Dr. Halford Named to Becker’s List of “170 Women in Health IT to Know” for Fourth Consecutive Year

Covenant Health’s Mandy Halford, MD, senior vice president, chief medical informatics officer and chief medical officer, has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2026 list of 170 Women in Health IT to Know. This marks her fourth consecutive year receiving this national recognition. 

Becker’s Hospital Review is a leading publication covering hospital business and healthcare leadership. The publication notes that honorees are leaders “harnessing the full power of health IT to drive change that is meaningful and measurable.” 

Improving Patient Experience Through Technology 

Dr. Halford leads Covenant Health’s clinical informatics and medical strategy. She oversees the integration of technology with clinical and operational processes. This ensures clinicians and care teams have access to accurate, timely information.  

Another key focus of her work is improving the patient experience through accessible, real-time health information. Through tools like the MyCovenantHealth app and patient portal, individuals can view lab results, manage appointments and communicate with providers. This creates a more connected and informed care journey. 

“Technology allows us to put important health information directly into patients’ hands,” said Dr. Halford. “That real-time access helps people stay engaged in their care and makes a meaningful difference in how they manage their health.” 

Patients also benefit from standardized, evidence-based care practices implemented across the system. 

Bridging Medicine and Technology 

Dr. Halford emphasized that clinical informatics play a critical role in bridging medicine and technology to drive better outcomes. 

“As a medical informaticist, I work alongside physicians, quality and safety teams, and IT to improve workflows and processes within the electronic health record,” she said. “The goal is always to enhance quality of care, patient outcomes and the physician experience.” 

Her passion for innovation is rooted in a commitment to continuous improvement. 

“I realized early on that to truly improve patient care, I needed to understand how technology is built and implemented,” she explained. “By leading change and helping teams adopt new solutions, we can make a direct impact on how care is delivered.” 

Inspired by Patients and Team 

Dr. Halford credits her team and Covenant Health’s patient-centered mission as key motivators. 

“Our patients, our physicians and our entire team keep me inspired,” she said. “We believe deeply in our pledge of excellence, putting patients first, and it takes a strong, aligned team to drive meaningful change.”  For her, the reward of the work remains clear. 

“It’s all about the patients,” she said. “We’re committed to the highest levels of quality and safety while continuing to innovate and support our teams in delivering exceptional care.” 

Reflecting on National Recognition 

Reflecting on her fourth consecutive recognition, Dr. Halford expressed both gratitude and humility. 

“I’m in awe,” she said. “As someone from East Tennessee who simply wanted to make a difference and help others heal, I never imagined being in this role or receiving national recognition. I feel incredibly blessed.” 

Learn More 

Dr. Halford is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She also holds a clinical informatics certification from the American Board of Preventive Medicine. 

See the full list of 2026 honorees.