Dr. Tamara Sunbul is a global leader in digital health transformation, AI governance, data science, and healthcare innovation. With over 31 years of expertise in healthcare, information management, performance analytics, and strategic planning, she has been instrumental in reshaping healthcare at Aramco and Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) where during her tenure, she spearheaded transformative initiatives to integrate technology, optimize care delivery, and enhance patient outcomes.
Dr. Sunbul’s distinguished career began in 1994 at the Saudi Aramco Medical Organization (SAMSO) after earning her MBBS in Medicine and Surgery. Early on, she took on leadership roles, establishing the Primary Care Patient Ownership Program, which became a model for enhancing continuity of care and patient engagement. By 1996, she had already ventured into medical informatics, leading IT-driven projects to enhance healthcare efficiency. Her dedication to healthcare technology and leadership was solidified through key certifications and advanced training, including her CPHIMS certification in 2011, completion of Leadership Strategies for IT in Healthcare at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2016, and earning her PMP certification in 2016. Dr. Sunbul’s pivotal role unfolded in January 2018, when she led the seamless rollout of the Epic EHR across JHAH, enhancing clinical operations and physician integration. Her initiatives in 2019 resulted in the establishment of the Strategy and Risk Management Office, driving comprehensive planning, governance, and policy implementation aligned with ISO 31000 Risk Management framework and EPMO standards. Her commitment to furthering her expertise in medical management culminated in earning an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Business in 2023, in collaboration with the American Academy of Physician Leaders. At JHAH, Dr. Sunbul led large-scale digital transformation initiatives, positioning the organization among the most digitally mature healthcare institutions globally. She played a pivotal role in achieving HIMSS Stage 7 EMRAM and CHIME Most Wired Level 9 certifications, overseeing Epic EHR optimization, AI driven analytics, and telemedicine expansion, which earned JHAH the KLAS Pinnacle Award for EMR Usability. She also spearheaded the development of AI governance frameworks, ensuring the ethical and effective deployment of AI in clinical decision-making, while driving data governance and regulatory compliance, aligning with Saudi PDPL and NDMO standards. Her expertise in population health led to the implementation of AI-integrated personalized medicine and value-based care models, reinforcing her reputation as a pioneer in data-driven healthcare.
Beyond that, Dr. Sunbul is a HIMSS Digital Maturity Surveyor, assessing healthcare organizations worldwide on EMRAM and AMAM standards to drive digital maturity and interoperability. She also plays a key role in CIO/CMIO leadership training programs, equipping executives with strategic digital health leadership skills.
Dr. Sunbul’s influence extends to the global stage through her roles in the International KLAS Advisory Board and the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP). As Chair of the GDHP Evidence and Evaluation Workstream, she has developed global frameworks for assessing digital health technologies, focusing on scalability, interoperability, and equity. Additionally, she co founded and serves on the Board of Directors at the International Digital Health Workforce Development Association (ZIMAM), where she leads initiatives to address digital health workforce challenges worldwide.Her impact on global policy and healthcare innovation includes contributionsto the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), where she played a role in shaping public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks for sustainable digital transformation. She also led the development of the healthcare and telemedicine section of the digital transformation PPP policy guidance and contributed to policy recommendations for gender equality initiatives in PPPs.
Recognized as a thought leader and industry visionary, Dr. Sunbul has received numerous accolades, including the 2025 HIMSS Changemaker Award (CXO Senior Executive category), ZIMAM/HIMSS Digital Health Leader of the Year (2022), Arabian Business KSA Women in Business Award (2023, Healthcare Category), and HIMSS Future50 Class Clinical Leader (2021). As a sought-after
keynote speaker, she delivers strategic insights at HIMSS, LEAP, Arab Health, KLAS, and UNECE summits, shaping global discussions on AI in healthcare, digital transformation, data governance, and IT strategy.
Currently, as a Digital Health Transformation and Innovation Strategic Advisor, Dr. Sunbul is driving AI-powered healthcare innovation, digital transformation strategies, and global policy frameworks. She remains committed to leveraging emerging technologies, fostering cross-border collaborations, and shaping the future of digital health.
Claim to Fame (Summary):
Dr. Tamara Sunbul is a global leader in digital health transformation, with over 31 years of expertise in healthcare, information management, performance analytics, and strategic planning. She played a pivotal role in reshaping healthcare at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH), where she served as Medical Director of Clinical Informatics and led transformative initiatives to integrate technology, optimize care delivery, and enhance patient outcomes. Under her leadership, JHAH achieved prestigious recognitions, including HIMSS Stage 7 EMRAM, CHIME Most Wired Level 9, and the KLAS Pinnacle Award for EHR Experience.
Dr. Sunbul’s influence extends to the global stage through her leadership roles with the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP), the International KLAS Advisory Board, ZIMAM, and HIMSS. She has collaborated with international leaders to drive digital health strategies, establish evidence-based frameworks, and advance health systems worldwide. Her contributions to healthcare innovation have earned her numerous accolades, most recently the 2025 HIMSS Changemaker in Health Award (CXO Senior Executive category).As a Digital Health Transformation and Innovation Strategic Advisor, Dr. Sunbul remains committed to creating innovative pathways, leveraging AI and emerging technologies, and fostering international collaborationsto shape the future of healthcare.
