Meet the Sparked Technical Co-Chairs: Michael Wilson
Meet Michael Wilson – FHIR Solution Architect with Sparked (CSIRO) and an AU eRequesting Technical Design Group Co-Chair.
With a strong background in software development across multiple industries, Michael is passionate about solving complex technical problems and building systems that work better together. As an eRequesting co-chair, Michael works with the TDG to achieve their mission to define the requirements and specifications to support interoperability among clinical and non-clinical systems in Australia. Bringing a deep understanding and extensive expertise with technical solutions, Michael is a highly valued part of the Sparked community!
We spoke to Michael about his involvement with Sparked, here is what he had to say!
🤔 What is your working background?
I’ve always loved solving complex technical problems and building systems that work better together. I have an extensive background in software development, with a passion for building APIs, workflow solutions, and secure access frameworks, drawing on a breadth of experience across government, finance, and digital health.
🤔 How did you become involved with Sparked?
Sparked was a natural fit — it’s where the future of digital health interoperability is coming to life and offering a real chance to make a difference, so I jumped at the opportunity to get involved.
🤔 What is your role within Sparked?
I’m a FHIR Solution Architect and one of the AU eRequesting TDG Co-Chairs, helping to guide how we shape and deliver standards for diagnostic requesting in Australia.
🤔 What does Sparked mean to you?
For me, Sparked is about bringing people together across healthcare to actually make interoperability happen, not just talk about it. It’s about building practical solutions that will have a real impact on how healthcare is delivered in Australia.
🤔 What is something that you hope to achieve within the Sparked program?
I want to help deliver practical standards that are simple, clear, and genuinely useful — something that can be picked up and effectively used to improve patient outcomes.
🤔 How is the Sparked program different to projects you’ve been involved in before?
The energy and collaboration in Sparked are unlike anything else I have worked on — it is more open, fast-paced, and truly community-led, with real-world outcomes front and centre.
🤔 What’s been your favourite part of working within the Sparked team?
The passion and collaboration across Sparked have been amazing — it’s inspiring to work with people from such diverse backgrounds and expertise, all coming together with shared goals.
🤔 What would you tell someone wanting to learn more about the Sparked project?
Dive in! Sign up and join a Design Group meeting — you can learn so much just by listening to others and it’s an open, welcoming space where everyone has something valuable to offer, no matter your background or experience.
🤔 How will the goals and outcomes of the Sparked Program impact your field/industry/profession?
Sparked is laying the foundation for healthcare systems to finally talk to each other properly — meaning better data, better decisions, and better outcomes for everyone.
🤔 What’s your favourite Sparked/FHIR pun?
FHIR Starter — someone who’s found the spark to start their FHIR journey.