Martin Curley, Director of Digital Transformation and Open Innovation at Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) and Professor of Innovation at Maynooth University, is a transformative leader in the fields of digital health, technology, and innovation. Often described as the “Kung Fu Panda of Digital Healthcare,” Martin has assembled and led an extraordinary ecosystem of clinicians, technologists, executives, and innovators who share a single goal: to save and improve as many lives as possible through digital technology.
From Engineering to Global Innovation Leadership
Martin’s journey began as an electronics engineer at Philips Labs in Eindhoven, which he affectionately refers to as “the Manchester United of electronics research.” His early experiences at GE deeply influenced his leadership style, particularly their mantra: “Act with humility, lead with transparency, deliver with focus—always with unyielding integrity.”
He then joined Intel in Arizona and eventually became Vice President at Intel Labs Europe. There, he led the creation of one of Europe’s largest and most dynamic industrial research networks—Intel Labs Europe, encompassing 5,500 employees across 55 labs in 20 countries. Inspired by CEO Paul Otellini’s vision of enriching lives through computing, Martin drove an Open Innovation 2.0 (OI2) agenda, balancing profit, purpose, people, and progress.
When Intel pivoted away from social innovation, Martin left on principle, joining Mastercard as SVP of Digital Services. Eventually, he returned home to Ireland, driven by a higher purpose—to radically transform the country’s healthcare system using digital tools.
Transforming Ireland’s Health System from Within
Martin initially joined the HSE as Chief Information Officer. But within days, he realized the depth of the organizational challenges—outdated systems, a stagnating culture, and overwhelming inertia. Rather than walk away, he proposed a radical alternative: use digital innovation to transform the entire healthcare system, not just its IT function.
With support from the HSE CEO, he launched the HSE Digital Academy and co-developed a Masters in Digital Transformation in partnership with all eight Irish universities. He established Digital Living Labs across the country and created an Innovation Pipeline to rapidly develop, iterate, and implement digital health solutions.
As he boldly declared, quoting JFK:
“We choose to transform Irish healthcare not because it is easy, but because it is hard.”
Using COVID-19 as a catalyst, Martin helped accelerate the adoption of solutions such as remote respiratory monitoring, electronic prescribing, and vital signs automation—placing Ireland among global leaders in digital health.
Stay Left, Shift Left – 10X: A Framework for Exponential Innovation
Martin developed a groundbreaking innovation framework called Stay Left, Shift Left – 10X, designed to drive systemic, exponential improvements in healthcare:
- Stay Left: Keep healthy people well and manage chronic conditions at home.
- Shift Left: Move patients quickly from acute care to community and home-based care.
The goal? To achieve 10X improvements across the quintuple aim:
- Better health outcomes
- Reduced costs
- Improved patient and clinician experiences
- Enhanced access and affordability
- Improved quality of life
This integrated, exponential model—dubbed “Curley’s Law” by InsightsCare magazine—has led to rapid adoption of digital tools that address the core challenges of modern healthcare.
Changing Culture to Enable Change
Peter Drucker’s famous quote, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” resonates deeply with Martin. Upon joining the HSE, he encountered a rigid, hierarchical culture more aligned with McGregor’s Theory X—command, control, and resistance to change.
To break through, Martin cultivated a new, “generative” innovation culture centered on:
- Relationships and co-creation
- Patient and clinician co-design
- Transparency and accountability
- Relentlessness and resilience
Unable to shift the system alone, he established the Irish Digital Health Leadership Steering Group, a coalition of purpose-driven leaders from across Ireland and the globe who refused to accept the status quo.
Despite Ireland ranking 5th in digital maturity and 12th in global prosperity, its healthcare system languished at 80th globally, trailing countries like Romania and Algeria. Martin and his allies are determined to change that.
From Illness to Wellness: Redefining Healthcare
Martin believes we must shift from an “illness” system to a wellness-focused model. Drawing from his experience at Philips, GE, and Intel, he is introducing digital manufacturing and scientific management principles into healthcare to reduce variability, improve quality, and increase efficiency.
He prioritizes 10 clinical areas—including heart failure, diabetes, cancer, and falls—to maximize impact. Martin quotes Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger:
“Intel can do anything it wants, it just can’t do everything.”
—emphasizing the power of focus and prioritization.
He adds, “The healthcare sector is at least a decade behind in digital adoption. That’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a tragedy we can no longer afford.”
Purpose, Passion, and Perseverance
Martin’s career has always been guided by a deep sense of social purpose. After recovering from a serious illness, he felt a moral obligation to apply his expertise to transform healthcare—not for accolades, but to save lives.
He has co-developed world-class innovation methodologies through his leadership roles, including as Chair of the European Commission’s Open Innovation Strategy and Policy Group. When he joined the HSE, he took a significant pay cut but saw the opportunity to drive profound change.
He reflects, “One life saved makes it all worthwhile. But already, many lives have been saved—and many more will be.”
A Global Movement for Health
Martin’s leadership goes far beyond Ireland. He collaborates with global health leaders such as Prof. Elizabeth Teisberg, Prof. Jeffrey Braithwaite, Prof. George Crooks, and Brian O’Connor, working through the UN Science Summit to drive a worldwide initiative based on the Stay Left, Shift Left – 10X model.
With a trusted team—including Jim McGrane, Des O’Toole, Nora Heavey, Annette Lynam, and Michael Scott—Martin continues to fight the good fight. “I would go onto any battlefield with these guys,” he says. “Semper Fidelis!”
A Leader’s Mindset
Who is Martin Curley—inside and outside work?
“I’m a proud father of four amazing kids. I try to squeeze every drop out of every day. I believe in the power of relationships—George Bernard Shaw said it best: ‘My glory is I have such friends.’”
Driven, humble, and collaborative, Martin brings the same energy to the tennis court or ski slopes as he does to boardrooms. At work, he believes in winning and having fun, echoing his favorite Intel value.
Advice to Future Healthcare Leaders
Martin’s words of wisdom for emerging leaders and healthcare enthusiasts:
- Follow your dreams – Dream, Dare, Do
- Relationships are the foundation of all accomplishment
- Just do it – Show up, again and again
- Never give up – Good will prevail
- Respect everyone – always
Looking Ahead
Martin envisions a future where “health” replaces “healthcare,” with a focus on wellness, prevention, and data-driven decision-making. He believes people will live longer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives as a result.
There is still much work to be done, but the mission is clear—and the momentum is building.
As he says with conviction:
“Let’s do this. Win, and have fun!”
Website: www.hsedigitaltransformation.ie
