We often hear the word "Innovation" thrown around in healthcare. It’s on every hospital website and every startup pitch deck. But what does it actually mean? Is it just about cool gadgets, or is it a fundamental shift in how we treat patients?

In our first official episode, we go straight to the source.

We sit down with Josep Antoni Quiroga, a psychiatrist, the Head of the Psychiatry Unit at Vall d'Hebron Hospital, and the Co-Director of the Master's in Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

He is the architect of the environment where we are currently studying, and as a Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) with a PhD, he offers a unique dual perspective: that of a clinician treating patients daily, and that of an academic shaping the next generation of innovators.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Innovation vs. Invention: Why the "Need" is the bedrock of success.

• The "Quintuple Aim": Moving beyond cost and outcomes to include equity and provider well-being.

• The Future of Mental Health: Digital phenotyping and predictive care.

• Why Barcelona? The unique ecosystem of Vall d'Hebron.

• Advice for Clinicians: How to start innovating without quitting your job.

About The Health Innovation Playground:Hosted by Yousef Ahmed (MD) and Tamila Ulan (Nurse), we bridge the gap between clinical reality and strategic innovation. Broadcasting from the heart of the Barcelona ecosystem at Vall d'Hebron, we share unfiltered conversations with the pioneers driving the future of medicine.

Join the community:

• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://healthinnovationplayground.substack.com/

• Connect with Yousef: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousef-h-ahmed-368b79103/

• Connect with Tamila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamila-ulan/

Welcome to The Health Innovation Playground.

In this introductory episode, your hosts Yousef Ahmed (MD) and Tamila Ulan (Nurse) break down exactly who we are, why we left our clinical jobs, and why we are launching this podcast from the heart of Barcelona.

Innovation in healthcare often feels like two different worlds speaking different languages: the boardroom and the clinic. We are here to bridge that gap. Broadcasting from the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), we are documenting our journey through the Master's in Health Innovation, asking the questions you’re thinking but might be afraid to ask.

In this episode, we discuss:

• (00:00) Intro: Meet the Doctor and the Nurse.

• (02:15) The "Sick Care" vs. "Health Care" revolution: Why reactive medicine is dying.

• (05:30) Why Barcelona? Exploring the unique ecosystem of Vall d'Hebron.

• (08:45) Our personal journeys: From the ER in Egypt and Spain to the innovation lab.

• (12:20) The Mission: Making health tech accessible, adventurous, and jargon-free.

Whether you are a clinician frustrated by bad tech, a founder trying to crack adoption, or just curious about the future of medicine, this is your backstage pass.

Join the playground:

• Substack: https://healthinnovationplayground.substack.com/

• Connect with Yousef: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousef-h-ahmed-368b79103/

• Connect with Tamila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamila-ulan/