Centre for Digital Health Research
The new Centre for Digital Health Research (CDHR) located at Providence Care Hospital, is the first of its kind in southeastern Ontario.
Advancing Health Care Through Digital Innovation
The CDHR will serve as a regional hub for collaboration, research, and innovation at the intersection of health care and digital technology. Partnering locally with Queen’s University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), the Centre, led by inaugural Director Dr. Nazanin Alavi, will explore and implement evidence-based digital tools to improve patient care across all health disciplines.
Vision and Priorities of CDHR
The Centre for Digital Health Research (CDHR) will focus on:
- Advancing AI-powered tools to support clinical decision-making, including treatment optimization
- Developing digital platforms that improve access, equity, and efficiency for diverse populations
- Creating a robust research ecosystem through academic, clinical, industry, and patient partnerships
- Training future digital health leaders through mentorship, education, and knowledge translation
- Promoting ethical, evidence-informed digital innovation aligned with Providence Care’s mission
Dr. Nazanin Alavi
Dr. Nazanin Alavi is a nationally recognized leader in digital health and clinical innovation. She serves as Staff Psychiatrist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Queen’s University, as well as Co-Program Medical Director for Mental Health and Addictions at Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
With over 17 years of experience in digital health research, Dr. Alavi specializes in using artificial intelligence, data science, and digital platforms to transform how care is delivered.
She is the Founding Director of the Queen’s Online Psychotherapy Laboratory (QUOPL) and co-founder of OPTT Inc., a health technology platform providing AI-powered clinical solutions. Her work has also been recognized internationally—she was selected for the Mayo Clinic Platform Accelerate program, where she collaborates on AI-driven strategies to improve pharmacological treatments and advance mental health care.
Contact Details
Providence Care Hospital, Room D0.185C
752 King St W, Kingston, ON K7L 4X3

