Featured Projects

Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Software "robots" (not physical robots) that mimic human action can help organizations automate processes as if business users were doing the work.

Opioid Methodology: Our pilot with the CDC targets the country’s opioid epidemic by using the electronic health record to ensure patients are aware of the risks and benefits of opioid therapy for chronic pain.

View All Projects

Driving a Culture of Innovation

The Center for Innovation is comprised of a group of dedicated health and technology professionals obsessed with the potential for digital innovation. The Center for Innovation embraces the changing models of health care delivery and seeks to enhance care at Houston Methodist by championing projects that promote a digital, consumer-centric approach to problem-solving.

Our dedicated team of innovators has come together to nurture an enthusiasm that borders on obsession for digital innovation. While our steering committee leads the charge, it's our belief that everyone at Houston Methodist is an innovator. Whether it is in the operating room or the cafeteria, we look to our staff for inspiration, ideas and opportunity.

Steering Committee

Marc L Boom Marc L. Boom, MD
President & Chief Executive Officer of Houston Methodist

Ramon M Cantu Ramon M. Cantu
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Business and Strategic Development Officer

Kevin J Burns Kevin J. Burns
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Owner

Robert Phillips Robert Phillips, M.D, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President, Chief Physician Executive and President & Chief Executive Officer of Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group

Roberta L Schwartz Roberta L. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President, Chief Innovation Officer, Chief Executive Officer of Houston Methodist Hospital

Chris Siebenaler Chris Siebenaler
Regional Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Debra Sukin Debra Sukin, Ph.D.
Regional Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital

Edward A Jones Edward A. Jones
Senior Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer of Houston Methodist Research Institute

Carole Hackett Carole Hackett
Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Dr. Dirk Sostman Dr. Dirk Sostman
President, Houston Methodist Research Institute

DIOP (Digital Innovation Obsessed People) Committee Members

Roberta L Schwartz Roberta L. Schwartz
Chief Innovation Officer

Ken Letkeman Ken Letkeman
Chief Information Officer

Michelle Stansbury Michelle Stansbury
Vice President of IT Innovation

Ramon M Cantu Ramon M. Cantu
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Business and Strategic Development Officer

Cathy Easter Cathy Easter
Global Lead of Innovation

Linda Kulhanek Linda Kulhanek
Chief Financial Officer

Stephen Spielman Stephen Spielman
Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Specialty Physician Group

Laura Lopez Laura Lopez
Vice President of Marketing & Innovation

Brad Shaink Brad Shaink
Administrative Director of Digital Innovation

Josh Sol Josh Sol
Administrative Director of Ambulatory Innovation

Anaye Milligan Anaye Milligan
Director of Digital Marketing and Innovation

Tom Vernon Tom Vernon
Vice President, Talent and Experience

Murat Uralkan Murat Uralkan
Innovation Program Manager

Carole Hackett Carole Hackett
Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Dr. Shetal-Nicholas Desai Dr. Shetal-Nicholas Desai
Chief Medical Information Officer

Divya Reddy Divya Reddy
Director Senior Corporate Counsel

Farzan Sasangohar Farzan Sasangohar
Division Chief of Center for Outcomes Research

Daniel Pantera Daniel Pantera
VP Business Practices Office

Dr. Sarah Pletcher Dr. Sarah Pletcher
Vice President & Executive Medical Director of Virtual Care

Laura Matthews Laura Matthews
HR Director

Lisa Schillaci Lisa Schillaci
VP Revenue Cycle Operations

Tesha Montgomery Tesha Montgomery
VP Operations for Physician Organization

Arielle Rogg Arielle Rogg
Project Manager

Colleen Tallant Colleen Tallant
Project Manager

Kola Omotade Kola Omotade
Project Manager to Cathy Easter