Front-Line Physician and Health System Innovator: Podcast Interview with Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia

What happens when a practicing family physician decides that healthcare technology can, and should, work better for clinicians and patients?

In a recent episode of the From the Burgundy Chairs podcast, Amplify Care Founder and CEO Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia sat down with Santis Health to discuss the journey that led to Amplify Care, the future of AI in healthcare, and why the most successful digital health innovations don’t start with technology; they start with people.

Here are some of the key themes from the conversation.

“It really is about making sure that we serve patients in the best possible way.”

Throughout the conversation, Mohamed returns to a simple idea: every role he holds (family physician, researcher, educator and CEO) is connected by one purpose.

“It really is synergistic, the things that I do. It is about making sure that we serve patients in the best possible way. But how do we enable clinicians to do that?”

That philosophy became the foundation for Amplify Care. Experiencing the frustrations of disconnected systems and administrative burden firsthand, Mohamed saw an opportunity to rethink how technology could better support care delivery. What began as local innovation eventually grew into an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping clinicians adopt technology that genuinely improves patient care.

Technology Isn’t the Goal: Better Care Is

When asked to describe Amplify Care, Mohamed doesn’t talk about software or platforms. Instead, he offers a remarkably simple mission:

“We’re an independent, not-for-profit organization that gets clinicians the tools they need to serve patients in a better way.”

It’s a philosophy that has shaped everything from provincial digital health initiatives to national programs, including work on eReferral and integrated care. Rather than leading with technology, Amplify Care begins by understanding clinical workflows, identifying pain points, and working alongside clinicians and patients to design solutions that fit naturally into everyday practice.

AI Should Give Time Back to Clinicians

Artificial intelligence may dominate today’s healthcare headlines, but Mohamed’s vision is refreshingly practical. Instead of replacing clinicians or their staff, AI should remove repetitive administrative work so healthcare professionals can focus on what matters most: caring for patients.

“My future vision is where clinicians have a copilot… where patients have a copilot… and where staff actually have a copilot.”

He describes a future where AI can:

• prepare clinicians before appointments
• capture documentation during visits
• suggest referrals and follow-up care
• help patients better understand their health
• support administrative staff with routine tasks

In other words, AI should strengthen the clinician-patient relationship, not replace it.

Innovation Requires Curiosity and a Willingness to Fail

One of the most candid moments in the episode comes when Mohamed reflects on what he would do differently if he were starting Amplify Care today. His answer? Experiment earlier.

“Instead of looking at a project, look at a problem… work with clinicians and patients to actually solve that problem.”

He explains that healthcare has historically been cautious about trying new approaches, but today’s tools allow organizations to prototype, evaluate and learn faster than ever before, provided the right safeguards are in place.

The Future Will Be Built Through Partnership

While AI and digital health tools continue to evolve rapidly, Mohamed believes one thing won’t change: meaningful healthcare transformation requires collaboration. As he says in the closing moments of the episode:

“It is about partnership. It’s about how we work together because the problems are still complex. There are more tools, but we need to make sure that we solve it collectively.”

It’s a fitting conclusion for a conversation centred not just on innovation, but on building solutions with clinicians, patients, governments and partners across the health system.

Listen to the Full Conversation

This episode offers an inside look at the thinking that has shaped Amplify Care over the past decade, and where healthcare innovation is heading next. Whether you’re interested in AI, primary care transformation, digital health, or the future of connected care, it’s a conversation worth listening to.

Listen to the full episode and hear Mohamed’s vision for the future of healthcare, and thank you to Santis Health for the opportunity!