The Fairfield County Medical Association (FCMA) convened practice administrators, office managers, CEOs, and healthcare leaders for its inaugural "An Evening of AI" program at Oak Hill Mansion in Norwalk, examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping medical practice operations.

FCMA Executive Director John Brannelly, MPH, organized the program to help practices understand the opportunities, challenges, and practical applications of artificial intelligence in today's healthcare environment. A panel of regional experts in healthcare technology, digital marketing, and healthcare law shared guidance for practices of varying sizes, with the discussion moderated by Anthony Crisci, CEO of Circle Care Center.

"Practice administrators and office managers play an increasingly important role in helping medical practices adapt to a rapidly changing healthcare environment," said Brannelly. "Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept - it is already changing how practices communicate with patients, market their services, protect sensitive information, and improve operational efficiency. We wanted to provide our members with practical, real-world guidance from experts working in this field every day."

Panelists offered distinct but converging takeaways. Jonathan Gibney, CEO of Southridge Technology, encouraged practices to begin with small, low-risk AI applications implemented thoughtfully and securely. Christine Mullen, CEO of Aspire Digital Solutions, pointed to the competitive advantage AI offers independent practices able to adopt new technologies faster than larger organizations. Stacey Gulick, Esq., Partner at Garfunkel Wild, urged practice leaders to establish clear governance policies and staff training given that AI use is already widespread among employees.

"Medical practices succeed because of the entire team," Brannelly said. "Practice administrators, office managers, and healthcare leaders are essential partners in delivering high-quality patient care. We were delighted by the strong turnout for our first AI program and look forward to offering additional educational and networking opportunities for this audience in the future."

A recording of the program is available through FCMA, with additional details on upcoming educational events at fcma.org.