Ep 42: EHRs and Equity with Leigh Burchell

What if the technology behind electronic health records could save lives, reduce health disparities, and reshape the future of caregiving?

In this episode of Nurse Rosa’s INsights, host Rosa Hart sits down with Leigh C. Burchell, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at Altera Digital Health and Chair of the Electronic Health Records Association.

Leigh shares how her upbringing and career shaped her passion for healthcare advocacy and policy. She reflects on the intersection of technology and patient care, describing how data-driven innovations in electronic health records (EHRs) can be life-altering for patients and providers alike:

“I know from so many different experiences that the technology we develop directly affects the lives of patients. The availability of data today changes diagnostic and treatment decisions and the patients' ability to actively partner in their own care — it isn’t hyperbolic to say that it’s changing lives.” – Leigh C. Burchell

The discussion explores how regulations can both guide and hinder innovation in health tech, why bridging policy and technology is vital, and how health equity must begin with access to basic resources like nutrition. Leigh also opens up about her personal connection to dementia and shares her vision for better infrastructure, research, and caregiver support in the years ahead:

“There are a lot of places $1 billion could be effectively spent to improve U.S. healthcare, unfortunately, but I’d probably focus on two areas: food insecurity and dementia research.” – Leigh C. Burchell

This thoughtful, forward-looking conversation highlights why what we do in healthcare truly matters and how innovative solutions can transform outcomes for patients and caregivers alike.

Learn more about Leigh's work:

alterahealth.com

Connect with Leigh on LinkedIN

Connect with Rosa Hart @NurseRosaSpeaks

For more podcasts hosted by Rosa Hart, see Stronger After Stroke, Aging Like a Pro and The Lou Review.