Celebrating the Women of the Rural Centre of Excellence

As part of the DHI's International Women’s Day series, we’re celebrating the women shaping the future of rural health and care.This moment invites reflection—not only on the progress made, but on the quiet, consistent work happening every day to build a more equitable future.

At the Rural Centre of Excellence, which is a £5 million initiative funded by the UK government through the Moray Growth Deal and delivered by Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) – the focus is on advancing research and innovation in digital health, aiding the remobilisation of health and social care services in the Moray region. But what stands out most to me is the women who are shaping this transformation.  

The digital health sector, like many STEM related fields, has historically faced gender imbalance. Within the Rural Centre of Excellence, I see women playing a central role in driving forward rural health and care innovation- leading projects, facilitating Living Labs, contributing clinical expertise and bringing lived experiences into the design process.  

Women are central to the momentum behind the Rural Centre of Excellence. Across Moray, women give their time and perspectives through Living Labs workshops and engagement sessions, speaking candidly about their experiences of rural health and care.  

Women who are carers. Women managing long-term conditions. Women working in frontline roles. Women balancing employment, family, and community responsibilities. Their experiences and insights are practical and informative bringing clarity to why change matters. By embedding lived experiences into development, solutions are better aligned with needs of the community they serve.  

As a graduate intern at the beginning of my career, being surrounded by strong female leadership within the Rural Centre of Excellence has been influential. Witnessing women lead with confidence, clarity and a commitment to community impact has given me a powerful model of what effective leadership can look like. Their guidance and example have created an environment where I feel supported, motivated and encouraged to grow.  

As we look towards the future of digital health care solutions in the Moray region, the path to innovation is paved by inclusivity. By valuing the voices of women, from strategic stakeholders and leaders to the carers and patients in our Living Labs, we ensure that future of health and care is smarter, more empathetic and reflective of the community it serves.  

This International Women’s Day, I am not only celebrating the progress of the Rural Centre of Excellence, but I am also inspired by the work that remains. It is a privilege to start my career in an environment where female leadership is not merely present but foundational to the project’s success. I am proud to contribute to an initiative that empowers women to lead, innovate and redefine the boundaries of what is possible in rural healthcare.