Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: Karen E. Hunter, Chief Nursing Informatics Officer at Adventist Health

Date: September 27, 2025
Host: Scott King
Guest: Karen E. Hunter, DNP, RN, NI-BC, CENP

Episode Overview

This episode features an insightful discussion with Dr. Karen Hunter, Chief Nursing Informatics Officer at Adventist Health, on the real-world impact of artificial intelligence (AI), the importance of evidence-based technology adoption, and the challenges and rewards of unifying electronic health records (EHRs). The conversation offers practical advice for health IT leaders facing operational and regulatory pressures and highlights the human element in technology transformation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background & Current Role

• Karen’s Journey:
  • Started as a bedside nurse and in operations for 15 years before moving into informatics.
  • Led clinical informatics and EHR implementations nationwide.
  • Now CNIO at Adventist Health, steering a system-wide Epic transition.
• Quote:
  • "I am a nurse by background...most recently now CNIO at Adventist Health as we are on an epic journey to convert our sites to one epic instance next year." (01:10, Karen Hunter)

2. Artificial Intelligence in Practice

• Current AI Use Cases:
  • AI-supported emergency department (ED) triage helps nurses rapidly assess patients and allocate resources.
    • Results in less time spent in the ED and faster care for critical patients.
    • Early data correlate AI triage with decreased inpatient length of stay.
  • Physicians leveraging ambient listening (AI transcribing clinical encounters), with plans to expand for nursing.
• Quote:
  • "We've identified [AI in ED triage] reduces time in the ED overall. It ensures our sickest patients get moved back faster...we're even kind of exploring correlation to decrease length of stay inpatient." (02:06, Karen Hunter)
• On Ambient Listening Readiness:
  • Karen observes from afar but has yet to implement it directly on the nursing side.
• Quote:
  • "I have my opinions, but no practical experience [with ambient listening for nurses] yet." (03:37, Karen Hunter)

3. Strategic Technology Adoption & Organizational Change

• Advice for Leaders:
  • Focus on real problems and use evidence to guide implementation.
  • Avoid the allure of "shiny objects" and stick to fundamentals—identify issues and measure outcomes.
  • "Piloting" technology is still valuable despite the term falling out of favor.
• Quote:
  • "We really have to stay focused on what is the problem we're trying to solve...continue to evaluate against those metrics." (04:19, Karen Hunter)
  • Anecdote about her mother transitioning to smartphones highlights the human side of tech adoption.

4. Navigating Legislation & Policy Changes

• Impact on Adventist Health:
  • Serving rural, vulnerable populations (80% government pay), the system is acutely aware of state/federal policy.
  • Adjustments include outsourcing, cost optimization, and an emphasis on data-driven efficiency via Epic.
• Quote:
  • "We are full on with Epic looking for greater efficiencies, a standardized single platform...the data that we will gather from this will help inform us on how to be most effective..." (06:02, Karen Hunter)

5. EPIC Implementation: Lessons & Opportunities

• Value in Integration:
  • Praises Epic’s ability to unify records and workflows.
  • Warns that success depends on standardization, maintenance, and organizational approach—not just the software.
• Quote:
  • "Epic is not infallible. We need to build it and maintain it in a standardized way." (07:18, Karen Hunter)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Avoiding the “Shiny Object Syndrome”:
  • "Stay calm, be boring and stick to our fundamentals." (07:51, Karen Hunter)
• On Evidence-Based Leadership:
  • "Just like we do with our patients...we assess, look for abnormalities, treat to those symptoms—we have to do that in healthcare, not just get excited about a new toy." (07:51, Karen Hunter)
• On Evolving as a Leader:
  • “It’s a time to be bold...It’s important for me to speak up and be bold and share information and help educate as we go so we can make informed decisions based on evidence, not just what feels right or a shiny object.” (08:47, Karen Hunter)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:10 – Karen Hunter’s career overview and new role at Adventist Health
• 02:06 – AI in nursing: real-world emergency department use case
• 03:19 – Assessing ambient listening technology’s maturity
• 04:19 – Leadership advice for technology adoption and balancing innovation
• 06:02 – Adapting to legislative, payer, and operational pressures
• 07:18 – Favorite uses and implementation tips for Epic
• 07:51 – Foundational leadership advice for navigating health IT change
• 08:47 – Reflections on leadership growth and boldness during change

Tone & Takeaways

Karen Hunter’s approach is pragmatic, grounded in evidence, and deeply shaped by her nursing background. She calls for calm, disciplined innovation, understanding the importance of balancing big-picture technology transitions with day-to-day realities on the ground. Her insights are particularly relevant for healthcare leaders striving for successful tech adoption without losing sight of patient care and frontline realities.

Summary prepared for audiences who want the core insights and leadership wisdom from Dr. Karen Hunter’s episode—without time spent on ads or peripheral topics.