Digital Healthcare Community Board

The Digital Healthcare Board is committed to organising the activities, maintaining an up-to-date community, and continuously finding ways to meet our members’ needs and thus improving our community. Please let us introduce our members!

Ömer Tarik Özyilmaz - Chair
As the chair of the Digital Healthcare Community, I am responsible for organising the amazing team around me to provide you with interesting events, meaningful talks, and fun activities! I have gained experience in the industry as an AI engineer, taught students as a teaching assistant, and obtained a strong AI background throughout my studies. Currently, I am conducting research into improving kidney function estimation using machine learning for my PhD project at the UMCG, while at the same time helping companies set up useful AI for their businesses as an entrepreneur. You can contact me via o.t.ozyilmaz rug.nl.

Wieke Bouwes - Presentation Organizer
In the role of Presentation Organizer, I am responsible for planning seminars and inviting speakers within our theme of digital healthcare. With a background in Business Administration (MSc in Health and Supply Chain Management) and Philosophy, my main interests lie in the implementation of digital healthcare and the associated ethical considerations. As a PhD candidate and junior teacher in eHealth, my research focuses on finding effective ways to support patients who face challenges in using eHealth, aiming to reduce inequalities in access to these technologies. I look forward to connecting with and learning from others in the theme during our events! You can contact me via w.e.bouwes@umcg.nl.

Steff Groefsema – AI Expert
At the start of my bachelor, a lot of people didn't know what Artificial Intelligence was. Since then, a lot of applications have found their way into society already. However, a lot is still unclear for most people not working in the field of AI.
After finishing my masters in AI, I started an interdisciplinary PhD project. The goal of the project, is to identify possible ethical concerns, related to the deployment of AI in a simulated clinical workflow. Once we have identified such concerns, we can try different mitigation strategies. One possible way to communicate to the user is to provide a level of certainty. With my background in AI, I want to help to bridge the gap between the theory of AI, and its applications in healthcare. I am looking forward to meeting you all, and have fruitful discussions about the potential applications of AI in healthcare! You can contact me via s.groefsema umcg.nl, s.groefsema rug.nl.

Giovanni Telussa – Communication Officer
As Project Leader and PhD candidate within the national Citrien programme Digitaal Mee in de Zorg, I focus on a key challenge of our time: ensuring that the digital transformation in healthcare is not only innovative, but also truly accessible for all. In this programme, I work with colleagues from all Dutch university hospitals to understand why some patients remain outside the digital domain and to develop strategies that help them take their first steps with confidence. With a background in Pharmacy (BSc) and Health Business Administration (MSc), I bring together a medical background, healthcare management, and innovation. As Communication Officer for the Digital Healthcare Community board, I look forward to fostering collaboration, strengthening connections, and gets professionals on board to bridge the gap. You can contact me via g.r.telussa rug.nl, g.r.telussa umcg.nl.

Tanja de Vries – Networking Officer
Hi! I am a data scientist at the Data Science Center in Health (DASH) of the UMCG. Within the board of the Digital Healthcare community I am the networking officer, which means I take care of the networking opportunities during our activities. Additionally, I want to get to know the members of our community to make sure we do our best to organize events that align with your wishes. Feel free to send me a message to drink a (digital) cup of tea together! You can contact me via t.r.de.vries02 umcg.nl.

Gibson Ugwu – Secretary
Experienced Statistician and Data Scientist specializing in Time Series Modeling and Machine Learning. Currently advancing the field of Epidemiology through AI modeling as a PhD candidate at the University of Groningen, with a focus on patient outcome research. Brings seven years of university-level teaching experience in statistics, bridging the gap between complex analytical concepts and practical applications. Serves as Secretary of the Digital Healthcare Board, overseeing database management for the group. You can contact me via g.c.ugwu rug.nl, g.c.ugwu umcg.nl.

Anne Hoekman – GenAI expert
Hi! I am a medical doctor and currently a PhD candidate at IM Zorg, where I focus on the use of Generative AI in the electronic health record. My research explores how tools such as ambient listening, automated summarisation, and AI-generated draft responses to patient messages can help reduce the administrative burden for healthcare professionals. With a background in health law, I also integrate legal and ethical perspectives into my work, aiming to ensure that these technologies are implemented responsibly and equitably.
I’m always eager to connect and collaborate with others interested in the future of AI in healthcare. You can contact me via a.h.hoekman umcg.nl.