With over two decades of expertise in IT solutions and healthcare technology, Simmi Dhussa Verma explores the evolving synergy between healthcare and technology, championing a blend of human compassion and digital innovation. As Co-Founder and Director of Aarian Health and SmaartHub, her roles at Roche Diabetes Care Australia, Boehringer Ingelheim ANZ, NIIT, and Mother’s Pride have deepened her commitment to integrating technology with compassionate care. In this engaging conversation, Simmi shares her inspiring journey of co-founding Aarian Health—a company built on integrity and innovation. She reflects on her move to Australia, the evolution of her leadership style, and the vital role of technology in enhancing healthcare efficiency and accessibility, all while preserving the essential personal touch in supporting those in need of care.
- Your path to healthcare entrepreneurship has been quite distinctive. Could you share how this journey began?
My journey into healthcare began in 1992 at Delhi University, where I first discovered the power of knowledge and collaboration. From there, transitioning into technology felt like a natural next step. This journey took me across borders, spanning IT, education, training, and data analysis. At Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, NIIT, and Mother’s Pride, I led global IT projects on customer insights and engagement, specializing in business development and data analytics.
In 2018, life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with a rare cerebrospinal fluid leak, which reduced my working capacity. With the steadfast support of my family and ongoing treatment, I learned firsthand the challenges that patients face and saw significant gaps in healthcare processes. This experience deepened my determination to make a difference in the field.
Driven by the desire to leverage our strengths and experiences to deliver exceptional solutions, create opportunities, and make a positive impact in the healthcare sector, my husband Hemant and I founded KnowDiabetes in 2019 to address the unique challenges of diabetes care. As we delved deeper, we quickly recognized that patients’ needs extended far beyond any single condition. In 2023, we rebranded as Aarian Health, a name inspired by the Sanskrit word Arya, meaning “noble,” symbolizing our commitment to integrity and compassion. Today, Aarian Health represents our vision of technology-driven, people-centered care focused on transforming healthcare experiences for everyone.
- The transition to Australia marked a significant point in your career. How did this influence your professional trajectory?
Moving to Australia in 2009 was more than just relocating—it was a life transformation. For 15 years now, I’ve built a home where my heart and mind truly connect. Leaving behind the familiar wasn’t easy, but Australia embraced me with its warmth and inclusiveness, inspiring me to give back to this wonderful community.
In those early years, I made the intentional choice to prioritize our family’s transition. Watching Saarthak and Samarth, our children, adapt to a new culture and settle into new surroundings felt like my most important role. Even our dog Gabbar became part of our unfolding Australian story.
Life has had its ups and downs, but I’ve come to see joy and contentment as a constant companion. With each challenge, I’ve learned that self-confidence, courage and inner peace adds warmth to every step forward.
- What drives Aarian Health’s innovation strategy, and what key milestones define your journey?
Our innovation strategy at Aarian Health is anchored in creating impactful healthcare experiences that blend human connection with technological advancements. Our flagship program, KnowDiabetes, is a pharmacist-led initiative for Type 2 diabetes prevention and remission, leveraging the latest scientific advancements to enhance diabetes care. Through PharmacyDiabetes, we integrate cutting-edge healthcare innovations with existing community pharmacy systems, creating a comprehensive diabetes hub that not only improves service offerings but also expands revenue opportunities.
The SmaartHub platform, our proprietary digital tool, plays a central role in acquisition, activation, and retention. Its robust CRM capabilities and modular design meet diverse needs across healthcare organizations, supporting new customer engagement and facilitating seamless communication among providers.
Presenting our diabetes prevention program to the Australian Parliament was a significant milestone, but we define true success by the daily, tangible impact our work has on people’s lives. Recognition, such as being named among the top four finalists by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, is gratifying. However, our ultimate measure of success lies in reshaping healthcare experiences for both providers and patients.
- How has your leadership philosophy evolved throughout your career?
My leadership philosophy is rooted in a deep awareness that we’re all contributing to something greater than ourselves. My roles as a mother, sister, daughter, and wife have taught me how each perspective enriches the whole, a truth I carry into my work. In leadership, I see each team member as an individual with their own story and unique potential, and I strive to create an environment where they feel valued and empowered.
I lead with authenticity, compassion, and a commitment to high standards. My mantra—progress over perfection—stems from a belief that real innovation happens when people are encouraged to take thoughtful risks. I believe that by supporting my team with empathy and purpose, we can drive meaningful change together.
- Looking toward the future, what’s your vision for Aarian Health?
At fifty, I’m standing at a powerful intersection of experience and possibility. What drives me now is a desire to make healthcare more accessible, more effective, and always human-centered. Research indicates that peer support significantly enhances well-being by reducing hospital visits, expanding support networks, and boosting self-esteem. This is precisely where Aarian Health is making an impact—creating a peer-support-based model that can be embraced by future generations to transform the way healthcare is both delivered and experienced.
My family is my greatest source of strength, with the traditions and cultural values we share providing a solid foundation for both our lives and the vision of Aarian Health. At home and in the workplace, family photos sit alongside professional milestones and children’s achievements—a blend that tells a meaningful story. This serves as a constant reminder that true success lies not in choosing one part of life over another but in integrating all aspects to create a personal and far-reaching impact.
