CIOs behind Puerto Rico’s hospital systems: Francisco Cáceres
Introduction
In this edition of our series Leading Hospital Technology in Puerto Rico, we spoke with Francisco Cáceres, Chief Information Officer (CIO) overseeing five hospitals across the island. With a background in telecommunications and over a decade of experience in healthcare IT, Francisco has a clear and grounded vision: technology is only meaningful when it helps people, especially in healthcare.
In this interview, he opens up about what drives him, the challenges of cybersecurity, and the lessons he’s learned about how real transformation happens behind the scenes.
Interview Highlights
One Word to Define Healthcare: Peace
For Francisco, health is the balance between spiritual, physical, and mental well-being, and that’s what guides his role in hospital leadership.
What Drives Him Daily
A desire to help, contribute, and create impact. He sees each day as an opportunity to improve processes that directly support hospital teams and patient care.
His Biggest Lesson as a CIO
“I’m not just here to bring in new systems — I’m here to transform how we work.”
Francisco emphasizes that technology alone doesn’t fix problems. Sometimes, a simple process change makes the real difference.
What Keeps Him Up at Night
Cybersecurity.
Healthcare is one of the most targeted industries for cyberattacks. Protecting patient data is a constant concern, and his team has invested in strong systems to create peace of mind — but the pressure never really disappears.
What Surprised Him About Healthcare IT
He never imagined how much technology could impact patient care. “It’s not just about fixing computers. Everything we do affects how doctors and nurses deliver services.”
What He Didn’t Know Starting Out
The complexity of a hospital.
Coming from telecommunications, he was shocked by how many departments a hospital has — and how hard it is to align everyone under the same vision.
The Tech Myth He Wants to Bust
That artificial intelligence can do everything, and always gets it right.
Francisco believes AI is a powerful tool, but it still requires human oversight. Training, data sources, and bias all play a role. “It’s here to stay, but we can’t skip the human touch.”
Where There’s Still Work to Do
While clinical areas have made big advances, administrative and financial processes still rely heavily on manual work. His next priority: modernize those areas with the same intensity as the clinical side.
Quotes to Highlight
“Technology doesn’t always solve the problem. Sometimes, a small process change makes all the difference.”
“AI is here to stay — but human involvement is still essential.”
“What I’m most grateful for is the opportunity to help — especially in a field like healthcare.”
About This Series
Leading Hospital Technology in Puerto Rico is a conversation series with CIOs across the island who are transforming care through digital leadership. From EHR innovation to cybersecurity and beyond, we’re highlighting the people behind the systems and how their decisions shape the future of healthcare.
This conversation is part of a special series created to shine a light on the CIOs behind Puerto Rico’s hospital systems, the people driving digital transformation, solving complex challenges, and quietly shaping how care is delivered across the island.
CIOs are often the invisible force behind the scenes, and yet their work impacts every patient, every department, every outcome.