Building an AI-Ready Oncology Practice with Jeff Hunnicutt's Insights

In a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in oncology practices has emerged as a priority for advanced cancer care. The second episode of the podcast series, "Practice at the Speed of Innovation™", presented by Oncologic.ai, delves into this transformative journey with an enlightening discussion featuring Jeff Hunnicutt, the Chief Operating Officer of Navista and former CEO of Highlands Oncology Group.

Recorded at the 2026 Community Oncology Alliance (COA) Conference in Orlando, Florida, this episode not only marks the continuation of the conversation about assessing AI potentials but also poses the pivotal question: What foundational elements must be established for a practice to successfully implement AI solutions?

The Intersection of Technology and Care

Hunnicutt's unique background in software development and extensive leadership experience in oncology provides a valuable perspective on the convergence of technology and patient care. He insightfuly notes that AI readiness transcends mere technology selection. It necessitates an understanding of the interconnected and normalized data, preparedness for organizational change, and the involvement of relevant stakeholders.

As Dr. Doug Flora, one of the hosts, aptly states, "AI is not a product that you install. It is an unglamorous, heavy lift to make sure you're organized, that you have infrastructure, that you understand your own data governance, that you have the right people at the table." This highlights the crucial need for a robust infrastructural foundation before embarking on AI integration.

Building a Strong Foundation

Through the lens of Highlands Oncology Group, Hunnicutt discusses the meticulous process of establishing this groundwork. He emphasizes the importance of a strategic approach where practices can identify specific use cases that promise significant impact. Rather than overwhelming themselves, oncology practices should seek out manageable targets.

"Identify a single use case inside the practice that you know that you can crush," Hunnicutt advises, arguing that early victories can catalyze further enthusiasm among both physicians and staff alike.

The discussion also brings attention to the necessity of selecting platforms and partners that are capable of scaling their AI solutions beyond initial implementations. Emphasizing continuous iteration and the ability to refine processes post-implementation, Hunnicutt provides the example of Highlands' utilization of agentic AI in patient calling workflows. This initiative saw an impressive success rate leap from 85% at launch to over 90% in a matter of weeks, a testament to the power of ongoing collaboration and evaluation.

Practical Applications and Future Directions

As the episode progresses, Hunnicutt challenges oncology leaders to take actionable steps. He urges them to pinpoint three operational or clinical questions that their practices should be answering with their existing data. If they find their data foundation lacking, it indicates a critical area of focus to begin their AI initiatives.

This conversation is just one of many in the series recorded at the COA Conference and the ASCO Annual Meeting. Upcoming episodes promise insights from other prominent figures in oncology such as Dr. Lucio Gordan and Dr. Sibel Blau, who will share wisdom on topics ranging from precision medicine to operational efficiencies.

Clynt Taylor, CEO of Oncologic.ai and co-host, reiterates the series' mission: to translate AI's potential into practical, real-world applications. He emphasizes that while technology is indeed vital, it’s the underlying structure and readiness within organizations that enable true innovation to flourish.

Conclusion: A New Era in Oncology

The insights shared in this podcast episode mark an important step towards bridging the gap between AI concepts and practical implementation in oncology. As community oncology practices strive to deliver precision care to over 80% of cancer patients across America, embracing AI and building the necessary infrastructure will be pivotal. Through dialogues like this, the journey towards an AI-enabled future becomes clearer, empowering oncologists to lead the charge into a new era of cancer care.

Practice at the Speed of Innovation™ is accessible on major podcast platforms, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Oncologic.ai's website, providing a vital resource for cancer care professionals eager to innovate and enhance patient outcomes.