2026 Healthcare Technology Market Insights

The Executive Capabilities Powering AI Adoption, Cyber Resilience, and Digital Transformation

Healthcare in 2026 is undergoing a profound shift. AI adoption, cybersecurity threats, workforce shortages, and digital transformation pressures have converged to create a new era of complexity — and opportunity. Technology leadership is no longer a support function. It is a strategic driver of clinical quality, operational efficiency, and financial stability.

Health systems now require IT executives who can:

• Lead responsible AI governance
• Strengthen cybersecurity posture
• Modernize legacy infrastructure
• Improve interoperability
• Reduce clinician burden
• Build retention-focused IT cultures
• Deliver measurable outcomes

Our Healthcare Technology team is sharing key insights on the market for 2026, outlining leadership capabilities, organizational structures, and emerging roles shaping healthcare’s digital future — and how Find Great People partners with organizations to recruit the leaders who can deliver it.

AI Has Entered the Accountability Era

AI is no longer a pilot project. It is a regulated, high-stakes operational tool.

Health systems need leaders who understand AI risk, clinical validation, data governance, vendor oversight, and ethical frameworks. Organizations are prioritizing executives who can balance innovation with responsibility — leaders who can say no as confidently as they say yes.

Cybersecurity Is Now a Patient Safety Issue

Ransomware attacks have escalated, and boards now view cybersecurity as a clinical & financial risk, as well as increasing reputational vulnerability. As a result, CIOs, CDOs, and CICOs with healthcare-specific experience are in unprecedented demand. The market is tight — and competitive.

Digital Transformation Is No Longer Optional

Health systems must modernize to improve patient experience and reduce clinician burnout. Digital tools can help streamline operations, integrate virtual care, and optimize EHR performance. The most successful organizations pair digital strategy with operational discipline — and hire leaders who can bridge both worlds.

Workforce Shortages Are Reshaping IT Leadership

Retention is now a strategic priority. Executives must be able to balance all facets of the job. From building a healthy culture to developing internal talent, leaders are being tasked with improving cross-functional collaboration and implementing automation to reduce manual workload. Leadership style is now a top hiring criterion — not a “nice to have.”

At FGP, we are here to help your healthcare organization navigate these challenges and needs. We evaluate candidates not only on technical expertise but on their ability to lead people through change — a core differentiator in healthcare IT.

For 2026, we are seeing an increased need for Chief AI Officer (CAIO), Chief Digital Officer (CDO), Chief Data & Analytics Officer (CDAO), Modern CIO, and Cybersecurity Leadership (CISO, VP Security). These roles are evolving rapidly. Our search methodology adapts to emerging competencies and shifting organizational structures. High-performing systems align IT, clinical, and operational leadership — and hire executives who can collaborate across all three.

As you plan for this year our team is here to help you find the talent you need to make a difference in your operations and business. Whether you need to establish a formal AI governance framework, elevate cybersecurity to a board-level priority, or modernize IT org structures, our team can help. We are here to support you as you invest in leadership development and build long-term executive talent pipelines.

We don’t just fill roles — we help build leadership teams that move healthcare forward.