Innovating Health Data Exchange

Written By Shine Morales

My Journey in HIE, Interoperability, and CIE

Introduction

Hi, I’m Laura Nixon, and my career has been defined by one central challenge: how do we make health and social data work together to improve lives?
For years, I’ve worked across health information exchange (HIE), interoperability, procurement, consent management, data quality, and policy—not as separate silos, but as interconnected forces that must align to create real solutions. Whether it’s guiding large-scale vendor evaluations, leading Community Information Exchange (CIE) implementations, or shaping data governance strategies, I thrive at the intersection of innovation, problem-solving, and execution.

This blog is about real-world strategies for making health data exchange work—beyond the theory, beyond the technical jargon, and into the practical realities of building systems that actually improve care coordination, equity, and access.

A Career Built on Connecting the Dots

I started my career during a pivotal moment in digital health—the Meaningful Use program (now Promoting Interoperability). Working at Purdue University’s Regional Extension Office, I helped hospitals and providers navigate the complex requirements of EHR adoption, compliance, and data reporting.

That experience introduced me to the core challenges of health information exchange:

• Technology and policy often move at different speeds.

• Data is only as useful as its quality and accessibility.

• True interoperability is more than just APIs—it’s about governance, relationships, and incentives.

Since then, I’ve worked across local, state, and national HIE initiatives, data-sharing frameworks, and vendor-driven solutions, helping organizations:

✅ Design and implement HIE and CIE solutions that integrate clinical, behavioral, and social data

✅ Evaluate and procure vendors through rigorous, criteria-driven processes

✅ Develop consent management frameworks that balance privacy with usability

✅ Ensure high-quality, standardized data for accurate reporting and analytics

✅ Leverage federal and state funding (like ARPA) to drive sustainable innovation

How My Work Intersects to Drive Innovation

HIE is no longer just about exchanging clinical data—it’s about integrating housing, food

security, behavioral health, and social services into a true ecosystem of care.

Through my work, I’ve seen firsthand how:

• Poor data quality leads to fragmented care.

• Procurement missteps can stall innovation.

• Lack of clear governance can sink even the best interoperability efforts.

• Consent management is the linchpin of trust and usability in data-sharing models.

This blog is about bringing those pieces together to drive real-world change.

What You Can Expect from This Blog

Each week, I’ll break down the most pressing challenges and opportunities in health

data exchange, covering:

  • Community Information Exchange (CIE) – What it is, how to implement it, and how to measure success

  • HIE & Interoperability Best Practices – Strategies for making data truly useful across systems

  • Procurement & Vendor Evaluation – How to select the right technology without the usual pitfalls

  • Consent Management & Data Privacy – Making data-sharing work for both providers and consumers

  • Data Quality & Governance – Ensuring accurate, standardized, and actionable data

  • Health IT Policy & Funding – Navigating ARPA, Medicaid, and other funding opportunities

  • Emerging Trends in AI & Health IT – How new technologies are shaping the future of interoperability

Why This Matters

We’ve spent decades building technology solutions that collect and move health data. Now, we need to focus on how we use that data effectively to improve care, reduce disparities, and create more human-centered, coordinated systems.
This blog is for leaders, innovators, and decision-makers who want to cut through the noise and focus on practical, high-impact strategies for health data exchange.

LET’S CONNECT

I’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re working on a similar project, looking for guidance, or just passionate about health data, feel free to reach out. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or email me at lnixon@nixonstrategicconsulting.com.

Next week: What is a Community Information Exchange (CIE), and Why Does It Matter?

Shine Morales