Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Episode: Digital Transformation and Platform Strategy at MedStar Health with Scott MacLean
Release Date: February 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Laura Deardo interviews Scott MacLean, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at MedStar Health. The discussion delves into MedStar’s digital transformation journey, platform strategy, application rationalization, leadership philosophies, and the future of healthcare technology. Scott shares insights from his extensive experience, providing actionable takeaways for healthcare leaders navigating growth, technology adoption, and organizational change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to MedStar Health (01:17)

• Scott MacLean’s Background:
  • Eight years at MedStar Health; prior experience at Mass General Brigham.
  • MedStar is an integrated delivery system in Baltimore-Washington, D.C., encompassing 10 hospitals, 300+ ambulatory care sites, a Medicaid insurer, research institute, and innovation division.

Platform Strategy and Application Rationalization (02:05)

• Platform-Centric Approach:

  • Emphasis on using major platforms (EHR, ERP, collaboration tools) for organizational efficiency.
  • Ongoing rationalization of all applications, especially during their EHR installation.
  • Focus: “Making sure that we're getting the value out of those platforms … and use some of the technologies around artificial intelligence and ambient speech … make it easier for our patients and clinicians to go through the care process.” – Scott MacLean [02:28]

• Extending Core Platforms:

  • Assessing whether new core platforms can replace existing functions.
  • “We're respectfully going through and having conversations with important stakeholders about how our new platforms are going to cover the functionality that they have in existing systems.” – Scott MacLean [05:37]
  • Rigorous retirement of outdated systems to minimize confusion and unnecessary costs.

Organizational Transformation & Execution (03:29)

• Process and Change Management:
  • Success starts with strong leadership and adherence to strategy.
  • Integration of people, processes, and technology is key for transformative success.
  • “Not just technology and the EHR platform, but also what it takes to have people change management and the right standard processes to do that.” – Scott MacLean [03:46]
  • Standardizing workflows and governance to ensure high quality, safety, and patient experience.

Recent Achievements & Areas of Pride (06:36)

• Mission-Driven Growth:
  • Continuing expansion in a strategic region while maintaining high quality and access.
  • Emphasizing both physical presence and digital access via the MedStar Health app and patient portals.
  • “That growth, the ability to have good growth but maintain quality inpatient experience across that growth in the region.” – Scott MacLean [07:15]

Digital Strategy: Priorities for Patient Experience (08:06)

• Modernizing Patient Access:
  • Major focus on configuring new EHR platform (go-live target: late 2027) for best-in-class patient experience.
  • Improving scheduling, urgent care access, and connection to specialty care.
  • Exploring AI and automation, leveraging both native vendor solutions and supplementary tools.
  • “With our new EHR platform … involve a better patient experience in terms of how they're able to seek and schedule appointments, access urgent care or specialty care or hospital ED if needed.” – Scott MacLean [08:23]

Leadership Advice for Emerging Healthcare Technology Leaders (09:55)

• Building Relationships:

  • Leadership is deeply rooted in building relationships, especially with clinicians.
  • Listening and understanding clinical workflows are fundamental for effective technology support.
  • “It’s so much of what leadership [is] about is relationships and particularly with clinicians … adapting technology the best ways that can support them is really important.” – Scott MacLean [10:05]

• Team Development and Lifelong Learning:

  • Importance of teamwork, resource allocation skills, and active participation in professional organizations (e.g., HIMSS, CHIME).
  • Recommends leveraging conferences and digital education for growth.
  • “Participating in those organizations … experimenting with different types of leadership that you wouldn't use at your home shop and learning that way was also really important.” – Scott MacLean [11:18]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Platform Rationalization:
  “There are a lot of things in the environment that have come along and have been helpful with the core systems we use today. But we’re going through a whole process of evaluating every one of them.” – Scott MacLean [05:14]

• On Patient Experience:
  “We can meet our patients for the care that they need and that growth, the ability to have good growth but maintain quality inpatient experience across that growth in the region.” – Scott MacLean [07:15]

• On Leadership Philosophy:
  “So much of what leadership is about is relationships and particularly with clinicians ... adapting technology the best ways that can support them is really important.” – Scott MacLean [10:10]

Important Timestamps

• [01:17] – Scott MacLean introduces his background and MedStar Health
• [02:05] – Discussion of digital transformation strategy and platform approach
• [03:29] – Organizational transformation, execution, and change management insights
• [06:36] – Achievements and areas of pride in the last 6–18 months
• [08:06] – Digital strategy: EHR, AI, and improving patient access
• [09:55] – Leadership advice for technology professionals

This episode provides a pragmatic and visionary look at how digital transformation, platform strategy, and leadership converge to power MedStar Health's mission of regional growth, access, and quality. Through Scott MacLean’s experience, listeners get a roadmap for tackling technology-driven change in complex healthcare environments.