Why these health system spotlights matter for healthtech leaders

Hello there! If you work in health technology as an executive, a founder, or an investor, you know how fast things change.

It can be hard to keep up with what big health systems are doing, what new tools they are buying, and where they might need help. That’s why this article is for you.

We’re going to take a closer look at five important health systems: UnityPoint Health, Excela Health, VHC Health, First Choice Health, and Harris Health System. Think of these as quick, helpful cards that show you what makes each one special. Our goal is to give you clear ideas you can use right away.

These spotlights will help you understand a few key things. First, we will show you what each system cares about most in its day-to-day work. For example, some might be focusing on better patient care at home, while others are trying to make their billing systems smoother. We will also highlight their technology investments. For instance, Excela Health decided to roll out new EHRs (which are electronic health records) to its doctors’ offices a while back. Understanding these choices helps you see what kinds of tech solutions they are looking for.

Lastly, these profiles will point out any big challenges or risks they face. This is important for you because it shows where new tech solutions are truly needed. For example, knowing how digital transformation in large health systems elevates care and boosts ROI can guide your own strategies.

By seeing what these systems are doing and what they need, you can make smarter choices about where to invest your time, money, and ideas.

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UnityPoint Health: profile, recent initiatives, and strategic priorities

Let’s start our look at big health systems with UnityPoint Health. This health system is a large one, serving people across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. It offers many types of care, from visits to the doctor’s office to hospital stays and even home health services. Keeping track of how such a large system works and how it handles its money is a big job. Just like other large hospital systems, UnityPoint Health has to manage lots of important financial details every year, often shared with public databases to show how they are doing financially Hospital Annual Financial Data.

UnityPoint Health is always looking for new ways to make healthcare better. One big area they have focused on is using digital tools, especially telehealth. Telehealth lets doctors and patients connect from different places using video calls or phone calls. Research has shown that telehealth can be just as good as in-person visits for many health issues and can even lead to fewer hospital stays for some patients The Impact of Telehealth Adoption on Patient Outcomes. For UnityPoint Health, using telehealth means they can reach more patients, especially those who live far from a clinic or have trouble getting around.

They are also working on ways to use technology to make sure patients get the right care at the right time. This focus on digital health is a key part of their plan to improve care and patient happiness.

Like many big healthcare providers, UnityPoint Health wants to make sure patients have a good experience and that care is worth the cost. This often means investing in new technology that helps streamline daily tasks and makes patient information easier to access for care teams. For example, they might look at new software for managing patient appointments or tools that help doctors make better decisions faster. Health tech companies that offer solutions to improve patient care or make operations smoother could find great partners in systems like UnityPoint Health. You can learn more about these broader shifts in the industry by reading about healthcare technology trends reshaping medicine and patient care.

Of course, running a large health system like UnityPoint Health comes with its own set of challenges. One big challenge is making sure all their different computer systems work well together. They might have older systems that need updating, or new tools that need to connect with existing ones. Keeping patient data safe and private is also a huge task. These challenges create chances for tech companies to step in with smart solutions. Finding new ways to integrate different technologies, keep data secure, and help staff use new tools easily are all important areas where health tech can make a big difference for systems like UnityPoint Health. Thinking about how to make sure patient transitions from one care setting to another are smooth is also important, which you can read about in transitions of care and how technology improves patient handoffs.

Excela Health: digital transformation case notes and what tech teams should learn

Following the path of large systems like UnityPoint Health, Excela Health in western Pennsylvania has also made big moves to update its technology. Excela Health serves many people with different kinds of medical care, including hospitals and doctors’ offices. Just like other health systems, Excela Health knows that using new technology is key to giving patients better care and making things run more smoothly.

One important digital step for Excela Health was putting in place new electronic health records (EHRs). This means they moved from paper charts to digital files for patient information. Back in 2025, Excela Health decided to roll out EHRs to its doctors’ offices Excela Health to roll out EHRs to its physician practices. This was a big project, much like similar efforts at other healthcare providers like First Choice Health or Harris Health System, aimed at making patient details easier to share among different care teams. When all doctors and nurses can see the same up-to-date information, it helps them make better decisions faster.

For tech teams and companies looking to work with health systems, Excela Health’s journey teaches us a lot.

• How to put new tech in place: Rolling out a big system like EHRs is not easy. It needs careful planning to make sure it works well everywhere. Tech teams need to think about how to train all the staff, from doctors to front-desk workers, so they can use the new tools without problems.

• Getting doctors and nurses to use new tech: If doctors and nurses don’t like using a new system, it won’t be successful. The tech must be simple to use and actually help them do their jobs better, not just add more steps. Getting their ideas and feedback early on is very important.
• How long things take: Getting new technology approved, bought, and then set up in a large health system can take a long time. Tech companies need to be patient and understand that these projects have long timelines. They also need to be ready to work closely with the health system’s own tech leaders, like the Chief Information Officer whom Excela Health welcomed in recent years.

Understanding these points can help technology companies create solutions that truly help health systems like Excela Health, VHC Health, and others. If you want to dive deeper into how different health systems are making these big changes, you can read about Mastering Regional Health Systems Digital Transformation. To stay ahead in the fast-changing world of health tech and AI, it’s also smart to keep learning about new trends.

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VHC (Valley Health Consortium/placeholder): clinical programs and digital maturity indicators

Just like UnityPoint Health and Excela Health, VHC Health (we’ll call it VHC for short) is another health system that is always looking for ways to improve patient care through technology. VHC Health offers many types of medical care, from everyday doctor visits to specialized treatments. For tech teams, understanding what VHC Health focuses on in its clinical programs is key. These programs show what kinds of digital tools are most needed.

For example, if VHC Health puts a lot of effort into managing long-term illnesses like diabetes or heart disease, they might need tech that helps patients at home. This could be apps that remind people to take medicine or devices that check their health numbers every day. If they focus on emergency care, they might need fast systems to share patient information quickly with doctors and specialists. Every clinical program has its own special needs for digital support.

To see how well VHC Health is using technology, we look at some important signs of digital maturity.

These signs help us understand how far along they are in their digital journey.

• Data Interoperability: This is a fancy way of asking how easily patient information can move between different doctors, hospitals, and clinics within VHC Health. When all parts of the health system can share and understand patient data, it makes care much better. It’s like everyone having the same up-to-date book about a patient, no matter where the patient goes for help. This is a big step for any health system that wants to work like UnityPoint Health or First Choice Health. You can learn more about how health systems use technology to connect different services by reading about digital transformation in large health systems.

• Telehealth Volumes: How many patients are using virtual doctor visits or other online health services? A high number of telehealth visits means VHC Health has set up good systems for patients to get care from home. It shows they are making it easy for people to see doctors without coming into a clinic. Using virtual care can really help patients, especially for conditions like high blood pressure, as shown in a telehealth for hypertension clinical case study.

• Analytics Adoption: This means how much VHC Health uses data to make smart decisions. Are they looking at trends in patient health? Are they figuring out which treatments work best? To do this well, health systems need good financial and operational data. There are many ways to assess hospital and health system financial data to understand their performance.

Using this data helps them plan better, spend money wisely, and give patients the best care possible.

By looking at these signs, tech companies can better understand the needs of health systems like VHC Health, Excela Health, and Harris Health System. This helps them create solutions that truly make a difference in healthcare.

First Choice: Network Strategy, Partnerships, and Procurement Behaviors

Just like understanding the digital growth of VHC Health, it’s also important to look at how First Choice Health works. First Choice Health is different because it focuses on building strong networks and relationships. It’s not just a hospital; it’s a health benefits company that helps people get care through a wide group of doctors and clinics. For tech companies, knowing how First Choice Health builds its network and chooses its partners is very helpful.

First Choice Health works by bringing together many healthcare providers to offer services. This includes hospitals like some in the Harris Health System, clinics, and doctors’ offices. Their main goal is to make sure their members have good choices for care. They often partner with employers to offer health plans. These partnerships are key to how they grow and serve their members. They look for partners who can offer quality care and also fit into their network goals, much like how UnityPoint Health or Excela Health might look for strong collaborators.

When it comes to buying new technology or services, First Choice Health has clear ways of doing things. This is called their procurement behavior. They usually look for solutions that can help their entire network, not just one part. For example, they might want new software that helps many different doctors share patient information easily across their network. In 2026, healthcare procurement is all about getting the best value and making sure things are reliable.

They often engage in contracts that benefit their large network, aiming for solutions that can be scaled up to many providers. This means tech companies need to show how their products can work well for a big group of users and how they can improve care across different settings. Building good relationships with vendors is a big part of their strategy, and they often look for long-term partners who can help them keep up with new healthcare technology trends. You can learn more about how health systems deal with new technology by reading about Mastering Regional Health Systems Digital Transformation. To succeed with First Choice Health, vendors should understand the 2026 State of Healthcare Procurement and offer clear benefits for their entire network approach.

Keeping up with fast changes in healthcare technology, especially in areas like AI, is crucial for both providers and partners. To stay informed on the latest advancements and how they impact strategic decisions, consider subscribing to The AI Newsletter Worth Reading.

Harris Health: community health responsibilities, equity, and technology priorities

While First Choice Health focuses on building wide networks through partnerships, places like the Harris Health System have a different main goal. They are what we call "safety-net" healthcare providers. This means they are there to make sure everyone in the community can get good healthcare, no matter how much money they have or where they live. Understanding how Harris Health picks its technology and plans its services is very important for tech companies and people who invest in healthcare.

Harris Health’s choices in technology are directly linked to its promise to serve the community and make healthcare fair for all. They look for solutions that help reach people who might not easily get care, like those in far-off areas or those who cannot pay much. For example, they might invest in tools that help doctors connect with patients using video calls, or systems that can track health needs across different neighborhoods. Their latest reports often show how they work hard to improve community health. For a closer look at their efforts, you can read the Harris County Public Health 2024 Annual Report. This focus on fair access is different from the market-driven strategies you might see at other systems like UnityPoint Health or Excela Health, though all aim for quality care. To learn more about how technology reaches people in need, explore how community health technology is reaching underserved communities in 2026.

Working with a big public health system like the Harris Health System also brings special rules and risks for technology vendors and investors. These systems have a high duty to protect patient information and use public funds wisely. This means any new technology must meet strict privacy rules and be very reliable. Companies need to show that their products are safe, secure, and will truly help improve care for many people.

Also, public health systems face strong checks to make sure they follow all laws and rules. This is called compliance. Vendors must understand these rules deeply to avoid problems. Things like making sure contracts are fair and that new systems work with current healthcare laws are key. You can find more details on these important guidelines in resources like Healthcare Procurement Compliance: Key Regulations. For providers like VHC Health or First Choice Health, these details are important, but for safety-net systems like Harris Health, they are even more critical because public trust is at stake.

We have looked at different kinds of health systems, from those focusing on wide networks like First Choice Health to big public systems like the Harris Health System. We also learned about regional players such as UnityPoint Health, Excela Health, and VHC Health. Now, let’s put them side-by-side to see what’s similar and what’s different. This helps us understand what matters most to them and what chances there are for new technology.

Common Ground Across Health Systems

Even though these health systems serve different groups of people and have varied sizes, they share some big goals:

• Going Digital: All of them are working hard to use more digital tools. This is called digital maturity. They want to make things easier for patients and doctors. Telehealth, which is like doctor visits over video, is a good example. Studies show that telehealth can improve patient outcomes and even be as good as, or sometimes better than, in-person care for certain conditions, especially for long-term health issues like heart failure or chronic diseases. For example, telehealth has been shown to reduce hospital stays. More and more, using tools like video calls and online patient portals is becoming a normal part of healthcare. You can learn more about how telehealth has impacted patient care in a review from the National Library of Medicine.
• What Technology They Look For: No matter the system, they all want technology that is reliable, safe, and truly helps people. They also need solutions that work well with their current systems and protect patient information carefully.
• Focus on Patient Care: At the end of the day, every health system wants to give the best care possible. They look for technology that makes patients healthier, helps doctors work better, and makes healthcare fair for everyone. This includes using new clinical care technology innovations to drive better outcomes.

Key Differences That Matter

While there are common goals, these systems are not all the same. Their differences create unique risks and chances for companies that want to work with them:

• Size and Reach: Systems like UnityPoint Health serve a very large area with many hospitals and clinics. Others, like VHC Health or Excela Health, might be more focused on a specific region. First Choice Health is about networks, while the Harris Health System is a very large public provider for a whole county. This changes how many people a new technology can reach and how quickly.
• Who Pays for Care (Payer Mix): Some systems, like First Choice Health or UnityPoint Health, mostly deal with private insurance companies. They might look for technology that helps with billing or makes services appealing to those with private plans. The Harris Health System, as a safety-net provider, mostly helps people who have public insurance or no insurance at all. They prioritize technology that is affordable and helps reach people who struggle to pay. Learning more about how private insurance differs from public programs in 2026 can help explain this difference.
• How They Buy Things (Procurement): Private systems might make decisions faster. Public systems like Harris Health System have very strict rules and steps for buying new technology because they use public money. This means vendors need to be ready for a longer process and show great value.
• Special Focus Areas: While all offer general care, some systems might have special programs or clinics. For example, some might focus more on heart health, while others might put more effort into mental health services. Knowing these special areas helps tech companies offer the right tools.

Understanding these comparisons is key for anyone in health tech. It helps you see where your solutions fit best and how to work with each type of healthcare provider.

To get the latest insights on how AI and other technologies are changing healthcare, consider subscribing to The AI Newsletter Worth Reading. You’ll receive clear daily updates from The Deep View Newsletter, helping you stay informed about these fast-moving trends.

To truly understand a health system, we need to look closer at their "tech stack." Think of a tech stack as all the computer programs and equipment a health system uses. It’s like the different layers of a cake, all working together. How well these layers connect and talk to each other is called "interoperability." This matters a lot for how easily new health technology can join in.

Signals for Easy Integration

Some health systems are more ready for new tech than others. They have what we call strong "interoperability signals." This means their tech stack is built in a way that makes it easy for new tools to connect.

• Modern Systems: If a health system uses newer computer systems and software, it’s often easier to add new tools. These newer systems are usually designed to "talk" to other programs more openly. For big systems like UnityPoint Health, which covers a wide area, having modern tools is key for smooth operations.
• Cloud Services: Many systems now use "cloud" services, which are like storing and running programs on the internet instead of on their own computers. This often makes it easier for different programs to work together.
• Clear Digital Plans: Health systems that have a clear plan for using digital tools usually have teams ready to help new tech fit in. Companies like First Choice Health, which focus on networks, often look for tech that connects easily across many providers.

When health systems have good tech stacks that talk to each other easily, it helps all their digital tools, including telehealth, work even better. This can lead to acceptable clinical outcomes, save money, and make patients happier with their care, as a review of studies on telemedicine found Review of Systematic Reviews in the Field of Telemedicine. You can learn more about how this works for larger groups in digital transformation in large health systems.

Signals for Uphill Battles

On the other hand, some tech stacks can make it tough for new tools to get started. These are signals of "uphill battles" for vendors.

• Old or "Legacy" Systems: Many health systems still use older computer systems that were built a long time ago. These "legacy" systems don’t always connect well with newer technology. This can make it very hard to share information between different programs.
• Many Different Programs: If a health system uses many different software programs that don’t talk to each other, it creates "data silos." This means information gets stuck in one program and can’t easily move to another.
• Smaller Teams and Budgets: Regional health systems like Excela Health or VHC Health might have fewer people or less money to spend on big tech upgrades. This can slow down how fast they can bring in new tools. If you’re looking to help regional systems, understanding mastering regional health systems digital transformation can be very useful.
• Strict Rules: Public health systems, like the Harris Health System, often have very strict rules for buying new technology. These rules can make the process very long and complicated, even if the tech stack is willing to connect. For those facing challenges with older systems, knowing how to modernize legacy health systems is a good step.

Understanding these signals helps tech companies know what to expect. It shows where their solutions might fit easily and where they might need more work to connect with a health system’s existing tools.

After understanding a health system’s tech stack, it’s also important to look at how they are set up. This is called their "strategic posture." Health systems can be set up in two main ways: centralized or decentralized. This choice greatly changes how fast they can get new technology and how much they need to change it to fit their needs.

Comparative: Strategic Posture – Centralized vs Decentralized Approaches

A health system with a centralized setup means that one main office or group makes all the big decisions about technology. Think of a large system like UnityPoint Health that has many hospitals and clinics. If they are centralized, all their parts follow the same rules for buying and using new tech.

• Impact on Tech Procurement: For vendors, this means sales might be slower because many people need to agree. But once a decision is made, the technology can be rolled out across many locations at once.
• Customization Needs: There’s less need to customize the tech for each small clinic. Everyone uses the same version.
• Pricing and Support: Centralized systems often buy in large amounts, which can mean lower prices. Support can also be simpler because everyone uses the same system and training.
• Change Management: Big changes take more time and effort to get everyone on board, but once they happen, they affect the whole system evenly.

On the other hand, a decentralized health system lets different hospitals or clinics make their own tech choices. Regional groups like Excela Health or VHC Health might use this approach.

• Impact on Tech Procurement: For vendors, selling to a decentralized system can be faster for one clinic, but then you might have to sell to many other clinics one by one.
• Customization Needs: Each clinic might want to change the tech to fit its own special needs, which means more work for the vendor.
• Pricing and Support: Smaller purchases might mean higher prices. Also, providing support can be harder because each clinic might have its own unique setup.
• Change Management: It’s easier to make small changes in one part of the system without affecting others, but it’s hard to get everyone to adopt the same big change.

Knowing how a health system is set up helps tech companies understand how to work with them. For example, a company like First Choice Health, which helps many different providers, needs to be flexible. Understanding these different ways of working is key for success in health tech, especially when you think about how different financial models can influence purchasing power and technology budgets. For example, knowing where to find Hospital and Health System Financial Data Sources can give insights into a system’s budget.

The way a health system is organized also shapes how they approach bigger picture changes and improvements. Staying updated on these movements, and the broader healthcare technology landscape, is crucial. You can learn more about these broader shifts in healthcare technology trends 2026. For those looking to keep up with the fast pace of innovation, especially in artificial intelligence, there is a helpful resource available.

Get clear daily AI updates from The AI Newsletter Worth Reading.

The previous section explained how a health system’s setup, whether centralized or decentralized, impacts how it gets new technology. Now, let’s look at practical steps for buyers, sellers, and investors to work better with these systems in 2026.

Implications for buyers, vendors, and investors — practical next steps

For anyone looking to buy, sell, or invest in health technology, understanding a system’s setup is key. Here are some simple steps to guide you.

For Buyers and Investors: Your Due-Diligence Checklist

When you’re thinking about bringing in new technology or putting your money into a health system, it’s smart to have a clear checklist. This helps you make good choices.

• Know their Structure: Is the health system like UnityPoint Health with a strong central team making most decisions? Or is it more like Excela Health or VHC Health, where different hospitals make their own tech choices? Knowing this helps you understand how fast decisions are made and who to talk to.
• Study their Tech Needs: Don’t just listen to what they say they want. Dig deeper to find out what problems they truly need to solve with new technology.
• Check their Buying Rules: Understand how they buy things. Healthcare systems often follow specific rules for purchasing. For example, many systems use Healthcare Procurement Best Practices that help build good relationships with tech companies.
• Look at their Money Plans: How much money do they set aside for new technology? This helps you know what kind of investment is possible.
• Think about Future Growth: Does the health system plan to get bigger or offer new services? How will new technology fit into their long-term plans?

For Vendors: Smart Ways to Start a Partnership

If you’re selling new technology to health systems, especially larger ones like Harris Health System, you want to show it works well without a lot of risk.

• Start with a Pilot Program: Offer to test your technology in a small part of their system first. This "try before you buy" approach helps both sides see if it’s a good fit. For example, a small clinic might try it before a big system like UnityPoint Health decides to use it everywhere.
• Focus on Specific Wins: Clearly show how your technology solves a real problem they are facing right now. This makes it easier for them to see the value and say yes.
• Make Contracts Simple: For early projects, try to have clear and easy agreements. This might mean shorter trial periods or simple ways to measure if the tech is working.
• Offer Great Support: Make sure you help the system use your technology well. Good training and support are important for a successful start.
• Help Them Follow Rules: Show how your technology helps them stick to all the healthcare rules and safety standards. Keeping up with Healthcare Procurement Compliance: Key Regulations, Requirements, and Best Practices is a big deal in this industry.
• Plan for the Long Term: Show that you want to be a partner for many years, not just for one sale.

Health systems often want to get ready for the future by finding reliable partners and using smart ways to buy things, as noted in the Future-Proofing Your Healthcare Procurement Strategy.

Understanding these approaches helps both sides connect better, leading to smoother and more successful technology adoption. If you want to dive deeper into how big systems are changing with technology, learn about digital transformation in large health systems.