Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Episode Summary

Informatics, AI Governance, and Cybersecurity with Joseph Izzo, MD

Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Dr. Joseph Izzo, Chief Medical Information Officer, San Joaquin General Hospital

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker interviews Dr. Joseph Izzo, Chief Medical Information Officer at San Joaquin General Hospital and practicing emergency physician. Their conversation centers around the evolving role of informatics in healthcare, the rapid rise of AI tools, the increasing importance of governance and cybersecurity, and leadership advice for current and aspiring healthcare technology professionals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Izzo’s Background and Perspective

• Unique Intersection: Dr. Izzo brings both clinical (emergency medicine) and technical (computer science) backgrounds to his work as CMIO at a public teaching hospital (01:03).
• Role Evolution: Traditionally, CMIOs bridged clinical care and technology, but now the role requires deeper focus on governance, cybersecurity, and regulatory awareness as tech innovation accelerates (02:00–03:53).

AI & Informatics – New Frontiers

• Explosion of Ambient AI: The implementation of large language models has led to rapid adoption of ambient AI tools, AI scribes, advanced search, and information retrieval among clinicians (02:00).
• Growth Areas: Dr. Izzo highlights promising AI-driven tools for clinical summarization, communication, scheduling, and operational optimization—especially those embedded in EMRs and designed for smaller community hospitals (02:30).
• Guardrails vs. Innovation:
  • The rapid pace of tech innovation requires constant vigilance to ensure responsible, secure, and well-governed tool adoption.
  • Special concern over "shadow AI"—tools marketed directly to clinicians that bypass formal vetting and can expand cyber risk (02:45–03:50).
    • Quote: "We are constantly looking to make sure our tools are safe, responsibly implemented and secure and particularly cautious about those solutions that are unvetted and maybe actually marketed directly to clinicians and in some ways skirt governance... That's something we need to be very cautious and aware of." (C, 02:27)

Cybersecurity – Biggest Risks

• Human Factor: The greatest cybersecurity risks can stem from well-intentioned staff adopting new tools without proper oversight.
• Data Control & Governance: Dangers arise when data is transferred unknowingly to third parties; governance and education are critical (06:38).
  • Quote: "One of my concerns is... the non malicious actor, if you will, the person who's trying to maybe make a change to improve their workflow...” (C, 06:38)

Definition & Importance of Informatics

• What is Informatics?
  • Dr. Izzo: “Those folks who sit at the intersection between clinical front lines and technology, innovation, digital transformation... not purely IT, not purely clinical.” (C, 05:46)
  • Informatics professionals serve as liaisons, aligning goals and translating needs between clinicians and IT.

AI Governance and Data-Driven Care in 2026

• Robust Multidisciplinary Structures: Modern governance requires participation by clinical leaders, IT, pharmacy, operations, and more to assess tools, mitigate risks, and ensure patient safety (07:32).
• Iterative Policy & Reflection: Willingness to revisit past decisions is vital as both new technologies and their threats evolve.
• Expanding Data Utilization: Unified data is enabling population health and quality initiatives, notably in maternal health and early recovery after surgery (08:30).

Leadership & Professional Growth

• Curiosity as a Core Value: Continuous learning is crucial amid accelerating change.
  • Quote: “Leadership is going to be continuous evolution. It’s very important, at least for me, that I stay curious and keep learning.” (C, 09:43)
• Learning Together: Interdisciplinary and cross-system collaboration leads to the most progress; leveraging professional communities is essential (09:43–10:45).

The Pace of Change & Coping Strategies

• Embracing the Pace: Lower barriers for tech adoption and supportive environments help ease the stress of rapid change.
  • Quote: “If you're moving a little bit outside of your comfort zone and embracing some of this technology, it may actually in some ways paradoxically soften the overwhelming feelings…” (C, 11:05)

Balancing Leadership & Clinical Practice

• Interconnected Benefits: Clinical practice grounds Dr. Izzo’s tech work; understanding EMR and tech transforms patient care (12:05–12:33).
  • Quote: “Being able to understand some of the nuances of [the EMR] and how that really integrates into our practice, actually, I think sometimes makes those shifts a little bit more grounded, to be honest.” (C, 12:05)

EMR Is Here to Stay

• The EMR is foundational to modern care: despite complaints, its elimination is neither likely nor beneficial; the focus should be on making it work better for clinicians and patients (12:33–13:07).

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Shadow AI & Risk:

  "…solutions that are unvetted and maybe actually marketed directly to clinicians and in some ways skirt governance because those actually drastically expand the threat surface."
  (C, 02:27)

• On Informatics Role:

  "We’re not purely IT, we’re not purely clinical … that really allows us to serve as liaisons and translate between the two."
  (C, 05:46)

• On Cybersecurity Challenge:

  "The non malicious actor … attracted to those tools that are marketed directly to clinicians … we may not actually have control of where our data is going…"
  (C, 06:38)

• On Leadership:

  "Leadership is going to be continuous evolution. And it’s very important … that I stay curious and keep learning."
  (C, 09:43)

• On Facing Change:

  "If you're moving a little bit outside of your comfort zone and embracing some of this technology, it may actually ... soften the overwhelming feelings behind tackling that new learning or this new tech, that new pace of change."
  (C, 11:05)

• On Clinical/Tech Integration:

  "[Understanding the EMR] actually, I think sometimes makes those shifts a little bit more grounded, to be honest."
  (C, 12:05)

Important Segments (Timestamps)

• Dr. Izzo’s Introduction and Role – 01:03
• AI and Tech Trends in Community Hospitals – 02:00–03:53
• Technological Innovation vs. Governance and Security – 03:53–05:23
• Simple Definition of Informatics – 05:46
• Top Cybersecurity Risks – 06:38
• Most Exciting 2026 Initiatives: AI Governance & Data-Driven Care – 07:32–09:16
• Advice to Emerging Leaders – 09:43
• Strategies for Managing Rapid Change – 11:05
• Balancing Leadership and Clinical Work – 12:05

Final Thoughts

Dr. Izzo powerfully illustrates the new demands on healthcare technology leaders: to manage innovation and security, break down silos, and bring all stakeholders to the table. His emphasis on continuous learning, robust governance, and cross-disciplinary collaboration offers a roadmap for leading in times of profound—and accelerating—change. The episode is a must-listen for healthcare professionals navigating the evolving intersections of clinical care, informatics, and organizational leadership.