Altera Pits Human-Centered AI Against Healthcare's Biggest Crises

LAS VEGAS, NV – March 03, 2026 – As the global healthcare community prepares to convene for the HIMSS 2026 Global Conference, Altera Digital Health is positioning itself not merely as a technology vendor, but as a key architect in the fight against the industry's most daunting challenges. The health IT leader will arrive in Las Vegas with a clear message: advanced, human-centered artificial intelligence is the critical tool needed to combat systemic issues like clinician burnout, crippling financial pressures, and persistent staffing shortages.

This year's showcase moves beyond incremental product updates, instead framing AI as a direct response to a sector in crisis. With a slate of educational sessions and a prominent booth presence, Altera intends to demonstrate how its technology can support the very fabric of care delivery.

“Healthcare is at a pivotal moment. While organizations are navigating significant headwinds like staffing shortages and cost constraints, AI and other advanced technologies are now demonstrating the ability to really move the needle on longstanding challenges,” said Marcus Perez, President of Altera Digital Health, in a recent announcement. “Human connection is at the heart of healthcare... We look forward to demonstrating how Altera solutions and services are supporting the human moments that matter most for patients, providers and their communities.”

The AI Prescription for Clinician Burnout

Perhaps no issue is more urgent than the epidemic of clinician burnout. Recent industry data paints a grim picture, with studies showing that as many as 44% of physicians and 61% of nurses report feelings of burnout, often exacerbated by administrative burdens and clunky electronic health record (EHR) systems. This has led to a dangerous exodus of talent, with over half of U.S. frontline healthcare workers reportedly planning to change jobs in 2026.

Altera is tackling this head-on with what it calls a "human-centered" approach to AI. The company's strategy focuses on augmenting, not replacing, clinicians. At HIMSS26, sessions led by experts like Dr. Laura Kohlhagen and Dr. Bob Taylor will detail how AI-powered tools embedded directly within the EHR can drastically reduce documentation time. Technologies like ambient documentation—where AI listens to and transcribes patient-provider conversations into structured notes—promise to free clinicians from their keyboards and allow them to focus on the patient. For instance, Altera’s TouchWorks EHR is being enhanced with tools that create a more seamless provider experience, while its Sunrise platform will feature discussions on using interoperable insights to drive more focused clinical interactions, directly addressing the cognitive load that contributes to burnout.

Beyond the EHR: Agentic Workflows and the New Frontier

Altera's ambitions extend beyond simplifying current tasks. The company is signaling its deep investment in next-generation capabilities with a featured presentation on one of AI's most advanced concepts: agentic workflows. In a session titled “AI unbound: Agentic workflows and deregulated risk,” Executive Vice President for AI, Ben Scharfe, will explore how intelligent systems can autonomously plan, reason, and execute complex, multi-step tasks across clinical and administrative settings.

This represents a significant leap from simple automation. Agentic AI can maintain goals and context over time, potentially managing patient pathways, coordinating care transitions, or flagging potential issues before they escalate, all without constant human intervention. By broaching the topic of “deregulated risk,” Altera also acknowledges the critical need for governance and ethical guardrails as these powerful systems are deployed. This forward-looking discussion places Altera in the thick of a competitive innovation race, as rivals like Epic and Oracle Cerner are also aggressively integrating generative AI and intelligent agents into their platforms. The collective push suggests the industry sees these sophisticated AI systems as essential for future efficiency and care quality.

Stabilizing the System: Financial Resilience and Cybersecurity

While clinical innovation captures headlines, the operational and financial health of provider organizations is foundational. With a staggering 84% of hospital leaders identifying financial pressure as their greatest threat, Altera is dedicating significant attention to solutions that bolster the bottom line. Sessions at HIMSS26 will highlight how AI can transform revenue cycle management from a reactive process into a proactive strategy. Kelly Johnson will discuss how connecting revenue cycle processes to smarter workflows can turn denial management into a robust revenue protection initiative. Furthermore, Michelle Durbin's presentation on the Ventus platform will show how AI can help organizations analyze complex payer contracts, turning convoluted legal documents into actionable clarity and negotiating leverage.

This focus on operational stability is rounded out by a strong emphasis on cybersecurity. In an era of escalating digital threats, Altera's Managed Services team, represented by Jeff Young and Freddie Sanchez, will host sessions on exposing cyber vulnerabilities and the advantages of an expert-led IT partnership. This comprehensive approach underscores a strategy to be more than just a software provider, but a strategic partner capable of securing and stabilizing the entire healthcare IT ecosystem, from clinical workflows to the back office.

Shaping Policy and the Future of Health Data

Altera’s influence is not confined to its product suites. The company is also a significant force in shaping the regulatory landscape, a role personified by Leigh Burchell, its Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs. At HIMSS26, Burchell will be formally honored as a Policy Influencer as part of the 2026 HIMSS Changemaker in Health Awards. This recognition highlights her extensive leadership, including her work as Chair of HIMSS’s Electronic Health Record Association (EHRA).

Through this role, Burchell has been a pivotal voice for EHR developers in federal and state policy discussions. Her advocacy has been crucial in helping lawmakers understand the practical realities of software development and implementation, ensuring that policies governing health data liquidity, innovation, and patient empowerment are both ambitious and achievable. This policy leadership provides Altera with a unique strategic advantage, allowing it to anticipate and shape the standards that will govern the future of digital health. As the industry moves toward greater data interoperability and patient access, having a key architect of those rules in-house is an invaluable asset. Altera's presence in Las Vegas is therefore a multi-layered statement, showcasing a company that is not only building the tools for modern healthcare but is also helping to write the rulebook.