Submitted by SPH DIGITAL on
First Name
Jennifer
Last Name
Nelson
What is the champion's current position?
Sector Specialist – Health Digital Solutions
What are the champion's specialties or areas of expertise?
Jennifer is a public health professional with a focus on digital transformation, health informatics, program management, information use and quality improvement
What are the champion's achievements in digital health?
Jennifer co-leads IDB's regional approach to digital transformation of health and social protection. She supports countries in the region in the design of digital health agendas and national roadmaps. She is in charge of management of digital health projects to support the last mile. Furthermore, she shares knowledge and innovations, co-create open-source software, and regional data exchange.
Why is the champion passionate about digital health (how did the champion become interested in digital health)?
From Jennifer's first day working in a local public health clinic in her home town, to her current position, she has been passionate about using data for decision making and creating meaningful feedback loops to connect the right data with the right people at the right time. One of the first challenges she encountered professionally was the amount of double reporting and double digitalization front-line workers face, and for the rest of her career she has been working on ways to reduce this burden, reduce data silos, and improve quality and use to create impact in health. She has had the opportunity in her personal and professional life to live the benefits of digital health in terms of improving access and quality of care and empowering patients and populations.
How can we attract more women to work on digital health?
Jennifer believes that making an intentional effort to make women feel welcome and included in STEM field is necessary. She emphasizes that we should celebrate women champions in STEM, and intentionally fighting unconscious bias in language and hiring.
Imagen
Jennifer Nelson
Which organization does the champion work for?
Inter-American Development Bank
What is the champion's country of origin?
United States
Where does the champion live (country)
United States