The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) has been named a 2026 Digital Health Most Wired recipient by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) for the fourth consecutive year.
The recognition, which awards the institution CHIME’s Level 8 status in both the Acute and Ambulatory categories, places UTMB among a select group of healthcare organizations recognized for using technology to enhance patient care, strengthen quality and safety, and improve operational performance. Level 8 status reflects advanced adoption and integration of digital health technologies that support patient care, safety, operational efficiency, and clinical decision-making.
Whether scheduling an appointment online, reviewing test results through a patient portal or connecting with a specialist from home, patients increasingly experience healthcare through digital tools designed to make care more accessible, connected, and convenient.
At UTMB, those technologies help care teams share information more effectively, coordinate care across locations, and give patients greater access to their health information. “Our approach to technology is simple: It should make it easier for patients to get the care they need. Whether we’re improving access to information, streamlining communication, or helping care teams coordinate across our health system, the technology should work in the background while patients stay at the center of everything we do,” said Jayson Laban, MBA, CHCIO, CDH-E, vice president of information services and chief information officer at UTMB.
Enhancing care behind the scenes
While patients may not always see the behind-the-scenes technology that supports their care, digital tools play an increasingly important role in how healthcare is delivered. They help care teams securely share information, coordinate treatment across multiple specialties and locations, give patients greater access to their health information, and support efforts to improve quality, strengthen patient safety, and protect sensitive medical data.
At UTMB, advancing digital health requires collaboration across the institution, with clinical, operational, and technology teams working together to improve both patient and provider experiences.
“Technology helps ensure that the right information is available to providers at the right time,” said Vicente Resto, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS, a board-certified, fellowship-trained ear, nose, and throat specialist at UTMB Health. “By giving care teams access to the information they need, digital tools support better coordination and a better patient experience.”
Advancing innovation in healthcare
As healthcare continues to evolve, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and connected digital platforms are creating new opportunities to enhance care delivery.
For UTMB, the focus remains on ensuring those innovations serve a larger purpose: helping patients receive high-quality care when and where they need it.
“Recognition like this reflects the work happening across UTMB every day,” Laban said. “From our clinical teams and operational leaders to our information technology professionals, people throughout our health system contribute to creating a healthcare experience that is more connected, accessible, and responsive to our patients’ needs.”