Nursing veteran to tech leader
UCI Health appoints Eastman as chief information officer in a transformative move for digital healthcare
July 24, 2023
UCI Health Chief Information Officer Julie Eastman's professional trajectory from registered nurse to CIO showcases her unique blend of healthcare and information technology expertise.
Orange, Calif. — UCI Health is delighted to announce the appointment of Julie Eastman, MBA, BS, RN, as chief information officer (CIO), effective July 24. Eastman steps into this pivotal role equipped with a remarkable fusion of nursing and information technology expertise, strong leadership skills and a forward-thinking vision that will shape the future of the technology infrastructure at UCI Health.
During her 18-month tenure as associate CIO at UCI Health, Eastman contributed significantly to the organization’s technological progress. Eastman succeeds Scott Joslyn, who will concentrate fully on his role as chief innovation officer, a position he held concurrently with the CIO role.
Eastman's professional trajectory from registered nurse to CIO showcases her unique blend of healthcare and IT expertise. She received her MBA from the University of Redlands and her bachelor of science in healthcare administration from Columbia Union College, now Washington Adventist University, solidifying her competence in both sectors.
“I am excited to assume the CIO position at UCI Health and to continue driving our organization’s technology solution delivery excellence,” Eastman said. “I am deeply committed to furthering our mission and look forward to collaborating more broadly with our talented teams and esteemed partners to continue to deliver exceptional, patient-centric solutions that redefine healthcare in the consumer digital age.”
At a time when the healthcare industry is increasingly appreciating clinical experience in IT leadership roles, Eastman's appointment reinforces the UCI Health commitment to this progressive trend.
Her journey from RN to CIO illuminates a transformative path in the healthcare sector.
"Julie’s unique combination of nursing and IT experience, leadership qualities, and vision stood out, making her the ideal choice for this crucial role,” UCI Health CEO Chad T. Lefteris said. “Her strategic direction will aid us in integrating the latest technology to streamline our operations and uphold our commitment to patient care excellence."
Before joining UCI Health, Eastman held the position of executive director for Information Services at CHOC - Children's Hospital of Orange County. Starting her career in critical care nursing, she possesses a unique understanding of the intersection of healthcare and technology.
In her capacity as CIO, Eastman will align IT strategies with the goals and objectives of UCI Health, manage its extensive IT infrastructure, and supervise IT operations and projects. Further, she will helm several departments, including Information Technology and Application Delivery/Support, Clinical Informatics, Telecommunications and Biomedical Engineering.
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About UCI Health
UCI Health is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine, and the only academic health system in Orange County. Patients can access UCI Health at primary and specialty care offices across Orange County and at its main campus, UCI Medical Center in Orange, Calif. The 459-bed, acute care hospital, listed among America’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 22 consecutive years, provides tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, behavioral health and rehabilitation services. UCI Medical Center is home to Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center and regional burn center. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
