In a recent conversation with Laona LeBoeuf, a leader in health IT at UCLA, the UC Tech News team explored the powerful role technology teams play in advancing equitable, precision-based healthcare.
Laona reflected on how expansive today’s health IT landscape is — from EHR systems like UCLA Health’s CareConnect to the many clinical tools relied on by physicians, nurses, and other care providers. In her view, collaboration between clinical and technical teams is essential for ensuring that these systems truly support patient care.
“People show up with their technical skills,” she noted, “but not always with an awareness of equity or how the data they manage affects care delivery.”
This observation highlights a valuable opportunity: each person working in health technology can play a part in shaping systems that not only function effectively, but also advance inclusive, patient-centered care. By being vigilant and detail-oriented — especially when handling data and building technical infrastructure — teams can help ensure that clinical decisions are supported by accurate, relevant insights about the patients being served.
This is the heart of precision medicine: tailoring care to the unique characteristics of each individual, based on data from sub-populations with shared traits — whether genetic, environmental, or social. Achieving that level of precision requires thoughtful data practices and a commitment to understanding the diverse realities of the people behind the numbers.
Laona’s team bridges this understanding by engaging directly with frontline “super users,” (care providers who work closely with technology and IT teams), gathering insights that improve systems from the ground up. It’s a model that demonstrates how collaborative design can lead to smarter tools and better outcomes.
Laona also leads educational workshops that help technical teams develop a stronger foundation in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) — equipping them with the tools to better understand how their work impacts care at both the individual and population levels.
The result is a culture of care that extends beyond the clinic and into every part of the technology ecosystem — where every data point, interface, and system decision is approached with precision in mind.
As health IT continues to evolve, Laona’s message is a timely reminder: everyone has a role to play. Participating in programs that promote awareness of patient diversity, health equity, and inclusive data practices can help us go even further in supporting the precise needs of every patient.
Contact
Employee Experience Lead
UCLA Health