Hanyin Wang, M.D.

What moment or experience in your life influenced your decision to become a clinician?

The pivotal influence in my decision to pursue a career in medicine was my mother's role as a general surgeon. Growing up, I witnessed the profound impact her work had on her patients' lives. This early exposure to the world of healthcare inspired me to embrace the challenges of the medical field and aspire to similarly positively affect people's lives.

What motivated you to become a Kern Health Care Delivery Scholar?

During my tenure as the chair of the Department of Hospital Medicine at Mayo Clinic Health System in Southwest Minnesota over the past three years, I encountered numerous practical challenges and questions that were deeply linked to healthcare delivery. My growing curiosity about the evaluation of healthcare delivery — especially the effects of AI-related tools — led me to the Kern Health Care Delivery Scholar program, where I saw an opportunity to systematically explore and address these questions.

What is your focus and goal as a scholar within the Mayo Clinic Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery?

My research at the Kern Center will be focused on exploring the implications of AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), on healthcare workflows. My initial project involves refining an LLM to accurately predict diagnosis-related group billing codes for patients admitted to the hospital. This research aims to improve billing accuracy and reduce administrative burden. Simultaneously, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where my research is centered on AI for healthcare.

Tell us about your mentoring team.

Xiaoxi Yao, Ph.D., M.P.H., is my primary mentor for my time as a Kern Health Care Delivery Scholar. I selected Dr. Yao as my mentor due to her extensive experience in applying AI projects to real-world practices at Mayo Clinic, with a particular emphasis on healthcare delivery research. I am also eager to explore various practical implications of AI models, especially LLMs, within community health systems and rural healthcare settings, such as that of Mayo Clinic Health System.

How will your research transform or improve patient care, or affect public health?

My research aims to demystify the practical uses and effectiveness of LLMs in healthcare settings. By quantitatively evaluating the costs and benefits of these AI tools, I hope to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations on their integration into everyday clinical practice. This could lead to significant advancements in patient care by reducing errors, streamlining processes and ultimately freeing up more time for direct patient interaction.

Why did you choose Mayo Clinic to pursue your career?

Choosing Mayo Clinic for my career development was motivated by its reputation as a world-class healthcare institution. Mayo's commitment to integrating cutting-edge research into clinical practice presents a unique environment where innovative ideas can be nurtured and implemented.

What are three words that describe you?

Adventurous, dedicated, analytical.

Outside of work, what is one thing you like to do?

Outside of work, I treasure spending time with my family. My three-year-old daughter and my wife are my joy and relaxation. Together, we love to travel, exploring new cultures and cuisines, with Japan being a favorite destination.