For Dr. Samira Rahimi, the future of digital health begins with a simple question: who is it designed for?

As a researcher in AI and advanced digital primary healthcare and an Assistant Professor at McGill University and the Mila – Quebec AI Institute, Dr. Rahimi’s work focuses on developing and implementing AI-enabled technologies that can support preventive care, improve health outcomes, and make healthcare more accessible, proactive, and person-centred.

Her work has earned her the 2026 Digital Health Canada Future Leader Award, recognizing her contributions to the advancement of digital health in Canada.

People at the centre

For her achievements, Samira credits the colleagues, mentors, trainees, patients, and community partners who have shaped her work and perspective throughout her career. That collaborative approach is at the heart of how she thinks about digital health leadership.

Technology can be powerful, but technology alone does not change a healthcare system. Meaningful impact comes from understanding the needs of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers and developing solutions that fit naturally into their lives and work.

Aligning with technology developmentsWhile advances in AI and other digital technologies continue to accelerate, many innovations struggle to reach their full potential because they are difficult to adopt, do not align with existing workflows, or were not designed with the people who will ultimately use them in mind.

Dr. Rahimi is passionate about addressing that gap. Her work emphasizes the importance of creating digital health innovations that are practical in real-world settings. In her view, successful innovation is measured by usability, trust, and meaningful value.

Setting an example

Looking ahead, Dr. Rahimi hopes to contribute to a healthcare future that is more proactive than reactive. She envisions technology helping identify health concerns earlier, so that it supports people in maintaining their health and independence, while also giving care teams better information to deliver the best possible care. Her advice to those entering the digital health field reflects the same people-centred philosophy: stay curious, continue learning, and, most importantly, stay connected to those you serve.

The most successful innovations are the ones that solve real problems and make positive differences in people’s life.

That perspective embodies the spirit of Digital Health Canada’s Future Leader Award, where digital health leadership centers on ensuring innovation brings meaningful improvements for the people and communities that healthcare exists to serve.

Watch a video of Future Leader Award Winner Dr. Samira Rahimi here.