Leading Health Care Experts Highlight Rapid Pace of Innovation in Medicine, MedTech and AI at NHC Symposium

Business Wire

07-05-2025

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading health care and patient advocacy experts outlined the rapid pace of medical innovation at the National Health Council (NHC) Science of Patient Engagement Symposium, and discussed the many ways technology is transforming patient diagnosis, treatment and quality of life. The conference, entitled, Elevating Innovation: Medicine, MedTech, and AI, held May 7-8 at the National Press Club, brings together more than 150 policymakers, researchers, patients and patient advocates, and health care providers.
Keeping patient needs at the center of health care amidst technological progress is essential
The Symposium, held annually, explores standards and best practices that ensure every patient has legitimate input in their own medical care and that research is co-created with patients and results are applied equally to all individuals. Each conference panel session includes a moderator or panelist from the patient community.
'This Symposium brings together the most influential, experienced and passionate leaders to ensure the needs of patients are being met as they navigate our complex health care system,' said Randall L. Rutta, NHC CEO. 'As medical technology delivers astonishing advancements, we must ensure the needs of patients remain at the forefront of care. That is the critically important focus of this Symposium.'
The Symposium examined the science of patient engagement from the perspectives of both patients and medical experts. Keynote speakers included:
Nicholas Webb, number one best-selling author and Chief Executive Officer of LeaderLogic, LLC, The Science of Patient Engagement in an era of Chaotic Change.
Petrina Kamya, PhD, Head of AI Platforms and President of Insilico Medicine Canada, Insilico Medicine, Putting Patients First in Drug Discovery, a Few AI-driven Case Studies.
Brian Anderson, MD, Chief Executive Officer – Coalition for Health AI, Human Flourishing in an Age of Health AI.
'This Symposium not only convenes some of the most influential voices in health care, it serves as a laboratory for new ideas and new ways of doing things that ensures patients not only get the best care available, but that they also have a legitimate voice and proper role in their own health care decisions,' said Dr. Devin Jopp, CEO of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, and Chair of the NHC's Research and Programs Committee.
Additional conference highlights and speakers included:
In the opening session, Karl Cooper, Esq., Executive Director, American Association on Health and Disability moderated a session, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Bridging the Gap Between MedTech and Patient Needs, discussed the novel ways tech companies and patients are collaborating in the development of medical devices and wearables.
Dr. Raj Ratwani, Vice President of Scientific Affairs, MedStar Health Research Institute and Professor, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Integrating Precision Medicine and Health Systems into AI Innovation, led a conversation about how AI is streamlining operations and supporting precision medicine initiatives – and ethical principles – to create smarter, more responsive health care systems that benefit patients and their family caregivers.
A pre-conference workshop session, Empathy-First Innovation: How to Embed Patient Advocacy in the Design Process, introduced actionable frameworks for empathy-first innovation and demonstrated how to make patient advocates an integral part of a company's innovation journey.
The Science of Patient Engagement Symposium is an annual event where research leaders convene to share their experiences, accomplishments, best practices, and resulting translational impacts on the science of patient engagement.
About NHC
Created by and for patient organizations more than 100 years ago, the National Health Council (NHC) brings diverse organizations together to forge consensus and drive patient-centered health policy. We promote increased access to affordable, high-value, sustainable health care. Made up of more than 180 national health-related organizations and businesses, the NHC's core membership includes the nation's leading patient organizations. Other members include health-related associations and nonprofit organizations including the provider, research, and family caregiver communities; and businesses representing biopharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, generic drug, and payer organizations. Learn more at: https://www.nationalhealthcouncil.org.