The Hellenic Digital Health Cluster (HDHC) held a closed meeting of its members and close partners, as well as a panel discussion entitled “Synergies to Bridge the Needs of Healthcare Services in Digital Transformation” on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the Royal Olympic Hotel, as part of Athens Digital Health Week 2026.
As part of the event, the annual HDHC New Year’s cake-cutting ceremony also took place in a particularly positive and celebratory atmosphere, further strengthening cohesion and the spirit of collaboration among Cluster members.
The panel discussion focused on the role of synergies among healthcare providers, technology companies, and patient organizations in bridging the real needs of the healthcare system with available digital solutions. The panel was moderated by HDHC Research Director, Angeliki Kouroumpali, and featured exclusively representatives of Cluster member companies. The panel participants were:
-
Stathis Velivasakis, IT Director at Affidea Greece,
-
Apostolia Karampatea, R&D Manager at Gnomon Informatics SA,
-
Tasos Christidis, Head of Research & Technology at REA Maternity & Gynecology Clinic,
-
and Litsa Bista, Head of Operations and Development at the Cancer Patients Guidance Center (K3).
The Value of Collaboration in the Digital Health Ecosystem
Ms. Apostolia Karampatea emphasized that digital health is at a critical transition point, stressing that no innovation can function in isolation.
“Digital health is at a pivotal stage of transition. No innovation in healthcare can stand alone. Our participation in the Cluster confirms our commitment to collective progress, where technology, research, and health policy operate complementarily. At Gnomon, we invest in solutions that are not merely digital, but truly applicable and sustainable.”
Connecting Technology, Clinical Practice, and Data
Mr. Stathis Velivasakis highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to healthcare digital transformation, noting that its success depends on the convergence of technology, clinical operations, and data governance.
“Digital transformation in healthcare requires synergies that connect technology, clinical practice, and data governance. Through the Hellenic Digital Health Cluster, we can accelerate this convergence, transforming innovation into measurable value for both the patient and the healthcare system.”
Digital Transformation with Clinical Value
Mr. Tasos Christidis stated that at REA Clinic, digital transformation is approached as a tool for clinical value and innovation, investing in everything from workflow integration and system interoperability to the development of AI-based clinical decision support solutions, always with a human-centered focus.
“HDHC acts as a strategic partner for outreach and networking; however, research collaborations and funding instruments must be further strengthened so that innovation can move more rapidly from the pilot stage to everyday care.”
The Role of Patient Organizations in Adoption
Ms. Litsa Bista, representing the newest member of the Cluster, highlighted the critical role of civil society organizations in integrating digital solutions into the patient care pathway.
“Digital health is not only about developing technological solutions, but about meaningfully integrating them into the patient’s care journey. Civil society organizations (patients, caregivers, friends, professionals) can act as crucial adoption partners, contributing to design, implementation, and evaluation. Through collaboration within the Cluster, an ecosystem is strengthened where innovation translates into real accessibility and continuity of care with maximum social impact. For the Cancer Patients Guidance Center, developing its role in the ecosystem as patient digital navigators can only happen through such synergies.”
From Dialogue to Action
The closed meeting highlighted the need to strengthen interoperability, joint research initiatives, and systematic collaboration among ecosystem members. At the same time, throughout Athens Digital Health Week 2026, HDHC had the opportunity to meet and exchange views with members and partners of the ecosystem, including the companies APOKATASTASI, COMPUTER SOLUTIONS, E.Di.K.E., FORTH, JOIST, MED.I.S., Michalopoulou & Associates, Micro’s Leaders, IKNOWHOW, PYLI NET, Pharmecons Easy Access, and others, further reinforcing synergies and the prospects for joint initiatives. The discussion confirmed that the success of digital transformation in healthcare depends not only on technology, but on the convergence of strategy, partnerships, and sustainable business models, with the patient at the center.