Tamara StClaire is the chief innovation officer of Xerox Healthcare – and later this month at HIMSS16 she will also be among the Social Media Ambassadors credentialed to cover the conference.

Healthcare IT News caught up with StClaire via Twitter to discuss what she’s most excited to learn about this year (hint: it has a little something to do with population health) as well as her predictions for the near-future and one thing her followers might not know about her.

[Also: Steve Sisko: 'Healthcare literacy' surge coming]

Q: One health IT prediction for 2016?

A: I predict that healthcare consumerism will grow dramatically this year. By that I mean that healthcare transactions will become significantly more patient-centric. The patient experience will move closer to resembling the quality customers have come to expect in all the other facets of their lives.

Q: What’s something about you that even your devout followers likely don’t know?

A: I have an adorable, black, miniature poodle named Zoe. She's my fur baby.

Q: What inspired you to apply for the Social Media Ambassador program?

A: This year I’ve made it a priority to be a part of the healthcare conversations happening online, and it’s been so great to connect and learn from others who are passionate about the same things I am. I applied for the program this year because I hope I can encourage others to join the conversation, just as I was encouraged by the SMA's last year.

Q: What is the untold benefit of social media in healthcare today?

A: There is a lot to be said for using social media as an educational tool, or a source of inspiration. But more importantly, I believe, social media enables collaboration and camaraderie. Participating in online conversations provides an ongoing dialogue with others in the industry – sometimes those conversations are professional and serious, but other times they’re more personal and light-hearted (like #HIMSSfashion). In either case, it can be the start of wonderful, new relationships.

Q: What are you most looking forward to learning about at HIMSS16?

A: A lot of people will be discussing population health management at the conference this year. I’m looking forward to hearing how organizations are implementing sophisticated PHM programs today and the areas in which those programs can still be fine-tuned and improved.

Twitter: @SullyHIT