Southeastern Hosts Regional Conference on AI in Healthcare

The one-day event featured industry leaders discussing real-world applications and future directions of artificial intelligence in patient care.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:36pm by

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray image of a medical device or piece of healthcare technology, its internal structures glowing against a dark background, conveying the clinical and technological advancements transforming the industry.An X-ray view of the latest healthcare technology reveals the inner workings powering the future of patient care.San Francisco Today

Southeastern Louisiana University's College of Nursing and Health Sciences recently hosted a regional conference on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, drawing over 150 students, faculty, and professionals. The event highlighted innovative AI applications being implemented by leading regional healthcare systems and featured keynote speaker Dr. Robert Wachter, a nationally recognized expert on healthcare innovation.

Why it matters

As AI continues to transform the healthcare industry, events like this conference help ensure that students and professionals are prepared to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare technology. The discussions around both the potential benefits and ethical considerations of AI in patient care are crucial for guiding the responsible development and implementation of these emerging tools.

The details

The one-day conference, titled 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare: Real-World Applications and Future Directions,' was organized by Southeastern's College of Nursing and Health Sciences. It featured presentations from industry leaders at regional healthcare systems, including North Oaks Health System, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, and Ochsner Health, who shared how they are currently implementing AI technologies to improve operations, clinical decision-making, and patient outcomes.

  • The conference was held on April 17, 2026.

The players

Kenneth Tillman

Assistant Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Southeastern Louisiana University.

John Burris

Chief Information Officer and Associate Professor of Computer Science at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Robert Wachter

Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and a nationally recognized leader in healthcare innovation.

Kevin Fussell

Strategic Analytics Director at North Oaks Health System.

Tonya Jagneaux

Chief Medical Informatics and Analytics Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.

Teresa Arrington

Director of Robust Process Improvement for Quality and Patient Safety at Ochsner Health.

Amy Trainor

System Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Ochsner Health.

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What they’re saying

“The conference reflects Southeastern's continued commitment to advancing healthcare education and fostering collaboration between academia and industry leaders, ensuring that students and professionals are well-prepared to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare innovation.”

— Kenneth Tillman, Assistant Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences

“His balanced perspective encouraged thoughtful engagement with emerging technologies while emphasizing the importance of human oversight.”

— Kenneth Tillman, Assistant Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences

What’s next

Southeastern plans to continue hosting the AI in Healthcare conference annually, providing a platform for ongoing collaboration and knowledge-sharing between academia and industry.

The takeaway

This conference highlights the critical role that educational institutions like Southeastern play in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-powered technologies. By fostering partnerships with industry leaders, Southeastern is ensuring that its students and the broader regional healthcare community are equipped to harness the transformative potential of AI while also addressing the ethical considerations and risks associated with its use.