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Aappo Keränen

Background

Three perspectives on healthcare development

Aappo Keränen

I began my process engineering studies at the University of Oulu in 2011. Two years on the technical side taught me to see the big picture and understand the logic of systems. These skills have proved surprisingly valuable in an entirely different field.

Dentistry, however, won me over. Clinical work taught me to understand the daily reality of patient care and its real bottlenecks. In leadership roles, I learned that even the best systems don't work without people who are committed to them.

Now I combine these three perspectives in my work as a healthcare developer. In practice, this means building care pathways, data-driven management, and ensuring that scarce resources are directed where they are needed the most.

Timeline

Along the way

  1. 2013

    Process Engineering studies

    University of Oulu. Systems thinking and technical understanding.

  2. 2015

    Dentistry studies

    University of Oulu. Clinical work and the daily reality of patient care.

  3. 2018

    Licentiate of Dentistry

    Graduation and the start of a clinical career.

  4. 2020

    Chief Dentist, Tyrnävä

    Clinical leadership and day-to-day management.

  5. 2023

    Head of Oral Healthcare and Chief Dental Officer, Pohde

    Operational management of oral healthcare across three regions.

  6. 2025

    Specialist qualifications and competence

    Specialist qualification in product development, chief dentist special competence.

  7. 2026

    Specialist qualification in management and business leadership

    Deepening leadership expertise.

  8. Now

    Advisory dentist, healthcare AI developer, Pohde

    AI projects and solution-focused work supervision studies.

Work experience

Work experience

Education

Education

Completed

  • Licentiate of Dentistry (DDS), University of Oulu
  • Chief Dentist special competence
  • Specialist qualification in management and business leadership (JYET)
  • Specialist qualification in product development (TKEAT)
  • Process engineering studies, University of Oulu (2011–2013)

Ongoing

  • Solution-focused work supervision, University of Oulu (2025–2027)
  • Special competence in healthcare IT