Providence Charts 2030 Healthcare Strategy with Focus on Technology, AI, and Care Access

The announcement, made by CEO Erik Wexler, comes shortly after a restructuring effort in which the organization laid off 600 employees, citing economic challenges.

Providence Health System has released its strategic direction for 2030, emphasizing increased adoption of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and expanded care access across its 51-hospital network.

The announcement, made by CEO Erik Wexler, comes shortly after a restructuring effort in which the organization laid off 600 employees, citing economic challenges.

According to Wexler, the new plan is designed to help the system navigate what he described as a “polycrisis” in healthcare — a convergence of economic, legislative, technological, and societal pressures. In an internal message to staff shared with Healthcare Dive, Wexler said, “These forces are complex and fast-moving. At the same time, we must be intentional about our long-term direction.”

Key elements of the 2030 strategy include deploying tools to reduce patient wait times, increasing options for self-scheduling, and deepening the organization’s commitment to value-based care. The plan also outlines a shift in care delivery, emphasizing virtual, ambulatory, and in-home services.

Providence plans to integrate Microsoft Copilot and ambient scribing technology to streamline administrative tasks and reduce clinician burden. Additional investments are expected in specialty pharmacy services and digital infrastructure to improve data sharing among partners.

The health system’s newly formed Office of Transformation, launched in January, will execute several plan elements.

Tracking of the strategy’s progress will begin in 2027. “If we accomplish even most of what we’ve set out to do, the impact will be transformational,” Wexler noted.

The new direction follows continued financial strain for Providence, which has been attempting a turnaround amid regulatory uncertainty and anticipated funding cuts. Measures to control costs earlier this year included a freeze on nonclinical hiring and cuts to discretionary spending.

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