ViVE Special: Rachel Blum Spills the Tea on the Patient Matching Problem in Healthcare

In this special ViVE conference edition of HITea With Grace, I’m joined by Rachel Blum, Vice President of Sales and Partnerships at Verato, for an important conversation about one of healthcare’s most foundational challenges: getting patient identity right. Rachel shares her career journey into health IT leadership and breaks down the concept of Healthcare Master Data Management (MDM)—what it is, why it matters, and how it impacts nearly every facet of care delivery. We explore what happens when health systems don’t have a clear view of “who is who” across records and settings, and how a more unified identity approach can improve both clinical outcomes and operational efficiency. In this episode, we dive into: What Healthcare Master Data Management means in practice Why patient identity is a core issue in healthcare transformation Key challenges health systems face in adopting modern identity solutions How a 360-degree view of the patient enhances outcomes and experiences The implications of treating patients as consumers in a digital health environment The role of AI in driving innovation in patient identity Real-world success stories from hospitals leveraging identity tools to improve care Rachel also opens up about the personal habits and life strategies that help her thrive in a demanding industry, and shares what she wishes she had known earlier in her career. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded conversation that sheds light on the hidden infrastructure powering patient-centered care.