Q&A with Jenn Searls: Reflecting on Connie’s 2024 Milestones and What She’s Most Excited for in 2025 |
As the Executive Director of Connie, Connecticut’s designated health information exchange (HIE), Jenn Searls has a front-row seat to the impact health data sharing can have on patient care. In this blog, Jenn reflects on what made 2024 a momentous year of significant achievements for Connie in its service to the state, and what we can all look forward to in 2025.
Q: Looking back, 2024 was a big year for Connie. What are you most proud of?
Jenn Searls: It was a really great year! We saw so much momentum not only around technology, but in our overall efforts to bring together people who share the same goal of working to create a healthier Connecticut for all.
I’m proud of how Connie has expanded our connections across Connecticut. More than 1,000 new provider locations joined our network, and we saw an 88% increase in skilled nursing facilities participating in the HIE. These additions demonstrate the trust providers have in us and underscore our commitment to improving healthcare delivery and efficiency.
Another highlight for me is how we’ve made strides in supporting participating healthcare providers and their patients. Tools like our new Population Explorer have been game-changers, helping clinicians track patient journeys more effectively and make better-informed decisions in real time.
Ultimately, everything we do comes back to one thing: ensuring the people of Connecticut get the care they need, when and where they need it.
Q: Speaking of new tools, can you tell us more about the Population Explorer?
Jenn Searls: Population Explorer is one of Connie’s most exciting advancements this year. The new tool enhances our ability to deliver real-time data, consolidating a patient’s information, such as admission, discharge and transfer alerts, into a single encounter. This means providers can track patients through their healthcare journeys more comprehensively and with ease.
For instance, if a patient has been admitted to multiple facilities over a short period, Population Explorer provides a clear, unified view of that activity directly within the Connie Portal. It’s going to help reduce redundancies and ensure that care teams have the most accurate, up-to-date information.
Q: Beyond tools, what other successes did Connie achieve in 2024?
Jenn Searls: We saw incredible engagement from providers and healthcare organizations last year. From January to October, repeat users on our portal and InContext app increased by over 200%. That kind of engagement shows that providers find real value in what we offer.
We’ve also seen significant growth in the volume of clinical data shared. Each week, Connie supported approximately 1.5 million inbound clinical data documents and delivered over 412,000 patient encounters. Those figures reflect the critical role we play in Connecticut’s healthcare ecosystem.
Q: What has helped shape Connie’s success?
Jenn Searls: Collaboration is key. Whether it’s working with skilled nursing facilities, ambulatory medical centers, or hospitals, our success depends on these strong relationships with frontline providers who trust and believe in what we do. We make a concerted effort to engage with and listen to healthcare and public health professionals throughout Connecticut to improve our services based on their needs.
One of the ways we foster feedback is through our Clinical Advisory Council. Hearing directly from providers ensures that our tools and services are designed to meet their needs with their workflows, unique challenges and other considerations in mind.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
Jenn Searls: I’m excited about building on the momentum we’ve created. The progress we’ve made with new tools and increased connectivity sets the stage for even greater impact on healthcare delivery, value-based care, data services and population health trends.
Ultimately, our vision is to continue being the “connective tissue” of Connecticut’s healthcare system, ensuring that providers and patients have the tools they need to thrive.
Q: Any final thoughts?
Jenn Searls: Just gratitude. I’m so thankful for the providers, facilities and staff who work tirelessly to improve the health of our communities. We are proud to support their efforts to ensure that complete and accurate health records are available when and where they are needed. As we look ahead, I’m confident that together, we’ll achieve even greater things in 2025 and beyond.