Faces Of Digital Health

In this interview, healthcare futurist Reenita Das, Partner at Frost&Sulivan, Healthcare Changemaker, voted top 100 women in Healthtech and Femtech, reflects on the balance between rapid digital health innovation and the human side of care. Speaking from WHX Tech in Dubai, she highlights why empathy, kindness, and caregiving remain essential despite the rise of AI. She also shares insights on the UAE healthcare system—its sophistication, inequities for migrant workers, and opportunities in mental health and digital innovation. Drawing from her experience in 10+ healthcare systems worldwide, Reenita compares global approaches and emphasizes food and lifestyle as drivers of health outcomes. 00:00 – Introduction and reflections on WHX Tech conference 01:00 – Why the human side of healthcare is more important than ever 02:30 – Risks of AI reducing clinician-patient time 03:30 – What AI can and cannot do in healthcare 05:00 – UAE healthcare system: sophistication and inequities 06:30 – Migrant workers and challe

Dr. Sam Shah is a clinician, advisor, and former startup founder. At WHX Tech he sat down with Tjasa Zajc to discuss the future of dentistry, oral health, and broader digital health innovation. He explains why dentistry has lagged behind other specialties, how oral health connects to overall wellbeing, and why the UAE stands out as “the most digitally connected place on the planet.” Sam highlights government-backed sandboxes, integration engines, and lessons other countries can learn from the Emirates—while also pointing to persistent challenges in standards, interoperability, and prevention. Show notes: 00:00 – Introduction and Sam’s journey from dentistry to digital health 01:00 – Innovations in dentistry: apps, smart toothbrushes, imaging AI 02:00 – Why dentistry lags behind in digital adoption 03:00 – Oral health and its impact on overall health and wellbeing 04:00 – The social determinants of oral health 05:00 – Career across multiple domains: public health, startups, law, economics 06:00 – Why global

At WHX Tech, cybersecurity expert Dr Leila Taghizade, Group Head of Cyber Risk Management / CISO IberoLatAm at Allianz, breaks down what every individual—and every hospital—should know about protecting themselves in 2025. From the basics of stronger passwords and two-factor authentication to the risks of free apps and third-party tools, she explains in clear terms why “there’s no such thing as free lunch” in cybersecurity. Leila also highlights the dangers of phishing, the vulnerability of medical devices, and how AI both helps defenders and lowers the cost of attacks. Show Notes 00:00 – Introduction: why cybersecurity basics matter in 2025 00:30 – Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, limiting app permissions 02:00 – Giving apps only the access they really need 03:00 – Cybersecurity in healthcare: medical devices as weak links 04:30 – Default passwords and firmware updates as major risks 05:30 – Phishing: why reporting is critical for protection 07:00 – Everyday cyber hygiene: logging out, password

Did you know that  the lifetime prevalence for experiencing a sexual problem is above 70% for women and 55% for men? And when we talk about the problem in conjunction with the distress, it's 25% in women and around 20% in men. So one in four women has the problem right now they are silently suffering because of various issues - challenges discussing issues with their doctor, inadequate awareness among physicians and more. In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, we dive into a topic often overlooked in healthcare: women’s sexual health and sexual distress. Clinical psychologist and sex therapist from Charite, Berlin Selina Marie Kronthaler discusses the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, why sexual distress is still underdiagnosed, and the impact on relationships and quality of life. We explore how digital health tools and evidence-based interventions are being developed to support women in navigating sexual pain, arousal disorders, and emotional challenges in a private, accessible way. The conversation hig

In this thought-provoking conversation, surgeon Shafi Ahmed and digital health futurist John Nosta revisit Geoffrey Hinton’s bold 2016 prediction that radiologists would soon be replaced by AI.

India’s journey in digital health began just over a decade ago, yet it has quickly grown into one of the most ambitious transformations worldwide. It started in 2012 with maternal and child health programs, expanded to cover non-communicable diseases, and gained momentum with the launch of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in 2020. At the heart of ABDM is the ABHA ID—a unique 14-digit health identifier for every citizen. Combined with registries for facilities and professionals, and a consent-based health information exchange, India has laid the groundwork for a truly interoperable system. So far, over 800 million ABHA IDs have been created. Yet, only around 20% of facilities and professionals are onboarded, with adoption challenges in the private sector. Ritesh Aeron is a distinguished digital health expert and program management specialist with a strong track record of driving large-scale health systems transformation through digital innovation. He currently serves as a Director at the Equitabl

Healthcare technology has long promised efficiency, but for many clinicians, the reality has been different: burnout, frustration, and time stolen from patient care. In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, Tjasa Zajc spoke with Coray Tate, VP of Clinical Research at KLAS Research, about what the data actually reveals about burnout, electronic health records (EHRs), and the role of new technologies like ambient speech and AI. Key takeaways: Culture matters more than technology choice. The Arch Collaborative found that execution and organizational support around EHRs matter more than the specific vendor. Burnout isn’t primarily caused by EHRs. Instead, clinicians report that feeling unheard and disconnected from leadership drives dissatisfaction. The Middle East stands out. Collaboration-focused cultures there show significantly lower burnout rates than the U.S. or Europe. Ambient speech is delivering results. Across ~25 health systems, burnout rates dropped by 12% after adopting ambient documentation

In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, host Tjasa Zajc speaks with Dr. Sabine Kapasi, a physician, UN strategist, and founder of a Enira Consulting focused on bridging policy, tech, and clinical practice. The discussion explores the evolving landscape of healthcare in India, touching on digital transformation, rural access challenges, innovative diagnostics, and the role of AI. India’s large population, digital payment infrastructure, and widespread smartphone adoption are unique assets in transforming care delivery. However, gaps in infrastructure, rural clinician availability, and systemic fragmentation remain hurdles. Dr. Sabine emphasizes the importance of human-centered care, especially in the context of AI adoption. Topics covered: Current Public Health Challenges in India Rise in infectious diseases during monsoon Double burden of NCDs and communicable diseases Vaccination Success Polio eradication and near-universal childhood vaccination Demographics &

AI has revolutionized drug discovery by enabling scientists to process vast amounts of historical data, thus accelerating the identification of disease targets and molecule development. AI helps avoid past mistakes and improves the quality of research, making it an indispensable tool in the lab. MSD's approach to AI involves a blend of internal talent and strategic partnerships. By combining computational and web science expertise, MSD ensures that both technological and scientific endpoints are effectively addressed, says Matt Studney, SVP of Research Labs at MSD. Topics addressed: Internal vs. External AI Development at MSD Global Data Management Challenges Generative AI's Impact on Drug Discovery Confidential AI Systems and Documentation Challenges in AI Integration Workforce Upskilling and Cultural Change Future Breakthroughs and Concerns Synthetic Data and Drug Repurposing www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/ Youtube: https://youtu.be/pgCz-tgHaL0

This discussion covers the global impact of digital health technologies in making healthcare more sustainable and improving health outcomes. The conversation centers on a fundamental question: should we prioritize building better healthcare systems or cultivating healthier populations? Bogi Eliasen, a sought after keynote speaker and advisor for health leaders globally, stresses the urgency of early intervention, particularly in the context of chronic diseases, to ease the growing burden on healthcare systems. He advocates for a shift from reactive to preventative care, emphasizing the role of digital technologies in enabling this transition and improving outcomes at scale. Key barriers to progress include political and commercial inertia, short-term policy thinking, and the escalating costs of acute care. The interview draws on success stories, such as the Nordic Health 2030 Vision, which aims to redesign healthcare to be more preventative, personalized, and data-driven. Innovative applications of existin

Jessica Morley, postdoctoral researcher at the Yale Digital Ethics Center joins Faces of Digital Health to discuss the overlooked aspects of AI, including biases, ethical issues, and common misconceptions. AI is not new, magical, or truly intelligent; its roots in healthcare trace back 30 years. While AI is often seen as infallible, it is merely statistical prediction and lacks semantic understanding, which excludes it from genuinely grasping human concepts like pain. Jessica remains skeptically optimistic about AI, noting its potential in scientific advancements and operational efficiency but doubting its transformative impact on diagnostics and patient care. The conversation also highlights the regulatory landscapes in Europe, the UK, and the US, each with varying approaches to AI regulation. Jessica emphasizes the unavoidable nature of bias in AI, advocating for more thoughtful adoption and regulation to ensure AI benefits everyone without deepening biases or relying excessively on surveillance. The discu

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare presents both opportunities and challenges that demand careful consideration. The complex interplay between innovation, regulation, and ethical governance are central themes at the heart of global discussions on health AI. This dialogue was brought to the forefront in a recent conversation with Ricardo Baptista Leite, CEO of Health AI - Global Agency for Responsible AI in Healthcare. Understanding Health AI and Its Mission Health AI, the global agency for responsible AI in health, is at the forefront of steering the development and adoption of AI solutions through collaborative regulatory mechanisms and global standards. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com https://fodh.substack.com/ Youtube:

Can video games really save lives? In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, we sit down with Anca Petre to explore the booming intersection of gaming, virtual reality (VR) and healthcare. From Fortnite maps that teach immunity to Roblox worlds that demystify diabetes, we showcase real-world success stories and practical steps for health organizations that want to level-up patient engagement. What you’ll learn 2:00 Intro & why gaming matters in 2025 4:05 Success story #1 – Fortnite immunity map 8:40 Success story #2 – Minecraft mental-health build 11:55 How creator economies (Fortnite Creative, Roblox, Minecraft) open doors for health innovators 16:10 Budgeting & ROI: making the business case 20:30 4-step framework for your first health-game project 26:45 Overcoming stigma & regulatory hurdles 31:00 Future outlook: VR, digital therapeutics & beyond Key takeaways Gaming isn’t just entertainment—it’s a powerful storytelling engine for complex medical topics. Creator platforms already host millions of enga

Jack Kreindler is physician, explorer, and CEO of WellFounded, who studies human performance, resilience, survivorship, and longevity. He emphasizes the distinction between longevity, which caters to the fear of death, and health span, which focuses on expanding vitality and ensuring good quality of life in the finite years we have. The discussion dives into human performance medicine and its application beyond elite athletes to everyday individuals and patients in critical conditions. Kreindler talks about integrating human performance science with traditional medicine, improving health outcomes, and assessing current medical practices such as prehabilitation in oncology. He also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on public health perception, the rise in self-directed healthcare, and the importance of mental health and human connection for overall well-being. Show notes: 01:03 Human Performance Medicine: Beyond Athletes 02:31 Integrating Human Performance with Traditional Medicine 06:00 Prehabilitation

Philippe Habets is a Dutch physician-scientist and entrepreneur specializing in computational psychiatry and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare. He is co-founder of Evidence Hunt, a health-tech company aimed at revolutionizing medical literature discovery using AI. The AI-powered platform that streamlines the process of finding, analyzing, and utilizing medical evidence, enabling users to access summarized, evidence-based answers with cited sources in seconds. This discussion covers: Why measuring resilience with data is so elusive How Evidence Hunt reduces search fatigue for clinicians and researchers The philosophical challenge of translating emotions into data What makes a good prompt when searching for medical knowledge Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8tC0B4NvpM www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/

Starting Summer 2025, researchers and innovators across Europe will be able to apply for access to one of the largest pseudonymized health datasets in the EU—via Germany's Health Data Lab at BfArM. In this discussion, Head of Health Data Lab (BfArM) Dr. Steffen Heß, scientist with has extensive experience in combining scientific expertise with data analysis in the healthcare sector, talks about conditions to access and analyse data from the Health Data Hub, differences between digital twins, synthetic data and real world data and more.

Fidelia Cascini is Digital Healh expert engaged by the Italian Ministry of Health on European and national initiative. She recently wrote a book on secondary use of data in healthcare, read it here: Secondary Use of Electronic Health Data Public Health Perspectives, Use Cases and Challenges https://link.springer.com/book/10.100... This conversation covers the categorization of electronic health data, the importance of distinguishing different data types, and the potential applications and challenges in digital health. We also explore healthcare systems' digitalization, patient data privacy, the European Health Data Space (EHDS), and future public health perspectives. Learn about patient-generated data, clinical trials, and the significant role of digital health advancements in shaping the future of healthcare. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbSCXUhIDZ8 Show notes: 01:08 Diving into Different Categories of Health Data 0

Fidelia Cascini is Digital Healh expert engaged by the Italian Ministry of Health on European and national initiative. She recently wrote a book on secondary use of data in healthcare, read it here: Secondary Use of Electronic Health Data Public Health Perspectives, Use Cases and Challenges https://link.springer.com/book/10.100... This conversation covers the categorization of electronic health data, the importance of distinguishing different data types, and the potential applications and challenges in digital health. We also explore healthcare systems' digitalization, patient data privacy, the European Health Data Space (EHDS), and future public health perspectives. Learn about patient-generated data, clinical trials, and the significant role of digital health advancements in shaping the future of healthcare. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbSCXUhIDZ8 Show notes: 01:08 Diving into Different Categories of Health Data 0

In the evolving landscape of work life balance expectations workforce dynamics is reshaping the future of medicine. Dr Amanda Herbrand, clinical data specialist at the University Hospital Basel and former oncologist, shares her insights on this transformation, highlighting the critical role of technology and shifts in physician careers in healthcare. Dr. Herand shares her transition from oncology to healthcare IT and the challenges and solutions in integrating clinical expertise with IT systems. The host and Amanda explore changing workforce expectations, the role of technology in alleviating clinical burdens, and the importance of digital health literacy. The conversation also covers clinical data modeling, international collaborations, and the future vision of healthcare IT development. 00:00 Introduction to Faces of Digital Health 02:00 Interview with Dr. Amanda Herand 02:27 Transition from Oncology to Clinical Data Specialization 04:36 Challenges and Observations in Healthcare IT 11:35 The Role of Digit