Revolutionizing Research: UNC Health Launches Advanced Secure Cloud for EHR Data Collaboration

Health and partners launch SHIRE, a secure cloud platform for health data research, boosting analytical capabilities and compliance.">

October 15, 2025

Chapel Hill, NC – Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, in collaboration with the NC TraCS Institute and UNC Health, are poised to enter a new era of data analysis with the launch of the Secure Health Informatics Research Surroundings, or SHIRE. This cutting-edge, cloud-based platform is designed to streamline and secure the processing of sensitive electronic health record (EHR) data, accelerating discoveries and improving patient care.

What is SHIRE and why is it Important?

The new platform, built to be fully HIPAA-compliant, offers researchers a flexible and scalable computing environment.SHIRE provides access to an extensive suite of analytical tools,including RStudio,SAS,Jupyter,VSCode,excel,and Databricks. Computing resources are readily scalable to meet a variety of needs, ranging from standard laptop power to high-performance GPU capabilities.

A key feature of SHIRE is its support for advanced artificial intelligence. Researchers will be able to utilize large language models (LLMs) – including GPT, Llama, and Claude – within a secure and compliant framework to analyze clinical data. This capability marks a critically important step forward in leveraging AI for healthcare innovation. According to a recent report by Statista, the AI in healthcare market is projected to reach $187.95 billion by 2030.

Transitioning to SHIRE: A Phased Approach

UNC Health intends for SHIRE to become the standard environment for all research projects involving identified or HIPAA-limited datasets from the Carolina Data Warehouse for Health (CDW-H). The transition will occur in phases, beginning November 3, 2025, with a complete shift anticipated by the end of 2026. Researchers with existing CDW-H projects have already been contacted via survey to assess their individual transition needs.

Understanding the Costs

While UNC Health and the School of Medicine are subsidizing many of the platform’s costs, researchers will encounter consumption-based charges based on the resources they utilize. These charges reflect the type and volume of computing power consumed, ensuring cost-effectiveness for both large-scale and smaller initiatives.

Did You Know? Cloud computing in healthcare is experiencing rapid growth, with 60% of healthcare organizations now utilizing cloud-based solutions.

Key SHIRE Facts at a Glance

Feature	Details
Compliance	HIPAA-compliant
Computing Power	Scalable, from laptop-level to GPU
Analytics Tools	RStudio, SAS, Jupyter, VSCode, Excel, Databricks
LLM Support	GPT, Llama, Claude
Transition Completion	End of 2026

Pro Tip: Familiarize yourself with the SHIRE resources and billing structure to optimize your project budget.

What Should Researchers Do Now?

researchers currently utilizing CDW-H should have already completed the initial survey from NC TraCS. Further instructions are forthcoming regarding the specific transition plans for their projects.Those initiating new CDW-H projects should submit their requests as usual; qualifying projects will then receive data on requesting a SHIRE workspace.

The Future of Health Data Analytics

The development of SHIRE reflects a broader trend toward secure and scalable cloud-based solutions in healthcare research.As data volumes continue to grow and analytical techniques become more refined, platforms like SHIRE will be crucial for unlocking the full potential of health data to improve patient outcomes. the increasing adoption of LLMs in healthcare also highlights the need for robust, compliant environments to ensure responsible and ethical use of these powerful tools.

Frequently Asked Questions About SHIRE

• What is the primary purpose of SHIRE? SHIRE is a secure platform for researchers to access and analyze UNC Health’s electronic health record data.
• Is SHIRE compliant with HIPAA regulations? Yes, SHIRE is fully HIPAA-compliant, ensuring the privacy and security of patient data.
• What types of analytical tools are available on SHIRE? SHIRE offers a wide range of tools, including rstudio, SAS, Jupyter, and more.
• Will there be costs associated with using SHIRE? Yes, there are consumption-based charges, but many costs are subsidized by UNC Health and the School of Medicine.
• How will the transition from CDW-H to SHIRE affect existing research projects? Researchers will be contacted with specific instructions regarding the transition of their projects.
• What are Large Language Models (LLMs) and how will they be used in SHIRE? LLMs like GPT, Llama and Claude are AI models that will allow researchers to analyze clinical data in new ways.
• What is the timeline for the complete transition to SHIRE? UNC Health anticipates completing the transition by the end of 2026.

What are your thoughts on the future of AI in healthcare research? Share your comments below!

How does UNC Health’s secure cloud platform address the historical challenges of EHR data siloing in healthcare research?

The Challenge of Siloed EHR Data

For decades, healthcare research has been hampered by a significant obstacle: fragmented data. Electronic Health Records (EHRs), while essential for patient care, frequently enough reside in isolated systems, making large-scale data analysis difficult and time-consuming. This data siloing hinders advancements in areas like precision medicine, population health management, and clinical trial recruitment.UNC Health, a leading academic medical center, recognized this critical need for improved data accessibility and has taken a bold step forward with the launch of its advanced secure cloud platform. This initiative directly addresses the challenges of EHR data integration, healthcare data analytics, and clinical research collaboration.

Introducing the UNC Health Secure Cloud Platform

UNC Health’s new platform isn’t simply moving data to the cloud; it’s building a sophisticated, secure surroundings specifically designed for collaborative research using sensitive patient information. Key features include:

* HIPAA Compliance: The platform is built with stringent security measures to ensure full compliance with the Health insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, protecting patient privacy.

* Advanced Encryption: Data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, utilizing industry-leading encryption standards.

* Role-based Access Control: Researchers are granted access only to the data necessary for their specific projects, minimizing risk and maintaining data integrity. This granular control is vital for data security in healthcare.

* Scalability & Adaptability: The cloud infrastructure allows for seamless scaling to accommodate growing data volumes and evolving research needs.

* Federated Data access: The platform supports federated data access, enabling researchers to query data across multiple UNC Health facilities without physically moving the data. This is a game-changer for large-scale data analysis.

Benefits for Researchers & Patients

The impact of this secure cloud platform extends far beyond simply making data more accessible. It unlocks a cascade of benefits:

* Accelerated Research Timelines: Faster access to extensive data sets significantly reduces the time required for research projects.

* Improved Data Quality: centralized data governance and standardized data formats enhance data quality and reliability.

* Enhanced Collaboration: The platform fosters collaboration among researchers across different departments and institutions.

* Precision Medicine Advancements: Access to detailed patient data enables researchers to identify patterns and develop personalized treatment plans.

* More Efficient Clinical Trials: Streamlined data access facilitates faster patient recruitment and more efficient clinical trial execution.

* Population Health Insights: Analyzing large-scale EHR data provides valuable insights into population health trends and disparities.

Technology stack & implementation Details

UNC Health partnered with leading cloud providers and data security experts to build the platform. While specific details are proprietary, the core technology stack includes:

* Cloud Provider: A major cloud provider (details not publicly disclosed) offering robust security and scalability.

* Data Lake: A centralized data lake built on a scalable storage solution to accommodate diverse data types.

* Data Governance tools: Tools for data cataloging, data lineage tracking, and data quality monitoring.

* Analytics Platform: A powerful analytics platform enabling researchers to perform complex data analysis and visualization.

* secure Data Enclaves: Isolated computing environments for researchers to work with sensitive data without compromising security.

The implementation involved a phased approach,starting with pilot projects and gradually expanding to encompass a wider range of research initiatives. A key component was the growth of standardized data models and data dictionaries to ensure interoperability and data consistency. This focus on data interoperability is crucial for maximizing the platform’s value.

Real-World Applications & Early Successes

While the platform is still relatively new, early results are promising. UNC Health researchers are already leveraging the platform for several key projects:

* Cancer Research: Identifying genetic markers associated with cancer risk and treatment response.

* cardiovascular Disease: Developing predictive models for heart failure and stroke.

* Neurological Disorders: Studying the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions.

* COVID-19 Research: Analyzing patient data to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19.