Reviving stalled post-merger integration to accelerate a national healthcare system’s EMR modernization

The Challenge

A nationwide healthcare delivery company’s system integration remained incomplete nearly a decade after a major merger, and the consequences were spreading across the enterprise. A critical infrastructure dependency blocked the replacement of its legacy electronic medical record (EMR) system, stalling the planned Cerner rollout and holding back broader clinical transformation.

Additionally, under-resourced hospital IT teams lacked the specialized expertise needed to execute complex active directory and network migrations at scale. A previous vendor had spent close to three years on the effort without delivering the intended outcomes, creating execution gaps, eroding confidence, and further delays. Meanwhile, frequent outages and service disruptions limited operational performance and undermined the organization’s ability to deliver a modern, integrated digital experience for clinicians and patients.

The Solution

Highspring deployed a targeted, healthcare-informed approach designed to reduce risk while accelerating execution at scale. The team assembled specialized professionals with deep expertise in active directory and network migrations, drawing on proven experience in hospital environments to ensure seamless delivery with minimal disruption to critical systems and patient care.

Building on that foundation, Highspring established a repeatable, scalable execution model. The team developed a standardized migration playbook informed by early pilot learnings, then applied it consistently across facilities to drive efficient, predictable deployment. Close coordination with stakeholders aligned migration schedules with hospital operations, minimizing downtime and protecting day-to-day clinical workflows throughout the engagement.

Our Impact

Highspring’s execution moved the healthcare system from years of stalled progress to measurable, enterprise-wide transformation. By resolving the infrastructure dependency that had blocked progress for years, Highspring helped the organization resume its post-merger integration plans and laid the groundwork for a more modern, integrated clinical and patient experience. This large-scale modernization directly supported the transition to Cerner, with key milestones met to keep deployment on schedule. Key outcomes included:

• Successful migration across 15 hospitals, over 2,000 computers, and over 4,000 users, including expansion to 8 additional facilities

• Unblocking of crucial Cerner rollout

• Optimization and migration of over 4,800 devices crucial to operations