Ascension Launches Clinical Innovation Institute to Streamline Patient & Staff Innovations

The institute is backed by a budget nearing $20 million and more than 100 full-time staff.

Ascension has launched the Clinical Innovation Institute (CII) to coordinate and accelerate technology adoption across its nonprofit health system.

The institute is backed by a budget nearing $20 million and more than 100 full-time staff.

Chief Clinical Officer Thomas Aloia, M.D., said the new institute will serve as an “umbrella” over existing innovation and technology programs, enabling more structured development. “We are not starting from scratch,” he said. “We’re driving at about 60 miles per hour, and this organizational backing and support will enable us to drive even faster.”

Four Key Focus Areas

CII will operate under four primary divisions. The clinical transformation team will work on virtual care, continuous monitoring, patient-reported outcomes, and behavioral “nudge” initiatives.

A second division will focus on electronic health record (EHR) innovations, including voice-to-text, AI, predictive analytics, and workflow optimization to reduce administrative burden.

The institute will also integrate Ascension’s research and graduate medical education programs, which enrolled more than 6,000 participants in clinical trials and nearly 1,000 trainees last year. Its “innovation incubator” will identify and scale front-line solutions, particularly from nursing teams.

Highlighting staff engagement, Aloia noted: “Just imagine giving back to a nurse 90 more minutes of patient care, what they trained for and what their heart, mind, and passion are about. That’s a great example that gets a lot of engagement. When you provide a tool that changes, materially and in a positive way, the work life of our associates—you know they’re all in.”

Practical, Mission-Driven Approach

CII will also be a centralized test bed for external technology pitches, reducing staff disruptions. The leadership team includes Mitesh Patel, M.D., chief clinical transformation officer; Samit Desai, M.D., chief medical information officer; Fred Masoudi, M.D., chief academic officer; and Jon Taves, associate vice president of clinical innovation.

Aloia said Ascension’s Catholic mission requires it “to be extremely practical” in its choices. “You know, we don’t have the luxury to innovate just for innovation’s sake and have a cool thing that may not have an impact. … We’re laser-focused on that, and I think as long as we can stick to and not bend those values, we will bring consistent results to the organization.”

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