Kalpana Sugathadasa
Researcher | Medical Doctor
Salzburg
Summary
Medical Doctor and Digital Health Researcher with extensive experience in clinical practice, health informatics, and data-driven healthcare research. With a background in neurology and radiological imaging, have led interdisciplinary projects involving clinical data analysis, biostatistics, and personalised healthcare applications. Expertise in integrating digital health technologies with clinical care drives passion for advancing research in neuronal repair, data analysis, and stroke recovery through collaborative scientific exploration.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Research Fellow
LBI for Digital Health and Prevention
03.2024 - Current
- Led Personalized Digital Health Research: Directed research on adapting the aktivplan app for cross-cultural contexts, focusing on personalized interventions for cardiovascular prevention and patient-centered care
- Data Analysis & Research Methodology: Conducted thematic analyses and statistical analyses (using R)
- Research Collaboration: Worked closely with clinical experts, IT specialists, and healthcare professionals to design scalable digital health solutions aligned with cultural and clinical best practices
- Project Management & Coordination: Facilitated team communication through regular meetings, progress reporting, and milestone tracking for ongoing research initiatives
Senior Registrar Health Informatics
National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP)
09.2023 - 03.2024
- Oversaw the implementation of the Electronic Information Management System (EIMS) for managing patient, pharmacy, and laboratory data
- Led data exchange initiatives linking multiple health information systems in line with Sri Lanka's Digital Health Blueprint
- Conducted advanced data analysis and visualization to inform national healthcare policy decisions
- Mentored junior registrars and residents, fostering a supportive learning environment and enhancing professional growth
Registrar Health Informatics
Ministry of Health
05.2021 - 09.2023
- Led National Digital Health Initiatives: Spearheaded the development and implementation of the Smart Vaccination Certification System and COVID-19 Immunization Tracker, revolutionizing vaccination coverage monitoring and certificate issuance
- These systems streamlined processes, reduced staff workload, and facilitated international travel and employment for citizens, contributing to economic recovery
- Interoperability Consultancy: Provided expert guidance to integrate laboratory analyzers with the Health Information System at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, improving data accuracy and optimizing patient care
- Data Exchange Integration: Facilitated interoperability between the PACs (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and the Health Information System at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, enhancing access to and usability of medical imaging data
- Laboratory Information System Integration: Played a key role in integrating the Laboratory Information System into the Health Information System at Castle Hospital for Women, streamlining diagnostic workflows and improving patient data management
- Contributor to National eHealth Standards: Collaborated on the development of national eHealth guidelines and standards, aligning digital health practices in Sri Lanka with international best practices to enhance healthcare delivery
Medical Officer Health Informatics
Teaching Hospital Ratnapura
10.2018 - 05.2021
- Digital Transformation Leadership: Led the modernization of hospital operations by consulting and implementing strategic initiatives to reengineer the hospital's information systems for a 1500-bed, 3000-staff institution
- Conducted requirement analysis and executed change management strategies to ensure a seamless transition to digital platforms
- COVID-19 Response Systems: Designed and developed a real-time, sharable situational dashboard featuring live patient data, trends, and spot maps to detect emerging patient clusters during the pandemic
- Established a robust information system for Covid-19-related inventory management, enabling hospital administrators to plan and respond proactively
- Hospital Master Plan Development: Conducted trend analysis using hospital data to model key metrics for the next two decades, contributing to the development of the institution's long-term master plan
- Earned commendation from the Ministry of Health for this initiative
- Research Support: Assisted postgraduate trainees and hospital staff with data analysis for research projects, providing actionable insights that informed medical advancements and evidence-based practices
- Educational Contributions: Delivered lectures on medical data management and database searching strategies at the Ratnapura Clinical Society, enhancing the digital competencies of clinical peers
Medical Doctor
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
03.2017 - 10.2018
- Research Contribution: Conducted research on cognitive science as part of the MSc in Biomedical Informatics program, focusing on innovative approaches to enhance cognitive and professional skills in medical education.
- Academic Program Support: Assisted in the development and delivery of academic programs, contributing to curriculum design and educational initiatives within the Department of Medical Education.
Medical Doctor
Ministry of Health
12.2013 - 10.2018
- Engaged in clinical practice across emergency, paediatrics, and neonatal care settings, providing critical medical services
- Took patients' histories, conducted relevant medical examinations, investigations, Medical images (including X-ray, CT, MRI) and planned management
Assistant Lecturer
Faculty of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences,
05.2013 - 10.2013
- Undergraduate Teaching: Delivered lectures and designed comprehensive presentations to provide foundational microbiology knowledge to undergraduate medical students, fostering an engaging and interactive learning environment.
- Small Group Facilitation: Conducted small group discussions and interactive sessions to enhance students' critical thinking and understanding of key microbiological concepts.
- Research Contribution: Actively participated in research initiatives, collaborating with faculty members on ongoing projects, and contributing to the university’s research output.
- Academic Examination Support: Assisted in the organization, administration, and quality assurance of academic examinations, ensuring a seamless and efficient assessment process.
Education
Doctor of Medicine - Health Informatics
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine - University Of Colombo
Sri Lanka 05.2021 - 08.2023
Master of Science - Biomedical Informatics
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine - University OfColombo
Sri Lanka 10.2016 - 10.2018
Bachelor of Medicine And Bachelor of Surgery - Medicine, Surgery
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University Of Colombo
Sri Lanka 03.2007 - 03.2013
Skills
Digital health project management
Research & Data Analysis: Biostatistics, statistical modeling (R, Python, SAS, SPSS), systematic reviews, meta-analyses
Medical & Clinical Expertise: Neurology, radiological imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI), clinical diagnostics, patient management
Health Informatics & Digital Health: Digital health project management, clinical data systems integration, personalized health applications
Programming & Data Science Tools: Python, R, Minitab, SAS, SPSS, health data visualization, predictive modeling
Project Leadership & Collaboration: Interdisciplinary team management, stakeholder engagement, national-level healthcare initiatives
Publications
- Driving digital transformation in healthcare: A case study of implementing a Hospital Health Information Management System using Kotter's Change Model, 10.4038/cjms.v60i4.5052, Ceylon Journal of Medical Science, 12/01/2023
- Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for Venom-Induced Thrombotic Microangiopathy Following Hump-Nosed Pit Viper (Genus: Hypnale) Bites: A Prospective Observational Study, 10.1016/j.wem.2022.07.012, Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 10/13/2020
- Can Writing skills among postgraduate doctors be improved by a web-based working memory program?, Sri Lanka Medical Association 132nd Anniversary International Medical Congress, 07/24/2019
References
- Dr. Stefan Tino Kulnik, Principal Investigator, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention,Lindhofstr. 22, 5020 Salzburg, tino.kulnik@dhp.lbg.ac.at, +43 (0) 5 7255 82712
- Dr. Jan David Smeddinck, Co-Director and Principal Investigator, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention, Lindhofstr. 22, 5020 Salzburg.smeddinck@dhp.lbg.ac.at, +43 (0) 5 7255 82711
Timeline
Research Fellow
LBI for Digital Health and Prevention
03.2024 - Current
Senior Registrar Health Informatics
National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP)
09.2023 - 03.2024
Doctor of Medicine - Health Informatics
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine - University Of Colombo
05.2021 - 08.2023
Registrar Health Informatics
Ministry of Health
05.2021 - 09.2023
Medical Officer Health Informatics
Teaching Hospital Ratnapura
10.2018 - 05.2021
Medical Doctor
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
03.2017 - 10.2018
Master of Science - Biomedical Informatics
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine - University OfColombo
10.2016 - 10.2018
Medical Doctor
Ministry of Health
12.2013 - 10.2018
Assistant Lecturer
Faculty of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences,
05.2013 - 10.2013
Bachelor of Medicine And Bachelor of Surgery - Medicine, Surgery
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University Of Colombo
03.2007 - 03.2013
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