David Potochniak

About David Potochniak

I’m a senior tech leader and cloud architect building AI-powered healthcare platforms that actually work — secure, scalable, and rooted in real-world clinical need.Over 15+ years, I’ve led cross-functional teams through complex digital transformations: from payer-provider integration and data interoperability to commercial SaaS platforms and cloud-native modernization (with a healthy dose of Azure and AI in the mix). My sweet spot? Translating strategic business goals into architectures that are technically solid, compliant, and deeply aligned with patient outcomes.I thrive at the intersection of architecture, leadership, and product — bridging gaps between engineering, clinical, and product teams to build systems that ship fast and scale smart. Focus Areas:AI- and cloud-enabled healthcare platforms (Azure-native)Scalable, secure, multi-tenant SaaS architecturesClinical data exchange & interoperability (FHIR, HL7, SMART on FHIR)Modern engineering orgs and distributed team leadershipSecurity, IAM, and compliance (HIPAA, HITRUST)Curious by default. Builder by instinct. On a mission to empower care teams with tools that don’t just meet requirements — they make a difference.

Experience

1. Senior Director Architecture

   Optum

   Aug 2021 — Present · NC, US

   Lead enterprise architecture for next-generation healthcare platforms, with a focus on innovation, AI adoption, and clinical enablement. Spearhead the design and delivery of AI-driven solutions, including a multi-year digital prior authorization initiative using machine learning to streamline utilization review and reduce provider burden.Oversee technical strategy across scalable cloud infrastructure, secure multi-tenant design, and EHR interoperability standards (HL7 FHIR, SMART on FHIR). Partner closely with product, clinical, and engineering teams to align architecture with strategic goals and drive measurable business and patient outcomes.Known for combining technical vision with execution—building high-performing architecture teams, modernizing legacy systems, and championing responsible AI and data-driven decision making in complex, regulated environments.

Education

• State University of New York College at Potsdam

  BA, Computer and Information Science

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Persuasive Communication & Critical Thinking

Skills

• Stored Procedures
• Json
• Css
• Oracle
• Requirements Analysis
• Cloud Computing
• Visual Basic
• Sdlc
• Xslt
• Sql
• Visio
• Platform Architecture
• Asp.net
• Solution Architecture
• Application Development
• Html
• Computer Security
• Software Development
• Scrum
• Soa
• Jquery
• Web Applications
• Saas
• Visual Studio
• Software Project Management
• Enterprise Software
• Xml
• Enterprise Architecture
• Saml
• T-Sql
• Iis
• Soap
• Sql Server
• Architecture
• Ajax
• Wcf
• Wpf
• Agile
• Vb.net
• Microsoft Sql Server