“Harvard Health Systems Innovation Lab helped me explore a crucial element in my professional trajectory—the essence of innovation in healthcare!”
Embarking on the journey of pursuing an MPH at Harvard, I, a dentist from Pakistan, sought to unravel the intricate layers of global health systems. With a clinical background, an interest in regulatory affairs, and a fervent desire to make a tangible social impact on a global scale, my academic pursuit aimed to comprehend the fundamentals of healthcare on a global stage. It was during this journey that I encountered the Harvard Health Systems Innovation Lab (HSIL), a transformative space that helped me explore a crucial element in my professional trajectory—the essence of innovation in healthcare. HSIL became the catalyst that reshaped my perspective and broadened my horizons, igniting a passion for making a real-world impact through innovative solutions.
Enrolling in Prof. Rifat Atun’s innovation course (ID 552: Innovation and Global Health Systems) became a pivotal moment in this transformative experience. The course provided invaluable insights into innovative and groundbreaking work across global health systems. Through engaging activities like mock pitches and business model development, we honed our entrepreneurial skills and learned to translate revolutionary ideas into practical, scalable solutions. The course emphasized the development of robust yet agile business models capable of adapting to the dynamic needs of the broader health system. Delving into global case studies on health startups and engaging with industry experts broadened our understanding, not just in terms of business acumen but also in navigating the intricate startup landscape in the health sector, equipping us with industry knowledge.
Inspired by these insights, my journey led me to pursue my practicum with the Health Systems Innovation Lab, where, I focused on developing a case study around a prominent digital health startup in Pakistan, led by women. Sehat Kahani – a digital health venture that captured my attention during the innovation coursework. Under the mentorship of Professor Atun, I delved deeper into the startup landscape in Pakistan, exploring catalysts and obstacles influencing healthcare innovation. The case study allowed me to conduct interviews with industry leaders, enhancing my understanding of the dynamic ecosystem surrounding healthcare startups.
Post-graduation, I continued working with HSIL on the Venture Incubation Program. Applying insights from my MPH and entrepreneurial exposure at Harvard Business School, I mentored winners of the 2022 HSIL Annual Hackathon, guiding them through refining and expanding their ventures within the program’s framework with a particular focus on pitching strategies. Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate the Annual Hackathon 2024, centered around Harnessing Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence, as it promises to unveil creative ingenuity and groundbreaking ideas. While leading the Boston hub, I am excited about witnessing the birth of visionary global healthcare startups and the transformative journey of winning teams through the subsequent incubation program—a crucial stepping stone in nurturing and empowering ventures poised to revolutionize the healthcare landscape.
Currently, I work on the Changing Diabetes in Children project, implementing digital data systems for type 1 diabetes globally. With this initiative we seek to standardize type 1 diabetes data collection in low and middle-income countries, ultimately enhancing research, innovation, policy, and practices for children and youth with diabetes.
Reflecting on my time at HSIL, it has been a journey of profound transformation, reshaping my perspective on healthcare solutions. Leveraging the acquired insights, my focus remains on contributing to healthcare innovation—particularly by harnessing digital advancements and exploring the dynamic landscape of AI applications in healthcare. The Harvard Health Systems Innovation Lab has been a transformative force shaping my journey in healthcare, one that continues to unfold with each new experience and endeavor.
Author:
Bukhtawar Azhar. BDS, MPH