The CommunityWorks EMR Project brings a range of powerful features and benefits that will transform how we deliver, document, and coordinate care. Key highlights include:
• Integrated EMR/Patient Record
The new platform provides a fully integrated Electronic Medical Record (EMR) that unifies patient data across all points of care. From outpatient visits to inpatient admissions, every detail—diagnoses, test results, medications, and treatment plans—will be stored in a single, comprehensive record. This eliminates data silos, improves accuracy, and ensures that providers have the complete picture at every encounter.
• Same EMR as Other Customers
HUH will be using the same EMR system trusted by a wide network of healthcare organizations nationwide. This creates consistency in workflows, technology, and standards, while ensuring our system is supported by a proven, widely adopted platform.
• System Built on Model (Ideal) Processes
The EMR is configured using evidence-based, industry best practices—known as “model processes”—to streamline clinical workflows, reduce redundancies, and optimize efficiency. These processes are designed to reflect the highest standards of patient care, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Clinically Driven Revenue Cycle
The platform integrates clinical documentation with billing and coding functions, ensuring that revenue cycle processes are accurate, timely, and directly aligned with the care provided. This reduces administrative burdens, minimizes errors, and enhances reimbursement accuracy.
• Designed for Smaller Healthcare Organizations
Tailored specifically for community hospitals, critical access facilities, and specialty providers, the system is scalable and adaptable to HUH’s unique needs. It delivers the functionality of a large-scale EMR while remaining agile enough for our operational environment.
• Network of Hundreds of Other Healthcare Organizations
Through this platform, HUH joins a connected network of hundreds of other hospitals and health systems. This creates opportunities for collaboration, peer learning, and data exchange, enhancing both the patient experience and the hospital’s ability to adopt innovative practices quickly.
See What's Been Happening & What's Ahead
The CommunityWorks EMR Project has been rolled out in carefully planned phases to ensure a smooth, successful transition to our new system. Below is the project timeline, outlining key milestones from workflow design to post-implementation review:
• Restart Week – April 13, 2026.
Project teams collaborate to map out current clinical and operational workflows, identify integration points, and align processes with the new EMR’s best-practice models. This phase ensures a smooth connection between departments and systems.
• Train the Trainer – May 11–15, 2026.
Designated staff receive in-depth training on the EMR system, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to train others across the hospital.
• Physician Train the Trainer – May 25–June 1, 2026.
Physician champions are trained to become peer educators, helping their colleagues adapt to the new EMR and ensuring provider workflows are optimized.
• Learning Concierge – June 16–18, 2026.
Specialized staff learn how to guide users through training resources, answer questions, and provide one-on-one support during the learning process.
• IT1 Clinical – June 23–26, 2026.
Initial technical build and testing for clinical applications, focusing on patient care documentation and workflows.
• IT1 Financial – July 7–9, 2026.
Initial configuration and testing for financial and revenue cycle functions, ensuring accurate billing and compliance.
• IT1.5 Clinical – August 10–14, 2026.
Next round of clinical testing to validate system performance before go-live.
• IT1.5 Financial – August 17–21, 2026.
Next round of financial testing, ensuring all revenue cycle functions are operating correctly.
• Trainer Readiness Workshop Event – August 18–20, 2026.
Evaluation of trainers’ preparedness to deliver end-user education effectively.
• End User Training – September 14–December 6, 2026.
All hospital staff begin structured EMR training tailored to their roles.
• IT2 Clinical – September 22–26, 2026.
Final phase of clinical system testing, incorporating feedback from the first build and refining workflows.
• IT2 Financial – September 28–October 1, 2026.
Final phase of financial system testing, improving integration between clinical documentation and billing processes.
• Physician Concierge – November 16–25, 2026.
Hands-on physician support period, providing personalized assistance and guidance during transition.
• Go Live – December 7, 2026
Migration of existing patient data into the new EMR system, ensuring all active records are ready for use at go-live.
• Leadership Assessment – January 11, 2027.
A comprehensive assessment to confirm clinical, operational, technical, and organizational readiness in advance of the CommunityWorks EMR go-live.
• Health Check – February 1, 2027.
Post-implementation review to evaluate system performance, address issues, and optimize workflows.
CommunityWorks EMR Project Core Team Members
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Joy Bauer, Senior Project Manager Healthnet
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Karen Mingain, FPP Project Manager Healthnet
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Doug Kindstrom, Lead Engagement Owner Oracle Health
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John Huff, Lead Engagement Executive, Oracle Health
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Camille Moten, Learning Consultant
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Olga Osaghae, Executive Sponsor
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Robin Miller, Director of Clinical Informatics
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Juliette Kuruvilla, Director Clinical and NonClinical Applications
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Sui-Kuen Lyn-Canizalez, Manager Clinical Applications
To help you better understand the CommunityWorks EMR Project and what it means for you, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from staff across the hospital.
Benefits
1. What is Community Works?
CommunityWorks is a cloud-based Electronic Medical Record (EMR) platform designed to improve patient care, streamline workflows, and enhance operational efficiency. It creates an integrated, digital record of a patient’s health history that can be accessed across the entire care continuum. For Howard University Hospital, CommunityWorks offers bundled solutions, services, and support built specifically for community, critical access, and specialty hospitals—allowing us to modernize our systems and stay aligned with national best practices.
2. What are the Key Benefits?
Implementing CommunityWorks will bring a wide range of advantages to Howard University Hospital, our staff, and the community we serve, including:
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Improved Patient Care through better coordination and real-time access to health information.
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Increased Clinician Efficiency by streamlining documentation and workflows.
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Enhanced End User Satisfaction with updated features and user-friendly interfaces.
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Alignment with Industry Best Practices to match other leading healthcare organizations.
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Modern Technology to support our mission of delivering best-in-class care to our community.
3. Why is HUH Changing Systems?
While our current EMR has served us well, CommunityWorks offers updated features, better usability, and alignment with national best practices.
4. Who will be Impacted?
Everyone, from nurses and physicians to registrars and HIM staff, will experience positive impacts in workflow and efficiency.
Training
5. Will there be Training for Staff?
Training is required for anyone who will log into the Oracle Health EHR. It includes:
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Learning Journeys in the Learning Portal
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In-Person End User Training with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Super User Trainers
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Practice Sessions (2 hours/week during training period)
6. When does End User Training Begin?
End User Training begins September 14, 2026, and runs through December 4, 2026. Missing training could result in not receiving your EHR login.
7. Do I have to attend Training?
Yes. If you don’t complete training, you may not receive your EHR login.
8. Will there be Practice Opportunities?
Yes. Practice will be available in the Build Domain “Playground” environment.
9.What if I’m on Leave?
Staff returning from FMLA or new hires will receive training before using the system.
Sneak Peeks
10. What are Sneak Peeks?
Sneak Peeks will showcase new features and enhancements before go-live. Attendees can ask questions directly to subject matter experts. If you cannot attend in person, sessions will be available on the CommunityWorks EMR Project information portal.
Work Flows
11. Will there be Changes in How I do my Role?
Workflows for many roles will be updated to align with the new system. For several months, the project team has been meeting with physicians and clinical staff to design optimized processes. These redesigned workflows aim to improve efficiency, user satisfaction, and patient safety during and after go-live.
Super Users
12. Will there be Super Users?
Each department will have designated Super Users trained to provide guidance and support before, during, and after go-live. They will be your first point of contact for questions.
Go-Live
13. When is Go Live?
CommunityWorks EMR will go live on December 7, 2026. Oracle Health will be onsite during the first week of conversion to provide direct support. A Health Check will follow in February 2026.
Contacts
14. Who can I contact with questions?
Workflow questions: your assigned Oracle Health Consultant. Scheduling/training questions: your department SME or Learning Coordinator.