Sparked Bright Sparks: Dr Kim Drever

We spoke to Kim about her involvement in the Sparked Community, here’s what she had to say!

❓What is your background?

I’m Dr. Kim Drever, a developmental pediatrician with over two decades of clinical experience, passionate about harnessing digital innovation to enhance child healthcare.

❓ How did you first hear about Sparked and what made you want to become involved?

I first discovered Sparked at the DHF24 (digital health festival) conference, which ignited my deeper interest in healthcare interoperability. My involvement as a clinical advisor to an AI ambient scribe has further inspired me to explore how digital innovation, particularly AI in healthcare, might lead to digital transformation.

Digital transformation in healthcare depends on interoperability.

❓ What do you see as the best outcomes that Sparked has delivered or is working towards?

Sparked is actively driving the critical adoption of interoperability standards, enabling safer, more efficient healthcare by ensuring clean, reliable data flows effectively across the health system.

❓ How is Sparked different to projects you’ve been involved in before?

Sparked uniquely bridges silos across healthcare, technology, and policy—creating a collaborative space genuinely committed to overcoming longstanding barriers. It welcomes seasoned experts who have dedicated decades to healthcare interoperability and newcomers with fresh ideas, fostering a dynamic environment of mutual learning and innovation.

❓ What is something you’ve learnt from being part of the Sparked community?

Being part of Sparked has reinforced that meaningful innovation, like effective pediatric care, demands genuine humility, openness, and mutual respect. Everyone enters this space with the aspiration of making a significant impact—often believing they can individually solve healthcare’s complexities. However, I’ve learned that no single person, company, or profession can fully address these multifaceted challenges alone. True progress relies on embracing diverse collaboration, constructive competition, and a shared understanding that success comes from collective rather than individual heroics.

❓ Can you share one of your favourite or memorable moments from participating in Sparked?

What I enjoy most about Sparked is how big questions turn into real conversations, and real conversations turn into action.

At my first face-to-face Sparked workshop, I was the newcomer in the room, listening and absorbing. But as discussions unfolded, I noticed something missing—there was no mention of children. Their health data, their voices, their future as both patients and providers—why weren’t they part of the conversation?

I raised this with Kylynn Loi, who acknowledged it wasn’t currently within Sparked’s scope but saw its relevance. She offered me the opportunity to discuss it with Kate Ebril—someone who would understand how this fit into the broader roadmap.

That evening, over a more relaxed conversation, I spoke with Kate about the future of healthcare and where children fit in. At some point, I jokingly referenced Whitney Houston—“the children are our future, let them lead the way”—as a reflection of a truth we all recognize but often overlook in action.

Kate listened, then turned and introduced me to Jeremy Sullivan with a direct challenge: “Here’s a pediatrician with a compelling question, Jeremy. How is Sparked going to save the children?”

Suddenly, I was standing before someone shaping national digital health policy—an opportunity I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Before I knew it, I was being asked to lead an initiative.

That’s what Sparked does—it brings together people who wouldn’t normally cross paths and gives them the platform to push for real, lasting change. I came in as a frustrated clinician and walked away with a call to action.

❓ What excites you most about the future with Sparked?

I’m most excited about Sparked’s potential to ensure healthcare data becomes genuinely interoperable, unlocking the full potential of AI and digital innovations for safer, more equitable patient care.

Sparked represents an opportunity for us to prioritise children’s healthcare on the digital transformation roadmap because, as Whitney Houston famously sang, they truly are our future, and empowering them now is essential.

❓ What’s something unexpected that you’ve learnt/been a part of/connected with through Sparked?

There are no dumb questions! Through Sparked, I’ve learned how important it is to challenge the way things are done and question assumptions we often overlook in healthcare. I’ve realized that we often make decisions based on incomplete or incorrect information, making it crucial to identify our blind spots. Being part of this community has helped me understand the complexities of workflows and digital health innovation, emphasizing the need for teamwork and collaboration to create real change.

❓ How would you explain Sparked to someone not yet involved?

Sparked is a community-driven initiative connecting clinicians, technologists, and policymakers to tackle the critical issue of healthcare interoperability, enabling meaningful innovation and improved patient outcomes. At its core, it’s also a gathering of fabulously smart people who are not just theorising about interoperability but rolling up their sleeves to make it happen. It’s where deep expertise meets genuine execution, bridging gaps in healthcare data with relentless problem-solving and collaboration.

❓ What piece of advice would you share to someone who may not yet be a part of Sparked?

Make time for this and invest your knowledge—your contributions can lead to meaningful change in healthcare. This community values every perspective, and together, we can make a real impact!

❓ If you had to describe Sparked in three words, what would they be?

Serious, Fun, Transformative

❓ If Sparked had a theme song, what would it be?

The Greatest Love of all – Whitney Houston – I am a paediatrician!!

You get what you give – New Radicals

❓ Describe Sparked using only emojis

✨🤝🚀🌏