• 25 Dec, 2024
• Hasti Torabzadehgan

Driving Transformation in Healthcare: Hasti Torabzadehgan’s Insights on Leadership, Collaboration, and Continuous Improvement

What if we could reimagine healthcare, not just as a system for treating illness, but as a force for cultivating human well-being? Hasti Torabzadehgan, a leading voice in healthcare innovation, invites us to do just that. In this insightful interview, she shares her journey from witnessing a childhood tragedy that ignited her passion for healthcare to becoming a driving force in digital transformation. Her insights on AI, mental and physical health, and the power of human-centered technology offer a glimpse into a future where healthcare is more inclusive, efficient, and impactful. Get ready to be inspired by her vision of a future where technology and compassion work hand in hand to empower individuals and transform lives.

Magazica: Can you share a bit about your journey in healthcare innovation and what inspired you to pursue this path?

Hasti Torabzadehgan: Healthcare innovation is more than a career for me; it’s a deeply personal calling. The spark was ignited when I was just three years old, witnessing a tragic event that profoundly affected my family. Even at that young age, I could sense the weight of the moment and the pivotal role healthcare played in shaping its outcome. That experience stayed with me, embedding a belief in the power of “possibilities”—the idea that thoughtful, compassionate care and innovative solutions can transform lives. It planted a seed of curiosity that has grown into a lifelong mission: to explore how we can elevate healthcare systems to meet the evolving needs of humanity.

We live in an era more focused than ever on integration, unity, and the collective dimensions of human life, with an emphasis on improving both the quality of life and the quality of being. This aspiration to experience life at its highest potential has inspired me to embrace a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare innovation, where diverse disciplines converge to unlock impactful opportunities for transformation.

Throughout my life, this sense of purpose has been guided by a multidisciplinary lens. My academic foundation in Computer Engineering, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence, laid the groundwork for a deep understanding of technology’s potential in healthcare. Later, my Global Executive MBA in Healthcare and Life Sciences from Rotman School of Management (U of T) expanded my perspective, integrating strategic management with a focus on digital transformation. These experiences have equipped me to approach problems differently, combining technical expertise, strategic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to improving care delivery at organizational, provincial, and national levels.

Yet, the path to innovation is rarely straightforward. Healthcare is a complex, highly regulated environment with challenges such as data ownership disputes, interoperability issues, and the need to align the complex multilayered nature of the healthcare sector. Navigating a healthcare ecosystem with numerous public and private players while striving to create an integrated system that meets regional, provincial, and national needs can be particularly daunting. By fostering meaningful engagement through trust-building, design thinking, and systematic collaboration, we can successfully bring cohesion to fragmented ecosystems. These experiences reinforce my belief that innovation is driven by perseverance and a readiness to embrace complexity with a solid foundation for change management strategy.

Looking to the future, my vision is one of integration and equity. I see a healthcare system where both physical and mental health are treated with equal importance, recognizing their deep interconnection. While much emphasis has rightly been placed on primary care and chronic disease management, I believe we must shine a brighter light on mental health. An integrated healthcare system with access to data and information of patients can build a strong foundation for healthcare innovation to target physical, emotional, and mental health challenges by providing diagnostic, early detection, and health management in scale.

The other area of my interest in healthcare innovation is mental health, particularly for children and youth. Children are especially vulnerable to mental health challenges as they often lack the knowledge, tools, and techniques to manage stress and anxiety effectively. Research indicates that one in five children in Ontario faces mental health challenges, a situation exacerbated by the pandemic.

I am deeply passionate about exploring innovative solutions that provide accessible mental health support for young people. My focus has been on concepts that integrate technology with a compassionate approach to empower children to navigate stress and anxiety early. Early detection and intervention are not only cost-effective but life-changing.

This vision was central to my Capstone project during business school, reflecting my entrepreneurial drive to create impactful digital solutions for mental health. My journey is fueled by a desire to blend innovation, empathy, and commitment to well-being, ensuring these solutions truly make a difference in the lives of those who need them most.

Innovation requires a pioneering mindset, and I thrive on pushing boundaries. Whether tackling data normalization, navigating scalability, or addressing security challenges, I am driven by the belief that every barrier is an opportunity to make healthcare more inclusive, efficient, and impactful.

Healthcare innovation isn’t just about addressing the challenges of today—it’s about envisioning the possibilities of tomorrow. For me, that means reimagining what’s possible in a system that touches every life, ensuring we leave it stronger, more equitable, and more compassionate for future generations.

Magazica: How do you see the role of technology, particularly AI, evolving in the future of mental and physical healthcare?

Hasti Torabzadehgan: The face of healthcare is rapidly becoming centered around technology. The future of healthcare is very much tied to tech companies, and we are already seeing this movement take shape. Technology will be at the core of the healthcare ecosystem, transforming how care is delivered, data is analyzed, and critical challenges are addressed.

The responsibilities and capacity of healthcare workers will be impacted. Tasks like imaging and detection, for instance, are increasingly being managed by advanced technology, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on more complex and human-centric aspects of care. By reducing human error, lowering costs, minimizing waste, and enhancing access, technology will redefine the efficiency and reach of healthcare delivery.

For example, advancements like robotic surgery, which are still in their infancy, represent just the beginning of what is possible. Other innovations include nurse avatars providing personalized care or the early detection of diseases through advanced imaging technologies. The traditional shape of healthcare delivery is poised to change dramatically, with hospitals and care settings reimagined as integrated hubs of innovation where technology and human expertise work seamlessly together.

However, as we embrace these innovations, there is a pressing need for updated regulations, policies, and procedures to keep pace with AI advancements. Ensuring continuous improvement while fostering AI interventions requires robust frameworks. Collaboration between regulatory bodies, healthcare professionals, and AI developers will be essential to creating ethical and effective systems that prioritize security, transparency, and fairness.

At the same time, it is crucial to preserve the human-centric aspect of healthcare. Technology must complement, not replace, the compassionate, caring touch that defines patient care. Human interaction plays a vital role in mental health and overall well-being, and solutions should remain driven by the needs of the public. By balancing technological innovation with empathy and human connection, we can create a future of healthcare that is both groundbreaking and deeply personal.

Magazica: What practical strategies can individuals adopt to leverage digital health tools for better personal health management?

Hasti Torabzadehgan: To leverage digital health tools for better personal health management, individuals can adopt several practical strategies. However, it is important to note that over-dependence or addiction to these platforms can have disadvantages and should be approached with balance.

Community-building platforms foster a sense of connection and compassion, creating supportive networks that help individuals navigate their health challenges together.

Real-time health monitoring tools, such as wearable devices, allow users to track vital signs, physical activity, and other health metrics, enabling proactive health management. These tools also allow individuals to securely store and share information with their care team, providing progress updates and enhancing collaboration. Patients retain full control and authority over their medical information, empowering them to manage their healthcare journey with greater autonomy.

Behavioral economics-driven digital tools help nudge individuals toward healthier habits by reinforcing positive behaviors and discouraging harmful ones, promoting sustainable lifestyle changes.

Mental health support tools, including meditation apps and stress management devices, are invaluable for addressing anxiety and promoting emotional well-being. Additionally, AI-powered avatars can simulate human interaction to provide comfort and support during moments of need.

Monitoring and robotic health applications act as virtual nurses, offering data-driven insights and initial assessments based on patient queries, enhancing access to reliable, immediate support.

By adopting these strategies, individuals can effectively harness the power of digital health tools to improve their overall well-being while maintaining mindful and balanced use of these technologies.

Magazica: How can continuous improvement methodologies be applied to everyday health practices for individuals?

Hasti Torabzadehgan: Each individual can look at their daily routines and ask how they can improve their quality of life by being fully aware of their challenges and opportunities. It starts with identifying areas where small changes can bring efficiency and make a meaningful difference, even if it’s just one step forward. By thinking differently and asking what can be done to improve the quality of health for themselves and the broader community, we begin to see the power of continuous improvement.

Aligning personal improvement efforts with a bigger mission or purpose is also key. Just like in Six Sigma’s DMAIC framework, individuals can define their challenges, measure progress, analyze root causes, improve through corrective actions, and control outcomes by making adjustments as needed. These steps create a strategic and measurable path to improvement.

Finally, small, incremental changes can lead to significant results over time. Agile methodologies remind us that progress is made through continuous sprints—small, intentional actions that build momentum. Every small step counts, and over time, these consistent efforts can lead to impactful transformations in health and well-being.

Magazica: What advice would you give to someone looking to implement innovative health solutions in their community or workplace?

Hasti Torabzadehgan: Innovative health solutions must focus on solving real issues and making daily workflows easier. However, it’s important to acknowledge that many innovations fail due to challenges such as the complexity of implementation, lack of user engagement, insufficient training, or cultural resistance within organizations.

To increase the chances of success:

Simplify Implementation and start small with a pilot: Ensure the solution integrates seamlessly into existing workflows to minimize disruption and resistance within the current system and keep the risk low.

Engage End-Users Early and continuously: Involve healthcare professionals and staff in the development and implementation phases to ensure the solution fits their needs and routines and communicate the ongoing outcome. Have solid metrics to report the outcome

Provide Training and Support: Equip staff with the knowledge and tools they need to adopt the solution effectively and confidently.

Address Cultural Resistance: Foster a culture of openness and adaptability by communicating the vision and value of the solution in relatable terms.

By focusing on these areas, you can build trust, gain buy-in, and create an environment where innovative solutions not only succeed but also deliver meaningful, lasting impact.

Magazica: How do you maintain a balance between leveraging technology and ensuring a human touch in healthcare delivery?

Hasti Torabzadehgan: Humans must always be at the center of the design and decision-making process in healthcare. Technology can provide data, analysis, and efficiency, but the ultimate controller and decision-maker should always be human. We are more than analytics—we bring emotions, awareness, and dimensions that technology simply cannot replicate. Robots and AI can only replace certain aspects of intelligence, but the human touch and awareness, emotional intelligence, intuition, and ability to connect are irreplaceable.

Technology should be seen as a tool to assist. It excels in providing precision and accuracy, decision support, reducing waste and delays, and supporting both routine tasks and complex interactions through Human-AI collaborative systems, and repetitive tasks. But when it comes to areas that require vision, direction, and deep care, the human element is essential. By understanding where technology can enhance efficiency and where human presence is non-negotiable, we can strike a balance that ensures both innovation and compassionate care.

Magazica: What are some common challenges you face when driving organizational transformation, and how do you overcome them?

Hasti Torabzadehgan: Driving organizational transformation in healthcare, particularly in regulated environments, comes with unique challenges like change and cultural resistance, balancing priorities, and data complexities. Here’s how I address these:

Change Management and Culture: Change is a part of who we are, but people often resist it because they don’t fully understand or connect with the need for it. Everyone reacts differently to change, depending on their comfort with risk. But when people see change as part of a mission to create a better future, their attitude shifts—they become more open and willing to contribute.
Leaders play a key role in bridging this gap. While leaders may see the bigger picture and the urgency for change, employees need to feel that connection too. It’s about aligning everyone with the vision, helping them see the value, and empowering them to be part of the process. Change has to feel real and meaningful, and that starts with leaders giving clarity and building trust. When I lead change, I focus on creating that connection. I take every opportunity to share the mission—through team huddles, digital awareness campaigns, presentations, or just conversations in busy spaces where employees gather. I believe in walking the talk, showing by example that the change is worth it. By making the vision relatable and inspiring, I help teams see the change as their own, so they’re ready to step up and make it happen.

Frameworks and Methodologies: Transitioning to frameworks like change management framework, PMO, Scrum, and Agile helps bring clarity and flexibility. I guide stakeholders to embrace iterative approaches, focusing on root-cause analysis before implementing solutions for long-term, sustainable outcomes.

Balancing Immediate and Long-Term Goals: Healthcare demands leadership that balances the urgency of change with uncompromising quality in organizational transformation. Regulatory mandates often require quick pivots, making effective prioritization essential. By leveraging Six Sigma principles, change management frameworks, Agile, and Lean methodologies, I guide organizations in implementing innovative solutions that address critical needs with precision and reliability. A key element of my approach is fostering continuous improvement through iterative development, where stakeholder feedback informs decisions and aligns outcomes with organizational goals. This ensures that every phase of transformation not only meets immediate demands but also builds the foundation for sustained excellence in service delivery and operational efficiency.

Data Integration: Data clean-up and integration are ongoing challenges. I implement strong data management governance and practices to align teams on common standards, ensuring interoperability, accuracy, and compliance with regulatory needs.

Stakeholder Engagement: Gaining consensus among high-power stakeholders from government and regulatory bodies requires strategic facilitation. I use open dialogue and alignment sessions to balance competing interests and deliver solutions that meet varied mandates. This approach helps establish strong partnerships among diverse stakeholders, fostering collaboration and shared ownership of transformation goals.

Resource Challenges: Resource constraints, such as the capacity to fully engage and access to key resources, present both challenges and opportunities during healthcare transformation. While these constraints often necessitate creative solutions to optimize resource allocation and improve efficiency, they can also lead to over-allocated staff who juggle transformation initiatives alongside daily responsibilities. This strain can result in burnout and reduced effectiveness, especially during critical phases. Additionally, transformation efforts often uncover gaps in funding and staffing, creating opportunities to realign resources to meet evolving needs.
To navigate these challenges, I emphasize the importance of strategic resource alignment. By evaluating initiatives based on urgency and organizational impact, I ensure resources are allocated where they can make the greatest difference. Comprehensive planning, including contingency measures, addresses gaps early and paves the way for smooth execution. Risk transfer strategies and early funding discussions further help mitigate resource shortages and enable access to external support.
I am a firm believer in the principle that prevention is not only better than cure but also more efficient and cost-effective. This philosophy guides my proactive approach to monitoring employee well-being and addressing burnout before it becomes a critical issue. Transparent communication with executive leadership is essential to this process, fostering trust, resilience, and organizational support. These measures enhance agility and readiness for decision-making, ensuring teams are prepared to adapt to challenges and maintain high performance.
Building team capacity is another cornerstone of successful transformation. I prioritize hiring individuals with diverse expertise and an integrated perspective across technology, change management, and process improvement. This diversity fosters innovation and collaboration, while targeted training programs and supportive structures empower staff to balance transformation efforts with their ongoing responsibilities. Together, these strategies create a foundation for sustainable success in healthcare transformation.

Magazica: Can you share some insights on how cross-functional collaboration can enhance healthcare outcomes?

Ultimately, cross-functional collaboration brings diverse perspectives together to tackle challenges from all angles. It’s about creating solutions that not only meet the needs of partners across multi-layered government entities—provincial, national, and regional—but also establish high-performing cross-functional teams that strive to improve patient care and contribute to long-term, impactful healthcare outcomes.

Magazica: What role do you believe leadership plays in fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in healthcare?

Hasti Torabzadehgan: Leadership in healthcare requires recognizing the ever-evolving nature of teams and organizations, serving as a unifying force to foster collaboration, growth, and adaptability in a dynamic environment to achieve impactful results. In such a setting, the VACC framework—Visionary, Architect, Catalyst, and Coach—provides an effective model for navigating the complexities of leadership, ensuring teams are aligned and empowered to deliver on strategic priorities.

Making quality decisions in adaptive environments is a critical challenge for leaders. Foundational issues, such as weak structural management, can amplify these complexities, leaving organizations vulnerable to misalignment and delays in reaching consensus. In these scenarios, leaders must navigate not only operational intricacies but also the human dynamics of decision-making. This is where emotional intelligence becomes a cornerstone of effective leadership.

Leaders with high emotional intelligence excel at valuing the collective voices of diverse team members, fostering an environment where bold and inclusive decisions emerge. When necessary, they skillfully use persuasion and influence to guide teams toward strategic outcomes while maintaining a sense of shared purpose. Such leaders understand that the journey is as important as the destination, ensuring the work environment reflects a joyful and meaningful mission that keeps teams motivated and inspired.

As the saying goes, “To be a good runner, you must know how to rest.” This is especially true for leaders in healthcare, who must balance constant change while maintaining their own clarity and resilience. By embracing moments of silence and reflection, leaders cultivate the wisdom needed to ground their actions, make thoughtful decisions, and inspire their teams to achieve their highest potential in an ever-changing landscape.

Magazica: How can individuals stay informed and adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of healthcare and technology?

Hasti Torabzadehgan: The evolution of the digital health industry demands a collective and diverse effort from all disciplines that intersect with healthcare. With the market size estimated to reach USD 190 billion within the next 5-6 years, each individual in this landscape brings unique awareness and contributions. At its core, the purpose of healthcare innovation should always be to elevate the quality of humanity—supporting life, healing, peace, happiness, and above all, joy.

To stay informed and adapt in this rapidly changing landscape, several approaches can be embraced:

Stay Connected to Trusted Sources: Engage with reputable sources of innovation, research, and thought leadership. Build connections with industry leaders, policymakers, and academic hubs, such as university innovation centers, and stay updated through credible media and platforms that showcase the latest advancements.

Invest in Capacity Building: Continuously invest in your knowledge, skills, and experiences. Pursue certifications, expand your exposure to the healthcare ecosystem, and strive to deepen your understanding of both technological advancements and human-centered care.

Be Part of Communities: Join international institutes, attend conferences, and participate in forums where you can share ideas, perspectives, and insights. Actively engage in mentorship—both as a mentor and a mentee—to cultivate collective thoughts and mature your ideas. Stay open to learning and be generous in contributing to the community.

Cultivate Self-Awareness: Above all, now more than ever, develop a strong sense of self-awareness and attune to your inner voice. Act with curiosity and courage and find the light in uncertainty. By doing so, you can uncover your unique mission, define signature meaningful solutions, and expand your impact and scale, becoming a true agent of change. We are far more than what we present—we are the drivers of transformation.

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Keywords: Healthcare Innovation; Artificial Intelligence; Mental and Physical Health; Digital Transformation; Leadership