2021 Agenda

Located in the North Lobby.

Sponsored by: Wellness Coach

Sign up here to join the Walking Challenge and the chance to win prizes!

Patient engagement and experience have become an ever pressing priority for healthcare stakeholders of all stripes following Covid. The agenda will explore how providers and payers are focusing on patient-centricity in the light of a pandemic that kept many people at home, as well as how they and others are working towards more equitable care for all. Hear from patients, leading provider/ payer executives and tech startups about how to move the needle forward in patient experience.

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Moving Forward Together: Beyond the Pandemic, brought to you by ATA at HLTH 2021, will explore the expanded role of virtual care as a true modality of modern, hybrid care delivery and highlight technologies and stakeholders pioneering integrated healthcare for patients and providers. The agenda will explore what’s next for telehealth post-pandemic and what this industry needs to address in its expanding role to define a unified approach to addressing health equity and bridging gaps in healthcare access, patient inclusion and experience, balancing challenges between providers and payers, harmonizing state and federal policy, standardizing practice and coordinating care across settings, and uncovering emerging trends in research and telehealth solutions.

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The Women at HLTH program will focus on recovery--regaining ground in areas where the pandemic exacerbated gender-based disparities, such as mental health and labor force participation--and redesign, the aspects of healthcare that require fundamental re-engineering to drive gender parity in leadership, research, treatment and outcomes. This year, the Women at HLTH program is expanding to address disparities and inequities faced by people identified with minority genders. 

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The 2021 HLTH Equity Impact Program will explore the roots of health injustice, shine a light on areas of progress and seek to identify the most effective approaches to instilling activism into healthcare as a lasting value, mindset and approach to achieving health equity. Join us for a program that welcomes all speakers and attendees in an inclusive environment where confronting health injustice is invited and expected.

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“Transforming Health in the Post Pandemic World,” brought to you by AHA at HLTH, will examine how provider-led innovation and partnerships are transforming the health care ecosystem and creating new approaches to managing the health of patient populations. Hospital and health system leaders will share their experiences in a series of “story slam sessions,” framing the problems they addressed, solutions they developed and the results they achieved. Each story slam will explore how hospitals and health systems are working with solution companies, community organizations and other stakeholders to address such key issues as workforce resiliency, increasing access to care and improving health equity.

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The pandemic’s detrimental impact on the mental health of young adults in the US and globally cannot be overlooked. Our younger, vulnerable generations have had the highest reported rates of suicidal thoughts and substance abuse disorders during the last year compounding an already dire situation. Learn from health leaders stepping up to provide adequate mental health care to our pediatric populations of all backgrounds.

Have we entered a new era of drug development with shorter timelines, lower costs and more advanced treatments coming to market? The COVID vaccines certainly proved this theory to be true, but how will this urgency translate post-pandemic? Through increased use of new technologies like mRNA and implementing highly digitized, flexible, data-driven operations, life science leaders are reinventing old R&D methods in new ways. Hear two life science leaders’ unique approaches to R&D reinvention. 

Ahh value-based care, everyone’s favorite buzzword. We all want it, agree it is best for patients and the health system in general, but why is it so hard to scale? Some blame politics, others say fee-for-service is just the way our health system was built, but others refuse to accept defeat. Digital health companies are jumping into the VBC movement to help incumbents and align incentives across all entities to really move the needle. Hear from champions of value-based care touting irrefutable evidence that it can be done and will be done!

With over 10,000 apps available claiming to address a psychological difficulty, how can we support employers when weeding through the sea of solutions to find truly impactful care for their employees? Aside from sourcing viable solutions, aiding employers in addressing stigma, privacy, diversity and cost concerns is a top priority. Hear from experts pushing the boundaries of employer-sponsored health to integrate an inclusive, holistic approach to employees' mental care.

AI/ML has revolutionized many aspects of the health ecosystem, but arguably its biggest triumph to date is in drug discovery. With the ability to screen targets at record speed and analyze niche trends in massive data sets, AI is supercharging scientists to the drug discovery fast lane leading to novel discoveries in record time. How are experts utilizing a mix of AI, real world evidence and traditional methods to breakthrough even further?

Provider/payer payment models have long been reimagined, criticized and reimagined some more. Whether moving to value-based care, ACOs or bundling payments, the goal is the same: ease the cost burden on consumers of care and reduce total health care spending. So where is this goal being met or exceeded? Hear from leaders working tirelessly to modernize and optimize our antiquated health payment structures.

There is a rapidly rising demand for mental health services, leaving mental health professionals in critically short supply. To solve this supply-and-demand issue, digital solutions are providing access in therapy deserts with increasingly affordable care options, new options for inclusive care and data-driven treatment plans. Are there also drawbacks in decreasing face-to-face care? Leaders are learning that a diverse mix of solutions for different conditions, digital competency levels and differences of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, and sexual orientation are needed to create a comprehensive mental health care system that dissolves systemic barriers.

Disease impacts all people, so shouldn’t the drug development process be representative of all people? Diversity has historically been overlooked in clinical trial design and implementation, until now. Motivated by the troubling statistics around the pandemic’s impact on racial and ethnic minority groups, life sciences leaders are stepping up to ensure diversity is deeply ingrained into the planning and execution of all clinical trials, leaving bias in the past. 

In a world that is becoming increasingly transaction oriented, how do we ensure our health continually remains a priority? Primary care organizations are focusing on holistic patient management, moving away from episodic care and towards a preventative, tech-driven approach. With the rise in mental and behavioral health conditions, clinicians are moving past the status quo check-up and building a more comprehensive approach to delivering care. An apple a day isn’t going to cut it anymore! 

The pandemic unveiled significant structural problems in the U.S. mental health care system, and left us with a second pandemic with no clear solution. 41% of the population reported at least one adverse mental & behavioral health condition associated with COVID-19. Little is known on how the pandemic has permanently changed our behavior, but that’s not stopping health leaders from trying to chip away at this escalating crisis. Hear from insightful innovators in the mental health field on their plans for creating sustainable change.

Studies have found that 80% of patients are more likely to participate in a clinical trial if virtual options are available. The growth of connected devices and data management technologies is certainly setting the stage for a more decentralized future for clinical trials. Decentralizing the process also yields a more diverse, patient-centric trial design where access challenges are not a factor. Is the current biopharma industry infrastructure ready for such a vast overhaul of known clinical trial methods? Discuss both sides of the DCT coin.

The past year has made our homes the center of our worlds. We outfitted homes to be our schools, gyms, offices and health centers for our families. This transition proved that care can seamlessly take place at home even when dealing with complex chronic conditions like chronic kidney disease or complex immunological conditions. Let’s hone in on innovative, digitally-enabled home care models and proposed regulatory changes making patients’ comfort priority number one. 

Co-Sponsors: HealthSparq and Outcomes4me Inc.

Sponsored by Mass General Brigham

Kick off the first night at HLTH with our Welcome Reception, held in the exhibit hall. All attendees are invited!

Sponsored by: Wellness Coach

Sign up here to join the Walking Challenge and the chance to win prizes!

Powered by: Fitbit Health Solutions

Start your day with a full-body workout class in the hotels adjacent to the convention center, the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport and Westin Boston Seaport District.

Sponsored by: Cleo

Start your day with an instructor-led yoga session in the hotels adjacent to the convention center, the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport and Westin Boston Seaport District.

33% of neighborhoods in America’s largest cities lack convenient access to a pharmacy. Virtual solutions bridge this gap and supplement not having a physical pharmacist available. How can we leverage virtual innovation to expand digital pharmacies’ reach while also empowering brick and mortar locations? Dig into how leaders are using digital to close access gaps, streamline the data flow between pharmacists and prescribers and ultimately help patients make better decisions about their health.

Racism is a public health issue. Going forward, we must be actionable, define health equity and map a path to pervade social justice in all aspects of healthcare. It’s our duty to roll up our sleeves, hold ourselves accountable, acknowledge the deep history of structural racism and work together to achieve the much needed societal change. Listen to health equity advocates working to create a healthcare system free from discrimination from the doctor’s office to the boardroom.

Digital health is having its moment. Now a household term, telehealth is beloved by many as a convenient medium to further engage with providers and take a proactive approach to health. Following the path paved by telehealth, what other innovations are bubbling up to the surface in health tech? Hear from three founders touting incredible technologies that possess the potential to be game changers in health and the next industry darling.

Startups and investors play a critical role in creating health's future. At HLTH 2021, there will be 3 startup pitches covering different investment stages and themes: 1st for early-stage startups, 2nd for later-stage startups and 3rd for AgeTech focused startups sponsored by AARP. Each pitch will feature 8 of the most innovative companies in healthcare. Two companies will be crowned a winner at each of HLTH’s competitions - one crowned by our panel of investor judges and the other by crowd vote. 

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Sponsored by PitchBook

National drug spending is expected to reach $863 billion by 2028 due to new, higher priced drugs entering the market more frequently. How can we prevent patients in need from being priced out of the market? In efforts to reduce out-of-pocket costs, some pharmacy leaders have implemented outcome-based contracts while others have bypassed the supply chain middlemen entirely. The methods may differ, but the goal is clear: increase access, affordability and adherence.

Have we over-complicated SDoH efforts by adding more terms and definitions? Is it possible to simplify this complex problem by boiling it down to one factor: poverty? Where do racism, education, access to healthy food and geography factor into the SDoH equation? Hear two expert perspectives as we strip away the euphemisms and get down to what truly matters when discussing social determinants of health. 

Digital health is having its moment. Now a household term, telehealth is beloved by many as a convenient medium to further engage with providers and take a proactive approach to health. Following the path paved by telehealth, what other innovations are bubbling up to the surface in health tech? Hear from three founders touting incredible technologies that possess the potential to be game changers in health and the next industry darling.

With virtual pharmacies growing in popularity, brick and mortar retailers have had to pivot their business models to modernize their consumer health experiences. They are turning to digital and ramping up innovation to expand their offerings beyond the four walls. Their reach is big and ambitions high to become one-stop shops for all consumer health needs and more.

The global pandemic put a spotlight on some troubling truths within our healthcare system. Disproportionate COVID-19 case numbers and deaths among people of color exposed a broken health system where incentives are misaligned and zip code is a prime factor in the quality of care received. It is clear that we have a long way to go. Let’s level-set, strategize and get to work to build back a better, more equitable future from the pandemic rubble.

If one thing is true, it’s that our health system is a complex labyrinth for even the most informed health consumers. Navigating the care maze is a daunting task that often leads to confusion, high costs, misinformation and poor outcomes. Leaders are working to close this health literacy gap widened by varying levels of digital competency, access to technology and socioeconomic status. But is introducing more tech the answer or furthering the problem? Communication is key in solving this pressing issue.

Sponsored by 98Point6

Lunch is at the back of the Exhibit Hall and Food Trucks on Level 1, outside closest to room 105. Sponsored by Paytient

Can Healthcare Employers Be the Activists We Need to Achieve Equity?

Employing about 58% of Americans and providing insurance for about half the nation, employers’ influence over culture and health are undeniable. How are healthcare employers advancing equity in American life and health? Are we on the cusp of a new era of employer activism?

12:15-1:00 What Am I Getting Into? What it Really Means to Commit to Equity 

Healthcare organizations are beginning to broaden their scope of equity to encompass a mission of health justice. They’re reevaluating internal culture and policies, the services they provide, community outreach programs and vendor relationships. But transformation isn’t easy. Hear about integrated strategies to facilitate change and steps leaders are taking on health equity inside and outside of their organizations.

Moderator:

Kulleni Gebreyes, MD, US Consulting Health Care Sector Leader; Director, Health Equity Institute, Deloitte

Panelists:

Joseph Betancourt, MD, Senior Vice President of Equity and Community Health, Massachusetts General Hospital

Thea James, MD, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine; Vice President of Mission and Associate Chief Medical Officer, Boston Medical Center 

Darrell M. Gray, II, MD, MPH, FACG, Chief Health Equity Officer, Anthem 

1:00-1:45 Benefits that Serve 

Employer-sponsored health and wellness benefits have failed to reflect the diverse health needs, preferences and financial realities of the people they’re meant to serve. New benefits models and products aim to maximize flexibility and engender trust so that employees can curate healthcare, wellbeing services and savings that meet their needs..

Moderator: 

Nancy McCarrick, Senior Vice President, National Health Innovation Team, Aon

Panelists:

Tanya Dillard, VP, Strategy and Innovation, Transcarent

Charlotte West, Chief Large Market Revenue Officer, Bind Benefits

Elizabeth Dunphy, SVP of Operations, Vitality Flex Marketplace

This panel discussion will feature med tech, provider, and health futurist panelists. ​Each panelist will provide a case study on how Hospital at Home has impacted their operating models and ecosystem partnering approach/strategy. ​The discussion will consider observations regarding governance, decision making, process integration, technology, workforce, performance metrics, and patient experience. ​Learn more about how our panelists tackled Hospital at Home scaling and ecosystem management, in addition to developing best practices and lessons learned regarding operating model adaptation and partnership management. 

Moderator: Elizabeth A. Mann, EY Americas Life Sciences and Health Cybersecurity Leader

Speakers:

• Jim Mault, MD, BioIntelliSense
• Nabil Chehade, MD, MetroHealth
• Constantinos (Taki) Michaelidis, MD, UMass
• Daniel Kraft, MD, Singularity University

Join us as we explore the nascent digital therapeutics space and dig into topics like the emerging business models for prescription digital therapeutics, the varying methods of patient engagement across digital care modalities, and the value proposition of digital health through the eyes of investors. These discussions will provide investors and industry participants with deep insight into the trajectory of the space as seen through the eyes of various stakeholders.  

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Are you a digital health innovator looking for opportunities in Massachusetts to test your product or service within a world-class academic center or clinical site? Join the Mass. Digital Health Team in Hall A: Lounge A8 as we discuss the Digital Health Sandbox Program – a non-dilutive grant opportunity available to help digital health organizations test their products and services at one of nine approved Sandbox sites in Massachusetts.

Between the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s national reckoning with racism, the deep inequities of the healthcare industry have been exposed and exacerbated. MM+M will host an insightful panel that will seek to answer questions like, “Has there been enough real change?'' "How do we make progress in our own work and organizations?” and “How long will our raised consciousness last?” all while highlighting where the major cracks in the system lie.

Speakers:

Jose Ferreria, SVP, Product and Innovation, CMI Media Group

Susan Manber, Chief Patient Officer, Publicis Health

Ritesh Patel, Senior Partner, Global Digital Health, Finn Partners

Shetal Vyas, VP, Operations, Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Eileen Martin, Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, EMD Serono

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Digital health has come a long way since its inception many years ago and these two leaders were at the helm of it. The journey has not always been smooth, but success is never achieved without struggle. Listen to two luminaries in digital health tell their stories of triumphs, failures, headline making exits, necessary pivots and predictions for the future of our industry. Not to mention their promising new endeavors each looking to shake up the status quo even more!

Throughout the past year we have come to the realization that every viable company is a health company. Health now must be an integral part of ALL businesses, not just those put in the traditional healthcare bucket. Strategies are changing to keep employees safe, businesses operating and plans underway in case another global crisis ensues. How has the role of public health changed within our economy and how is health being integrated into all industries' core operating plans?

What lengths are necessary to modernize healthcare's antiquated systems? From scheduling to billing, payers and providers are partnering with tech organizations to implement innovative operational changes driven by their comprehensive digital strategies. Their motto is every company should be a tech company! Operational mavens are tossing out manual, outdated task management, forging a path to a more digital future.

There is an urgent need to remove structural disparities within our health industry. Employers are taking a stand against health inequities that have been deeply ingrained in traditional health benefits structures. By making essential and inventive changes to health plan designs, employers are addressing cost barriers and putting inclusivity at the top of their priority list. Hear from employer leaders who are building more equitable health care coverage for all.

Digital health startups have been traveling at lightspeed through the seed to growth journey, but is this a normal trajectory? Let’s level set and review what the standard path should look like, why there have been so many outliers and what milestones investors care about most. The endless headlines of ballooning valuations, massive IPOs and triple-digit rounds is exciting for the industry, but also comes with unreasonable and often unattainable growth pressures for many founders. Hear top investors’ takes on this monumental year and how we will ground ourselves in reality moving forward.

The relationship between the health and tech industries has been solid for years, but they are ready to take things to the next level. Partnerships are blossoming in various areas within the health ecosystem pledging to create real change within a historically unmovable industry. What will this dynamic duo do next? Can they create a partnership that lasts the test of time across different corporate structures and cultures? These leaders are making this health matrimony work!

Technology allows consumers to interact with their health data in new and exciting ways. But what defines a health device? A medical device? Tech is clearing the way for an influx of proactive and preventative consumer-managed care devices. With an abundance of digital health offerings, how can we accurately measure outcomes and seamlessly share this growing trove of data with care teams? Join experts to sharpen your vision of the future of health devices!

Traditional health benefit structures are showing their age. The pandemic completely upended our concept of where and how we work, so plan designs need to get with the changing times. Employees want an increase in remote care options, expanded coverage for their families and more mental and behavioral health solutions, to name a few. How else has the structure of health benefits transformed over the decades? Listen to health leaders reshaping plan designs to meet the needs of an evolved workforce.

What a SPAC-tacular year it has been in health tech investing! The allure of the public market was strong as we saw the highest number of health IPOs in years leaving many of us scratching our heads wondering what spurred this hot streak. What makes going public so appealing versus remaining under private investment? Debate the pros and cons with investment experts as we predict the future of SPACs and if regulatory bodies will cool the action. 

Reducing health information access barriers has never been more important. Health leaders are thoughtfully using communication channels like SMS, chat, media and influencers to reach more people with more targeted, accurate messaging around vaccines, variants and more. With a younger generation of health consumers, reaching them where they are via social media and mobile has proven to be a powerful tool to combat vaccine hesitancy and ensure all who need pertinent health information can receive it. Join leaders who are paving the way for a more streamlined approach to educating and engaging the masses on better health!

Digital health has been given the rocket fuel it needed to fully take-off into everyday use both by health consumers and clinicians. With a plethora of tools now at their disposal, clinicians can further personalize care by integrating AI, virtual assistants, predictive modeling and consumer-generated data into their workflows. What new shapes will care delivery take next?

Employer-sponsored health care spending is at an all time high, begging the question: does all this money equal high-quality, high-value care? The answer is not so simple. Paying a high premium for care will not always lead to the best quality. Health innovators have taken notice of this paradox ushering in the creation of new benefit structures to reduce costs and increase value. They lead with tech, focus on high value care solutions, align incentives across the system and no longer accept the vast inefficiencies that have plagued us for decades. 

Sponsored by 98Point6

Sponsored by Amwell

Connect with exhibitors and other attendees in the exhibit hall for food, drinks and entertainment!

Sponsors: Oak HC/FT, Amazon Web Services, Foley & Lardner, Leidos, NTT Date, Philips Ventures and SamsungNEXT.

Join investors and startups for an evening of celebration with music, food and cocktails - and honoring the winners of the Startup Pitch. The reception is at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport (next to the convention center)!

Sponsored by Adobe and Komodo Health

Join us after the Innovators' Reception for an evening of fun with special entertainment at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport (next to the convention center)!

Sponsored by: Wellness Coach

Sign up here to join the Walking Challenge and the chance to win prizes!

Invite only.

Are you a digital health innovator looking for opportunities in Massachusetts to test your product or service within a world-class academic center or clinical site? Join the Mass. Digital Health Team in Hall A: Lounge A8 as we discuss the Digital Health Sandbox Program – a non-dilutive grant opportunity available to help digital health organizations test their products and services at one of nine approved Sandbox sites in Massachusetts.

Powered by: Fitbit Health Solutions

Start your day with a full-body workout class in the hotels adjacent to the convention center, the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport and Westin Boston Seaport District.

Sponsored by: Cleo

Start your day with an instructor-led yoga session in the hotels adjacent to the convention center, the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport and Westin Boston Seaport District.

62% of all bankruptcies stem from medical bills putting a huge burden on patients to find more affordable routes to care. The consumerism movement in digital health has opened the door to greater price transparency through sourcing and comparison apps, cash pay options and a push towards value over volume. Hear from leaders taking the guesswork out of choosing affordable care.

After a year of relaxed reimbursement regulations directly resulting in a digital health boom, the question is posed: does policy hold innovation back? Finding the perfect balance of managing cost, meeting patient needs and removing the red tape around payer/provider partnerships is the key to moving innovation along at a healthy pace. What does the future of reimbursement policy hold with a new Administration and a blossoming digital health ecosystem?

The biopharma industry moves over $1 trillion worth of cargo through the supply chain every year making security and efficiency top priorities. How can we create a more resilient, secure and transparent supply chain network to maximize productivity? Promising solutions are stemming from unique collaborations between stakeholders where supply chain models are reimagined and technology is a key component of success. Hear experts divulge further into their detailed collaboration plans to ensure a frictionless and consistent global supply of medicines, PPE and more.

Sponsored by PitchBook

COVID-19 has led to a 25% increase in health app downloads proving consumers' preferences lean towards an on-demand, digital experience. Consumers are more engaged with their health than ever before, opening up a plethora of convenient options to manage chronic conditions on an individual’s own terms and own time. With more digital health tools at our disposal, how can leaders ensure that more convenience still means more quality when dealing with complex chronic conditions? 

Science and policy don’t always see eye-to-eye. We witnessed this push and pull throughout the pandemic, now the attention has turned towards the global vaccine rollout. With the US and other developed nations charging well ahead of the average global rate, it poses a crucial ethical dilemma that goes beyond the science of vaccinations. Where did we make the “right” decisions both domestically and internationally and how can we expand access and education to combat ongoing vaccine hesitancy, systemic barriers and new variants? 

At a time when scrutiny is high, supply chain executives have shifted to digital to innovate and support complex operational challenges. Supply chain digitization efforts have led to more personalized, patient-centric supply chains with data-driven decision making at every point. How far can we take supply chain modernization efforts to execute more challenging personalized therapy distribution, secure our PPE supply and further promote transparency?

People born between 1981-1996 have surged to make up more than 50% of the US workforce leading to a much younger population falling under employer-sponsored health plans. So how does the industry adjust itself to appeal to this younger generation that wants more accessible, convenient care options that work around their schedule? Learn from brands who have enamored this dominant demographic with a digital health experience that will keep them loyal for years to come. 

The health industry is continually looking to find new ways to lower costs for Medicare, Medicaid, MA and dual eligible populations. With new CMS and CMMI leaders in office, what will change over the next few years? We are already seeing the impact of direct contracting, new programs and an increased focus on Special Needs Plans, but how can we take it further? Leaders will prove why it is imperative that Medicare and Medicaid populations are not ignored in health modernization efforts.  

The global COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution requires unparalleled results managing scale, pace and urgency. Executives continue to tackle unique challenges of this pandemic, complex cold chain requirements, immense last mile obstacles and managing the ever-changing supply and demand. These complexities exposed larger inefficiencies and inequities within our global distribution network. Now, the door is open for innovation. Hear from leaders at the helm of the COVID-19 testing and vaccine rollout discuss how far they've come and the path ahead.

Lunch is at the back of the Exhibit Hall and Food Trucks on Level 1, outside closest to room 105. Sponsored by Paytient

The Women at HLTH Luncheon agenda will focus on advancement of women and gender minorities in healthcare through advocacy and leadership, as well as the national context and importance of activism for gender equity.

12:15-12:30 Writing Your Own Story

Lessons in self-advocacy, activism and risk-taking learned on my journey from academic medicine, to a startup-up, to big tech.

Keynote:

Ivor Horn, MD, MPH, Director Product Inclusion, Google Health; Investing Member, Rising America Fund

12:30-12:55: Innovating in Women’s & Family Health

The best insurance for gender equity in healthcare may be frontloading it into innovation that’s by and for the people it serves. Hear from Kate Ryder, founder and CEO of Maven Clinic, on her plans to grow Maven’s women’s and family health services, the role of digital health in addressing disparities in care, and what still needs to change to ensure women and families are getting the care they need. As a woman founder of a rare women’s health ‘unicorn’ company, Kate will share her advice to underrepresented startup founders in conversation with Anu Duggal, the pioneering founder of Female Founders Fund who believes women will build the companies of tomorrow.

Interviewer: 

Anu Duggal, Female Founders Fund

Interviewee: 

Kate Ryder, Founder and CEO, Maven Clinic

12:55-1:25: Gender Health Policy Update: Critical Areas for Action 

The close links between social, economic and health status are clear, and systemic change is needed. Much is at stake for women and people identified with a minority gender, and most especially for intersectional people. As a healthcare professional, your advocacy is more important than ever. Join national gender equity leaders for a status update on critical needs, policy action and steps you should take NOW.

Facilitator:

Nicole F. Roberts, DpH, MPP, Executive Director, Feed A Billion; Founder, Health & Human Rights Strategies; Host, The Global Good Podcast

Discussants:

Kerith J. Conron, ScD, MPH, Blachford-Cooper Distinguished Scholar & Research Director, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law

1:25-2:00: Strategies for Career Advancement

These friends and femmes of pharma met early in their careers at Pfizer. Now in the c-suite or second in line at three major pharmaceutical companies, the group has branched across the globe but maintained their professional and personal support. They will explore pivotal moments and hurdles faced during their careers, and provide strategic advice for women seeking advancement in the life sciences. Key points of discussion will include: the power of the collective, networking as a key to career advancement, why it’s imperative for women to advocate for themselves (and how to do it), and how to mobilize your support network during a crisis.

Moderator:

Maria Whitman, Principal, Life Sciences, ZS

Panelists:

Anne Heatherington, SVP, Head of Data Sciences Institute, Takeda

Sally John, VP of Translational Science, Biogen

Melanie (Mel) Ivarsson, SVP, Chief Development Officer, Moderna

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The last five years have seen an explosion of health systems and health plan-based venture and innovation funds. The migration to new payment models, a rapidly consolidating competitive landscape, and sweeping uncertainties surrounding the “future state” of healthcare coverage have led many payers and providers to aggressively seek opportunities “outside the core” for growth.

Ezra Mehlman, a healthcare growth equity investor and professor at Columbia Business School, will deliver a curriculum for hospital, health plan senior executives who are interested in standing up and operating strategic venture funds.

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Telehealth came to our rescue in the throes of a global pandemic, but where will it permanently cement itself within the care continuum? Mental and behavioral care, chronic condition management, acute care and episodic health events all have found a hero in virtual solutions. Now, how will telehealth weather the storm as the world reopens and care reverts back to an in person setting? Reimbursement is a big variable to consider as the power still lies with big incumbents and private insurers. Is the future of telehealth moving towards lower premiums, cash pay options and an increase in digital access for underserved populations? 

Since the first sequencing of the human genome, we have been working to define the complex relationship between our genotypes and phenotypes to support hyper-personalized approaches to disease treatment. The field of genomics is opening up a chasm of possibilities from identifying more accurate drug targets early in development to treating and even eradicating illnesses through genetic modification. Hear from genomics masters on what cutting-edge therapies are on the horizon! 

How can we harness the power of health data if it remains buried under layers of compliance, regulations and silos? As policies are pushing forward to provide greater access for both patients and stakeholders across the health ecosystem, we are seeing new data use cases emerge to tackle niche challenges. Now leaders must define the problem they are looking to solve and the data they need to get there. Hear experts’ take on how data interoperability is just the starting point on the journey to untangle healthcare’s biggest knots. 

Remote monitoring technology has unlocked incredible health insights through engaging with patients and care teams before, during and after visits to drive better outcomes. RPM is moving virtual care from a one-time, transactional event to an ongoing, real-time journey. Painting a detailed mosaic of an individual’s health, RPM is making early intervention a standard of care. Listen to RPM Picassos discuss what new tech is on the horizon and details on this data-first approach to care delivery. 

The last decade of therapeutic advancements has been game changing! We are heeding disease through novel approaches to therapeutic design and data-driven discoveries in oncology, neurodegenerative disorders and more. Advancements in data analytics have allowed us to focus on more complicated diseases with patients at the center stage of drug design. Treatment and research are going hand-in-hand as we are connecting the data pipeline from the lab to the real world.

Through 2025 the volume of health industry data is projected to grow faster than in any other industry. One main factor to this exponential growth is the increased volume of health data stemming from new consumer-generated, real world sources. We are leaving a trail of data through every interaction with clinicians, health devices, wearables and even our phones. Now comes the hard part, how do we collect and measure these vast data sets to harness the novel health insights behind them?

The patient’s home will be an increasingly important site of care across acute and chronic conditions, while being a more convenient and lower-cost access point than alternatives. 76% of adults 50+ prefer to receive care at home, yet only 42% of adults 65+ have access to broadband internet. How are we closing gaps in access to care? How can the industry leverage AI, RPM and predictive analytics to support home care delivery models to keep our population home and healthy? 

Outfitted with new technology, data and diagnostics, life science leaders are making groundbreaking leaps forward in early disease detection and diagnosis. How can we cement cancer and other disease screenings as a standard of care just like an annual check-up? Where do cost and access factors play a role in helping early detection tech reach its full potential? These experts are making phenomenal leaps forward to catch fatal diseases early and often.

There is a twin struggle taking place in health: the fight to give patient’s more access and rights to their full health history and the urge to maintain strict privacy and data protection standards. Some argue that too much access will lead to the misinterpretation of health information and potential breaches while others believe the choice should solely be left up to the patient. Hear from leaders who have found the secret sauce to do both by putting patients in control of their health data in a frictionless and secure way.

The She Powers Health™ awards, by Teladoc Health, shine a light on diversity and inclusion initiatives across the healthcare industry that address the disparity of women in executive and board positions. This award highlights people who empower women to become leaders, who are transforming and innovating in the healthcare space, and who spark inspiration for the next generation of women leaders.

Sponsored by Medisafe

Connect with exhibitors and other attendees in the exhibit hall for food, drinks and entertainment!

Unwind over cocktails, dinner and entertainment from Emmy-winning comic, writer, actress and producer Wanda Sykes while helping us raise money to fight the mental health and health equity crises.

Learn More & Purchase Tickets

Join us for a farewell attendee networking breakfast at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport on Level 5.