From Exploration to Execution: AI Implementation Strategies: April 10

Date: April 10, 2026 Time: 12:00 PM

Location:

A 3-part webinar series designed by and for Small and Rural Hospital leaders
12-1 p.m. CT - April 10, May 8, and June 5, 2026

Registration:

IHA Member HOSPITAL Registration

$195

IHA Member HEALTH SYSTEM Registration

$395

Non-Member HOSPITAL Registration

$395

Non-Member HEALTH SYSTEM Registration

$795

*Fees are per webinar

Hospital Registration
Applies to a single hospital location. All internal units and departments at that location may participate under one registration.

Example: Hospital A selects Hospital Registration and provides access to its own departments only. Affiliates or other facilities may not use this registration.

Health System Registration
Applies to an entire health system, including corporate offices and all affiliated hospitals. All units and departments within the registered system may participate.

Example: Health System B selects Health System Registration and provides access to every affiliated hospital and its corporate teams.

Register Online

Rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming integral to healthcare, influencing everything from clinical documentation to revenue cycle management and administrative workflows. As vendor and payer systems incorporate more AI capabilities, small and rural hospital leaders have an opportunity to shape these tools to strengthen performance, reduce administrative burden, and support long-term goals. Doing so will require deliberate evaluation, alignment with organizational priorities and appropriate governance from the outset. Drawing on focus groups with hospital executives and early AI adopters, this three-part webinar series will walk you through what AI can do today, what’s coming next and how to rightsize structures to support safe, sustainable implementation.

Agenda

Webinar 1: Foundations of AI in Rural Healthcare

Identify where AI delivers value in small and rural hospitals and decide your next move.

This foundational session introduces how AI is currently used in small and rural hospitals, drawing from real-world implementation examples across clinical and operational workflows. You’ll review national trends and implementation realities in rural settings; examine real-world examples with measurable outcomes such as reduced late notes and improved documentation quality; and identify common barriers including financial constraints, regulatory uncertainty, and workforce resistance.

The session will also provide practical guidance on the first steps toward establishing baseline AI policies, clarifying patient consent considerations, defining initial governance structures, and strengthening organization-wide understanding of responsible AI use.

Objectives

At the conclusion of Webinar 1, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the primary categories of AI applications relevant to rural hospitals.

  • Recognize the stages of AI adoption and where your organization currently stands.

  • Articulate both the promise and the challenges of AI implementation in resource-constrained settings.

  • Understand the importance of establishing baseline policies and consent procedures.

Speakers

William “Marty” Martin, PsyD, MPH, MS, MA, CHES
Director and Associate Professor, Health Sector Management, DePaul University

William “Marty” Martin is a distinguished educator and professional at DePaul University, where he serves as Director of the Health Sector Management MBA Program and an Associate Professor in the program. He has developed innovative programs including a dual MBA/MS degree with Rush University, a healthcare concentration in the Master of Science in Predictive Analytics, and a Master of Science in Health Informatics. 

Martin’s scholarly work spans over 100 refereed articles in journals such as the Journal of Health Care Finance and International Journal of Computer Science & Technology. His work has been featured in major publications like The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and USA Today. Martin has authored two books, The Inner World of Money: Taking Control of Your Financial Behavior and Taming Disruptive Behavior. 

Before his current role at DePaul, Martin practiced clinical psychology in primary healthcare settings. He continues to practice behavioral sleep medicine as a licensed clinical psychologist. He has also served in key leadership positions at DePaul, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Tulane University Hospital and Clinic.

Register online