Judy Faulkner on Building Epic, Staying Private, and the Future of Healthcare

April 24, 2026

Epic’s founder and CEO sits down with the host of Freakonomics Radio to discuss nearly 50 years of building Epic—and what comes next.

Judy joins Stephen Dubner, co-author of Freakonomics and host of Freakonomics Radio, for a wide-ranging conversation about Epic’s origins, its growth, and its role in healthcare today. She traces her path from a summer programming job to founding Epic, and discusses the company’s decisions to stay private, build rather than acquire, and reinvest in R&D over nearly 50 years.

The conversation also features Epic’s Seth Howard and covers AI in patient care, the story behind Care Everywhere, Epic’s succession plan, and the Roots and Wings Foundation.

Listen to the full episode here.

More Epic in the News

AI Helps OLVG Clinicians Reduce Note-Writing Time By Over 30%

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As Chart with Art—Epic’s native AI charting—handles documentation, clinicians report improved focus on the conversation in the room, fostering better visit experiences and work-life balance.

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Reid Health Adopts Emmie, Epic’s AI for Patients

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Patients of the rural health system can use Ask Emmie to receive answers that are grounded in their full health history, including past visits and test results.

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Community Health Network Adopts Emmie, an AI Assistant in MyChart to Enhance Patient Experience

August 31, 2026

Emmie, an AI assistant now available in Epic’s MyChart, provides patients with a secure, conversational way to better understand their health information.

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