AI Readiness in Health Systems, Trish Rivard, Eliciting Insights (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 899)
What does it take for hospitals and health systems to be ready for artificial intelligence? Trish Rivard, founder of Eliciting Insights, joined North Fulton Business Radio host John Ray to share findings from her firm’s latest study on health system AI readiness, produced in partnership with the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Trish explained how the study drew insights from more than 200 health executives with direct decision-making authority and what those leaders revealed about the real state of AI adoption.
She outlined why readiness requires both a defined strategy and clear governance, and why data ownership and patient privacy loom so large in healthcare. Trish and John explored the practical barriers to adoption, such as IT resource constraints, financial pressures, and the challenge of keeping hospitals fully operational while piloting new technology. They also discussed where AI shows promise, from revenue cycle automation to clinical decision support tools like early detection of sepsis.
Beyond the study, Trish highlighted how Eliciting Insights helps healthcare vendors and private equity investors go beyond client anecdotes to understand true market needs through primary research and go-to-market strategy.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
- Eliciting Insights specializes in primary research that captures the true voice of the healthcare market, helping vendors and investors align solutions with demand.
- The firm’s new study, conducted with the Healthcare Financial Management Association, surveyed 233 health executives with direct financial and operational decision-making authority.
- Health system AI readiness depends on two pillars: a defined strategy (where to apply AI) and governance (rules for data use, privacy, and compliance).
- Data ownership is a central issue: does the patient, provider, or vendor control how AI models use and share health data?
- Hospitals operate with very thin margins (often 2% or less) and limited IT resources, making AI implementation especially challenging.
- CFOs are divided: while some see AI as a cost reducer, nearly 40% believe it will not cut costs after factoring in assessment and implementation.
- Adoption requires timing—solutions must solve problems that are in a health system’s top three priorities for the year.
- Revenue cycle functions may be the safest entry point for AI, since mistakes there don’t directly affect patient lives, unlike in clinical applications.
- Clinical decision support technologies, such as early detection of hypoglycemia or sepsis, showcase AI’s potential but demand careful integration.
- Governance maturity is improving: in 2024, 59% of CFOs reported no AI governance process, compared to 30% in 2025.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:34 Guest Introduction: Trish Rivard of Eliciting Insights
01:58 The Importance of Market Research in Healthcare
02:30 Challenges in Healthcare Product Development
07:37 Health System Readiness for AI
13:21 AI Strategy and Governance in Health Systems
24:05 Barriers to AI Adoption in Health Systems
25:45 Conclusion and Contact Information
29:13 Final Announcements and Thank You
Trish Rivard, CEO and Principal Consultant, Eliciting Insights
Eliciting Insights is a boutique healthcare market research and strategy consulting firm serving growth-focused organizations and technology vendors seeking informed, actionable insights within the U.S. healthcare sector. Leveraging proprietary research panels of hospital and physician executives, the company specializes in primary market studies, competitive analysis, product roadmaps, and merger and acquisition diligence, connecting clients directly to key decision makers for fact-based strategies. Founded by experienced industry leaders, Eliciting Insights combines expert interviews, surveys, and tailored consulting to help clients identify opportunities and gain a true understanding of market needs.
Trish Rivard founded Eliciting Insights in 2015 to bring quality market feedback to healthcare companies. Trish is committed to helping companies identify and translate customer pain points into actionable solution roadmaps that generate high revenue while preserving budget dollars.
Prior to Eliciting Insights, Trish ran Product Management at Trizetto Provider Solutions, where she was responsible for all RCM products and services, including new solution development and operationalizing new product ideas for hospitals and physicians. Prior to Trizetto, Trish worked to help hospitals increase revenue while at Accretive Health (now R1). Trish has also worked in product development at Cigna to create patient payment solutions. Trish began her career at the Federal Reserve, where she helped spearhead a strategic payments research group.
Trish has a BS in Economics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in Marketing, Finance and Entrepreneurship.
Website | Eliciting Insights on LinkedIn | Trish Rivard on LinkedIn
Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio
Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $17 billion in assets and more than 180 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from each banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way to better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.
Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube
Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio
If you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.
Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.
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About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray
With over 890 episodes and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!
The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.
John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.
John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.
