HCB News: What are some of the key topics that will be highlighted at this year's SIIM meeting, and which sessions should attendees not miss?
NK: This year’s SIIM meeting will spotlight the future of healthcare, policy adaptation in the face of rapid innovation, and the critical (yet often overlooked) role technology can play in addressing burnout and improving efficiency. I’d also highlight sessions focused on belonging.

As for can’t-miss sessions, be sure to catch the opening keynote by Rohini Kosoglu on AI innovation and policy, and the closing keynote debate “AI vs. Human” with Kathy Andriole and Rich Wiggins. Other standout sessions include “Imaging at the Crossroads,” “Measuring & Maximizing Clinical Impact,” “Private Practice Workflow Integration,” and “SIIM Women in Imaging Informatics: How to Build the Strategic Plan of You.” Several of my colleagues are speaking at the meeting this year and are great to follow including Dr. Jason Poff, Dr. Walter Wiggins, Sylvia Devlin, and Matt Hayes. I’m also moderating a vendor panel on GenAI’s impact on radiology in 2025 and looking forward to that conversation!
Finally, RadEqual is bringing back its Imaging Informatics Awards, with the ceremony taking place Thursday evening at SIIM. This year, they’re introducing a new honor—the RadEqual Catalyst Award—created in recognition of Dr. Geraldine McGinty’s extensive contributions. It’s sure to be a memorable event and one you won’t want to miss!

HCB News: Interoperability remains a challenge in imaging informatics—what progress is being made to improve the seamless exchange of data?
NK: Interoperability remains one of the biggest challenges in imaging informatics, but there has been progress on several fronts. One major policy development is the Information Blocking Rule from the 21st Century Cures Act, which prohibits healthcare providers, IT developers, and networks from unreasonably restricting access to electronic health information. However, it's important to note that this rule currently applies to data housed in certified health IT systems—primarily electronic medical records (EMRs)—and does not extend to full-fidelity diagnostic imaging data stored in PACS. So, while radiology reports and links to imaging may fall under this rule, the images themselves often do not.

Technical standards are advancing in parallel. Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) continues to develop profiles that guide how imaging systems exchange data. These standards are key to making sure that different systems can communicate effectively with AI tools, especially across institutional boundaries.

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