Chief Technology Advisor, Firepit Health
Dr. Vini Almeida is a family physician, Ph.D. researcher, and AI engineer dedicated to transforming healthcare through the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence. As Firepit Health’s Chief Technology Advisor, he brings a unique blend of clinical insight and technical expertise to reimagine how digital tools can improve care delivery for addiction and mental health treatment.
Vini is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of São Paulo, where his research focuses on applying deep learning and natural language processing to electronic medical records—specifically automating diagnosis coding and understanding reasons for medical encounters. His work bridges the gap between clinical needs and advanced machine learning models, building tools that support primary care providers and reduce documentation burden.
With over eight years of clinical experience and a strong foundation in data science, Vini has held key roles in Brazil’s leading hospital systems, including Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and Amparo Saúde. He has also served as a clinical instructor and residency preceptor at the University of São Paulo. His hands-on experience in both care coordination and EMR optimization informs his work at Firepit, where he has led development for AI-powered documentation tools tailored to rehabilitation clinics in the U.S.
Vini is an active member of the WONCA eHealth Working Party, contributes to open-source research in medical AI, and has completed advanced AI training through MIT xPRO. His mission is to build responsible, human-centered AI that supports clinicians, improves outcomes, and makes high-quality care more accessible—especially in behavioral health.
