Across the United States, more than 70 million people live in rural or medically underserved areas, where access to quality healthcare is often limited by geography, provider shortages, and outdated systems. For these communities, digital transformation is not just a technological upgrade—it is a lifeline. Through pioneering work with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the deployment of platforms like the Biomedical Research Informatics Computing System (BRICS), Publicis Sapient is helping bridge the healthcare gap, delivering measurable improvements in access, provider retention, and health outcomes.
Rural and underserved regions face a constellation of barriers to healthcare:
These challenges have historically led to poorer health outcomes, higher rates of chronic disease, and greater vulnerability during public health crises.
Recognizing these challenges, HRSA’s mission is to connect high-need communities with qualified healthcare providers through federal programs such as loan repayment and scholarships. However, outdated mainframe systems and fragmented processes made it difficult to scale these programs or track their impact. When federal funding increased, HRSA needed a partner to modernize its operations and deliver on its mission at scale.
Publicis Sapient partnered with HRSA to deliver a comprehensive digital transformation, centered on the Bureau of Health Workforce Management Information System Solution (BMISS) platform. This initiative replaced a 35-year-old mainframe and over 23 legacy applications with a modern, web-based, customer-centric digital environment. The transformation included:
The impact of these digital solutions is profound and data-driven:
The modernization of HRSA’s digital infrastructure has enabled rapid, targeted responses to public health emergencies. During crises like the opioid epidemic and Zika outbreak, HRSA was able to quickly project potential impacts on specific communities and map resources to address anticipated needs. The expansion of programs and integration of real-time data have made HRSA a model for responsive, data-driven public health management. One of the most significant outcomes is the high provider retention rate: 85% of clinicians remain in underserved areas beyond their required term. This continuity is critical for building trust, improving health outcomes, and fostering long-term community resilience.
While HRSA’s transformation addresses the operational and workforce challenges of rural healthcare, platforms like BRICS are revolutionizing the way data is shared and leveraged for research and care in rare and dispersed populations. BRICS, developed in partnership with federal health agencies, is a web-based, extensible bioinformatics platform that supports data sharing across research studies and clinical trials. Its modular architecture and secure, privacy-by-design approach enable:
BRICS supports over three million records representing nearly 100,000 diverse subjects, powering more than 200 research studies across 11 disease areas. Its impact is especially profound for rare disease research, where small, geographically isolated patient cohorts have historically limited the ability to conduct meaningful studies or develop new treatments.
Modernizing public health services comes with unique challenges, from legacy infrastructure to regulatory compliance and the imperative for inclusivity. Publicis Sapient’s approach prioritizes inclusive design, ensuring digital services are accessible to all citizens, regardless of ability or background. By grounding solutions in empathy, transparency, and a deep understanding of user needs, Publicis Sapient helps build trust and drive adoption across diverse communities.
The success of HRSA’s digital transformation and the deployment of platforms like BRICS offer a blueprint for other public health agencies seeking to modernize their operations and improve outcomes. By combining human-centered design, agile methodologies, and advanced data capabilities, Publicis Sapient has helped deliver seamless, accessible digital experiences for applicants and providers, optimize federal program management, and expand the reach and impact of critical health workforce and research initiatives.
As public health needs continue to evolve, the ability to deliver agile, data-driven, and people-first digital solutions will be essential. Publicis Sapient stands ready to help agencies unlock new possibilities, drive efficiency, and ensure that every community—no matter how remote—has access to the care and support it deserves.