Digital Health Influencer: How to Start, Grow, and Thrive in the Future of Remote Medical and Healthcare Careers

Digital Doctors

Sun, 08 Jun 2025

“The intersection of medicine, media, and technology is not just a trend—it is the future. Digital Health Influencers are the new voice of accessible, patient-centered care.”
— Dr. Levi Cheruo Cheptora

Introduction: Who is a Digital Health Influencer?

In today’s hyperconnected world, the term “influencer” has evolved far beyond beauty tips and travel vlogs. In the healthcare space, a Digital Health Influencer is a trusted voice that educates, inspires, advocates, and mobilizes global audiences around issues of wellness, medicine, digital health innovation, telemedicine, mental health, health equity, and more—using digital platforms.

They may be doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, public health experts, techies, or patient advocates who leverage social media, blogs, YouTube, podcasts, LinkedIn, TikTok, newsletters, or webinars to share medical knowledge, combat misinformation, promote health startups, or even drive health policy change.

Minimum Qualifications & Skills Required

To get started, formal education is helpful but not always a barrier. What matters most is credibility, clarity, consistency, and compassion in communication.

✅ Preferred Academic & Professional Background

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in any of the following:

  • Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Nutrition

  • Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Physical Therapy

  • Health Informatics, Health Tech, Medical Journalism

• Non-clinical or alternative pathways:

  • Communication, Journalism, Digital Marketing, Data Science

Skills You Need to Thrive

• Excellent communication (verbal & written)

• Basic knowledge of health content regulations (HIPAA, FDA, WHO guidelines)

• Ability to translate complex medical terms into everyday language

• Social media marketing and branding

• Video/audio production, blogging, or podcasting

• SEO & content writing for web visibility

• Empathy, cultural competency & digital storytelling

Licensing & Legal Considerations

While no specific license is required to be a digital health influencer, clinicians must avoid offering direct diagnosis or treatment advice online unless they are licensed in the region where the audience resides.

• For clinicians: Maintain professional licensing in your country of practice.

• Familiarize yourself with content disclaimers like:

  • “This content is for informational purposes only and not medical advice.”

• Respect patient confidentiality, platform content policies, and medical ethics.

Salary Expectations: How Much Can You Earn?

Income in this field varies widely, depending on your audience size, niche, and monetization model. Here are general income streams and estimates:

Top influencers with 50k+ engaged followers on multiple platforms often make six figures per year.

Where to Find Opportunities: Actively Hiring & Recruiting Agencies

Many organizations now collaborate with digital health influencers for advocacy, education, product launches, research, and outreach.

Health Startups & Companies Hiring Influencers

• Healthline Media (https://www.healthline.com)

• Maven Clinic (https://www.mavenclinic.com)

• Zocdoc (https://www.zocdoc.com)

• Ada Health (https://ada.com)

• Headspace Health (https://www.headspace.com)

• Teladoc Health (https://www.teladochealth.com)

PR & Influencer Marketing Agencies

• Mediakix Health Influencer Marketing (https://mediakix.com)

• The Shelf – Health & Wellness Campaigns (https://www.theshelf.com)

• Influencity (https://influencity.com)

NGOs, UN Agencies, and Global Health Organizations

• WHO (World Health Organization) – https://www.who.int

• UNICEF – https://www.unicef.org

• GAVI (Vaccine Alliance) – https://www.gavi.org

• PATH Global Health – https://www.path.org

Where & How to Apply for Remote Roles or Collaborations

Top Job Boards and Platforms

• https://www.flexjobs.com

• https://www.weworkremotely.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/jobs

• https://www.remote.co

• https://www.peopleperhour.com

• https://www.upwork.com – for freelance content, consulting

• https://www.fiverr.com – niche content creation gigs

How to Tailor Your LinkedIn Resume & Network Like a Pro

Your LinkedIn profile is your global CV, media kit, and networking magnet. Use it strategically.

LinkedIn Optimization Tips

• Headline: "Doctor | Digital Health Influencer | Health Tech Advocate | Speaker"

• Banner Image: Branded with your name, niche, and website

• About Section: Use storytelling. Highlight what makes your message unique and your journey relatable.

• Featured Section: Add your best-performing LinkedIn posts, videos, blogs, interviews, and partnerships.

• Experience: List both traditional medical roles and digital influencer roles.

Networking Strategies

• Join groups like:

  • Digital Health & MedTech Network

  • Global Health Influencers

  • LinkedIn Creator Community – Health & Wellness

• Comment meaningfully on posts by influencers, startups, or health publications.

• Offer to collaborate on webinars, write guest posts, or share research insights.

Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Self-Employment Opportunities

Being a Digital Health Influencer is itself a form of medical entrepreneurship. Here’s how to expand:

Monetization Models

• Create a newsletter or blog (Substack, Medium, WordPress)

• Launch an online course (Teachable, Thinkific, Kajabi)

• Write a health eBook

• Start a YouTube or TikTok channel

• Offer virtual consultations, media training, or speaking gigs

• Build a health brand or community (e.g., mental health for teens, maternal wellness, men’s health)

Innovation & Creativity Tips

• Use AI tools like ChatGPT, Canva, Notion AI to brainstorm, write, and design content.

• Use data visualization tools to break down complex health data.

• Stay updated via:

  • https://www.healthtechmagazine.net

  • https://www.mobihealthnews.com

  • https://www.digitalhealth.net

How to Get Started Today (Beginner’s Checklist)

1. Pick a health niche you are passionate about (mental health, chronic illness, fitness, women’s health, nutrition, etc.)

2. Choose your main platform: LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Podcast, Substack?

3. Create a content calendar and commit to consistency (2–3 posts/week).

4. Start small: Share your story, answer common questions, debunk myths.

5. Engage with your audience authentically and regularly.

6. Track your growth using insights and analytics.

7. Pitch yourself to startups, NGOs, or health magazines.

Conclusion: Be the Voice That Changes Lives

Becoming a Digital Health Influencer is not about chasing fame. It’s about impact, integrity, and innovation. It’s about using your voice, lived experiences, and expertise to empower patients, inform policy, and transform healthcare—one digital post at a time.

Whether you’re a doctor in Nairobi, a nurse in Manila, a pharmacist in Lagos, or a student in Delhi—your voice matters. The world is listening. Go ahead, start influencing.

Let’s Connect!

Are you already creating health content or just getting started? Tag me in your LinkedIn posts or DM for a collab! Follow for more on digital health, medical writing, and healthcare entrepreneurship.

Follow Dr. Levi Cheruo Cheptora | Writer, Medical Journalist, and Digital Health Advocate