Endorsements

The KLAS Research EHR Interoperability Report 2024 found that healthcare organizations often feel unempowered to improve interoperability for their clinicians and patients. In this book, Harm Scherpbier lays out the steps forward to more interoperability and more multivendor IT environments, creating a better experience for patients and clinicians.

ADAM GALE – Founder and CEO, KLAS Research

Scherpbier lays out a compelling and pragmatic vision for unleashing a true productivity revolution in healthcare delivery—by opening up health data and enabling consumer and clinician application access to a competitive marketplace of products and services. There is no other way to realize the promise of a more connected and collaborative public/private healthcare system!

ANEESH CHOPRA – Former US chief technology officer (2009–2012); author of Innovative State: How New Technologies Can Transform Government

Harm Scherpbier wears many hats—that of a physician, a chief medical information officer, a healthcare informaticist, and a software developer. So no one is more informed on the issue of the health IT “monoculture” than Harm who makes the case for health-tech diversity, dynamism, and flexibility in Unvendor. As Todd Park, former chief technology officer of the US under the Obama administration, proposed “Data liberación!” for healthcare back in 2011, Harm argues for “Health IT liberación!” in 2025.

JANE SARASOHN-KAHN, MA, MHSA – THINK-Health and the Health Populi blog

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, the agility of our technology stack is not just important—it’s essential. Health systems must harness emerging technologies to revolutionize our workforce, elevate quality, and enhance patient outcomes. Relying on a single vendor for all clinical healthcare IT needs is not only unsustainable but also breeds monopolistic inefficiency. True innovation cannot be monopolized; it demands a diverse, adaptable approach to meet the challenges of tomorrow and deliver the exceptional care our communities deserve.

EVE CUNNINGHAM, MD, MBA – Chief of Virtual Care and Digital Health, Providence

In a rapidly changing healthcare ecosystem, we are asking non-traditional providers to perform their duties in non-traditional settings with non-traditional compensation schemes and outcome measures. Traditional EHRs were never designed with these priorities in mind. With over thirty-five years of experience as a doctor, IT vendor, CMIO, teacher, and health information exchange expert, Dr. Scherpbier’s perspectives are both welcome and timely. They are compellingly laid out in Unvendor: Innovate Healthcare with a Diverse IT Stack.

KIP WEBB, MD, MPH – Pediatrician; adjunct faculty, UC Berkeley School of Public Health

Harm Scherpbier encourages us to rethink the singular vendor IT stack as a way to promote and stimulate meaningful innovation. A diverse IT stack is a core ingredient, and one of several essential ingredients, to allow for transformational leaps forward in an everchanging healthcare and technology landscape. This book points the way toward IT- supported healthcare innovation.

RASU SHRESTHA, MD, MBA – Chief innovation and commercialization officer, Advocate Health

Harm Scherpbier, a longtime leader in health information technology, is in the kitchen cooking with gas. I learned that you should not put all of your IT eggs in one basket. Also, be prepared to crack some eggs to make a healthy omelet for the future! Translation: the era of the single vendor is over, and I say good riddance. The future is here, and Scherpbier is writing it now.

DAVID B. NASH, MD, MBA – Founding dean emeritus, Dr. Raymond C. and Doris N.
Grandon Professor of Health Policy, Jefferson College of Population Health, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania