During Global Health Equity Week, we’re highlighting members who are leading the way toward more inclusive, equitable care. For JaMor Hairston, advancing health equity means harnessing the power of AI and data to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure every individual receives the care they need. His passion for ethical innovation and collaboration across disciplines reflects a deep commitment to creating a healthcare future where technology truly serves everyone.

HIMSS: What does health equity mean to you in your work?

Practicing health equity means creating healthcare delivery models that acknowledge and accommodate the differences that make each of us unique, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and geography. I work to ensure that the AI and data tools or standards we develop serve all populations equitably without perpetuating existing biases. It's about using informatics to dismantle systemic barriers so everyone receives the care they need.

HIMSS: What advice would you give to others working to drive innovation and equity in health IT?

Find and frequently revisit your moral ground! This work is demanding and fast-paced, and a servant-first mindset will take you further than any degree, technical aptitude, or award. Stay curious and current on emerging technologies and ethical guidelines. Build communities across disciplines, including clinicians, data scientists, policymakers, and patients. This is a team sport, and the most meaningful innovations happen through diverse collaboration. Lastly, have fun together even in the thick of it; this will sustain us for the long haul.

HIMSS: Looking to the future, what gives you hope about the role of technology in advancing global health equity?

The widespread commitment to ethical technology use in healthcare gives me the most hope. In my work, I encounter people who aren't only excited about innovation but also deeply concerned about the real-world implications that these tools will have on care delivery. The growing emphasis on transparency, bias detection, inclusive design, and the like indicates that the field is headed in the right direction. This collective responsibility positions us to make the most sound and meaningful impact on global health disparities.