As Diaverum marks 35 years of caring for patients around the world, colleagues gathered in Sopot, Poland, to celebrate the people and achievements that have shaped our journey so far, while exploring how patient experience will help define the next chapter.
Bringing together leaders, patient experience practitioners and market representatives from across our global network, the Patient Experience 2026 Conference explored how patient experience influences attraction, trust, outcomes and long-term growth, while celebrating the people whose commitment to patients helps bring our purpose to life every day.
Understanding the value of patient experience
The conference opened by examining patient experience through a strategic and commercial lens. In his opening remarks, Rafael Romanini, CEO, explored patient experience as a growth accelerator and its increasing importance in an evolving healthcare landscape. Building on this theme, Viorel Simion, VP Eastern Europe, examined the relationship between patient attraction and experience, and what it takes to become the preferred care partner in a competitive healthcare environment. Participants then reviewed organisation-wide patient experience insights and trends, exploring what Diaverum's data can tell us about the experience patients receive and the opportunities to drive long-term value for our patients and in turn our organisation.
"For 35 years, Diaverum has been committed to delivering high-quality care for patients around the world. As healthcare continues to evolve, patient experience supports how we build trust, strengthen relationships and create value for patients, healthcare systems and communities. By creating seamless, personalised experiences for patients, through optimised care pathways, innovative digital services or enabling people living with chronic kidney disease to travel with confidence, we improve outcomes, enhance quality of life, and create sustainable value across the healthcare ecosystem. Conferences like this provide an opportunity to share best practice and turn that insight into meaningful action that shapes the future of patient-centred care”, commented Rafael.
A highlight of the afternoon was a leadership panel bringing together José María Ordóñez Martí-Aguilar, Country Managing Director Spain & VP LATAM; Zisis Sotiriou, VP International; Viorel Simion, VP Eastern Europe; Ali Shakir, General Manager Saudi Arabia; and Dr Carlos Lucas, VP Medical. Together, they explored whether patient experience creates tangible strategic value and where that value is realised across different healthcare systems and market models. Discussions ranged from patient attraction and retention to stakeholder trust, clinical outcomes and long-term growth, while highlighting a shared belief that patients everywhere want to feel respected, listened to and supported throughout their care journey.
Learning from one another and looking ahead
The second day shifted the focus from strategy to possibility. Through market showcases and peer exchange, participants explored innovative approaches being implemented across Diaverum and discussed how successful ideas can be adapted and scaled in different local contexts. Attendees also heard directly from the patient perspective, ensuring that lived experience remained at the centre of discussions throughout the event.
A particular highlight was the Co-Creation Lab, where colleagues worked together on topics including health literacy, holiday dialysis, shared care and strengthening trust through patient feedback. The sessions encouraged practical collaboration across functions, disciplines and markets, generating ideas that participants can take back and develop within their own organisations.
Reflecting on the event, Michaela Blomstrand, Global Patient Experience & Stakeholder Management Director, said: "What made these two days so valuable was the diversity of perspectives in the room. We brought together colleagues representing different markets, healthcare systems and professional backgrounds, yet many of the opportunities and challenges we discussed were remarkably similar. The conference demonstrated the power of learning from one another and reminded us that improving patient experience is both a shared responsibility and a shared opportunity."
Looking to the future
As Diaverum celebrates 35 years of caring for patients around the world, the conversations in Sopot reinforced an important message: while healthcare systems, technologies and patient expectations continue to evolve, the experience of care remains one of the most powerful ways we can create value for patients. Through strategic discussion, shared learning and collaborative innovation, participants left with fresh perspectives, tangible actions and a renewed commitment to raising the bar for patient experience across our global network.
