Building the Data Foundation for Healthcare AI with Jeff Thomas, SVP and Chief Technology Officer at Sentara Health

Healthcare organizations cannot afford to chase every new technology trend without first building the foundation to make those tools effective, scalable, and financially sustainable. In this episode, Jeff Thomas, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Sentara Health, discusses how his team is approaching cloud transformation, AI readiness, and cost management across a vertically integrated payer-provider organization. He explains why technology decisions must ultimately support better care delivery, how tech debt continues to slow innovation, and why data accessibility is the real prerequisite for meaningful AI adoption. Jeff also shares how Sentara has reduced system sprawl, flattened infrastructure costs while growing, and built a more resilient technology environment that supports both operational efficiency and clinician presence. He closes by emphasizing a point many leaders overlook: no technology transformation succeeds without strong change management. Tune in and learn how healthcare leaders can build a smarter, more disciplined path to innovation without losing sight of the people they serve! Resources: Connect with and follow Jeff Thomas on LinkedIn. Follow Sentarah Health on LinkedIn and visit their website!