Seppo T. Rinne MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep & Critical Care Medicine
200 Springs Rd | (617) 638-4861seppo.rinne@va.gov
seppo@bu.edu
Sections
Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep & Critical Care Medicine
Centers
Pulmonary Center
Biography
Seppo Rinne, MD, PhD, Medicine/Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep & Critical Care Medicine, is a practicing pulmonary and critical care physician, clinical informaticist, and health systems researcher, focused on the intersection between clinical informatics and implementation science. His work focuses on harnessing novel technologies to build learning health systems, support data-driven decision-making, and enhance evidence-based practices. He leads a multidisciplinary team of over 40 investigators and staff conducting research and evaluation on implementation of health information technology.
Dr. Rinne is currently evaluating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) $30 billion electronic health record (EHR) modernization effort. This organizational transformation has encountered significant challenges and delays, and his work has been instrumental in identifying opportunities for improvement, informing VA policy, and shaping the trajectory of the EHR transition. In recognition of these contributions, he was honored with a VA Health System Impact Award, highlighting the profound influence of his work on Veteran care and the VA system.
Beyond his focus on EHR transitions, Dr. Rinne working with health system leaders to harness comprehensive data sources, integrate advanced analytics, and apply artificial intelligence to inform healthcare improvements. His career is guided by a commitment to advancing technology and innovation to drive meaningful, sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery.
Education
MD, Indiana University School of Medicine
Epidemiology, PhD, Purdue University
Environmental Science, BS, Purdue University
Publications
Ahlness EA, Rucci J, Matteau E, Walton E, Rinne ST. Health professions trainee experiences transitioning to a new Federal Electronic Health Record: applying learning health system principles to support change management in the Veterans Health Administration. JAMIA Open. 2026 Jun; 9(3):ooag053. PMID: 42181701.
Published on 5/17/2026Brunner J, Sterling R, Cole E, Weiss J, Faas B, Nosbush C, Ahlness EA, Wong ES, Rinne ST, Cutrona SL. Harnessing institutional knowledge: mixed methods evaluation of peer coaching in a multi-site EHR transition. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2026 May 17. PMID: 42143681.
Published on 3/8/2026Anderson E, Wiener RS, Braga AV, Dones M, Helfrich CD, Hyde J, Clayman ML, Rinne ST, Bokhour BG, Zeliadt SB. Patterns and Predictors of Health and Wellness Coaching Use Among Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Receiving Care From the United States Veterans Health Administration. Am J Health Promot. 2026 Mar 08; 8901171261432422. PMID: 41795630.
Published on 3/1/2026Gillmeyer KR, Rinne ST, Klings ES, Elwy AR, Wiener RS. Provider networks for pulmonary hypertension in Massachusetts: implications for improving referrals to expert care. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2026 Mar 01; 23(3):369-378. PMID: 41842741.
Published on 1/2/2026Brunner J, Morrissey S, Stevens EM, Payne C, Wiltz S, Cutrona SL, Rinne ST. Ambient Scribe Technology in Simulated Patient Encounters Across Specialties. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jan 02; 9(1):e2552870. PMID: 41499119.
Published on 12/4/2025Sterling R, Rinne S, Moldestad M, Helfrich CD, Sayre G, Keithly S, Sulc C, Young J, Obara E, Shirley S, Cole E, Wong E. Effect of Electronic Health Record Modernization on Burnout Among VA Frontline Clinicians: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Health Serv Res. 2026 Feb; 61(1):e70074. PMID: 41346062.
Published on 7/28/2025Gillmeyer KR, Shusterman S, Rinne ST, Elwy AR, Wiener RS. Gaps in access to pulmonary hypertension care and opportunities for improvement: a multi-site qualitative study. BMC Pulm Med. 2025 Jul 28; 25(1):355. PMID: 40721744.
Published on 6/1/2025Gillmeyer KR, Rinne ST, Rucci JM, Klings ES, Elwy AR, Wiener RS. Factors Associated with Referral to Expert Providers among Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2025 Jun; 22(6):838-845. PMID: 39932507.
Published on 4/1/2025Brunner J, Amano A, Davila J, Krein S, Sullivan SC, Church V, Sayre G, Rinne ST. Nurse Experiences in an Electronic Health Record Transition: A Mixed Methods Analysis. Comput Inform Nurs. 2025 Apr 01; 43(4). PMID: 39761294.
Published on 10/24/2024Rinne ST, Brunner J, Hogan TP, Ferguson JM, Helmer DA, Hysong SJ, McKee G, Midboe A, Shepherd-Banigan ME, Elwy AR. A use case of ChatGPT: summary of an expert panel discussion on electronic health records and implementation science. Front Digit Health. 2024; 6:1426057. PMID: 39512857.
Media Mentions
Published on 3/25/2022
Critical Care Burnout: Systemic Changes Needed, Not Just Self Care
Published on 10/9/2019
Study Analysis Rebuts Benefit of Post-Discharge COPD Program
Published on 10/8/2019
COPD Intervention Linked to More, Not Fewer, Hospitalizations
View full list of 3 media mentions.