HHS Returns AI, Tech and Data Leadership to CIO, Reversing 2024 ONC Shift

Overview

• HHS, which announced the change Tuesday, moved the chief AI, technology, and data roles from the ASTP/ONC setup back to the Office of the Chief Information Officer.
• The department ended the dual ASTP/ONC title and restored the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT to its original name.
• Officials said the shift reinforces the CIO’s legal role over enterprise IT, cybersecurity, and data operations while letting ONC focus on health IT policy, standards, and certification.
• CIO and acting chief AI officer Clark Minor now leads a unified team with CTO Zachary Terrell and CDO Kristen Honey after earlier turnover left Honey as the only original appointee still in place.
• The move also relocates the 405(d) cybersecurity coordination program to the emergency preparedness arm ASPR, which manages readiness and response across the health sector.