Innovation in Healthcare, Right Here in Norfolk
Sentara Health, headquartered within the Norfolk Innovation Corridor, is one of Virginia’s largest healthcare providers and employers. With 12 hospitals, more than a million health plan members, and millions of annual patient visits, Sentara has the scale—and the responsibility—to pioneer resilient solutions that enhance care.
In today’s healthcare environment, clinicians face mounting pressures: staffing shortages, administrative burdens, and the need to deliver more personalized care. Sentara is responding by responsibly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations, guided by the principle that technology should empower providers and benefit patients, not replace the human touch.
Applying AI with Purpose and Oversight
Recognizing both the promise and risks of AI, Sentara launched a dedicated AI Oversight Program nearly three years ago. This cross-disciplinary committee—composed of medical, data, ethics, and legal experts—reviews new tools, monitors ongoing systems, and ensures every application meets rigorous standards for safety, transparency, privacy, and fairness.
The committee established guiding principles for AI adoption, including:
- Keeping “a human in the loop” at all times
- Protecting patient privacy and data governance
- Preventing algorithmic bias and ensuring fairness
- Weighing benefits against risks for every use case
This framework helps Sentara deliver innovation with accountability.
One recent success story is Sentara’s rollout of Microsoft DAX Copilot, a secure AI-powered tool that listens to patient visits (with consent), extracts relevant details, and drafts structured clinical notes in seconds.
Instead of spending nearly two hours on documentation for every hour of patient care (a national average cited by the AMA) Sentara providers now spend less time on clerical work and more time connecting with patients.
Dr. Joshua Greenhoe, an internal medicine physician at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, describes the change:
“I would rather be an editor than the writer. My mental energy is reserved for the more important aspects of my work.”
This approach not only reduces burnout but also enhances the quality of each interaction, as doctors can focus more on listening to and caring for patients.
The NIC Advantage
Sentara’s commitment to responsible AI adoption illustrates how organizations within the Norfolk Innovation Corridor are shaping the future of their industries. By applying cutting-edge technology with ethical guardrails, Sentara ensures that healthcare innovation remains safe, human-centered, and impactful.
As AI continues to evolve, Sentara’s efforts demonstrate the Norfolk Innovation Corridor’s role as a proving ground for innovation that balances progress with trust—ultimately improving health for communities across Hampton Roads and beyond.
