Our Mission
To empower Illinois Epic organizations to collaborate, innovate, and lead regional interoperability and data exchange improvement—enhancing patient and provider experiences across the care continuum.
The organization was intentionally designed to:
• Supplement (not replace) national Epic forums
• Provide consistent, high frequency engagement
• Enable early identification of system gaps
• Strengthen the region’s collective voice with Epic R&D and Technical Services
Connect. Collaborate. Celebrate
Our story
The IL-RUG exists to provide a structured, facilitated platform for Illinois Epic organizations to collaboratively solve interoperability, regulatory, and workflow challenges—at the regional level.
IL RUG delivers value across the organization: • Executives: Strategic alignment, regional advocacy, reduced duplication of effort • Clinical Leaders: Improved patient and provider experience through better data access • IT & Interop Teams: Practical solutions to real world interoperability challenges • End Users: Reduced friction through shared workflow optimization
IL RUG delivers value across the organization: • Executives: Strategic alignment, regional advocacy, reduced duplication of effort • Clinical Leaders: Improved patient and provider experience through better data access • IT & Interop Teams: Practical solutions to real world interoperability challenges • End Users: Reduced friction through shared workflow optimization
The reality that interoperability is the one of the biggest areas of dependencies for health care to function efficiently has never been more apparent. The IL-RUG enables collaboration, advocacy and solutions for member organizations that would be unachievable if done in a silo.
Kaitie Smith
Executive Director
Jonathan Birnberg, MD
Chairperson of IL-RUG Board
What Are Our Strategic Pillars?
The IL‑RUG strategic pillars define how we turn collaboration into impact. They anchor our work in shared purpose—prioritizing meaningful connection, practical outcomes, and regionally informed progress—while ensuring efforts stay focused, scalable, and relevant to member needs. These pillars guide where we invest time and energy, how we build trust across organizations, and how we move from conversation to action. Together, they create a framework that empowers members, strengthens partnerships, and ensures IL‑RUG continues to deliver value that is both deliberate and regionally recognized.
1. Regulatory Adherence
Keeping pace with interoperability regulations, CMS updates, and compliance requirements
1. 42 CFR Part 2 policy and workflow assessments 2. CMS interoperability updates 3. MyChart CE opt out optimization and screen standardization 4. MyChart proxy governance
2. Data Exchange Optimization
Improving the consumption, quality, and usability of external data.
1. Data exchange governance and expansion 2. Population health query optimization 3. Care Everywhere and billing connection optimization 4. Lab, imaging, genomics, and procedure exchange 5. Death data exchange and vital records integration
3. Patient & Provider Experience
Reducing friction in workflows while improving care coordination and outcomes
1. SER / Provider Directory optimization 2. “Ax the Fax” initiatives 3. Care channel coordination 4. Advanced care planning standardization 5. Rev cycle optimization
4. Collaboration Beyond Epic
Connecting with non Epic partners, state and federal entities, and external programs.
1. VA data exchange 2. State and federal reporting partnerships 3. SDOH initiatives 4. External vendor and registry collaboration
5. Networking & Knowledge Sharing
Peer to peer collaboration, vendor insights, and shared learning.
1. Clinical and non clinical networking sessions 2. Epic R&D feedback forums 3. Vendor vetting and solution showcases
6. Leadership Engagement
Bringing together executive, clinical, and technical leaders to align on strategy and priorities.
Member organizations are expected to actively participate in IL RUG governance by: • Appointing two board level leaders • Assigning Interop Leadership representation • Identifying SMEs for deliverable focused programs This structure ensures that IL RUG remains member driven, relevant, and outcome oriented.
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Connect. Collaborate. Celebrate