In this episode of QuickHITs, hosts Ken Booth and Tyler Smith talk with J.D. Whitlock, Chief Information Officer at Dayton Children's Hospital, about what makes pediatric healthcare IT uniquely challenging, and where innovation is heading next.
With 30 years in healthcare and a career spanning operational leadership and Air Force service, J.D. offers a clear, practical look at how technology impacts families, clinicians, and care teams in a pediatric system. He breaks down why children's hospitals often receive new digital tools later than adult health systems, and how tight CIO collaboration across pediatric organizations helps close that gap.
J.D. also discusses the real-world complexity of MyChart access, privacy, and guardianship, where teens, divorced parents, and multiple caregivers require thoughtful workflows and communication. He shares how Dayton Children's is adopting ambient AI scribes, pediatric-specific documentation, and Epic's evolving AI tools to reduce clinician burden and improve the patient and family experience.
The conversation touches on the state of interoperability, what CIOs should know about the "AI will replace the EHR" narrative, and why strong governance and prioritization ultimately determine the success of any new technology.
J.D. closes with a look at what's ahead for Dayton Children's, from expanding primary care to enhancing their digital front door with Epic's new patient-facing AI capabilities.
This episode offers practical insights for CIOs, CMIOs, informaticists, and healthcare leaders navigating the fast-changing world of pediatric IT and AI.
