Alameda Health System (AHS) is implementing Epic Hello World, a new communication platform that enables care teams to communicate directly with patients within the Epic electronic health record (EHR). This change streamlines communication, improves efficiency and supports a more connected patient experience.
“Implementing an integrated texting system allows us to standardize workflows and enhance operational efficiency across the organization,” said Shari Johnson, chief revenue cycle officer.
To align with this integrated approach, Artera is being replaced by two tools within Epic. Epic Hello World will support appointment reminders, MyChart activations, family notifications for surgery patients and billing alerts.
Cheers, launching April 21, 2026, will support broader outreach such as health maintenance reminders, well-child visits and school-related needs.
Text messaging campaigns are governed and approved by the Health Outcomes Steering Committee to ensure alignment with clinical quality priorities across AHS.
Epic Hello World is a two-way texting platform that allows care teams to send and receive messages from patients, including appointment confirmations, cancellations and rescheduling. Built within Epic, the platform reduces reliance on multiple communication systems, improves workflow efficiency and supports more consistent communication across teams.
By linking messages directly to the medical record, care teams can track communication, respond more quickly to patient needs and maintain continuity of care while improving operational efficiency.
“Receiving timely and accurate information is essential for patient care,” said Sarah Rahman, MD, chief medical informatics officer. “This system helps patients stay informed and connected with their care team.”