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Blog
Heather Cmiel

Who’s Driving the Healthcare AI Conversation Forward?

C-Suite, Information Technology
Table of Contents

The healthcare AI space is noisy—and it’s only getting louder. Between breathless headlines, startup hype and regulatory uncertainty, it can be hard to cut through to what actually matters: people who are building, thinking and speaking with real substance.

I’ve pulled together a short list of individuals I consistently learn from and love to follow. Leaders who offer candor and perspective in a space full of jargon. Whether you’re deep in clinical operations or just trying to make sense of the next wave of AI innovation, these are the voices worth following.

John Halamka, MD

President, Mayo Clinic Platform
Halamka’s perspective is uniquely valuable as he sits at the intersection of clinical care, innovation strategy and enterprise infrastructure. He writes with significant vision, often tackling big themes like interoperability, platform design and how we create sustainable models for digital transformation in healthcare.

Follow for: strategic thinking on platforms, data liquidity and what “digital-first” healthcare actually looks like.

Allie K. Miller

AI Strategist & Advisor | Former Global Head of ML Startups, AWS
Miller isn’t in healthcare but that’s exactly why her voice matters. As one of the most recognizable and respected AI strategists out there, she brings a broad, cross-industry perspective that healthcare leaders would be wise to pay attention to. Her work with AI startups at AWS and beyond gives her a front-row seat to where the technology is heading, what adoption pitfalls to avoid and how to apply AI responsibly. She’s also a gifted communicator breaking down complex topics.

Follow for: sharp insights on AI trends, startup strategy, responsible deployment and what healthcare can learn from other industries that have been utilizing AI for years.

Elad Walach

CEO, Aidoc
Yes, he’s our CEO so you could argue I’m biased. What sets Elad apart is his ability to see the big picture and articulate it with striking clarity. He approaches AI not as a feature but as foundational infrastructure and he’s one of the leading voices pushing healthcare to think beyond isolated tools toward scalable, system-wide platforms. The fact that so many health system leaders seek out his perspective speaks for itself.

Follow for: hard-earned insight into scaling AI in real clinical environments and why point solutions just won’t cut it.

Nigam Shah, MBBS, PhD

Chief Data Scientist, Stanford Health Care
Shah is a straight shooter. He writes in a manner that only comes from deep domain knowledge and years of hands-on experience. He’s especially good at articulating how to evaluate AI tools and how to hold them accountable for real-world performance.

Follow for: insights on clinical validation, deployment challenges and algorithmic accountability.

Chrissa McFarlane

CEO, Patientory
AI isn’t just a health system conversation, it’s also a consumer one. McFarlane’s focus on patient agency, blockchain and decentralized health data provides a powerful alternative to enterprise-driven AI narratives

Follow for: the future of patient-led data and how digital infrastructure can empower individuals not just institutions.

Eric Topol, MD

Founder, Scripps Research Translational Institute
Topol has long served as a translator between medicine and tech. His writing cuts through the noise and keeps the conversation grounded in humanity. At a time when AI risk is often underplayed, his voice reminds us what’s at stake and what’s possible when innovation is done right.

Follow for: responsible innovation, physician perspective and the bigger picture.

Final Thought:
There’s no shortage of content in healthcare AI but real perspectives are always important. These are the voices I keep coming back to, not just because they’re experts, but because they ask better questions and share real-world insight. If you’re navigating this space, they’re worth your attention.

Who else is helping shape your view of AI in healthcare? I’m always looking to add to the list.

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Heather Cmiel
Heather Cmiel is a former Aidocee.
Heather Cmiel
Former Aidocee

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