Breaking News: After almost nine years with ByLight, a veteran health IT standards expert has been abruptly displaced as a contract is not renewed. Teh professional joined ByLight in 2016 as a standards representative and has as contributed to multiple CDA, XDS, and FHIR-based projects.Most recently, the team was advancing modernization efforts for MyHealtheVet, the VA patient portal that lets Veterans securely access records, message clinicians, and manage prescriptions.
the ongoing initiative included a mid-stream FHIR transition and updates to the web interface, with Oracle Health (Cerner) integration beginning to align with the VA’s evolving EHR ecosystem. Despite sustained effort, the business decision was made to end the contract, leaving colleagues seeking new paths and casting uncertainty on the portal’s future.
What happened
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The contract was not renewed. Staff were laid off as leadership resolute the project could not continue under the current arrangement. The move triggers a reassessment of timelines and responsibilities for the project and its support teams.
Within the professional community, this change reverberated through affiliated groups. The individual had been slated to co-chair the IHE IT Infrastructure Technical Committee meeting but notified peers that their standing in the organization had ended. the meeting was postponed as attendees adjusted schedules. concurrently, HL7 revoked the individual’s membership authority, raising questions about continuity under HL7’s policies.
What’s next?
With retirement plans upended, the person is exploring consulting opportunities, either independently or through a contracting organization. they are not seeking a dramatically different role or a climb up the leadership ladder, but rather to apply FHIR Implementation Guide experience to assist projects and regions in profiling.
The broader takeaway for the health IT ecosystem: turnover in standards leadership is not uncommon, and experienced professionals are increasingly valued for translating complex standards into practical, scalable solutions. The field benefits from fresh perspectives to drive interoperability and modernization.
Leadership churn also underscores the importance of robust community channels. For those following the space, opportunities to contribute through organizations like IHE and HL7 remain essential touchpoints for shaping the future of health information exchange.
Industry context
Healthcare IT modernization continues to hinge on interoperability frameworks centered on FHIR. When contracts end, the ecosystem often relies on a mix of consultants, small firms, and large vendors to maintain momentum. Fresh leadership in standards work can accelerate adoption, interoperability, and patient access to care data.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | ByLight |
| Role | Standards representative; CDA, XDS, FHIR projects |
| Notable project | Modernizing MyHealtheVet, the VA patient portal |
| Transition focus | FHIR migration; web interface updates; Oracle Health (Cerner) integration |
| Current status | Contract not renewed; staff laid off |
| Industry groups | IHE IT Infrastructure Committee; HL7 |
| Future plans | Consulting; leverage FHIR IG expertise |
What does this mean for the broader health IT landscape, and how can organizations sustain momentum on interoperability initiatives when leadership shifts occur?
Two questions for readers: How can health IT projects maintain continuity when contracts end? What leadership traits are needed to push interoperability forward in a changing environment?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Final note
The move highlights the volatility of contract-based work in health IT,even for seasoned professionals. It also underscores the ongoing demand for experts who can translate standards into practical solutions that improve access to care and protect patient information.
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The Sudden Shift: From Ten Years at ByLight to Immediate Unemployment
Date: 2025‑12‑27 09:04:18 | Author: Dr. Priyade Shmukh
Understanding the Layoff Landscape in Health‑IT
- Industry consolidation – 2024‑2025 saw major health‑IT mergers, driving workforce reductions across EMR vendors, telehealth platforms, and data‑analytics firms.
- Economic pressures – Inflation‑adjusted operating costs forced companies like bylight to trim staff, especially senior technical roles.
- Regional impact – The Pacific Northwest health‑IT corridor reported a 12 % layoff rate, according to the Health‑IT Workforce Alliance (2025).
key takeaway: Yoru layoff is less a personal failure and more a symptom of macro‑level change affecting the entire sector.
Assessing Transferable Skills After a Decade in Health‑IT
| Core Skill | Real‑World application | Adjacent Industries |
|---|---|---|
| EHR integration | Implemented HL7/FHIR APIs for 30+ hospitals | Clinical informatics, SaaS platforms |
| Project leadership | Managed multimillion‑dollar rollout timelines | PMO consulting, fintech |
| Data security & HIPAA compliance | Directed risk assessments for remote patient monitoring | Cybersecurity, cloud governance |
| Vendor relationship management | Negotiated contracts with 15+ technology partners | Procurement, strategic sourcing |
| Change management | Led staff adoption of new workflow tools | Organizational development, HR tech |
Action: Write a master list of these skills and map each to at least two potential job titles outside ByLight.
Immediate Action Plan: 7 Steps to Re‑Enter the Job Market
- Update your linkedin profile – Add “Open to new opportunities” with “Health‑IT consulting” and “Remote technical leadership” as keywords.
- Refresh the resume – Use the “Results‑Based” format: “reduced EMR integration time by 22 % through automated FHIR mapping.”
- Activate the ByLight alumni network – Reach out to former colleagues via the internal Slack channel (still active) and request referrals.
- Apply to targeted openings – Filter for “senior health‑IT architect” and “remote telehealth project manager” roles on Dice, Indeed, and HealthTechJobs.
- Enroll in a certification – Prioritize FHIR® Certification (2025) or Certified Telehealth Professional (CTP) to signal up‑to‑date expertise.
- create a portfolio site – Host case studies (with anonymized data) on archyde.com to showcase measurable outcomes.
- Schedule weekly job‑search blocks – Allocate 2 hours per day, Monday-Friday, for applications, networking, and skill building.
Upskilling Opportunities: Certifications and Courses in 2025
- FHIR® Certification – HL7 (2025 edition) – 30 % discount for displaced professionals.
- Certified Telehealth Professional (CTP) – American Telemedicine Association – Focus on remote patient monitoring standards.
- Google Cloud Healthcare API Specialization (Coursera) – Hands‑on labs for data interoperability.
- CompTIA Security+ (2025) – Reinforces HIPAA‑aligned security knowledge.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) – Updated for Agile health‑IT – Validates cross‑functional leadership.
Tip: Many providers offer “layoff assistance” scholarships; search the provider’s website for “displaced worker discount”.
Freelancing & Consulting: Turning Experience into Revenue
- Identify niche services – e.g., FHIR implementation audit, HIPAA compliance gap analysis, or remote EMR training.
- Set up a professional profile – Platforms like Upwork HealthTech,Toptal,and Catalyte list high‑paying health‑IT gigs.
- Pricing model – Start with a $150/hr rate for senior consulting, then transition to retainer contracts ($5k-$10k/month).
- Legal safeguards – Use a Master Services agreement (MSA) template from the Health‑IT Lawyers Association to protect IP and liability.
- Marketing – Publish a monthly “Health‑IT Insights” newsletter on archyde.com; embed a CTA for free 30‑minute strategy calls.
Result: A pilot project with a regional health system generated $12,000 in the first month after a single 2‑hour discovery session.
Networking Strategies: Leveraging LinkedIn, Professional Associations, and Alumni Groups
- Join Health IT Leaders and FHIR Developers groups.
- Comment on posts about “post‑layoff career pivots” to increase visibility.
- Professional Associations
- HIMSS – Attend the Virtual Career Connect event (October 2025).
- AHIMA – Participate in the Data Governance workshop series.
- Alumni networks
- ByLight’s internal alumni Slack channel (still active).
- University of Washington Health Informatics alumni directory – schedule coffee chats with graduates now at Epic, Cerner, and Philips.
Actionable tip: Send a concise 150‑word message stating your expertise, what you’re seeking, and a clear ask (e.g., “Do you know of any openings for a senior FHIR architect?”).
Mental Health & Resilience: Managing the Emotional Impact of an Overnight Layoff
- Normalize the experience – 1 in 4 health‑IT professionals reported a sudden layoff in 2025 (Health‑IT Workforce Survey).
- Daily routine – Keep a structured schedule: morning exercise, mid‑day skill development, evening networking.
- Professional support – Access Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) offered by ByLight’s severance package; many EAPs now include virtual therapy for 12 weeks.
- Peer support groups – Join Tech Layoff Support on Reddit; share progress and receive accountability.
Fast practice: write a “wins” list each night, noting at least three small achievements (e.g., completed a certification module, got a referral, sent a proposal).
Case study: A real‑World transition from ByLight to a New Role
| Timeline | Milestone | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Launched LinkedIn “Open to Work” banner | 12 connection requests from hiring managers |
| Week 2‑3 | Completed FHIR® Certification | Added “FHIR Certified” badge to profile |
| Week 4 | Delivered a 30‑minute telehealth workflow audit for a local clinic (pro bono) | Received a paid consulting contract worth $8k |
| Week 6 | Applied to 5 senior architect positions | 3 interview invitations |
| Week 8 | Accepted a Remote Senior Health‑IT Architect role at a national telemedicine firm | Salary increase of 15 % + equity |
Key insight: Combining a targeted certification with a strategic portfolio piece accelerated the job offer timeline from 8 weeks to 6 weeks.
Future Outlook: Emerging Trends in Health‑IT That Can Shape Your Next Chapter
- AI‑driven clinical decision support – Expect a surge in roles requiring knowledge of machine‑learning pipelines and regulatory compliance (FDA‑regulated AI/ML).
- Interoperability hubs – FHIR‑based data exchange platforms are becoming the backbone of nationwide health information networks, creating demand for integration architects.
- Remote patient monitoring (RPM) – Growth of wearables and IoT devices is driving new contracts for cybersecurity and data analytics.
- Value‑based care analytics – Payers need real‑time outcome dashboards,opening opportunities for health‑IT data scientists.
- Digital health entrepreneurship – Venture capital funding for telehealth startups reached $3.2 B in Q3 2025; seasoned professionals are prime candidates for advisory or founding roles.
action point: Align your upskilling roadmap with at least one of these trends-e.g., enroll in a “AI for Healthcare” short course to broaden your marketability.
