DGTL Voices with Ed Marx

Episode: Digital Health Leadership in EMEA (feat. Dr. Gürhan Zincircioğlu)
Date: November 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the remarkable journey of Dr. Gürhan Zincircioğlu (“Dr. Z”), an orthopedic surgeon and pioneering digital health leader based in Turkey. Host Ed Marx explores Dr. Z’s personal background, his evolution into a leading digital health advocate, key experiences with HIMSS and KLAS, and his vision for digital transformation and clinical leadership in the EMEA region. The episode offers insights and advice for clinicians considering digital transformation and participating in global health IT organizations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Z’s Background and Early Inspirations

• Music and Mantra ([00:40]–[01:56])

  • Dr. Z shares his love for Coldplay and U2.
  • Core principle: helping people and improving healthcare, rooted in lifelong public sector physician experience.
  • Quote:

    “I always try to help the people to improve their health care and I think that's how I'm supposed to live and look forward.”
    — Dr. Z [01:56]

• Origins and Family ([02:20]–[03:33])

  • Born and raised in Istanbul; high school in the U.S., then medical school in Turkey.
  • Has lived in Izmir (a vibrant, coastal city) for over 20 years.
  • Medicine is a family calling: father (gynecologist), brother (neurosurgeon), sister (dentist).

2. Choosing Orthopedics & Entering Digital Health

• Path to Orthopedic Surgery ([04:13]–[05:19])

  • Prompted by father to avoid obstetrics/gynecology due to its demands.
  • Inspired by mentors during residency.

• Transition to Digital Health Leadership ([05:19]–[07:23])

  • Turkey launched a major digital health push in 2013; focused on HIMSS digital maturity.

  • Dr. Z became Chief Medical Information Officer at his hospital, pioneering adoption of EMRAM (HIMSS maturity model).

  • Milestones:

    • Led the first Turkish hospital to HIMSS Stage 6; later achieved first Stage 7 in EMEA.

  • Quote:

    “...People just asked who would like to join us as a medical information officer. So I just raised up my hand and that was it.”
    — Dr. Z [07:21]

3. Influence & Leadership in HIMSS and KLAS

• Global Roles and Responsibilities ([07:23]–[10:47])

  • Invited to join the HIMSS Europe Governing Council in 2016.

  • Active across various committees (Physicians Committee, Global Education, now Professional Development Committee).

  • Also a board member at KLAS in the EMEA region, contributing expertise on digital health metrics and validation.

  • Stresses the value for practitioners to participate in these organizations—not only to stay current, but to shape the future of digital healthcare.

  • Quote:

    “It's really amazing to be on a HIMSS Professional Committee Executive Committee. That's really interesting.”
    — Dr. Z [08:58]

4. The Digital Health Landscape Evolves

• Rapid Change and the Need to Keep Up ([11:00]–[13:39])

  • Describes how HIMSS requirements rapidly evolve (e.g., PACS has gone from a high-level achievement to table stakes).

  • Emphasizes that physicians can’t resist technology; need to continually update themselves.

  • Shares experience pursuing a master’s in business engineering to better understand healthcare analytics.

  • Strongly advocates for active engagement with HIMSS and KLAS to prepare for upcoming trends, especially AI and patient engagement.

  • Quote:

    “You cannot stand against the technology and you have to move forward to keep yourself tuned.”
    — Dr. Z [12:40]

5. Balancing Clinical and Digital Leadership, Wellbeing

• Current Roles and Hobbies ([14:05]–[14:59])

  • Maintains a balance as an active orthopedic surgeon, Chief Medical Information Officer, and committee leader.

  • Rejuvenates through sailing on Izmir’s coast, favoring wind over noisy motors.

  • Quote:

    “You better go for sailing. Not a motorbike boat. Because the motor voice, you know, it bothers me... So that's how I refresh my mind and my body.”
    — Dr. Z [14:41]

6. Advice for Driving Digital Transformation

• Tactics for Organizational Change ([15:30]–[17:12])

  • Stresses convincing colleagues and sometimes making it harder to use outdated methods.

  • Recommends creating showcase teams of subject matter experts (“champions”) to demonstrate value and build momentum.

  • Listening to team feedback is crucial.

  • Quote:

    “Listening is another way to improve yourself. I'm always open for the new ideas as well.”
    — Dr. Z [16:56]

7. Broader Leadership Advice

• Tips for Aspiring Leaders ([17:29]–[18:19])

  • Persistence: never give up, follow your dreams.

  • Read biographies of role models and learn from setbacks.

  • Quote:

    “Do not be upset when you go down. Every down will help you to improve yourself... I never go upset in my life. I always get some lessons in all my experiences.”
    — Dr. Z [18:09]

8. Final Reflections and Vision

• Lessons from the Pandemic and Global Health ([18:49]–[19:11])
  • Emphasizes collective action:

    “We have to work more and more to improve healthcare in the whole world. We got some lessons during the pandemic that personal healthcare is not enough for global health.”
    — Dr. Z [18:54]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “My favorite band is Coldplay... and U2, they're my top list bands.” — Dr. Z [01:10]
• “I’m born and raised up in Istanbul, but I live in Izmir more than 20 years now... It’s a liberal city which is on the seaside. And I’m so happy to live in here.” — Dr. Z [02:57]
• “If you have just PACS you cannot even get stage one... so we need some other stuff to move forward. We cannot stand in our current position.” — Dr. Z [11:37]
• “First of all, do not give up and just follow your dreams and ideas... And do not be upset when you go down. Every down will help you to improve yourself.” — Dr. Z [17:29], [18:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:40] – Dr. Z’s musical taste, life mantra
• [02:30] – Upbringing, family in medicine, life in Istanbul and Izmir
• [04:13] – Choosing orthopedics
• [05:19] – Origin story as Chief Medical Information Officer and digital transformation leader
• [07:40] – HIMSS involvement and impact
• [09:20] – KLAS collaboration and regional influence
• [11:00] – The need to keep pace with rapid technological change in healthcare
• [14:05] – Balancing clinical, digital, and personal life; sailing
• [15:30] – Practical advice for preparing hospitals and teams for transformation
• [17:29] – Broader leadership and life advice for early-career professionals
• [18:49] – Final word: improving global healthcare post-pandemic

Episode Takeaways

• Dr. Z’s journey shows how clinical insight and digital curiosity—when combined—can drive meaningful healthcare innovation.
• Active involvement in international organizations like HIMSS and KLAS is key for digital leaders who want to shape healthcare’s future.
• Persistence, self-education, and building collaborative teams are vital for organizational transformation and personal leadership growth.
• The pandemic highlighted the interconnectedness of healthcare worldwide, underscoring the importance of shared progress and global perspective.

For clinicians and leaders alike, Dr. Z’s story is a blueprint for merging medicine, technology, and visionary leadership—anchored in humility and lifelong learning.