Community Health Center’s Katy O’Connell to Give Talk on Technology’s Role in Improving Patient Care
health center has embraced technology over past two decades
July 8, 2026 (Cape Cod, MA) – Over 20 years ago, the Community Health Center of Cape Cod implemented an Electronic Health Record to help improve patient health outcomes and have better control over chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes. Fast forward to today and rapid technological advancements, including telehealth and AI, are transforming the way healthcare providers are serving their patients and how patients are accessing their care.
At its next talk on Friday, July 10, 7:30-9 am at Cape Cod Community College, the Cape Cod Technology Council will welcome Community Health Center Chief Operating Officer Katy O’Connell to explore how the organization has adopted technology to enhance patient care during the past two decades. She will also show why these changes matter and where healthcare technology is headed next.
“I hope that people who attend will leave with a greater appreciation for the critical role IT has played in improving patient care and controlling healthcare costs, and the necessary role it will continue to play in providing access amidst challenging circumstances facing healthcare organizations locally and across the country,” O’Connell said.
“Healthcare plays such an important role in our lives, both individually and as a community,” said Tech Council Executive Director Michael White. “Our July talk will show how the region’s community health center is embracing technology in an effort to enhance care.”
Shortly after moving to Falmouth full-time 20 years ago, O’Connell was introduced to the Community Health Center when registering for primary care. She initially was a volunteer before being hired as its’ Chief Information Officer in September 2006.
“What drew me to the health center initially is what has kept me here: our mission to serve the community, our leadership’s drive to innovate and evolve in order to achieve that mission, and a sense that my individual contribution to the organization makes a difference,” O’Connell said.
A decade ago, she was promoted to her current position. In that capacity, she helps guide and support the organization’s use of technology to improve access to care, strengthen patient engagement, and support better health outcomes across the region.
As part of her talk, she will explore specific technology initiatives adopted at Community Health Center, including its Electronic Health Record in 2006; Epic, a software system for electronic health records, it implemented in 2014; the expansion of information sharing across the region; patient engagement during the COVID-19 vaccine scheduling; digital navigator efforts; and its early exploration of artificial intelligence.
Community Health Center offers a wide variety of healthcare services, including primary care, dental care, behavioral health, optometry, pharmacy, and more at offices in Bourne, Mashpee, Sandwich, Falmouth, and Centerville.
About Cape Cod Technology Council
Founded in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, the Cape Cod Technology Council, Inc. is a membership-based, events-oriented nonprofit that promotes technology and its understandings on Cape Cod, the Islands, and in Southeastern Massachusetts. The Council supports the community by advocating and educating to advance technology-driven solutions to regional challenges. Its work includes supporting the direction of development of the technology infrastructure in the region to advance the growth, effectiveness, and competitiveness of member organizations; assist in the technology education for the advancement of its members as well as future generations through a variety of programs; and provide unique, meaningful, and topical presentations, discussions, forums, and events focused on technology. To learn more about the Technology Council, visit www.cctechcouncil.org.
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