What's Happening?
Bryan Baucom has been appointed as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Centerstone, following its merger with Brightli in November 2025. This merger has resulted in the formation of the largest nonprofit behavioral health provider in the United States. Baucom is tasked with leading the technology strategy for the newly merged organization. His responsibilities include overseeing IT infrastructure, business applications, data analytics, electronic health records, and cybersecurity. Baucom aims to align technology with organizational priorities, enhance system reliability and security, and provide necessary tools and data to support high-quality care. He brings extensive experience from previous roles in healthcare and retail sectors, including
positions at Brightli, Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, INTEGRIS Health, and as a strategic advisor for Walmart Health & Pharmacy.
Why It's Important?
The appointment of Bryan Baucom as CIO is significant as it underscores the critical role of technology in the healthcare sector, particularly in behavioral health. With the merger creating the largest nonprofit behavioral health provider, effective technology management is essential for supporting clinicians, protecting sensitive information, and ensuring continuity of care. Baucom's leadership is expected to strengthen Centerstone's systems, advance secure and reliable access to data, and support the delivery of high-quality, compassionate care. This move is likely to impact the organization's ability to meet the growing demand for behavioral health services and improve patient outcomes through enhanced technological capabilities.
What's Next?
As Baucom steps into his new role, he will likely focus on integrating the technological systems of Centerstone and Brightli to create a cohesive IT infrastructure. This integration will be crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and ensuring seamless service delivery across the merged entity. Baucom's efforts will also involve collaborating with IT teams and colleagues to implement innovative solutions that enhance patient care and data security. The success of these initiatives could set a precedent for other healthcare organizations undergoing similar mergers, highlighting the importance of strategic technology leadership in the sector.
