Track Chair: 

As healthcare organizations race to adopt AI, many struggle to move beyond isolated pilots and into sustained, enterprise-wide transformation. This session explores how Children’s Mercy Hospital is leveraging AI not just as a tool, but as a strategic engine for change across clinical care, operations, and organizational culture. Led by Bill Saltmarsh, Chief Data Officer and VP of Enterprise Data & Transformation, the session will highlight how AI initiatives are being aligned with enterprise OKRs, embedded into an agile prioritization framework, and governed through scalable, safety-conscious frameworks. Attendees will gain insight into building AI readiness across infrastructure and teams, designing for measurable impact, and navigating the risks and realities of deploying AI in a pediatric setting.

The presentation will also showcase real-world examples of AI-driven improvements in patient outcomes and operational efficiency, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to responsible innovation. Attendees will learn about key partnerships, lessons learned from initial setbacks, and strategies for cultivating a data-driven mindset across diverse teams. Whether you're launching your first AI use case or scaling across departments, this session offers a roadmap for turning AI strategy into sustainable value, ensuring that technology strengthens the hospital’s mission to deliver exceptional pediatric care.