LBMC Expands Data and AI Practice with Healthcare Strategy Expertise
Welcoming Dr. Charlie Apigian, LBMC Strengthens its Expertise in Digital Health, Value-Based Care, and Advanced Data Strategies/Innovation to Drive Client Success
LBMC, a top accounting and business consulting firm in the nation, is pleased to announce the expansion of its Consulting and Business Intelligence Practice with the addition of distinguished expert, Dr. Charlie Apigian, Ph.D. This strategic expansion strengthens LBMC’s ability to help CEOs define their data strategies, accelerate AI adoption, and support business growth with a reliable data foundation. LBMC’s AI and generative AI strategy services help leadership teams identify high-value use cases, evaluate readiness, establish governance, and build practical roadmaps for responsible implementation.
Helping Clients Turn Data and AI Strategy into Business Results
Dr. Charlie Apigian joins LBMC as the firm’s leader of Data & AI Strategy. Apigian’s experience as a data scientist, innovator, and strategist to business leaders in data and AI, bolsters LBMC’s commitment to accelerating businesses on their AI journey, grounded in a robust data infrastructure. His experience is particularly relevant as organizations respond to emerging healthcare AI and automation trends that are reshaping clinical operations, financial performance, workforce models, compliance, and patient engagement. A strong data strategy gives healthcare leaders the foundation needed to evaluate these opportunities and implement them responsibly. An award-winning AI leader and published author, Dr. Apigian is adept at tackling complex and strategic challenges, helping clients use data to achieve their goals.
Dr. Apigian’s key differentiators include:
- Data Culture Transformation: Transforming a company’s data culture to become data-focused, guiding technology teams to engage in data storytelling, ensuring data is used purposefully and effectively rather than for its own sake.
- Data Storytelling: Bringing data to life for companies, enabling them to tell actionable stories, to optimize operations, reduce losses, and enhance profitability by making data understandable and impactful.
- AI and Data Strategy: Assessing a company’s current use of AI and data, understanding their goals, and developing a strategic roadmap to achieve those goals by maximizing the company’s AI and data potential. For healthcare organizations, that roadmap must also account for evolving healthcare AI and cybersecurity trends, including data privacy, cyber risk, regulatory change, responsible model use, and the security implications of connecting AI tools to sensitive systems and information.
- AI/Machine Learning Implementation: Building and deploying advanced AI and machine learning models to forecast key business metrics such as sales, demand, inventory, and downtime, and implementing generative AI to accelerate a company’s AI journey.
These capabilities also extend into finance and professional services. The growing use of AI in accounting demonstrates how organizations can apply AI to improve research, automate repetitive work, strengthen forecasting, and increase decision-making speed while maintaining appropriate human oversight.
Healthcare organizations face particularly complex data and AI challenges because clinical, financial, operational, and regulatory information often exists across disconnected systems. LBMC’s expanded capabilities help healthcare leaders create a unified data strategy, evaluate responsible AI applications, and turn fragmented information into insights that support value-based care, operational performance, and sustainable growth.
An advisor in Data and AI strategy, Dr. Apigian is also an educator, speaker, and a community leader well-versed in a strategic approach in using data to solve real-world problems. His extensive background in teaching and practicing data science, via tools such as Python and various BI and analytics platforms, equips him to provide unparalleled guidance to clients. Dr. Apigian’s numerous accolades include Nashville Post IT in Charge, Nashville Technology Council Data Scientist of the Year, and Nashville Technology Council IT Community Leader of the Year.
“Charlie’s expertise in data and AI strategy will significantly enhance our ability to develop forward-thinking strategies for our clients,” said Meade. “His insights will empower our clients to harness the full potential of their data, driving efficiency and strategic growth.”
Organizations looking to improve data quality, modernize reporting, identify valuable AI use cases, or build a practical implementation roadmap can explore LBMC’s Data and AI services.
LBMC helps leadership teams connect data, technology, and business strategy to improve decision-making, operational performance, and long-term growth.
About LBMC
LBMC is a 2024 USA Today Top Recommended Firm, one of the Southeast’s largest accounting and business consulting firms, and an Accounting Today Top Firm in the Nation serving approximately 11,000 clients with diverse needs across a spectrum of industries. Primary client groups include privately-owned middle market companies in the healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and private equity space. At the forefront of innovation, LBMC leverages advanced business intelligence and AI technologies to drive growth, efficiency, and strategic insights for our clients. Founded in 1984 as a traditional accounting firm, LBMC today is an industry leader in financial, human resources, technology, cybersecurity, and wealth advisory services for businesses and individuals. LBMC has more than 900 team members, with offices in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; and Charlotte, North Carolina. A four-time national certified Great Place to Work, LBMC was also named a Best Workplace in Consulting & Professional Services. For more information on LBMC’s experts and comprehensive services, visit our website or call 615.377.4600. LBMC is growing, and job opportunities can be found on our careers page.
