Charlene Chu (L) and Denika McPherson (supplied images)
Charlene Chu and Denika McPherson named Women Leaders in Digital Health
Published: February 12, 2025
Charlene Chu, an assistant professor in the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, and Denika McPherson, an alum and senior business adviser at the Ontario Ministry of Health, have been named 2024 Women Leaders in Digital Health by Digital Health Canada.
The annual awards recognize visionaries who are harnessing the power of information technology to transform Canadian health and health care.
Both Chu and McPherson were recognized under the "Emerging Leader" category for their advocacy of inclusiveness and equity in the realm of development and implementation of digital health technologies.
"When women are celebrated in digital health, it sends a message that our voices and ideas are shaping the future of health care," says Chu. "For me, I hope this recognition inspires others to keep pushing boundaries and designing technology that makes a difference and creates meaningful change.”
“Receiving this award has provided a valuable moment to reflect on my work to date, and reiterates my commitment to driving meaningful change in this area, while celebrating other women leaders’ achievements in digital health,” says McPherson. “I believe that ensuring equitable AI implementation requires co-design with diverse users throughout the AI development life cycle which can not only catalyze innovation but also ensure adherence to the Belmont principles: respect for persons, justice and beneficence.”
