Seattle Children’s Chief AI Officer Leading the Way in Healthcare Innovation
Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in our series on Chief AI Officers in Healthcare. Other recent CAIO profiles include Dennis Chornenky at UC Davis Health, Dr. Karandeep Singh at UC San Diego Health and Alda Mizaku at Children’s National Hospital.
Dr. Zafar Chaudry, the Chief Digital Officer and Chief AI and Information Officer at Seattle Children’s, is at the forefront of using artificial intelligence to revolutionize healthcare. With a focus on removing opioids from outpatient surgery and preventing strokes in children, Dr. Chaudry is leading clinical and IT teams towards innovative solutions.
Healthcare IT News had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Chaudry in a two-part interview. In part one, he discusses his journey to becoming the Chief AI Officer, his background, and the evolving role of AI in healthcare.
Q. How did Seattle Children’s approach you to become its Chief AI Officer? What were they looking for?
Dr. Chaudry explains that his transition to the role of Chief AI Officer was a natural evolution within the organization. With years of experience as a CIO and Chief Digital Information Officer, he was well-equipped to take on the challenges of leveraging AI to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.
Q. Is this your first post ever where AI comes into the chief realm? And what in your background makes you a good fit to be a Chief AI Officer?
As a former physician turned technology leader, Dr. Chaudry’s unique background brings a patient-centric approach to AI implementation. His focus is on solving real-world healthcare problems and delivering the best outcomes for patients.
Q. Please describe the AI technology part of your job at Seattle Children’s. What is expected of you on a daily basis?
Dr. Chaudry emphasizes the importance of training staff on AI tools, developing policies for data security, and reviewing AI requests to ensure the right tools are being utilized. His partnership with Google in the AI space has enabled Seattle Children’s to implement advanced AI solutions for clinical use cases, ultimately improving productivity and enhancing patient care.
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WATCH NOW: Seattle Children’s Chief AI Officer talks better outcomes through the technology
