Donal Harrison is an executive data science leader with over a decade of experience building high-performing teams and delivering machine learning and analytics solutions across the healthcare and technology sectors. He serves as Vice President of Data Science at Aspen RxHealth, where he leads cross-functional teams in transforming pharmacy care through data-driven innovation. His expertise spans strategy, data architecture, and applied machine learning, with a focus on scalable solutions that improve care outcomes and operational performance.The healthcare ecosystem is complex, and pharmacy is no exception. I strive to bring clarity to complexity — turning data into insight, and insight into action. Whether it’s building a model, leading a team, or advising stakeholders, my aim is to ensure our decisions and practices are evidence-based. At the same time, behind every dataset and workflow is a person — a patient, a caregiver, a provider. I try to keep that front and center in everything I do. Building data products or systems isn’t just a technical exercise, it’s about improving real lives.
What do you believe is the most exciting opportunity in healthcare right now?
Healthcare is the shifting from one-size-fits-all systems to truly personalized care, delivered at scale. Advances in data science, AI, and digital health platforms are enabling us to move from reactive, episodic care to proactive, continuous engagement. I think the most exciting opportunity is using data and digital tools not to replace human interaction, but to amplify it: helping clinicians, pharmacists, and care teams do what they do best, more effectively and more meaningfully.
What role do you believe pharmacists play in shaping the future of value-based care?
As value-based care grows, we need care delivery models that are both high-touch and cost-effective. Pharmacists are the perfect fit — clinical experts operating at scale who can engage patients directly, monitor adherence, and adjust care in real time. Unlocking their full potential could be one of the highest-leverage moves we make as a healthcare system.
What’s one big idea you think will define the next decade of healthcare?
One big idea that will shape the next decade is the dissolution of traditional care boundaries. With technology, we can bring healthcare to people — wherever they are — through virtual consults, remote monitoring, digital engagement, and real-time data feedback loops. “Care without walls” means more consistent, convenient, and connected experiences that reflect how people actually live their lives.
