Sparked Bright Sparks: Sanjeed Quaiyumi

We spoke to Sanjeed about his involvement in the Sparked Community, here’s what he had to say!

❓What is your background?

I am a Computer Science Engineer with an MBA and over 10 years of experience in Australia’s digital health sector. Much of that work experience was spent in the IT consulting industry, giving me exposure to diverse domains including Banking & Finance, Manufacturing, and Media. I’m deeply passionate about digital health—every project, product, or initiative I’ve contributed to has delivered tangible real‑world benefits.

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

Through my role at MediRecords, I actively engaged with Australia’s FHIR community—particularly by participating in HL7 Australia Connectathons. When our organisation was invited to join the Sparked FHIR Accelerator program, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of interoperability across the Australian healthcare landscape.

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

I’m excited by everything Sparked has achieved so far—from AU Core R1 to eRequesting—and I’m especially enthusiastic about AU Patient Summary. As Australia’s first step towards standardised patient data exchange, it promises real-world impact.

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

Sparked is a consensus‑driven community that brings together government, technology vendors, provider organisations, peak bodies, practitioners, domain experts, and clinicians from across Australia’s health ecosystem. This inclusive representation ensures all voices are heard and a diverse range of use cases are considered. The process follows a transparent, co‑design, and consensus‑based approach—so that every question is addressed and every conflict is resolved collaboratively.

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

When we operate in silos, assumptions build up and systems become disjointed. Being part of Sparked has exposed me to the broader health ecosystem and its workflows—helping me understand how different stakeholders approach care. This insight positions me to help deliver outcomes that are coherent and acceptable to everyone involved.

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

One of my favourite moments was the Sparked Leadership Evening in Adelaide—especially the “interoperability in action” demonstrations. That event truly brought together the Sparked community, showcasing how systems implemented across AU Core, AU Patient Summary, and AU eRequesting interoperate in real-world scenarios. It was an inspiring demonstration of the substantial value created by Sparked stakeholders.  

❓ What excites you most about the future with Sparked?

Sparked prioritises real-world scenarios and actively incorporates feedback from a broad spectrum of stakeholders—including consumers, clinicians, technologists, peak bodies, and government agencies. This inclusive approach ensures the program stays focused on immediate and practical needs within the Australian health ecosystem.

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

Through Sparked, I’ve had the unique opportunity to engage directly with clinical experts and policy‑makers—people I normally would never have met. These conversations have deepened my understanding of their thought processes and pain points. I’ve been able to channel this insight into actionable feedback for product teams within my organisation, helping bridge the gap between clinical needs and technical design.

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

Being part of Sparked means working in a vibrant, multi‑stakeholder community with a shared objective. It’s an inspiring space to contribute to meaningful change and learn from the phenomenal expertise of clinicians, policymakers, technologists, and others across Australia’s health ecosystem.

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

“Don’t think—just do.” In Sparked, there’s no room for egos—only passionate people united by a shared vision. It’s a dynamic, inspiring space where action and collaboration drive tangible progress.  

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

Community Consensus Interoperability

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

Prodigy – Firestarter

❓ Describe Sparked using only emojis

🌠🤝👨‍⚕️☺️