Federated, Fast, and Frugal: Building Multi-Site Research Networks with Federally Mandated FHIR APIs and AI

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM - 09:15 AM

Abstract Keywords: Bioinformatics, Data Standards, Artificial Intelligence, Governance, Data Sharing
Primary Track: Foundations
Programmatic Theme: Clinical Research Informatics

ARPA-H, through its Biomedical Data Fabric, seeks to dramatically enhance biomedical research by enabling seamless, federated integration of diverse datasets across labs, healthcare organizations, and research institutions. Each isolated dataset, though powerful alone, becomes significantly more valuable when integrated across diverse diseases, populations, and healthcare settings. Cumulus-Fab, a critical BDF component, rapidly connects clinical care organizations to this larger infrastructure, utilizing federally mandated Bulk FHIR APIs to integrate electronic health record (EHR) data efficiently. Deployed at Emory University, University of Missouri, and Regenstrief Institute/Indiana University, Cumulus-Fab supports high-impact clinical research scenarios, notably post-renal transplant immunosuppression, graft rejection surveillance, and opportunistic infection. Panelists will present real-world implementation experiences, highlighting challenges and insights into deploying FHIR-based, vendor-independent federated data networks at scale. This discussion is timely and essential for informatics professionals, researchers, and policymakers interested in the practical realities and opportunities of deploying transformative, standards-driven infrastructures for biomedical innovation.

Moderator:
Dan Gottlieb, MPA
Central Square Solutions

Speakers:
Kenneth Mandl, MD, MPH
Boston Children's Hospital

Andrew McMurry, PhD
Boston Children's Hospital

Brian Dixon, MPA, PhD
Regenstrief Institute

James McClay, MD
University of Missouri

Elizabeth Sprouse, MPH
Double Lantern Informatics

Authors:
Dan Gottlieb, MPA - Central Square Solutions; Kenneth Mandl, MD, MPH - Boston Children's Hospital; Andrew McMurry, PhD - Boston Children's Hospital; Brian Dixon, MPA, PhD - Regenstrief Institute; Elizabeth Sprouse, MPH - Double Lantern Informatics; James McClay, MD - University of Missouri;

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