Where Breakthroughs Become Outcomes
An exclusive gathering bringing together leaders from academia, MedTech & AI startups, healthcare systems & purchasers, pharma & life sciences, policy & regulatory stakeholders, and venture capital and strategic investors.
Hosted by
Event Dates
February 27, 2026, 8 AM to 4 PM
Register on LumaLocation
Agenda
Artificial Intelligence in healthcare has moved beyond proof-of-concept. The critical question is no longer "Can AI work?" but rather:
How do we validate it, regulate it, deploy it, reimburse it, and scale it responsibly across real healthcare systems?
Summit theme
The Lonestar HealthTech & AI Summit 2026 convenes four essential stakeholders — Academia, Commercial Industry, Policy Leaders, and Healthcare Systems — to bridge the gap between algorithmic innovation and system-wide implementation.
Welcome to Lone Star HealthTech AI 2026
Al in Healthcare: From Concept to Clinical Impact
Join leaders across academia, healthcare systems, policy, and industry as we move beyond hype and examine how artificial intelligence is being responsibly deployed today—in clinical workflows, operational efficiency, patient engagement, and outcomes improvement.
This focused convening emphasizes real-world implementation, measurable impact, and scalable solutions across the healthcare continuum.
Co-hosts
Artificial intelligence has reached an inflection point in healthcare. While innovation has accelerated, the true challenge lies not in capability—but in execution.
This forum brings together executives, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and technology leaders to address a central question:
How do we operationalize AI in healthcare—ethically, clinically, and at scale—while delivering real value to patients and health systems?
Throughout the day, you'll explore:
- Proven clinical and operational use cases
- Lessons learned from implementation inside health systems
- Regulatory, reimbursement, and policy considerations
- The role of academia in validation and evidence generation
- Pathways from research to commercialization
“I invite you to join us at Lone Star HealthTech AI 2026. This gathering brings together a select group of leaders from academia, healthcare systems, policy, and industry—all focused on real-world AI implementation with measurable impact. We'll examine proven use cases, learn from implementation challenges, and chart pathways from research to clinical practice. I look forward to welcoming you to Houston, TX for the conversations that will shape healthcare technology's future.
I hope you'll join us for what promises to be a meaningful day of dialogue and collaboration.”
Best regards, Dr. Asif
Featured Speakers
World-class leaders and innovators shaping the future of healthcare technology
David Rhew MD
Global Chief Medical Officer & VP Health Life Sciences, Microsoft
Leading Microsoft's global healthcare strategy and innovation in AI-enabled healthcare
LinkedIn ProfileDr. Rhew leads Microsoft's global healthcare strategy and innovation; he is an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University and holds multiple patents in clinical decision support and EHR integration. He has been central in Microsoft's global pandemic response and serves on advisory boards across digital health.
As Global Chief Medical Officer & VP Health Life Sciences at Microsoft, Dr. Rhew shapes the company's approach to digital health, AI, and healthcare innovation, working with health systems, providers, and policymakers worldwide to advance responsible AI deployment in clinical settings.
Panelists by Theme
16 panelists across 4 panel sessions and 2 Keynotes, organized by four key themes: Academic, Commercial, Policy, and Health Care System
Academic
Translational research, AI innovation in academic medicine, bridging research to clinical practice
John MattisonMD, PhD
UC San Diego Scholar in Residence for responsible AI and advanced technologies
Former CMIO at Kaiser Permanente and Arsenal Capital Partners, Board member, Senior Advisor to numerous health tech companies
Marat FudimMD, MHS
Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University
Advanced Heart Failure Specialist
Medical Director of Heart Failure Research & Remote Monitoring at Duke Health; leads research in heart failure, mechanical circulatory assist devices, remote monitoring, and transplantation.
LinkedIn Profile
Jordan StromMD
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Director, Echocardiography Laboratory
Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory, and Director of Echocardiographic Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, Section Head for Cardiovascular Imaging Research at the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology.
LinkedIn Profile
Alexander J. "AJ" BloodMD, MSc, FACC, ABOM
Co-Founder CEO, AIwithCare
Cardiologist and Clinical Researcher, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Cardiologist-intensivist specializing in cardiovascular medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, and hypertension; founder and CEO of AIwithCare, focusing on AI-enabled patient care innovation.
LinkedIn ProfileCommercial
Commercialization strategies, market dynamics, scaling healthcare technology, investment perspectives
Ken Nelson
Nelson Jennings Ventures
Investor, Founder & Board Member
Board Chairman & Investor @ CardiaCare | Partner @ MedTech Advantage Fund | Digital Health & MedTech Startup Board Member, Investor & Mentor @ HeartBeam, Acarix, Epitel, Echo IQ, Happitech, BloomLife, AHA, HRS, & HeartX
LinkedIn Profile
Dustin Haines
Echo IQ, CEO
CEO, Board Member, Executive Leader and Life Science/Biotech Professional
LinkedIn Profile
Cristina Gutierrez
Commercial Exec
Health Technology and Medical Device Executive focused on Sales, Marketing, and Commercial Ops
LinkedIn Profile
Michalis PapadakisPhD
CEO and Co-Founder at Brainomix
MedTech founder focused on AI-powered imaging workflows that help clinicians make faster, more confident treatment decisions.
LinkedIn ProfilePolicy
Regulatory frameworks, reimbursement models, healthcare policy, equity and access, public health priorities
Hassan A. TettehMD, MBA
Johns Hopkins University
Former Chief Medical Informatics Officer in military medicine, thoracic surgeon, and healthcare strategist serving in the U.S. Department of Defense, focusing on AI, digital health, and holistic healthcare policy.
LinkedIn Profile
Umair A ShahMD, MPH
CMO, Jaan Health
Physician leader focused on population health strategy, care delivery modernization, and responsible digital health implementation.
LinkedIn Profile
Maria PalombiniMBA
Global Practice Leader, Healthcare & Life Sciences
Empowering Patients through Explainability | Rethinking Healthcare with Trust in Technologies
Chris HannaMBA
CEO, Walnut Hill Medical | Navigating MedTech Success: From Concept to Commercialization | Health Policy & Reimbursement Expert | MedTech Growth & Market Access Advisor
Leading discussions on MedTech commercialization, health policy, and market access.
LinkedIn ProfileHealth Care System
Health system transformation, delivery models, operational challenges, workforce sustainability, system integration
Tariq QureshiMD, MPH, FACOG
Healthcare Executive
Physician executive focused on system innovation, integrated care delivery, quality outcomes, and sustainable growth.
LinkedIn Profile
Ronald A. DePinhoMD
Harry Graves Burkhart III Distinguished University Chair
Professor & Past President, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Renowned biomedical researcher and physician-scientist; former President of MD Anderson Cancer Center (2011-2017); creator of landmark initiatives in aging, cancer prevention, and translational medicine; founder of multiple biotech companies and global cancer prevention programs.
LinkedIn Profile
Asif AhmadMBA
CEO, Tellihealth
Digital health operator focused on remote care delivery, virtual monitoring, and scalable patient engagement models.
LinkedIn Profile
Jagat NarulaMD, PhD, MACC
K. Lance Gould Distinguished Chair of Coronary Pathophysiology, UTHealth
President, World Heart Federation
Internationally recognized physician-scientist in cardiovascular imaging, global health, and translational research; distinguished leader in academic medicine and medical education.
LinkedIn ProfileModerators
Leading the conversation and facilitating dialogue across panel sessions
Pat Dunn PhD, MBA
National Director @ American Heart Association | MPA, MBA | Center for Health Technology and Innovation
Leading innovation initiatives and facilitating strategic discussions across healthcare technology panels.
LinkedIn Profile
Effie Andrikopoulou MD, MBA, FACC, FASE
Bridging Medicine & Innovation | Physician & Systems thinker | Cardiologist | Cardiac Imaging & Cardio-Oncology | Associate Professor
Facilitating expert discussions and ensuring productive dialogue across healthcare AI panels.
LinkedIn Profile
Gabriele Niederauer PhD, FAIMBE
CEO & Co-Founder of Freyya | Serial Entrepreneur | Innovating Novel Medical Devices | Mentor | Community Servant | MedTech Innovator '21 | Angel Investor
Leading expert discussions and facilitating dialogue across healthcare innovation panels.
LinkedIn Profile
Henry Peck
Chief Business Officer at LSI | Medtech & Healthtech Engineer, GTM, Community Builder
Moderating discussions focused on practical health technology execution and collaboration.
LinkedIn ProfileOur Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Lone Star HealthTech AI 2026
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Who Will Be There
An exclusive gathering bringing together leaders from across the healthcare ecosystem
Academia
Researchers, clinicians, and academic leaders driving innovation from the lab to real-world application.
MedTech & AI Startups
Founders and innovators building the next generation of healthcare technology solutions.
Healthcare Systems & Purchasers
Health system executives and decision-makers evaluating and implementing new technologies.
Attending Leadership:
Pharma & Life Sciences
Leaders from pharmaceutical and life sciences companies exploring technology partnerships and innovation.
Policy & Regulatory Stakeholders
Policy makers and regulatory experts shaping the framework for healthcare technology adoption.
Policy Makers
Venture Capital & Strategic Investors
Investors and strategic partners funding and scaling healthcare technology innovation.
Program Overview
From Academia to Commercialization — Where Breakthroughs Become Outcomes
Lone ★ StarHealthTech AI 2026
Ready to Join Us?
This is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering bringing together leaders from across academia, MedTech, healthcare systems, pharma, policy, and venture capital.
Questions? Contact us