The Data Diva E163 - Karen Habercoss and Debbie Reynolds

Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva” talks to Karen Habercoss, Chief Privacy Officer, University of Chicago. We discuss the challenges of operationalizing privacy and security concepts within organizations and the need for strategic partnerships. Karen shares her unique trajectory in privacy and healthcare compliance, emphasizing the importance of having a diverse skill set and being able to interpret laws and regulations in a relevant way for stakeholders. We discuss the limitations of HIPAA and the need for a more comprehensive approach to privacy risk in healthcare. The conversation also delved into the complexities of electronic interoperability and marketing in healthcare. They discussed the potential benefits of interoperability, such as improved patient experiences and more seamless connections between healthcare providers, but also acknowledged the risks involved, including the need for transparency and the potential for data breaches. We also explore the challenges of marketing in the healthcare space, particularly in regard to protecting sensitive information and being transparent with patients. We discuss the importance of transparency and privacy in-app permissions, the need for transparency and patient permission when using identifiable data for research purposes, and the importance of privacy and security working together to mitigate risks for the organization. We also explored the risks and opportunities of AI in healthcare privacy, emphasizing the need for education around the risks and opportunities of AI and the importance of assessing its impact on privacy. Finally, Karen shared her wish for increased transparency in healthcare, believing that transparency is important in helping people make informed decisions for themselves and reducing paternalism in the industry. Support the show