Join Vulcan at PHUSE US Connect 2026 for the Vulcan FHIR Forge Pavilion, an interactive, collaborative space focused on advancing interoperability across clinical care and research using HL7® FHIR® standards. Hosted as part of the new PHUSE Pavilion™ experience, the Vulcan FHIR Forge Pavilion brings together standards organisations, technology innovators, researchers, and implementers to explore how interoperable standards are improving data quality, efficiency, and global evidence generation.
About the Vulcan FHIR Forge Pavilion
At the Pavilion, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Meet the team behind Vulcan and learn how they support organisations adopting HL7® FHIR® standards
- Discover the Vulcan Interoperability Bridge (VIB), where 30+ organisations are piloting FHIR implementations
- Explore the active Vulcan projects
- Hear from standards organisations shaping the future of global interoperability and evidence generation
- Engage in interactive discussions and network with experts advancing data exchange across clinical care and research
This Pavilion is designed for anyone looking to understand how interoperability is accelerating research, reducing costs, and enabling faster, more reliable evidence generation worldwide.
What Is a PHUSE Pavilion™?
PHUSE Pavilion™ events are self-curated, themed environments that function as “conferences-within-the-conference.”
Unlike traditional presentation tracks, Pavilions offer hands-on, interactive experiences through live discussions, workshops, and showcases.
Pavilion Dates, Location & Program
The Vulcan FHIR Forge Pavilion takes place during PHUSE US Connect 2026 on Wednesday, 25 March 2026 and Thursday, 26 March 2026. PHUSE US Connect 2026 is held in Austin, Texas, from 22–26 March 2026. Throughout the Pavilion there will be opportunities for networking and open discussion where you can meet, match, and collaborate with peers, implementers, and standards leaders in an open, interactive environment.
Wednesday, 25th March 2026
- Vulcan Unveiled: HL7’s Research Accelerator Connecting standards, strategy, and community
- Vulcan Projects: From Design to Deployment Implementation Guides in action
Session Details
09:00 - 10:30 | HoW: Setting Real World Data on FHIR
HL7® Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources – FHIR® (fire) is a next generation standards framework for healthcare data. The healthcare industry at large has seen tremendous advancements in data and interoperability through the adoption of the FHIR standard, and the world of clinical research stands poised to do the same. If you’re new to FHIR, or still trying to understand what it is or how it works, this 2-hour workshop is designed for you. You’ll learn how FHIR offers a flexible data model for healthcare data that can be applied to use cases across healthcare including administrative, clinical, and workflow. That data can then be used by apps for clinicians, patients, decision support services, and for exchange, or customized for different use cases. You’ll use a web app on your laptop to help explore and visualize how real world data is represented as computable FHIR resources. Known as “The Best Explanation of FHIR Ever!” This workshop and hands-on exercise has proven to be a very effective way to understand the concept of FHIR. Join us and get ready to set real world data on FHIR!
Speaker
Russell Leftwich | MD, FAAAAI, FCCP, FAMIA is Senior Clinical Advisor for Interoperability, InterSystems Corporation and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical School.
Russell is one of the leads in the development of clinical resources for FHIR® and active in the HL7® standards development organization for over 2 decades. He has served as one of the leads in the Vulcan FHIR Accelerator in HL7 and on the Vulcan Advisory Council. As a recognized FHIR evangelist he has delivered over 50 FHIR workshops in the US and internationally. His prior roles include Chief Medical Informatics Officer for the Tennessee Office of eHealth Initiatives, over two decades in internal medicine practice in Nashville, and serving on the clinical faculty at Vanderbilt. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Allergy/Immunology, and Clinical Informatics.
11:00 - 12:30 | Vulcan Unveiled: From Interoperability Vision to Real-World Impact | Vulcan Project Leads
Discover how Vulcan is bringing the worlds of clinical care and clinical research closer than ever. In this energising session, we explore how HL7’s research accelerator is breaking down data silos, aligning global standards, and enabling faster, smarter evidence generation across the healthcare ecosystem.
You will gain a clear understanding of what Vulcan is, why it matters, and how collaborations with CDISC, TransCelerate, regulators, and industry partners are reshaping the future of clinical data. The session then brings Vulcan to life through real-world examples and standout project showcases, revealing how interoperability standards are being turned into practical solutions that work in everyday research and care settings.
With clear data flow visuals, practical insights, lessons learned, and a look at what’s coming next, this session offers a front-row view of how Vulcan is moving from vision to implementation, unlocking innovation, streamlining workflows, and elevating clinical research worldwide.
Speakers
James McDermott | Head of Vulcan
James McDermott serves as a the Head of the HL7 Vulcan Accelerator, where he is fulfilling his personal mission to make a transformative impact on data sciences in healthcare. Through this role he is driving critical initiatives that advance interoperability standards and enable seamless data exchange across clinical research, real-world evidence, and regulatory ecosystems.
With over 30 years of experience in medical statistics, clinical research, and healthcare data sciences, James has established himself as a pioneering innovator in breaking down data silos and creating frameworks for meaningful information exchange. His work with Vulcan represents the convergence of his extensive expertise in clinical data sciences, artificial intelligence, and strategic leadership, positioning him at the forefront of solving healthcare’s most pressing interoperability challenges.
As Executive Chairman & CEO at Achieve Intelligence, James leverages advanced data analytics and AI to deliver tailored business intelligence solutions for the healthcare and biopharma sectors. His credentials in artificial intelligence enable him to architect solutions that harness machine learning, predictive analytics, and automated data harmonization: critical capabilities for achieving true interoperability in complex healthcare data environments.
Throughout his career, James has founded and led multiple successful organizations, driving transformative projects that empower healthcare stakeholders to unlock the value of their data assets. He is an active contributor to the professional community, regularly presenting at industry conferences including Phuse Connect on topics ranging from design thinking in leadership to advancements in biopharma data standardization and interoperability frameworks.
Qi Li | Intersystems
Qi Li, M.D., M.B.A., is a successful healthcare innovator with extensive experience in product inception, research, and global business development. Dr. Li is on the board of MIT Hacking Medicine Institute and advises startups and innovation centers globally. At InterSystems, Dr. Li leads product innovation in the areas of real-world evidence, life science, research, precision medicine, NLP, and AI. Dr. Li has held various product leadership roles at Harris Healthcare, Mass General Brigham (Partners Healthcare), and several startup companies in healthcare IT. Previously, as the key person driving the Harris Healthcare global product strategy and sales effort, Dr. Li led the product development and market entry efforts in UK and China. At Mass General Brigham in Boston, Dr. Li led the internal development of the Longitudinal Medical Record (LMR) adopted enterprise-wide by 7,000-plus physician users at all primary care and specialty clinics. Dr. Li earned his combined M.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Mass and a bachelor’s degree from University of Southern Maine.
Phil Choiniere | J2 Interactive
Phil Choiniere is a Senior Consultant Software Engineer at J2 Interactive with over a decade of experience in healthcare IT, specializing in interoperability and scalable system design. His work focuses on improving data exchange, reporting accuracy, and automated validation processes that strengthen data quality across health systems.
Prior to his time at J2, Phil worked at Epic Systems, where he implemented critical COVID-19 public health reporting solutions to meet evolving regulatory requirements during the pandemic. Phil is driven by a commitment to advancing public health through accurate, reliable data.
Palani Perumal | CEO, Deevita
Palani Perumal is the CEO of Deevita, bringing nearly 30 years of experience building cloud, data, and AI platforms for healthcare and life sciences. Under his leadership, Deevita has delivered enterprise-scale solutions in GS1/UDI product serialization, pharma supply‑chain track & trace, electronic product labeling (SPL/IDMP/FHIR), claims analytics, quality metrics, and Azure‑based data modernization for regulated environments.
Palani also founded PepPill, an omni-channel pharmacy SaaS platform adopted by 600+ pharmacies across India, modernizing e‑commerce, pharmacy operations, dispensing, patient engagement, and supply‑chain workflows.
Earlier in his career, Palani—an MIT Sloan graduate—spent nearly a decade at Microsoft as a Product Leader in Data & Analytics, driving large-scale data initiatives for Windows, Bing, and Xbox. He holds patents for the Windows Device Metadata Platform and has delivered multiple cloud-native solutions supporting enterprise analytics modernization.
He is an active member of the NCPDP Innovation Committee and HL7/Vulcan FHIR, contributing to standards adoption across HL7/FHIR, NCPDP SCRIPT/D.0/F6, and data interoperability between EMRs, pharmacy systems, and payor networks.
Rachel Warnock | J2 Interactive
Rachel Warnock is the Director of Marketing at J2 Interactive, and the Marketing Lead for the HL7 Vulcan FHIR Accelerator. She has been in the world of Healthcare IT for 7 years, working primarily with Health Information Exchanges, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and various healthcare providers.
Prior to Healthcare IT, Rachel worked in academic research focused on population health, most notably with Tufts University and USAID. Coming from a family of scientists and engineers who have all worked in healthcare and research, Rachel understands that data isn’t just infrastructure—it’s how we translate research into real-world impact for patients and communities.
13:30 - 15:00 | Deep Dive:The VIB Integration Sandbox Connecting EHRs, CDISC, and Real-World Data
Step behind the scenes of Vulcan’s Interop Bridge and explore how real interoperability happens. This hands-on deep dive takes you inside the VIB Sandbox, where EHR data, CDISC standards, and real-world data come together. Through live workflow examples and practical walkthroughs, you’ll see how FHIR automates data exchange, streamlines integration, and accelerates research. From early test-bed concepts to wireframes, tech trials, and pilot environments, this session gives technical teams a clear, actionable look at how Vulcan is building the future of connected clinical data. Bring your questions and our experts will walk you through the what, why, and how in real time.
Speakers
Michael Buckley | MS, MBA Associate Director of Product Management, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Michael Buckley (Mike) has served as CRIT’s Associate Director of Product Management since October 2022. In this role, he leads diverse teams who translate user needs into transformative digital products that improve the quality, cost, and experience of healthcare for MSK clinical research customers.
Michael joined MSK in 2008. He served as the Manager of Enterprise Clinical Research Innovation (2014-2022) and, earlier, as Manager of the Department of Medicine Clinical Trials Office. Prior to joining MSK, Michael was Associate Research Scientist and Manager of the Clinical Core Laboratories of The NYU School of Medicine’s Cancer Institute, which included the radiochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics core facilities.
Michael holds a BS in Chemistry from Allegheny College, an MS in Biology from NYU, and an MBA, with a specialization in high technology, from Northeastern University. With more than 20 years of experience in oncology research, he currently serves as a Steering Committee Member, HL7 Vulcan; he is also the Co-Founder and Co-Chair, of the Society for Clinical Data Management’s eSource Implementation Consortium.
Beverley Buckta | Director, Digital, EHR & Interoperability Lead Pfizer
Innovative Health IT leader with deep clinical, business, and technology proficiency. Recognized for strategic vision, strong initiative, and success leading global, highly matrixed teams and programs. Broad healthcare and pharmaceutical acumen spanning R&D, Medical, Commercial, and Digital Health. Proven track record delivering scalable, complex digital platforms, interoperable architectures, RWD/RWE capabilities, and data standards that support scientific, regulatory, research, and clinical decision-making. Doctorate in Informatics /Information Systems; extensive graduate-level teaching experience in Health IT and Clinical/Biomedical Informatics.
Cal Collins | CTO & Co-Founder, OpenClinica
Career entrepreneur. 20 years in leadership roles for software companies, focusing on technology/innovation, sales & delivery for key accounts, and finance. 15 years experience in eclinical domain. A.B. Magna Cum Laude Harvard College.
15:00 - 15:30 | Digitizing the Schedule of Activities: Bridging Standards and Real‑World Implementation
The Schedule of Activities (SoA) is the backbone of every clinical trial, defining exactly what needs to happen and when. New standards, including CDISC’s Protocol Representation Model and the HL7® Vulcan SoA Implementation Guide, now offer structured, computable formats that allow the SoA to be exchanged, interpreted, and reused across systems rather than rebuilt from scratch.
Speaker
Surabhi Dutta | Associate Principal Scientist at Merck & Co.
Surabhi Dutta is an Associate Principal Scientist at Merck & Co., working within BARDS Statistical Programming. She brings a multidisciplinary background spanning biomedical informatics, statistical programming, clinical reporting, data science and systems and platforms.
Surabhi is an active contributor to the EHR Connectivity Initiative and plays a key role in advancing digital transformation efforts, particularly in the modernization and digitization of the Schedule of Activities. She is deeply engaged in initiatives that bridge the gap between emerging data standards and real‑world implementation, with a focus on improving clinical trial data flow, interoperability, and operational efficiency.
Her work reflects a commitment to innovation, cross‑functional collaboration, and the practical application of technology to streamline clinical development.
16:00 - 17:30 | The Standards Debate: Collaboration, Not Competition
The potential for transformation is clear, but adoption is still early. Many organizations are navigating familiar challenges—achieving interoperability across diverse systems, integrating new capabilities into established workflows, preparing sites for operational change, and making a compelling business case for investment. At the same time, regulators are showing growing interest in digital protocol content, creating both urgency and opportunity for meaningful progress.
Speakers
Chris Decker | CDISC
Chris Decker is President and CEO of CDISC. Widely recognized in the industry, Chris has decades of experience leveraging technology and standards to optimize processes and help industry drive innovation forward. He has extensive experience in executive roles across software development, clinical research, and consulting and his 20-year engagement with CDISC includes roles as a volunteer, implementer, and board member. Chris is passionate about leading CDISC towards a technology-based standards future and expanding the organization’s global impact in clinical research standards.
Rob DiCicco | TransCelerate
With a solid foundation in clinical trials and good clinical practice, my focus as Vice President of Portfolio Management at TransCelerate BioPharma Inc. is on designing and implementing transformational innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Our team’s commitment to integrating emerging technologies into clinical research has been pivotal in advancing the field.
During my tenure, we’ve cultivated a regulatory engagement strategy that supports our active projects, ensuring that our approach to drug development is both forward-thinking and compliant. My leadership in clinical operations and development is fueled by a passion for pioneering solutions that enhance the efficacy and efficiency of clinical research, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide.
My areas of expertise include, clinical research design, clinical pharmacology and experimental medicine, late phase oncology drug development, project and portfolio management and ethics in research.
Thursday, 26 March 2026
- Deep Dive: Vulcan Interoperability Bridge (VIB) Real-world use cases and implementation insights
- Interactive Workshop What problems should the industry address next?
- Panel Debate The evolving Standards Development Organisation (SDO) landscape
Session Details
11:00 - 12:30 | Vulcan Futures Workshop: What’s Next for Interoperability?
Help shape the next wave of Vulcan innovation. This high-energy, hands-on workshop brings the community together to identify the biggest interoperability challenges still holding the industry back. Participants will vote on priority problems, break into rapid ideation groups, and develop bold new concepts to advance clinical care research connectivity. Whether you’re technical, strategic, or operational, this is your chance to influence Vulcan’s future roadmap and pitch your ideas to peers and project leads. Come ready to collaborate, create, and spark what comes next.
Speakers
Chris Price | Phuse
Chris has been involved with PHUSE since 2008, contributing to the Conference Committee and SDEs before chairing the 2015 Annual Conference in Vienna. Subsequently, Chris has contributed to and co-led Working Groups. In 2017 Chris was nominated to the role of Working Groups Director.
Darren Weston | J&J
Darren Weston is an enterprise executive at Johnson & Johnson, leading integrated data, analytics, reporting, and AI-enabled capabilities supporting the end-to-end delivery of global drug development portfolios. With more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he is an active industry speaker and thought leader on data, analytics, and the practical adoption of AI in regulated R&D environments.
Lilliam Rosario | Transcelerate
Dr. Lilliam Rosario is a renowned leader in regulatory science, data-driven innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, with over two decades of distinguished service at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As Director of the Office of Computational Science in CDER, she led the transformation of regulatory processes and scientific review capabilities. She pioneered the integration of advanced analytics, AI, and data standards to modernize regulatory review and improve the review of new drug approvals.
Dr. Rosario’s impact extends beyond government, as a driving force in public–private partnerships with organizations such as PHUSE, CDISC, and BioCelerate. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the PHUSE Computational Science Symposium and launching the FDA PHUSE Data Science Innovation Challenge, accelerating the adoption of new tools, standards, and collaborative approaches that continue to influence regulatory practices. Her leadership has fostered open innovation and cross-sector problem-solving, influencing regulatory practices on a global scale.
Currently, as Program Director at TransCelerate, Dr. Rosario leads transformational initiatives focused on enabling translational safety and preclinical innovation, partnering with industry leaders to advance data sharing and early decision-making across R&D. Her strategic insight, commitment to measurable impact, and ability to inspire cross-functional teams have established her as a trusted voice in shaping the future of biomedical research.
13:30 - 15:00 | Vulcan Connect: Meet, Match, and Collaborate
Looking to meet the right people, spark new ideas, and help shape the future of Vulcan projects? Vulcan Connect is your opportunity. This interactive session blends guided speed networking with themed topic tables to bring together innovators, implementers, and problem-solvers from across the ecosystem. Participants will dive into real-world pain points like “FHIR saves me time when…”and collaborate on practical solutions and new project concepts. With facilitators at each table capturing insights for the Vulcan Idea Backlog, this is the place to form meaningful connections, validate challenges, and ignite fresh project ideas.
Registration
The Vulcan FHIR Forge Pavilion is available to those attending PHUSE US connect. Pricing and booking information is available on the PHUSE website.
Contact Us
If you’d like to learn more about the Vulcan FHIR Forge Pavilion, Vulcan projects, or how to engage with the Vulcan community before or during the event, please contact us directly. We’d be happy to connect.
