Fellows in Focus: April 2025

Updates concerning Sciana Fellows in April 2025

Birgit Bauer launches new edition of DSL DE Kompass

Birgit Bauer (Cohort 5) has launched a new edition of DSL DE Kompass, available in English and German.

The Kompass is a publication on rethinking communication, health data, and participation in an increasingly digital healthcare environment. It brings together insights from politics, research, care and patient advocacy. It aims to support a communication culture that is understandable, trustworthy and participatory – across systems, sectors and disciplines.

Geschäftsführer der Bieler Spitex: «An Spitalschliessungen führt kein Weg vorbei» (Managing Director of Biel Spitex: “There is no way around hospital closures”)

Interviewed by Ajour, Christoph Napierala (Cohort 7) reflects on the Swiss, British, and Danish healthcare systems. He also refers to the All-Cohort Meeting that took place in March.

This article is behind a paywall.

Run before you can walk: The way to roll out AI

Rishi Das-Gupta (Cohort 4), Dominique Allwood (Cohort 6), and Chris Laing co-wrote an article for South London Health Innovation Network on how to implement artificial intelligence in healthcare organisations.

In April, Rishi produced another article responding to the US government's tariffs, exploring the opportunities for UK healthtech.

Valerie Kirchberger and Bogi Eliasen contribute chapters to new book

Valerie Kirchberger (Cohort 6) and Honorary Fellow Bogi Eliasen have contributed to a new book titled "Digital Maturity in Hospitals: Strategies, Frameworks, and Global Case Studies to Shape Future Healthcare."

Bogi has co-authored a chapter titled "The Nordic Way: Denmark's EHR Approach and Regional Integration," while Valerie has co-authored a chapter titled "Social Determinants of Health: Expanding our Understanding of Digital Maturity."

„Grundstein für Weiterentwicklung von Gesundheitsystemen” (“Foundation for the further development of health systems”)

In an interview with Monitor Versorgungsforschung, Oliver Gröne (Cohort 3) discussed the results of the OECD PaRIS Survey, the process behind it, and what learnings can already be taken.

Revolutionary shift to prevent ill health can save the NHS millions and boost growth – new report

In March, Richard Stubbs (Cohort 5) helped launch a new report outlining "preventative health innovations that could save the NHS millions, address widening health inequalities, and boost economic growth through improved productivity."

The report was produced by Sheffield Hallam University's Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre. Richard chairs the Research Centre's strategic advisory board.

Deep listening and bridging the gap between social care and healthcare

In an interview with the Sciana Network, Mirjam Lämmle (-Weber) (Cohort 6) reflects on the start of her Sciana journey, leadership, and her first few months as CEO of the Swiss Cancer League.

KI-Psychotherapie: Trügerische Seelentröster im Netz (AI psychotherapy: Deceptive comforters on the Internet)

The Frankfurther Allgemeine spoke with Marc Augustin (Cohort 4) as part of an article on artificial intelligence and psychotherapy.

Marc argued human traits like empathy and hope are essential for a positive therapeutic alliance and cannot be substituted by AI. He was approached for this article after the journalist read an op-ed of his for Project Syndicate.

This article is behind a paywall.

Lawrence Tallon reflects on four first weeks at Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

In a post on LinkedIn, Lawrence Tallon (Cohort 5) reflected on his new role and the Agency's aims.

He said, "With the uncertainty we are seeing in geopolitics, now is the moment for expert, trusted and collegiate UK institutions, such as MHRA, to step confidently into the international arena, leading and partnering with peers, to help bring new medicines, products and technologies to patients near and far. In so doing, we can help to boost the enormous potential of life sciences in the UK and partner countries."

Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) – How to create the conditions where INTs can flourish

For a blog for the South London Health Innovation Network, Minal Bakhai (Cohort 7) spoke with Natasha Curran about what is needed in general practice to enable effective neighbourhood health teams to flourish.

Minal also recently featured on an episode of the Royal Society of Medicine's Digital Health Section Podcast. In conversation with Annabelle Painter, Minal discusses how modern technology is enabling system change in general practice through the modern general practice model.

Under the microscope: the relentless scrutiny of women in charge

In a recent Substack post, Sarah Hughes (Cohort 3) reflected on her experiences with social media and what happened when she became CEO of Mind. She also shared the "Women in Charge - Social Media Playbook," a guide which aims to provide seven strategies to lead without losing your peace.

The people behind healthcare innovation: interview with Michael Poku, chief clinical officer for Equality Health

In the latest installment of "The people behind healthcare innovation" series, Tobias Silberzahn (Cohort 3) speaks with Michael Poku, chief clinical officer for Equality Health, a company driving innovation in value-based care.

Celebrating World Health Day

World Health Day took place on 7 April, with this year's World Health Organization campaign titled "Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures".

The campaign urges "governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being."

Reflecting on this year's theme, Louise Baker-Schuster said, "We would like to agree with this – because at a time when our healthcare system is facing major challenges, it is more important than ever to prevent instead of just cure."

On LinkedIn, Tobias Silberzahn (Cohort 3) said, "To deliver #HopefulFutures to everyone, all women need quality maternal care, no matter who they are or where they live."

Also marking this year's World Health Day, Claudia Witt (Cohort 5) reminded us that health is not only shaped by systems and policies, but also by small, intentional steps we take in our everyday lives.

She said, "Whether during medical treatment, in recovery, or as part of prevention, self-care measures like relaxation, mindfulness, and acupressure can be powerful tools to support your well-being."