HL7 has announced the appointment of Professor Rachel Dunscombe as its new Chief Executive Officer effective January 19, marking the start of the organization’s next phase of growth in global health data interoperability. She succeeds Charles Jaffe, MD, PhD, who concludes nearly two decades of leadership at HL7.
Rachel brings extensive global experience in digital health, interoperability and standards-based transformation. Prior to joining HL7, she served as CEO of openEHR International, where she helped accelerate worldwide adoption of open health data standards and strengthened collaboration among governments, standards bodies and healthcare organizations.
Her career includes senior roles in healthcare delivery, national digital strategy, executive education and leadership in international standards communities. She has been recognized for her ability to unite diverse stakeholders and advance practical implementation of health data standards at scale.
Rachel has also held influential positions across the UK health and technology landscape, including leadership of the NHS Digital Academy, advisory roles to the UK Secretary of State for Health, and service on the UK Government AI Council. She holds a Visiting Professorship at Imperial College London and contributes to digital health initiatives through the Digital Health Society’s Board of Directors.
The HL7 Board of Directors established a standing Succession Planning Committee in 2024 to guide the CEO search process. Using globally focused and objective criteria, the board led a comprehensive search designed to identify a leader capable of guiding a complex, volunteer-driven international community and stewarding trusted health data standards. The board affirmed that Professor Rachel Dunscombe brings the strategic insight, global perspective and leadership experience needed to advance HL7’s mission.
To read the full press release, please visit:
http://www.hl7.org/documentcenter/public/pressreleases/HL7_PRESS_20260108.pdf
