Interview with: Anne Katrine Enevold Krogh, UNITE Project Lead for Region Zealand

This article is part of the “Behind the Scenes” series, in which the UNITE project partners introduce themselves and explain how they will contribute to the transformation of European healthcare.

What motivated you to join the UNITE project, and how does it align with your personal or professional goals?

Joining the UNITE project was a natural decision for me, driven by my passion for using innovation to create more accessible healthcare. Working in Region Zealand, which has now been recognized as an EU Regional Innovation Valley, we have a unique role in leading digital health transformation.

Professionally, UNITE aligns with my commitment to developing healthcare solutions that bridge the gap between patients and providers, especially those in more remote areas. The project’s mission to create digital and preventive health solutions directly supports our goal of making healthcare more accessible outside of big cities. On a personal level, being part of a network that brings together Europe’s top innovators is truly inspiring.

UNITE offers the chance to collaborate with international experts, tackle common healthcare challenges, and create solutions that have a real, lasting impact. I am excited to contribute my skills and lead a project that can truly transform healthcare for the better.

Can you tell us about your team's expertise and how it contributes to UNITE's mission of transforming healthcare through digital innovation?

What are the most pressing healthcare challenges in your region, and how do you believe the UNITE project will address them?

In Region Zealand, we face big challenges in providing equal access to healthcare and managing an overburdened system. Rural areas have fewer healthcare facilities, making it difficult for residents to get timely care, while hospitals in urban areas are often overcrowded with limited resources. The UNITE project offers new solutions to these issues by focusing on digital tools like telemedicine and remote care, allowing patients to receive care from home instead of going to the hospital. This helps make healthcare more accessible while reducing pressure on our healthcare system. 

Another challenge is the need for better data sharing among healthcare providers so they can give the best care. UNITE’s vision of a connected digital health network will enable secure, efficient data sharing across regions. By tackling these challenges, UNITE aims to create a healthcare system that’s more accessible, fair, and sustainable for everyone in the region.

How do you ensure that ethical considerations and patient privacy are prioritized in the development of new healthcare technologies?

In the UNITE project, patient privacy and ethics are top priorities. We ensure that all our digital solutions comply with stringent EU regulations, such as GDPR, to protect patient data. Our team includes legal experts who work closely with developers to integrate privacy safeguards from the beginning of each project.

We believe that ethical considerations and patient privacy aren’t just requirements—they’re essential for effective and sustainable healthcare innovation. This focus on privacy and ethics ensures that our digital tools are not only safe but also respectful of the individuals who use them, helping to build a more trustworthy healthcare system.

How do you plan to engage with other consortium partners to ensure the smooth implementation of innovative solutions across regions?

Our approach to collaboration with consortium partners in the UNITE project is grounded in open communication and shared objectives. With our experience in implementing solutions across different regions, we know it’s essential to align goals, identify obstacles, and exchange best practices to enhance success. We focus on establishing common standards and tools, making our solutions adaptable and spreadable across countries.

Each partner brings valuable, unique expertise, and by creating a collaborative environment, we ensure that knowledge flows freely, amplifying the impact of the project. Cultural understanding is also vital; we acknowledge that healthcare needs differ between regions, so flexibility is key to our approach. Through these strategies, we are developing a strong, unified framework that enables UNITE's innovative solutions to be implemented effectively. By doing so, we aim to make a real difference across diverse healthcare landscapes, improving accessibility, quality, and sustainability in healthcare for all involved regions.

How do you plan to involve local stakeholders, such as healthcare providers or policymakers, in the success of UNITE?

Engaging stakeholders is crucial to the success of the UNITE project—and all our work. Our entire innovation process is closely connected to clinical practice, ensuring that our solutions meet the needs of both clinicians and citizens and can integrate smoothly into existing workflows. We often hold workshops with clinicians and other healthcare professionals, and our team includes members with clinical backgrounds who contribute continuously to the projects.

For decision-makers, we emphasize how UNITE’s innovations can support regional health goals, such as improving healthcare accessibility and reducing costs. By sharing data and results from initial pilot projects, we work to secure their support for broader implementation. We also involve patient organizations and community representatives to ensure our solutions reflect the specific needs and preferences of the communities we serve. This inclusive approach not only builds trust but also gains the support of key stakeholders, increasing the chances of UNITE’s solutions becoming a success and contributing to sustainable improvements in healthcare.