CREDIT MATT MILLER/WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Reflecting on the past two years since the launch of the Digital Transformation initiative within the Here and Next strategic plan, I am filled with pride at what we have accomplished together. What began as a bold vision to harness the transformative power of digital innovation across WashU has grown into the fully realized and thriving Digital Intelligence & Innovation (DI²) Accelerator, driven by a passionate team and a mission that now resonates across our campuses.
The DI² Accelerator, serving as the institutional hub for digital transformation, has delivered remarkable early successes. From fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerating research outcomes to deploying innovative AI tools and expanding the Digital Solutions Studio (DSS), the initiative has positioned WashU as a leader in digital innovation. Projects like the St. Louis Dashboard, which now enables faster access to critical public policy data, exemplify the accelerator’s impact—completing in less than a year what was originally projected to take five.
This year marks a pivotal moment for the accelerator’s evolution. With the hiring of its inaugural executive director, Dan Maranan, and the assembly of a diverse and talented team, the accelerator is poised for its next chapter. New efforts include creating a universitywide faculty research profiling system to connect researchers, fostering a collaborative digital ecosystem, and advancing faculty cluster hires in AI, geospatial analytics, and computational public health. These developments underscore WashU’s commitment to leveraging technology as a force for good, empowering researchers to address global challenges.
As the DI² Accelerator expands its scope and influence, I will be stepping back from my role as chair of the Digital Transformation initiative to focus on my new position as the inaugural Chief Health AI Officer at the Center for Health AI—a joint initiative of WashU Medicine and BJC HealthCare. I do so with full confidence in the dedicated and growing staff who are leading this work into its next phase.
It has been an incredible honor to see this vision take root and flourish. I am excited to pass the reins to a team that will continue to drive innovation, collaboration, and research impact. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this transformative journey—your efforts are shaping the future of WashU in profound and enduring ways. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead.
With gratitude,
Philip R.O. Payne, PhD, FACMI, FAMIA, FAIMBE, FIAHSI
Director, Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB)
Janet and Bernard Becker Professor
Inaugural Chief Health AI Officer
WashU Medicine