In this piece, Dr. Sarah Inman makes a compelling case for centralized staffing offices in healthcare, arguing that what many organizations treat as a scheduling fix is actually an enterprise workforce strategy. She explores why the shift toward centralization often meets resistance — staffing is deeply tied to leadership identity — and why framing it as partnership rather than enforcement is key to success. Against the backdrop of the nursing shortage, rising agency costs, and new Joint Commission staffing requirements taking effect in 2026, Dr. Inman outlines how centralized staffing can deliver greater visibility, more equitable resource distribution, stronger regulatory footing, and a much-needed move from reactive scheduling to proactive workforce planning.

EZCall is a solution for departments that may struggle to find a solution for their unique needs for advanced practice providers. The article provides guidance on why EZCall is being considered for areas that take a very different approach to scheduling and need more structure, and discusses the opportunities other organizations have found by exploring this solution.

Speaking to what I am most looking forward to for HIMSS 2026, what will be taking place, and what I expect to see as someone who has been attending for the last 7 years. Also an opportunity to highlight our workshops on automation and joint commission readiness with Process Street.