Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Dr. Rubin Pillay, Chief Innovation Officer at UAB Health System
Oct 29, 2025
Dr. Rubin Pillay, Chief Innovation Officer at UAB Health System and Executive Director of the Hearsink Institute, shares his expertise in AI and digital innovation. He delves into UAB's transformative strategies, including operational AI and hospital-at-home care. Dr. Pillay highlights the importance of workforce literacy programs in reducing change fatigue. He also discusses the need for a robust data layer for sustainable growth and the benefits of insourcing AI through the UAB AI Lab. Future innovations like AI navigators and robotics are on the horizon!
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Operational AI Is The Immediate Win
- Operational AI currently delivers the highest near-term value in health systems through workflow automation and ambient intelligence.
- UAB focuses on documentation, triage, prior authorization, predictive operations, and hospital-at-home to reclaim clinician time and reduce costs.
C-Suite Buy-In And Workforce Fatigue
- Major headwinds include securing C-suite buy-in, capitalizing on operational value, and workforce fatigue from constant change.
- UAB pairs mitigation strategies with deliberate communication to persuade stakeholders and ease transitions.
Prioritize Systemwide AI Literacy
- Teach digital and AI literacy broadly to reduce resistance and speed adoption across leaders and staff.
- Use non-credit and credit training to make technical language familiar so communication and buy-in become easier.