Amidst the rapidly changing landscape of healthcare technology, few are shining as bright as Jim Feen. Feen, Senior VP Standish A.Feen, PhD; Southcoast Health * Vincent has been on the cutting edge of driving patient care forward through innovative digital strategies. His thoughts on everything from moving the needle in terms of IT governance to Epic implementations, and most things between are among those highlighted below as we look to technology to bridge divides between access, security, and efficiency. In this deep dive, we look at Feen’s impressive career, visionary leadership and the enduring imprint he’s making on New England healthcare.
Early Root: From Vendor Insights to Local Impact
Jim Feen’s healthcare IT journey starts in the trenches and rather on the vendor side – He spent eight years at MEDITECH. At those companies he gained rich experience in EHR, HIE and implementation software – which would become fundamental for his executive legacy. It was a time of more than just code and systems; it was about seeing the real-world pulse of providers in health systems across North America. “When I had a little down time, I would volunteer with volunteers while volunteering and working with providers,” Feen said in a 2018 interview.“So even as much enjoyment as I had with the provision of services, it felt like paying back regionally more.”
Having earned a degree in Information Systems and completed advanced studies in IT strategy and analytics, Feen joined Southcoast Health in 2008. But then Southcoast, a nonprofit health system with facilities in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, came around and became the perfect canvas for his expertise. Beginning in applications and systems development, he rapidly integrated IT initiatives with the organization’s patient-focused mission. He was the head of applications and systems development by 2012, and his move to CIO in 2017 provided a path to SVP and CDIO.
Feen had an educational background, with connections to Tufts University School of Medicine that gave him an unusual combination of technical proficiency and clinical intuition; this was a critical sensitivity in a field where data has human irrevocable implications.
Leadership Philosophy: DevOps, Collaboration and Putting Patients First
Central to Feen’s strategy was a focus on teamwork, which he demonstrates with his embrace of DevOps ideals—an intersection between development and operations that has contributed to the rise of nimble, productive teams. “We are there to be where the administration is at, where the doctors and clinicians are at,” he said at the 2025 CHIME Fall Forum while touting a governance model that provides leaders across care sites with a conferring role. This isn’t a top-down decrees; it’s a democratic IT system in which the room nurses vote on what they want first.
Under Feen’s tenure, Southcoast Health has made significant investments into next-gen platforms such as its multiyear Epic implementation which brought the latest and most advanced technology to the clinical side of the business. After implementation, attention was directed towards postponed equipment and peripheral systems upgrades, in order to facilitate a smooth integration. its IT spend runs around 3.5% of the operating budget—but in real world perks like lower costs per unit of work and easier patient access.
Feen’s influence extends beyond Southcoast. On the Vation Ventures Innovation Advisory Council, he provides counsel on tech trends and bringing new products to market with a good sense of vendor side meets provider. His mentors, such as retired CIO Linda Bodenmann, have instilled a philosophy of strategic motivation and execution.
Achievements and Recognition Highlights: Digital Decade in Review
Feen has had both big bold moves and accolades while at Southcoast:
- Epic Implementation Success (2018–Present): In collaboration with firms such as Optimum Healthcare IT, Feen led an effective transition to Epic and was recognized for his team’s commitment. “We thoroughly enjoyed working with Jim and team,” Optimum CEO Jason Mabry said.
- Service Center Revolution (2024): Feen co-presented at HIMSS24 on “How IT service centers can be the innovation necessary to increase patient satisfaction and competitive edge,” highlighting partnerships with Southcoast’s Russ Onofrio and Chartis’ Sarah Kremer.
- CHIME Digital Excellence Award (2023): Recognizing visionary leadership in digital health, Feen was recognized for innovation surrounding provider-staff collaboration due to rapid tech adoption.
- Mastering Thought Leadership at Forums: Feen has gotten involved changing conversation since, from his interviews at CHIME22 to developing dialogue in 2025 related to device security and risk mgmt.
These accomplishments reinforce Feen’s capability to manage through cybersecurity risks, delayed investments and at the same time keeping patient experience above par.
Next Horizons: AI, Security, And Fair Care
In the future, Feen sees a continuum of care in which AI and analytics can proactively assess risks – from predicting device security vulnerabilities to unique patient portals. Investments in the digital health teams are “moving the dot” in a positive direction toward better care, Feen posted happily on LinkedIn. His pay for this is competitive for a CIO/CDIO, albeit the full figures are kept private, but it’s his strategic vision that really makes a difference.
In a world of billion-dollar health systems, Feen’s ethos is a stark reminder to us all: Technology isn’t the endgame; empowered patients are.
FAQ: Fast Facts on Jim Feen
A: What is Jim Feen’s new job at Southcoast Health?
A: Jim Feen is Senior Vice President and Chief Digital & Information Officer (SVP, CDIO), who leads digital strategy and IT operations and also drives innovation at the health system.
Q: How did you first get involved in health IT?
A: He got his start at MEDITECH for almost a decade where he learned about EHR and software implementation from vendor side, and joined Southcoast Health in 2008.
Q. What has Jim Feen headed up?
A: Landmark initiatives include an Epic EHR implementation, service center improvements to patient access and IT governance architecture that gives more power to clinical people.
Q: What is Jim Feen’s relation to other fans and what awards has he received?
A: In 2023, he received the CHIME Digital Excellence Award for his work in digital health transformation.
Q: How can I read more from Jim Feen’s thought leadership?
A: Hear his interviews at CHIME forums, LinkedIn posts, or profiles on platforms such as This Week Health and Optimum HIT.
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