Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: Shekar Ramanathan on Digital Transformation, AI, and Innovation in Healthcare

Episode Date: December 12, 2025
Guest: Shekar Ramanathan, Executive Director, Digital Transformation, Atlantic Health
Host: Grace Lynn Keller, Becker's Healthcare
Event: Recorded live at the 10th Annual Health IT Digital Health and RCM Conference

Episode Overview

This episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast features Shekar Ramanathan discussing digital transformation in healthcare, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), data-driven strategies, governance, and navigating legislative changes. Ramanathan shares practical insights on leveraging AI to reduce administrative burdens, implementing innovation despite financial and operational constraints, and the crucial role of data in prioritizing initiatives to deliver the most value.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Shekar Ramanathan’s Background in Healthcare IT

• Shekar Ramanathan has 25 years’ experience in healthcare technology, spanning consulting, vendor roles (including time at Epic), and health systems.
• Focus areas include digital transformation, leveraging digital data, and integrating AI to improve clinical and business processes.
  • “I've been in the healthcare technology space for close to 25 years now... focused on digital transformation, digital data, AI and how all that kind of comes together.” (00:47)

2. AI Use Cases Making a Difference Now

• AI is omnipresent in healthcare technology discussions, with nearly half of medical practices having adopted some form of AI in the past year.
• High-impact AI use cases:
  • Reducing administrative burden: Streamlining provider workflows via ambient voice technology, automation for prior authorizations, and contact center automation.
    • Removes inefficiencies, allowing providers and systems to focus on patient care.
    • “The biggest area... is really around areas where we can really remove some of the administrative burden for the health system and especially for our providers... and really be able to put more focus back on the patient and clinical care delivery.” (01:34)
  • Cautions against AI for AI’s sake—emphasis on choosing areas that create true value.

3. Innovation Amid Constraints: Governance and Strategic Focus

• Healthcare leaders are challenged to innovate smartly in times of financial and operational constraint.
• Governance and strategic prioritization:
  • Focus on desired outcomes and “work backwards.”
  • Choose technologies that tangibly support organizational goals.
  • Constraints can spur “the best innovation,” as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • “Governance is incredibly important to being able to understand where are your largest value areas and really focusing on outcomes and then kind of working backwards from there.” (02:52)
    • “Oftentimes in the time of like financial constraints and operational constraints is usually when we actually see some of the best innovation.” (03:28)

4. Navigating Legislative and Reimbursement Changes

• New state and federal legislation directly impacts healthcare organization strategies, especially for telehealth reimbursement.
• Adaptability is crucial:
  • Organizations need both short- and long-term strategic contingencies.
  • “We are not in the business of making the laws, but we are responsible for following them. So it's important that we're designing plans that allow us to operate at a high level regardless of what happens.” (04:40)

5. Data-Driven Leadership Advice

• Top advice for healthcare leaders:
  • Start with data to identify true value drivers.
  • Focus on the right opportunities—not just good ones, but the great ones that will have the most impact.
  • Avoid spreading resources too thin; use data to sharpen organizational focus.
    • “I'm going to say data is kind of where you want to kind of really start... being able to be really data driven. Understand what's going to impact your organization the most should be a priority.” (05:04)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On AI’s real value:
  “There’s really no reason for us to not look at ways for us to be able to speed up that process... and really be able to put more focus back on the patient and clinical care delivery.” – Shekar Ramanathan (01:54)
• On innovation during constraints:
  “Oftentimes... operational constraints is usually when we actually see some of the best innovation.” – Shekar Ramanathan (03:25)
• On laws and adaptability:
  “We are not in the business of making the laws, but we are responsible for following them.” – Shekar Ramanathan (04:40)
• On prioritizing data-driven strategies:
  “Being able to be really data driven. Understand what's going to impact your organization the most should be a priority.” – Shekar Ramanathan (05:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:47 – Shekar Ramanathan’s background and career journey
• 01:34 – AI use cases: Reducing administrative burden (ambient voice, automation)
• 02:52 – Approaching governance, balancing innovation and operations
• 04:01 – Adjusting strategy for legislative changes, telehealth reimbursement
• 05:04 – Leadership advice: Start with data, focus on high-impact opportunities

Conclusion

Shekar Ramanathan underscores that successful digital transformation in healthcare hinges on leveraging AI for practical, high-value efficiency, embracing innovation during challenging times, responding nimbly to legislative change, and—above all—using data to drive organizational priorities. His guidance offers healthcare leaders a strategic roadmap to navigate today’s evolving health IT environment.