From Curious to Capable: AI’s Impact on Organizational Culture and Practice in Behavioral Health 

Behavioral health technology is evolving at a staggering rate, and artificial intelligence (AI) is a driving force. Think about how much the technology landscape has exploded since the early 2020s, when organizations were just beginning to figure out how to implement telehealth and basic AI tools to stay connected with providers and patients. 

Less than a decade ago, many behavioral health leaders and providers were wary of a “too much, too fast” approach to technology integration, while today these stakeholders are eagerly looking for ways to innovate and quickly fill gaps in care. From implementing ways to overhaul documentation strategies, to exploring access to chatbots and wellness tools, many behavioral health organizations are going all-in on AI. 

In this presentation, we will explore how behavioral health leaders and their staff are contending with this new technology-forward world, particularly how it will inevitably change the work of caring, along with how AI intersects with providers’ current and future technology solutions. We will also examine what this AI fervor means for both the behavioral health workforce and their patients, especially its impact on access to quality care. 
 

Featured Speakers: 

• Rola Aamar, PhD, Solutions Consultant, Cantata Health Solutions 

Dr. Rola Aamar brings her clinical and operational knowledge of behavioral health care, data analytics and quality improvement to her role as solutions consultant at Cantata. She began her career as a behavioral health clinician in integrated care settings working with multidisciplinary teams to treat comorbid chronic and mental health conditions. Prior to her work in health care technology, she developed and managed integrated care programs in primary and specialty care clinics, community health centers, schools and hospitals. Dr. Aamar completed her PhD at Texas Tech University, where she focused her clinical research on the importance of treatment alliance between patients and health care providers to address treatment attrition and treatment adherence. 

• Melissa Giampietri, Executive Vice President of Behavioral Health Strategy, Clinically AI 

Melissa Giampietri leads strategic efforts to align AI-powered solutions with the needs of mission-driven organizations across the country. With over 20 years of experience in community mental health service delivery, behavioral health enterprise EHR consulting and commercial leadership, she brings a rare blend of clinical, operational and commercial expertise to help advance whole-person care, reduce administrative burden, enhance care delivery and support the workforce behind our nation’s safety-net systems.