Revealed: The finalists of the 2021 Digital Health Awards

The finalists of the Digital Health Awards have been announced – showcasing the best and brightest digital leaders according to the Digital Health Networks.

Back with an evening of networking, wine and good food, the Digital Health Awards will be held in the evening of October 7 at the Digital Health Autumn Leadership Summit.

Members of the Digital Health Networks were asked to vote for the CCIO, CIO, and CNIO of the Year, with a special judging panel selecting the Future Digital Leader of the Year and Digital NHS CEO of the Year, a new category at this year’s awards. This means they are the only awards which are voted by NHS IT leaders.

Without further ado, here are the finalists for the Digital Health Awards 2021:

Digital NHS CEO of the Year

• Richard Jenkins, CEO Barnsley & Rotherham Hospitals
• Prof David Rosserm, CEO, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
• Helen Thomas, CEO Digital Health and Care Wales

Future Digital Leader of the Year

• Aasha Cowey, strategic transformation lead, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
• Sunita Sharma, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
• Christopher Tack, AHP information officer, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

CCIO of the Year

• Dr Andrew Hill, CCIO and stroke consultant, St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust
• Dr Debbie Phillips, CCIO and consultant surgeon, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Sid Singh, CCIO and consultant urologist, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust

CIO of the Year

• Paul Charnley, digital lead, Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership
• Prof Graham Evans, chief digital officer, North East and North Cumbria ICS
• Craig York, chief technology officer, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

CNIO of the Year

• Anna Awoliyi, chief allied health information officer, Kettering General Hospital
• Lisa Ward, CNIO, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
• Emily Wells, CNIO, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals Trust

Jon Hoeksma, CEO of Digital Health, said: “The calibre of the year’s entries was outstanding. Digital leadership has never been more important, particularly as the NHS looks to innovative ways to recover from the pandemic.

“These awards highlight the important role of digital leaders and recognise the incredible achievements of NHS IT leaders over a period that has been exceptionally busy for digital in UK healthcare.

“I look forward to celebrating these achievements with all of our finalists at the Autumn Leadership Summit networking dinner.”

The brand-new in-person Autumn Leadership Summit in October offers local and national digital leaders across the NHS the chance to connect as they plan how digital will support NHS recovery.

Taking place on 7-8 October at Park Regis Birmingham, the event is open to those either working in the NHS, public or charitable sectors.

Don’t miss out and register today.