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October 9, 2026

Takeaways from the most recent news in the technology and policies shaping healthcare.

Hospitals

Fred Hutch Names Jessie Minton Chief Digital, Information Officer

By Healthcare Technology News ·

Seattle-based Fred Hutch has named Jessie Minton as vice president and chief digital and information officer, effective Dec. 7, according to Becker's Hospital Review. The cancer center, which operates two research centers and 10 clinics, announced the appointment in an Oct. 7 LinkedIn post.

Fred Hutch said the CDIO title reflects an evolution of its traditional chief information officer role. The distinction matters. A classic CIO keeps systems running and secure. A chief digital and information officer is also expected to drive digital strategy, from patient-facing tools to how clinical and research data is used.

The retitling tracks a wider trend. Health systems are increasingly folding digital transformation, analytics, and sometimes AI strategy into one senior seat rather than splitting responsibilities across separate IT and digital chiefs. For an organization that blends cancer care with heavy research operations, consolidating technology leadership under Minton signals that digital capability is now treated as core strategy, not back-office support.

Sources

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Hospitals

Ascension Rethinks Payer Negotiations Under New Strategy Chief

Ascension named Tamar Goldblatt VP of payer revenue strategy, shifting toward a collaborative, market-specific approach to insurer contracting.

Why it matters: How large systems like Ascension negotiate with payers shapes reimbursement, patient access, and which insurance plans hospitals accept.

Hospitals

Suicide Climbs to 10th-Leading US Cause of Death in 2024

Suicide rose to the 10th-leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2024 per CDC data, even though suicide deaths declined 1% to 48,824.

Why it matters: Behavioral health remains a top clinical and operational priority for health systems as suicide stays among the nation's leading causes of death.

Hospitals

Wellstar CEO Resets Foundation to Expand With Speed

Wellstar CEO Ketul Patel used his first year to shore up strategy, leadership and governance before pursuing faster expansion.

Why it matters: How a major health system sequences internal discipline before growth shapes whether its expansion succeeds or strains operations.