Southeastern hosts regional conference on artificial intelligence in healthcare

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Southeastern Louisiana University recently hosted a one-day conference titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare: Real-World Applications and Future Directions,” drawing more than 150 students,
faculty, and healthcare professionals from across the region.

“The conference reflects Southeastern’s continued commitment to advancing healthcare education and fostering collaboration between academia and industry leaders,” said Assistant Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Kenneth Tillman, “ensuring that students and professionals are well-prepared to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare innovation.”

The conference highlighted innovative, real-world applications of artificial intelligence currently being implemented by leading regional healthcare systems, offering attendees a dynamic look at how AI is shaping the future of patient care, operations, and clinical decision-making.

The event opened with remarks from Southeastern Chief Information Officer and Associate Professor of Computer Science John Burris, who provided an engaging overview of society’s evolving relationship with artificial intelligence and its growing role in everyday life and healthcare.

Featured speakers included the following industry leaders from across Louisiana:
• Strategic Analytics Director at North Oaks Health System Kevin Fussell,
• Chief Medical Informatics and Analytics Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center Tonya Jagneaux
• Director of Robust Process Improvement for Quality and Patient Safety at Ochsner Health Teresa Arrington
• System Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Ochsner Health Amy Trainor

The keynote address was delivered remotely by Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at University of California San Francisco Robert Wachter. A nationally recognized leader in healthcare innovation, Wachter is the author of the New York Times bestselling book “The Digital Doctor” and his recent publication, “A Giant Leap: How AI Is Transforming Healthcare and What That Means for Our Future.

In his keynote, Wachter explored both the transformative potential of AI in improving healthcare delivery and outcomes, as well as the ethical considerations and risks associated with its misuse. His balanced perspective encouraged thoughtful engagement with emerging technologies while emphasizing the importance of human oversight.

All conference attendees received a complimentary copy of Wachter’s latest book, further extending the learning experience beyond the event, Tillman said.