Season 8 • Episode 86

Keynote: The Cavalry Isn’t Coming: EHR Migration Strategies with Jennifer Stemmler

Jun 12, 2025

37:59

Digital Health & Health Tech Health IT Pediatric Oncology

Episode Description

June 12, 2025: Jennifer Stemmler, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Adventist Health, opens up about orchestrating one of healthcare's largest EHR migrations—transitioning 28 hospitals and 400 clinics from a decades-old Cerner system to Epic. Guided by the mantra "on time, on budget, on Epic, on us," how does she maintain control without micromanaging every decision? When groups push back on standardization or value-based care teams clash with implementation timelines, what framework actually works to resolve conflicts? Jennifer reveals her benefits realization scorecard approach and discusses the real challenge behind any major transformation: how do you ensure the organization owns the change rather than waiting for someone else to save them? Key Points:

03:09 Strategic Planning and Key Objectives
06:25 Guiding Principles and Pre-Planning Phase
17:44 Managing Internal Tensions and Lessons Learned
25:56 Post-Go-Live Success and Future Planning
34:36 Final Thoughts and Advice for Other Health Systems

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