Networks form the backbone of any professional’s growth and success. In the healthcare industry, in particular, partnerships are created and expertise is shared which helps drive industry growth overall and leads to important collaboration. Though our days feel digitally connected, it’s important to weave in the human-to-human exchange of information that drives innovation and creativity in this pivotal industry. And in a busy job market, active networking provides healthcare professionals access to multiple resources and possibilities to grow their current roles and look beyond. 

The importance of networking in healthcare transcends company types, seniority and location. Think about it:  Physicians and providers can benefit from knowing patients' pain points. Digital health startups and companies can improve their solutions by understanding physicians' challenges. Health systems can discover other digital health companies' state-of-the-art solutions to improve their care. 

But how are these connections made? Industry associations are often focused on traditional, large events. Organizations both public and private become siloed and don’t have the opportunity to take part in more free-flowing synergistic discussions on a regular basis. 

In Digital Health Insider’s “Innovating with AI in the Healthcare System” roundtable, Joe Ferrara, who specializes in sales and customer service in healthcare, emphasized the importance of being open to engaging with individuals at all levels of a health system. Early conversations allow for the discovery of pain points, which are crucial in assessing the fit of solutions. 

The power of building connections

For healthcare professionals, how can investing in growing your network impact your career trajectory?

• Share your knowledge to establish yourself as an expert in a given area
• Learn from others facing similar challenges to you
• Discover new industry trends, challenges and solutions
• Build new relationships that might lead to future job potential
• Approach healthcare from a more holistic and integral perspective by meeting people from new areas and disciplines
• Share your frustrations and develop a supportive community
• Foster innovative conversations
• Meet people whose needs you can help, and provide value as a basis for meaningful conversation

Ways to grow your healthcare network

Whether online or in person, there are various ways to connect with people in the health community...

Social Media

Start following key industry players and see who they interact with! Searching for different thought leaders, influencers, founders, event speakers, investors, practitioners, and patients on LinkedIn, X or Instagram is the fastest way to see what they’re thinking, and who they’re connecting with. That’s if they have their profiles updated, of course.

Here are a few of our favorites to follow: 

• Dr. Geeta Nayyar, MD, MBA: globally recognized chief medical officer, technologist, and bestselling author who works towards better health and business outcomes.
• João Bocas: entrepreneur, thought leader, speaker, and advisor in digital health, wearable technology, and artificial intelligence.
• Gil Bashe: Voice for health innovation and patient care
• Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Emory University Hospital; CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
  

Slack Channels

There are different online communities for healthcare professionals and innovators, but some of the most popular ones are in Slack, especially those regarding digital health. Quite a few are free, but not all. These online groups are a great way of discovering new events, answering relevant questions, sharing resources, and connecting with people from all over. Most often, you’ll need to be invited, so it’s a great question to ask in any networking conversation: “Are there any Slack groups I should join?”

Conferences and Events

Yes, this option probably includes buying a ticket and going somewhere, but the results are absolutely worth it. If you have the opportunity to go to healthcare events, do it. These instances are perfect for getting to know people, businesses and solutions. Whether you leave with a new friend, business partnership or cool merch, you’re going to be glad you did it. 

Workshops and Seminars

Learning is the best way to bond over something, isn’t it? If you’re attending any workshop or panel discussion, make sure to reach out to the speakers afterwards with any questions you might have, or simply to pitch your idea and discuss thoughts with them. Then you can keep in touch!

Networking Programs

One of the best ways to connect with people in the industry is through networking programs! These are niche groups that allow you to meet experts in a quick and easy way, on your own timeframe, from wherever you are. Networking communities are a truly practical way of having that first conversation with people who share your same interests, and they can even stem out to be valuable connections and collaborations. 

Networking Program for digital health experts

Digital Health Insider was created a few years ago to help people stay up-to-date with the hottest news in the digital health industry. We later saw an open-field opportunity to gather a community of people together who are passionate about innovative health tech solutions. 

After hosting four roundtables, discussing healthcare’s pain points with different leaders, curating over 100 newsletters, and building our LinkedIn community, we understood our Insiders could also benefit from meeting each other… That’s why we built a quick, easy and free way for them to do so, using Matcha – a tech company building for professionals investing in their networks and authentic connections. 

If you’re trying to expand your network and meet health tech professionals, enthusiasts and experts, join Digital Health Insider’s group and start matching! 

Here’s what some our members are saying about the program: 

“My DHI networking program meetups are a highlight of my week. I appreciate the opportunity to meet new people doing great work in this challenging, rewarding field. For me, it is worth the time to grow my network in a format that is lightweight and straightforward. Join us!”

“Through the DHI’s networking program, I’ve met interesting people across the digital health industry. It’s been great to connect and engage with people across company sizes and career levels to share ideas and reflect on current trends and the future of digital health.”

What are you waiting for? Join our networking program – Register here – and let’s grow a stronger, more connected network of healthcare professionals together. 

Chiara Tucci is Social Media Manager at Light-it. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and is interested in healthcare technology!