Becker’s Healthcare Podcast - Episode Summary

Guest: Kelley Wells, RPh, VP - Clinical Applications, Indiana University Health
Host: Grace Lynn Keller
Date: January 3, 2026
Episode Theme: Healthcare IT leadership, organizational growth, and digital transformation at IU Health

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the evolution of Indiana University Health under the leadership of Kelley Wells, who shares insights on the system’s rapid expansion, major digital initiatives, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in healthcare IT. The conversation offers a first-hand view of managing large-scale technology transitions and strategic investments for future-proofing health systems.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Background

[00:32–01:22]

• Kelley Wells’ Role:
  • VP for Clinical Applications at IU Health, a system comprising 17 hospitals across Indiana.
  • Background as a pharmacist who “ended up in IT by accident,” implementing clinical systems before fully transitioning into IT leadership.
  • Has been leading clinical applications for about a decade.

Quote:
“I was implementing a lot of systems as the pharmacist and just kind of over time moved into IT and have been doing this for about 10 years now.”
— Kelley Wells ([00:57])

2. IU Health’s Growth Strategy

[01:22–02:15]

• The system is experiencing “rapid growth,” focusing on significant capital projects:
  • Construction of a new adult academic health center in downtown Indianapolis (consolidating two hospitals, opening 2027).
  • New hospital in Fort Wayne, a cancer center, and another hospital in Lafayette.
  • Emphasis on “building smart,” with a commitment to integrating advanced technology throughout new facilities.

Quote:
“We've kind of gone all in on building. So we have a new academic… health center downtown Indianapolis… consolidating two hospitals… [and] making sure that building is going to be smart.”
— Kelley Wells ([01:35])

3. Major Initiative: Epic EHR Conversion

[02:15–03:18]

• IU Health is undergoing a major transition from Oracle Health Cerner (after 25 years) to Epic as its Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
  • Go-live target date: May 1, 2027.
  • The project is “operationally led,” with former medical group leadership at the helm, supported by IT teams.
  • Significant resource shift: Of 250 clinical applications staff, 140 have moved to the Epic transition team and retrained.
  • Real-time “legacy support” is being balanced with preparing for the new system.

Quote:
“We made the decision at the end of last year that we were switching to EPIC. We go live May 1, 2027… It is [an] operationally led project… About 140 [staff] went over to that EPIC team, went through all the training, and we're kind of in that legacy support.”
— Kelley Wells ([02:23])

4. Strategic Advice for Healthcare Executives

[03:18–04:12]

• AI is a dominant theme at industry conferences and in organizational strategy.
  • Health IT spending does not always increase as a percentage of revenue during growth, requiring strategic prioritization.
  • Leaders must carefully decide where to invest in AI—both for clinical and back-office functions—while ensuring a robust IT infrastructure and support system.
  • Underlines the necessity of deliberate investment in human and technical resources for successful digital transformation.

Quote:
“There's so much AI… It can have great benefits… either with your clinicians or… back office type things. It takes IT people behind that to kind of make that happen… making sure that you're building that infrastructure properly so that we… can deliver and support our users.”
— Kelley Wells ([03:31])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I've been doing this for about 10 years now." ([Kelley Wells, 00:59])
• "We’re trying to... deliver EPIC on time and on budget. So it is very exciting time for IU Health." ([Kelley Wells, 02:56])
• "Health IT as a percentage of revenue doesn’t always go up with growth; you really need intentional investment." ([Paraphrased from Kelley Wells, 03:33])

Important Timestamps

• 00:32–01:22: Kelley Wells introduces her background and role.
• 01:30–02:15: Overview of IU Health’s growth strategy and massive new projects.
• 02:21–03:18: Deep dive into the Epic EHR transition.
• 03:27–04:12: Strategic reflections and advice for executives on AI and IT investment.

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• The conversation is direct, practical, and forward-looking, reflecting the urgency and excitement of large-scale change in a major health system.
• Kelley Wells encourages deliberate investment in both technology and the people who support it, especially as AI and digital transformation accelerate.
• The episode spotlights the balancing act of supporting legacy systems while spearheading transformative projects, ensuring IU Health remains at the forefront of healthcare technology.

Useful for:
Healthcare executives, IT leaders, health system strategists, and anyone interested in large-scale digital transformation in healthcare organizations.