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Reza Jarral is a Masters of Technological Futures Alumni
"I owe it to my patients to advocate for them in the world of technology and innovation," reflects Dr Reza Jarral, whose journey from London GP to award-winning healthcare innovator began with a powerful realisation. While seeing 20 to 40 patients a day in inner-city London, he recognised that tomorrow's healthcare faced exponential challenges that wouldn't be addressed with incremental care delivery.
Born to parents from small villages by the tributaries of the River Indus, Reza carried with him a deep commitment to addressing injustice. This drive, combined with his "natural fluency for science and humans," led him to medicine. But it was at academyEX, during his Master of Technological Futures, where his vision expanded beyond traditional healthcare roles.
From academyEX to Healthcare Impact
Using grounded theory, Reza spoke with experts worldwide, uncovering the complex interplay between governance, business incentives, and innovation in healthcare. This approach led to remarkable results: as Chief Medical Officer of Care HQ, he transformed it into New Zealand's largest telemedical provider, winning the NZ CIO Digital Transformation Award for improving Māori healthcare access.
"Once you remove some of the basic barriers, like the cost of data, the cost of a service, actually traditionally high needs groups, or I'd rather call them underserved groups, use technology just as fluently as everyone else," Reza explains. This insight led to a 16-fold increase in engagement from these communities.
The skills and vision developed during his time at academyEX enabled Reza to fundamentally reimagine healthcare delivery. "Traditional healthcare is like trying to stop a flood after the dam breaks," he explains. "We need to strengthen the dam decades before there's even a crack." This revolutionary approach - using technology to predict and prevent disease rather than just treat it - has already transformed how millions access healthcare. His prevention-first approach hasn't just boosted engagement with underserved groups; it's pioneering predictive analytics that could spot health risks years before traditional symptoms appear.
Now headed to Stanford University's Centre for Digital Health, Reza is taking this vision global. "We need to address healthcare needs rather than at the end - with an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff treating disease." His mission is clear: "The future of healthcare isn't in treating disease - it's in making sure it never happens in the first place."
Wisdom to Future Innovators
His advice to future innovators? "Be comfortable with small, controlled failures... don't aim for perfection or success on your first try." It's this philosophy that exemplifies the academyEX approach: combining bold thinking with practical action to create meaningful change.
Dr Reza Jarral's story reminds us that true innovation isn't about technology alone – it's about putting people first. "Move from technology focus to people and move from an obsession with solutions to a real obsession with problems. Because when you do that, you actually end up with the right solution."
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Your Future at academyEX
For those ready to begin their own transformation journey, academyEX offers various programmes, from full masters degrees to micro-credentials, all designed to empower the next generation of change-makers.
In a world seeking solutions, Louise's journey from corporate strategist to environmental pioneer shows us that with the right education, mindset, and support, we can redesign our world for the better. Visit our programme page to learn more about our programs and join our community of exceptional innovators.
This article is part of our Student Series celebrating remarkable journeys in technological innovation. If you are keen to share YOUR learning story, send us a message - we would love to hear from you.