From Clinician to Executive: Dr. Viswanathan’s Journey

Dr. Viswanathan’s career in healthcare has been defined by a commitment to patient-centered care and a keen interest in improving healthcare delivery through technology and innovation. As a practicing physician and a healthcare executive, she has a unique perspective on bridging the gap between clinical practice and digital transformation. Her experience has strengthened the importance of physician leadership in shaping health system strategies, ensuring that digital initiatives are effectively integrated into clinical workflows without disrupting care delivery.

Dr. Viswanathan highlights the growing need for physician executives to take on leadership roles in digital transformation efforts. She believes that having a clinical background allows physician executives to make informed decisions about digital tools and technologies that can genuinely enhance patient care and provider efficiency. As she puts it, “When we started understanding how technology can help us drive better patient care, the adoption became easier.”

BayCare’s Digital Transformation Initiatives

BayCare is investing heavily in digital health initiatives to enhance patient care, interoperability and streamline operations. Dr. Viswanathan highlights several key areas of focus including

Electronic Health Record (EHR) Optimization

BayCare uses Cerner as its EHR system and continually refines it for efficiency and ease of use. “There’s always room for improvement in clinician workflows,” she noted. Ensuring that EHR systems support, rather than burden, healthcare providers is a top priority.

Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring

Given Florida’s population growth, increasing access to care is crucial. Telehealth services and remote patient monitoring have become essential. “We need more virtual visits to meet demand,” Dr. Viswanathan emphasized. These technologies enable patients to receive care without long commutes, improving accessibility and convenience.

AI and Data-Driven Decision-Making

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, and BayCare is embracing it. “We’re integrating AI-driven insights into clinical workflows,” she shared. AI helps with early detection of conditions like stroke and sepsis, supports radiology analytics, and enhances predictive modeling for patient outcomes.

Patient Engagement Tools

Improving patient access to care is a key goal. “Patients should have ease of access, whether it’s through appointment scheduling, digital communication, or home-based care solutions,” Dr. Viswanathan stated. Patient engagement platforms ensure that care is delivered at the right time and place.

Cybersecurity and Interoperability

With the rise of digital health, cybersecurity is more critical than ever. BayCare is investing in robust security measures to protect patient data. Additionally, interoperability—ensuring different healthcare systems can communicate seamlessly—is a major focus area.

The Growing Impact of AI in Healthcare

One of the most transformative technologies in healthcare today is Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Viswanathan shares her deep interest in AI and Generative AI, particularly their potential to enhance patient interactions, improve decision-making, and reduce administrative burden for clinicians.

Dr. Viswanathan highlights how AI-driven tools are already being used to: Assist doctors and nurses during patient encounters by capturing and summarizing key details from conversations, ensuring accurate documentation; Analyze large datasets to provide predictive insights that help in clinical decision-making and early detection of health conditions; Automate routine administrative tasks, such as medical transcription and coding, allowing providers to focus more on patient care.

She finds AI’s potential “mind-blowing,” noting that “it’s incredible how data can be aggregated and utilized effectively with the help of AI.” She believes that AI is not a replacement for clinicians but a powerful tool to augment their capabilities. Dr. Viswanathan emphasizes that when used responsibly, AI can help reduce burnout, improve operational efficiency, and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.

Responsible AI Adoption: Balancing Innovation with Trust

While AI presents exciting opportunities, Dr. Viswanathan stresses the need for a cautious and responsible approach to adoption. She explains that health systems must ensure data accuracy and reliability to prevent errors in AI-driven recommendations. Maintaining transparency in AI decision-making is crucial to building trust among clinicians and patients. Additionally, addressing ethical and privacy concerns is essential to protect sensitive patient information. Providing adequate training and support for clinicians will help them effectively use AI tools in their daily workflows.

She acknowledges that widespread AI adoption in healthcare will take time, but as these technologies continue to prove their value in improving care delivery, more health systems will embrace them. “We have to get to the stage where the ChatGPTs of the world help us drive better patient care and better outcomes for our patients. Then, I think the comfort level will set in.”

Success Stories and Lessons Learned

BayCare has implemented several digital health pilots with notable success. One initiative involves a telehealth platform that enhances care coordination. “We risk-stratify patients, engage them through digital tools, and provide coordinated support,” Dr. Viswanathan explained. This approach improves chronic disease management and patient outcomes.

Another initiative is digital rehabilitation. Traditionally, cardiac rehab required patients to visit a hospital. “Now, we’re leveraging digital platforms to enable rehab at home,” she said. This innovation improves compliance and recovery rates for post-heart attack patients.

Early disease detection is another promising area. BayCare is using AI-powered tools for faster stroke diagnosis and lung lesion identification. “The speed of detection can change patient outcomes dramatically,” she emphasized.

However, not all digital initiatives succeed. One challenge is alarm fatigue—where excessive alerts overwhelm clinicians. “If the platform isn’t calibrated correctly, it pings nonstop,” she noted. BayCare carefully evaluates digital tools to minimize disruptions while maximizing benefits.

The Future of Digital Health at BayCare

Looking ahead, BayCare is committed to expanding its digital health capabilities. AI-driven radiology tools, predictive analytics, and enhanced telehealth services are all on the horizon. “We are focused on making data-driven decisions to improve care quality and efficiency,” Dr. Viswanathan said. Another emerging priority is leveraging electronic ICUs (eICUs) to enhance critical care. “We need to monitor ICU patients 24/7, but we can’t always have intensivists on-site,” she explained. eICU platforms provide continuous remote monitoring, improving patient safety.

Dr. Viswanathan’s leadership at BayCare Health System highlights the evolving role of digital transformation in healthcare. From AI-driven diagnostics to telehealth expansion, BayCare is leveraging technology to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. As healthcare continues to evolve, digital innovation will be a driving force. “The key is integrating technology in a way that enhances, rather than complicates, clinical workflows,” Dr. Viswanathan concluded. BayCare’s commitment to growth, value-based care, and digital transformation positions it as a leader in the next era of healthcare. As more health systems embrace technology, the potential for improved patient care and efficiency will only continue to grow.