#413 James O’ Donovan from CHIC: Why the Future of Healthcare Starts with Community Health Workers

In this week’s episode, James is joined by Olivia Burns, Founder of Hypoplas, a company on a mission to redesign the hospital gown to be more sustainable, dignified, and cost-effective for patients. Her mission is to drive sustainable innovation in healthcare by improving both patient care and system integration. Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doctorodonovan/Contact Olivia: [email protected] more: https://www.hypoplas.com/Apply to be a guest: www.thehealthtechpodcast.comSubscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: www.healthtechpigeon.comGet in touch with James: www.jamessomauroo.com

In this week’s episode, James is joined by Dr. James O’Donovan, Head of Research at the Community Health Impact Coalition (CHIC). CHIC is a global movement working to ensure community health workers are recognised as essential, salaried professionals. Their mission is to transform healthcare systems by scaling high-impact, community-led models and driving policy change through evidence, advocacy, and grassroots leadership.Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doctorodonovan/Learn more: https://joinchic.org/Apply to be a guest: www.thehealthtechpodcast.comSubscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: www.healthtechpigeon.comGet in touch with James: www.jamessomauroo.com

This week, James is joined by Aashima Gupta, global director of healthcare strategy and solutions at Google Cloud. With 26 years of experience growing, differentiating, and improving businesses through technology transformation, Aashima is passionate about collaborating with and empowering companies to elevate the strategic value delivered to their ecosystem - ranging from new models for care, revenue generation, and improved patient experiences. Aashima also leads the GenAI strategy for Healthcare industry at Google Cloud by navigating the dynamic intersection of industry needs and new technologies to make healthcare more accessible. Connect with Aashima: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aashimagupta/Apply to be a guest: https://www.thehealthtechpodcast.com/Subscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: https://www.healthtechpigeon.com/Get in touch with James: https://www.jamessomauroo.com/

In the first episode of this two-part series, James is joined by Dr. Ross Harper, CEO and co-founder of Limbic. Limbic is developing clinical-grade AI tools for mental health care, designed to be deployed in clinical settings. Their goal is to enhance the capacity of trained professionals and help meet the overwhelming demand for mental health services.Connect with Ross: https://www.linkedin.com/in/refharper/Learn more: https://www.limbic.ai/Apply to be a guest: www.thehealthtechpodcast.comSubscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: www.healthtechpigeon.comGet in touch with James: www.jamessomauroo.com

This week, James is joined by Lara Lewington, technology broadcaster, journalist, and AI commentator. Lara has presented a variety of programmes across ITV and BBC, including fifteen years on the BBC's flagship technology show, Click. Her book 'Hacking Humanity', published in July 2025, is the ultimate guide to the tech-driven health revolution we are approaching. Learn more: https://www.laralewington.com/Apply to be a guest: https://www.thehealthtechpodcast.com/ Subscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: https://www.healthtechpigeon.com/Get in touch with James: https://www.jamessomauroo.com/

This week, James is joined by Charles Nduka, founder and CSO of Emteq, a leader in the development of wearable technology that monitors and translates human facial expressions in real-world settings. Charles is a leading facial musculature expert with over 20 years of surgical experience, including 10 years as a Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. He has an extensive background in research and development, including clinical trials, over 100 scientific publications, and is the Medical Advisory Board chair for the charity Facial Palsy UK. Connect with Charles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-nduka-53055218/Learn more: https://www.emteqlabs.com/Apply to be a guest: https://www.thehealthtechpodcast.com/Subscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: https://www.healthtechpigeon.com/Get in touch with James: https://www.jamessomauroo.com/

When OpenAI and Penda Health dropped a preprint claiming their “AI Consult” tool cut diagnostic errors by 16% in Kenyan clinics, headlines lit up across healthtech. But veteran digital‑health researcher Dr Paul Wicks spotted the cracks.00:00 Introduction to OpenAI's Preprint and Its Significance05:55 Understanding Preprints and Their Impact on Research11:58 Evaluating the Methodology and Results of the Study18:01 The Importance of Trust and Transparency in AI Research23:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts on AI's Role in Medicine29:50 Randomized Control Trials and Their Importance36:47 Building Trust in AI Systems43:05 The Need for Transparency in AI Development

This week, James is joined by Christoph Lippuner, CEO and co-founder of Semble, a clinically robust EHR and practice management system for private healthcare providers. Semble is on a mission to enable health professionals to amplify their impact by simplifying daily operations across scheduling, billing and reporting. Connect with Christoph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christoph-lippuner-9a0b6951/Learn more: https://www.semble.io/Apply to be a guest: www.thehealthtechpodcast.comSubscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: www.healthtechpigeon.comGet in touch with James: www.jamessomauroo.com

On the final episode of the "How to Get Into Healthtech" mini-series, Dr James Somauroo and Dr Keith Grimes sit down to reflect on the series conversations and share where they would begin if starting their careers today. Connect with Keith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkeithgrimes/Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-somauroo/ Apply to be a guest: https://www.thehealthtechpodcast.com/ Subscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: https://www.healthtechpigeon.com/Learn more about SomX for your healthtech company at somx.health

In the sixth episode of the "How to Get Into Healthtech" mini-series, Curistica's Dr Keith Grimes is joined by Dr Dave Triska, GP Partner and digital health leader. As Digital Lead for Surrey Heartlands, Dave has driven region-wide transformation projects to modernise care and improve outcomes. Dave has mentored over 100 practices through their digital journeys, bringing a rare blend of clinical insight and tech expertise to healthtech at scale.Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-triska-b807239b/  Get in touch with Keith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkeithgrimes/Apply to be a guest: www.thehealthtechpodcast.comSubscribe to Healthtech Pigeon 🐦: www.healthtechpigeon.comLearn more about SomX for your healthtech company at somx.health