By Ritu M. Uberoy

Co-Host, The Big Unlock Podcast

Day 1 of ViVE 2026 in Los Angeles did not disappoint. I couldn’t be more excited about what’s unfolding at this incredible intersection of healthcare leadership, innovation, and digital transformation.

We kicked off the day with a bright, sunny California morning that matched the energy and optimism in the halls of ViVE. From the moment I stepped onto the event floor, with sessions underway, conversations buzzing, and new ideas in motion, it was clear that this year’s ViVE is a convergence of purpose and possibility.

Seeing Healthcare Innovation in Action

ViVE brings together health system and payer leaders, technology innovators, investors, and solution partners, all focused on transforming healthcare, not in theory, but in practice. This is where strategy meets execution, where real-world challenges get real-world solutions.

One of the highlights for me today was seeing how AI and digital technologies are being mobilized across the care continuum. From patient experience to clinical workflows, the narrative has shifted from “what might be possible” to “what’s already happening.” In the AI and digital health conversations I’ve engaged in, the focus is deeply anchored in augmenting people, improving outcomes, and removing friction from care delivery.

Connecting Through The Big Unlock Podcast

I’m also delighted to share that The Big Unlock Podcast continues to be featured in the ViVE Healthcare Podcast lists at the Media Village — a welcome acknowledgment of the meaningful dialogues we’ve been fostering with health system and industry leaders. Roaming the exhibit floor and seeing peers engage with the podcast’s themes — from workflow-first AI adoption to clinician-centric innovation — reminds me why we started this journey in the first place.

These aren’t abstract discussions. These are conversations about how AI and digital technologies can tangibly improve access, efficiency, and outcomes in care, grounded in the realities health leaders face every day.

What’s Been Top of Mind on Day 1

Here’s what’s stood out today:

By Ritu M. Uberoy

Co-Host, The Big Unlock Podcast

Day 2 at ViVE 2026 in Los Angeles was packed with energy, ideas, and accelerated conversations about the real work of healthcare transformation. After an inspiring opening day, today was all about digging deeper — exploring concrete approaches to emerging challenges, connecting with fresh perspectives, and prioritizing how we move from concept to measurable action.

The exhibit halls, session rooms, and networking spaces were buzzing with dialogue — not just about “what’s next,” but about how leaders are getting done what matters most in care delivery, workforce enablement, and intelligent technology adoption. 

Conversations That Matter: Workforce, Nurses, and Tech

One of the themes that stood out for me today was the focus on the healthcare workforce as an essential partner in innovation, particularly how technology can support clinicians rather than sideline them. From sessions exploring nursing’s evolving role in a tech-enabled future to practitioner stories about adoption barriers, the message was clear: technology must be designed with people at the center. 

This shift, from technology for technology’s sake to technology that solves real problems, is not just rhetoric. It was reflected in the questions attendees asked, the solutions showcased on the floor, and the collaborations forming in the hallways.

Practical Insights from Sessions and Demos

Day 2 brought a slew of engaging discussions and demos that underscored the practical side of healthcare innovation:

🔹 Operationalizing AI with Purpose
AI was everywhere; not just as a buzzword, but as a tool leaders are actively deploying to improve workflows, enhance patient experience, and support clinical decision-making. Conversations went beyond theory into use cases that reduce administrative burden and elevate care delivery.

🔹 Security, Trust, and Responsible Innovation
In a landscape where data powers everything from predictive insights to real-time clinical support, several thought leaders reiterated how security and trust aren’t optional — they’re foundational to sustainable transformation. 

🔹 Human-Centered Design in Action
The best sessions weren’t simply about “what tech can do,” they were about how organizations bring nurses, physicians, and patients into design conversations. That alignment is critical to creating solutions that people will actually use and benefit from. 

Meaningful Meetings That Extend the Day

Beyond the formal agenda, Day 2 was rich with curated and serendipitous conversations with health system leaders, innovators, and fellow practitioners. Whether we explored AI adoption strategies or debated how to reimagine patient-facing digital experiences, these exchanges reinforced a simple truth: transformation thrives at the intersection of diverse perspectives, deep expertise, and practical curiosity.

Looking Ahead with Momentum

As we wrap Day 2 and look toward the final day of ViVE 2026, the urgency to translate insight into impact is stronger than ever. We’re seeing more healthcare organizations that aren’t waiting for the perfect moment, they’re building it. They’re operationalizing solutions, elevating clinicians through technology, and centering real user needs in every conversation. 

If you’re at ViVE as well, I’d love to connect. We’re exploring AI in action, talking workforce empowerment, or simply capturing the momentum this community is creating. There’s so much opportunity for meaningful progress ahead. If you want to connect after the event because your calendar is full, feel free to drop me a note on LinkedIn.

By Ritu M. Uberoy

Co-Host, The Big Unlock Podcast

Day 3 at ViVE 2026 in Los Angeles was a powerful close to four days of learning, sharing, and connection. What stood out most wasn’t just the innovations on display or the sessions we attended, but the quality of conversations and the real-world perspectives shared by peers, leaders, and innovators across healthcare. 

One of the highlights of today for me was the opportunity to showcase insights from The Big Unlock Podcast — a space where we’ve been exploring how healthcare leaders are actually operationalizing digital transformation, AI, and workflow change to deliver measurable impact. It was energizing to see how many people at ViVE are thinking deeply about what works, not just what’s new. 

Wrapping Up with Purpose

Day 3 wasn’t just the final day — it was a moment to reflect on how ideas shared earlier in the week are being translated into action:

The Big Unlock stories on stage and off
Today’s interactions reminded me why we started the podcast: to amplify honest conversations about how leaders are tackling complexity with clarity — whether that’s embedding AI into clinical workflows, improving patient experience, or enabling teams with practical tools and strategies. Hearing people at ViVE talk about these insights or referencing real-world examples was deeply rewarding. 

Meaningful hallway and roundtable discussions
ViVE’s unique mix of structured sessions and open dialogue continues to be its greatest strength. Day 3 was a testament to the power of connection — from impromptu discussions about workflow integration to deeper exchanges on governance, trust, and the human dimensions of technology adoption. 

What’s emerging — beyond the buzz
Across the final conversations of the event, a few themes stood out:

• AI with purpose — not just innovation for its own sake, but AI that helps clinicians, supports judgment, and reduces friction. 
• Workforce-centered design — solutions that meet teams where they work and help amplify their impact rather than replace it. 
• Collaboration over competition — genuine partnerships between health systems, startups, payers, and technology partners that seek shared, measurable outcomes. 

Closing Thoughts

As ViVE 2026 comes to a close, what stays with me most isn’t a single demo or a single session — it’s the collective sense of urgency and purpose in the community. Leaders here aren’t just talking about transformation — they’re making it happen, even when the path is complex and the stakes are high. 

If you were here too, thank you for the conversations, the curiosity, and the commitment to what’s next in healthcare. And for those who couldn’t make it — let’s keep the dialogue going. There’s momentum to carry forward, and real work to be done.

Here’s to turning insight into impact — now, and throughout the year ahead. For continued conversations, connect with me on LinkedIn.