CONNECTED TO CARE
How the University of Miami is streamlining its operations through interoperability
The process of interoperability is one that James Lindgren takes to heart. It is more than a buzzword referring to the protocols and mechanisms that allow data to flow seamlessly between diverse systems with minimal human intervention. For the University of Miami, interoperability is a strategic imperative that drives meaningful change across its healthcare and business operations.
As UM’s Associate VP of Business and Revenue Cycle Applications, Lindgren says the university’s push for interoperability wasn’t a case of technology for technology’s sake; it was about doing what was right for its patients. By enabling seamless data exchange between once-siloed systems, the university has created a unified digital infrastructure that connects everything from patient records and clinical workflows to administrative processes and financial systems.
“First and foremost, we pursued interoperability because it’s the right thing to do for our community,” Lindgren says. “By building a more inclusive and diverse database, we can elevate the quality of care across all of our clinics—not only by delivering best-of-class services, but also by leveraging the power of big data to inform and enhance how we operate.”
At its core, interoperability is about breaking down barriers between healthcare systems—giving providers access to vital information, no matter where it lives. For the University of Miami Health System, that means faster, more accurate diagnoses, better coordination across departments and fewer delays for patients. The integration empowers care teams with real-time access to critical information, improving coordination and outcomes for patients while significantly reducing duplication and inefficiencies.
On the business side, interoperability supports smarter decision-making, faster scaling of services and more efficient resource allocation. This allows university staff to deliver on both its mission of excellence in healthcare and its commitment to operational innovation. “Interoperability allows providers to access data regardless of platform,” Lindgren explains. “That leads to smarter care and more efficient delivery.”
“Interoperability allows providers to access data regardless of platform. That leads to smarter care and more efficient delivery.”
— James Lindgren, Associate VP of Business and Revenue Cycle Applications, University of Miami
AT THE STRATEGY’S HEART
The university’s strategy centers around its longtime use of the Epic Systems platform, which supports everything from EHR to billing and telemedicine. It is the digital backbone of the university’s healthcare infrastructure, connecting to tools like CareEverywhere and CareQuality to enable broad data sharing across institutions. “We designed our systems with Epic at the core,” Lindgren says. “Everything stores back to a single database that can communicate through standardized interoperability frameworks.”
Of course, connecting so many systems securely requires more than just the right software—it takes a strong commitment to data privacy. That’s why the university enforces enterprise-wide safeguards like multi-factor authentication, network access controls, and device-level protections to ensure patient and institutional data remains safe.
But getting to this level of integration hasn’t been without its challenges. Occasionally, new technologies lack standard frameworks like FHIR APIs or HL7. “That’s why we evaluate every new procurement early,” Lindgren says. “It helps us decide whether to proceed or develop a custom integration.”
For Lindgren and his team, trust is just as important as thetechnology itself. “We don’t build systems in silos. End users are directly involved in design, testing, and configuration. That collaboration is what builds trust.” Ensuring diverse, representative data for AI systems is another step the university takes to reduce bias and further build confidence in its solutions.
The payoff is clear. With integrated systems, the University of Miami has eliminated redundant processes, automated data exchange, and reduced administrative burdens. “It saves time, cuts costs, and helps everyone—from staff to patients—get what they need faster,” Lindgren says.
Steven G. Ullmann, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Health Management and Policy at the Miami Herbert Business School, says the integration across the university’s healthcare enterprise was a critical step in its success. “To allow different parts of our healthcare systems to easily communicate with each other, we create efficiencies, reduce duplication, and ultimately improve quality outcomes. Interoperability is fundamentally about process assessment and process improvement.”
“To allow different parts of our healthcare systems to easily communicate with each other, we create efficiencies, reduce duplication, and ultimately improve quality outcomes.”
— Steven G. Ullmann, Ph.D., Director/Center for Health Management and Policy, University of Miami Herbert Business School
Dr. Ullmann says that the university’s Business and Healthcare program prepares future leaders to meet these challenges head-on. “Our programs incorporate interoperability and digital transformation through a series of courses. From streamlining processes with LEAN-Six Sigma in Management Science to deep dives into EHRs, Telehealth and Population Health in our Business Technology course, we ensure students understand the full landscape—from foundational systems to futureforward solutions like AI, blockchain, and wearables.”
These innovations are then woven into broader strategy discussions, allowing students to analyze how integrated systems can drive smarter, more cohesive healthcare delivery. The result is a next generation of healthcare leaders who are ready to bridge the gap betweendepartments, systems, and institutions—with
interoperability at the heart of their mission.
The University of Miami’s approach is more than just technical—it is a cultural shift, rooted in collaboration and driven by purpose. “Start with collaboration,” Lindgren says. “Build security into everything. Keep your data diverse. And always be transparent. That’s how you move beyond silos and into a truly connected future.”
By putting interoperability at the heart of its healthcare strategy, the University of Miami is not only enhancing care delivery and operational efficiency—it’s also creating a model for the future of connected health. Through thoughtful integration of systems and a forward-thinking academic approach, the university is ensuring that both its patients and future leaders are better connected, informed and empowered.
Sidebar
6 BENEFITS OF INTEROPERABILITY IN HEALTHCARE
1. Easier Scalability – Interoperability allows institutions to scale quickly by connecting systems through flexible, unified platforms. This enables automation, reduces manual work, and supports the adoption of new tools to meet evolving needs.
2. Cost Reduction – Cloud-based integration eliminates expensive hardware and reduces the cost of managing new systems. Institutions can leverage modern technologies immediately, minimizing maintenance and upgrade expenses.
3. Unified IT Architecture – A hub-and-spoke model streamlines system integration across departments, supporting hybrid IT environments. This approach eases maintenance and gives institutions freedom to choose best-fit applications without compromising compatibility.
4. Data Security – Interoperable platforms enhance data protection by supporting encryption, identity management, and flexible security configurations. This ensures safe data flow even when integrating with third-party services.
5. Institution-Wide Visibility & Better Decision-Making – When data flows freely across campus systems, leaders can access real-time insights to make informed decisions. Interoperability supports data consolidation for everything from course planning to student success tracking.
6. Simplified Management – Cloud-based, interoperable tools reduce the burden on small IT teams and make remote work more manageable. With easier access and vendor-managed infrastructure, institutions can focus on strategy rather than system upkeep.
Source: Ellucian
