Bronwen Huron stands in front of a mural at HIMSS

After launching Bronwen Consulting this past June, I’m excited to announce my return to the HIMSS conference as the manager of the Interoperability and Smart Pavilion for HIMSS25. This project holds a special place in my heart, not only because of the work itself but also due to the wonderful staff that continues to make this experience special year after year. The opportunity to dive back into what made this pavilion such a draw for thousands of attendees is both humbling and exhilarating.

Back to the Basics of Interoperability

When tasked with thinking about how we can enhance this year’s pavilion, I revisited the very definition of interoperability that I helped shape during my earlier years at HIMSS. Interoperability in healthcare is all about enabling seamless, secure communication and data exchange between systems that vary in vendors, setups, and requirements. While the standards (HL7, FHIR, DICOM) are fundamental, the real challenge is in the context — how can we connect the participants’ experiences with the real-world problems they’re working to solve?

It’s clear that while attendees have always appreciated the live demonstrations, many leave wondering why real-world healthcare systems aren’t as smooth or interconnected as what they’ve just seen. The key lies in understanding that while standards and exchanges are the core of the solution, they are not enough on their own. The context in which they exist — policies, trust, and collaboration — is equally vital.

Challenges and Opportunities in Interoperability

There are a few major hurdles that healthcare organizations face when it comes to true interoperability:

  1. Diverse Systems and Vendors: Providers often use a variety of systems from different vendors, each with unique data structures and protocols, creating barriers to data flow.
  2. Lack of Standardization: Even though there are universal standards like HL7 and FHIR, not all organizations support them fully or implement them in the same way, which can hinder compatibility.
  3. Security and Trust: Data exchange requires trust between systems, and without strong security frameworks, organizations may hesitate to share critical information.

At the HIMSS25 Pavilion, we are focusing on creating a context that bridges these gaps. By exploring Smart Connections, Exchange Experience, Trust, and Policy, we will provide attendees with the tools they need to diagnose and overcome their unique interoperability challenges. Live demonstrations and expert interactions will highlight how real solutions can be applied to real-world problems.

A Full-Circle Moment

Managing the Interoperability Pavilion at HIMSS from 2016 to 2021 was one of the most formative experiences of my career. The wonderful people I met along the way, who generously shared their time and knowledge, helped shape me into the professional I am today.

Many of them have since become lifelong friends, and it’s a joy to return to this space with a fresh perspective and new challenges.
As we prepare for HIMSS25, I’m energized by the possibilities ahead and the opportunity to once again contribute to an event that has meant so much to me. I can’t wait to see how we can push the boundaries of interoperability and help attendees walk away inspired, informed, and empowered to make real-world changes.

Call to Action: Expanded Opportunities Await

I’d like to invite you to get to know the new area and explore what we can achieve with these expanded opportunities. Let’s work together to continue shaping the future of interoperability.

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