Transforming healthcare with digital innovation
Dr. Tania Tajirian’s journey through the Master of Health Informatics (MHI) program at the University of Waterloo is a story of ambition, resilience, and a deep passion for transforming healthcare. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of New Brunswick, Tania earned her MD from the University of Ottawa and went on to complete her family medicine residency in Toronto. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she made a pivotal decision to pursue the MHI program.
Balancing the demands of a full-time medical career and the MHI program as a part-time student was no small feat. Yet, Tania was determined to combine her clinical expertise with her growing interest in healthcare technology. She saw the MHI program as the perfect opportunity to fuel her passion for digital transformation in healthcare. "The MHI program offered the ideal mix of health, technology, and data science—an essential foundation for working at the cutting edge of clinical practice and health informatics," she says. "It was the next step in my mission to improve care quality and patient outcomes through health IT solutions."
Throughout her studies, Tania served as the Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) and Chief of Hospital Medicine at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Her role at CAMH, combined with the challenges of the pandemic, made balancing work and school even more demanding. However, it also provided a unique opportunity to apply her learning in real world settings. "Being able to use what I was learning in the MHI program immediately in my work was invaluable. It enhanced both my understanding and the impact of the changes we were making," she explains. The interdisciplinary nature of the MHI program was another highlight for Tania. "The program covers a wide range of topics—from data analytics to the ethical and privacy challenges of health technology," she says. "Collaborating with classmates from diverse backgrounds enriched my learning experience, offering new perspectives that continue to influence my work today."
In 2022, while completing her MHI studies, Tania was honored as one of the Women Leaders in Digital Health. "It was an incredible honor," she reflects. "The recognition wasn't just for my individual work, but for the collaborative efforts at CAMH to leverage technology in mental health care. This award underscored the transformative role of digital health solutions in making mental health services more accessible and effective. It inspired me to keep pushing boundaries in the field."
Looking back on her experience, Tania has valuable advice for prospective students: "Embrace both the challenges and opportunities this program offers. Health informatics is a rapidly evolving field, and the key to success is staying open to continuous learning. Try to connect what you’re learning with real-world applications—it will not only deepen your understanding but also amplify your impact. And yes, balancing work and studies can be tough, but the effort is deeply rewarding." For Tania, the MHI program was more than just an academic pursuit—it was a stepping stone toward a meaningful career dedicated to advancing healthcare through digital innovation.