running quickly. For some older physicians, the clicks and integrations are the biggest hurdle. We’ve focused on not just training them, but making sure they see the benefits.

ROI: it’s not just about financial metrics

While return on investment (ROI) often comes up in discussions about AI, the panelists argued that its most valuable impact is on clinician well-being. Dr. Elad shared a quote from a physician that perfectly encapsulated AI's effect on burnout:

One of my colleagues told me, ‘I feel like my shoes fit better now. It’s like hiking downhill.’ That’s how much easier their workflow has become.

Dr. Whitling added that ambient AI helps reduce the notorious "pajama time"—the after-hours documentation burden that contributes to burnout. Happier clinicians translate to better patient care and retention.

Enhancing the patient experience

Beyond clinician well-being, AI is also improving the patient experience. Dr. Lovinger highlighted a particularly valuable feature:

One of the features I particularly like with Nabla is patient instructions. The patient instructions are great—I just click a button, and they drop into the EMR. It saves time, reduces confusion, and helps patients better understand their care.

Choosing the right ambient AI assistant

Health systems have approached AI selection in different ways. Some, like Cedars-Sinai, ran a multi-vendor pilot:

We gave clinicians access to both vendors and surveyed them after a trial period. It became clear that one outperformed the other, said Dr. Elad.

Other systems, like Boulder Community Health, focused on privacy, cost, and vendor responsiveness:

Privacy was a major concern for us, and we were surprised by the variability across vendors. Responsiveness and nimbleness were key factors in our decision, added Dr. Whitling.

Challenges ahead: AI integration and industry collaboration

Despite its promise, AI faces roadblocks. The panelists pointed out major challenges:

  • Integration with electronic health records (EHRs) – "AI is only as powerful as its ability to integrate seamlessly into workflows," said Dr. Lovinger.
  • An AI arms race with payers – "As we perfect documentation, insurers will develop their own AI tools to challenge claims. We’re on the brink of a new dynamic between providers and payers," noted Dr. Elad.
  • Partnering with AI developers – "One of the best things about working with Nabla has been their responsiveness. Every time I submit feedback, I get real responses and updates in real time," said Dr. Whitling.

Future capabilities: what’s next for ambient AI?

Beyond documentation, the panelists are excited about AI's next frontier in healthcare.

From an organizational perspective, there’s a lot of excitement about integrating AI with quotable diagnoses and the problem list. AI already does a great job capturing data, but we need to seamlessly integrate it into the EMR where it can be acted upon and stored correctly, said Dr. Whitling.

Dr. Elad added:

I’d love for AI to incorporate a patient’s history more effectively. If ambient AI could summarize past encounters and integrate them into new notes, it would elevate care quality. Certainly, the ability to improve our diagnostic coding and, of course, the ability to say ‘I'm going to order a CBC’ and have the software queue up the order for us would be a game-changer.

Keys to successful AI adoption

The webinar wrapped up with advice for health systems considering AI implementation:

  1. Start with a pilot, but be strategic. A gradual rollout builds momentum and allows for fine-tuning.
  2. Create peer support networks. Cedars-Sinai’s Teams chat for AI users has been a game-changer, fostering collaboration.
  3. Encourage clinician advocacy. The most valuable ROI comes from providers speaking up about how AI improves their lives.
  4. Don’t lean too heavily on financial ROI. As Dr. Whitling put it, "It’s a dangerous game if you sell AI solely on financial gains and then the numbers don’t quite meet expectations."
  5. Ensure education and clarity on AI’s evolving nature. "AI tools like ambient documentation need ongoing education and feedback loops to maximize adoption and success," said Dr. Lovinger.

Final thoughts: AI in healthcare is here to stay

AI adoption in healthcare is accelerating, and ambient AI is proving to be more than just a fleeting trend. As Dr. Elad summarized:

I’ve rolled out a lot of software in my career, and I’ve never seen clinicians this happy about a new tool. That tells you something.

The future of AI in healthcare isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about empowering clinicians, improving patient care, and redefining the way medicine is practiced.

Nabla will continue to work alongside healthcare leaders to refine AI’s role in clinical settings. For those who missed the webinar, you can watch the recording.