AI in Health Innovation Symposium

The event brings together leaders from academia, healthcare systems, industry and government from across the country to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming health research, clinical care and population health.

Through keynote addresses, expert panels and featured presentations, the symposium will showcase emerging AI-driven innovations, responsible and trustworthy AI practices, and real-world applications that improve health outcomes nationwide. The program emphasizes discovery, translation, governance, access and impact—particularly for rural, tribal and underserved communities across Arizona and beyond.

The symposium positions the University of Arizona as a national hub for AI-enabled health innovation, fostering cross-sector collaboration and dialogue to advance ethical, equitable and responsible use of artificial intelligence in health.

This event is held in-person on the main University of Arizona campus. Event location to be shared in registration confirmation.

AGENDA:  AI in Health Innovation Symposium

8 AM – 9 AM | Registration

9 AM – 9:30 AM | Opening Remarks

• Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research and Partnerships, University of Arizona
• David Ebert, Ph.D., Chief AI and Data Science Officer, University of Arizona

9:30 AM – 10:10 AM | Keynote Address

Artificial Intelligence and Clinical Transformation: Enhancing Research, Learning and Practice

• Philip R.O. Payne, Ph.D., Chief Health AI Officer, BJC Healthcare and Washington University in St. Louis

10:10 AM – 10:25 AM | Break

10:25 AM – 11:50 AM | Research and Translation Innovation with AI

Translational Bioinformatics, Imaging, Cancer, Cardiac or Neurovascular, Immunotherapies

• Justin Starren, (Moderator), M.D., Ph.D., Director, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics, Professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging, College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona
• Kelly Ko, Ph.D. Vice President of Technology Ventures and Innovation, Banner Health
• Michael Kuhns, Ph.D., Interim Co-Chair and Professor, Department of Immunobiology, College of Medicine – Tucson; Senior Scientific Advisor, Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies, University of Arizona
• Chongle Pan, Ph.D., Professor, Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering, Associate Director Data Institute for Societal Challenges, University of Oklahoma
• Ritu Pandey, M.S., Ph.D., MHM, Associate Research Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine – Tucson; Associate Director, Translational Bioinformatics, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics
• Sairam Parthasarathy, M.D., Professor and Chief, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, College of Medicine – Tucson; Director, Center for Sleep, Circadian and Neuroscience Research
• Geoff Rubin, M.D., MBA, Professor and Chair, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, College of Medicine – Tucson; Clinical Services Chief of Medical Imaging, Banner – University Medicine
• Dan Theodorescu, M.D., Ph.D., Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Cancer Center Director, University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center; Professor, Department of Urology, College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona

Noon – 1:15 PM | Lunch at Sands Club

1:30 PM – 1:45 PM | Afternoon Remarks

• Patricia Prelock, Ph.D., Provost and Chief Academic Officer, University of Arizona

1:45PM – 2:45 PM | Clinical Practice: Improved Access, Care and Outcomes

• Srikar Adhikari (Moderator), M.D., M.S., Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine – Tucson; Director, Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship, College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona

Telehealth and Rural Health:

• Srikar Adhikari, M.D., M.S., Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine – Tucson; Director, Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship, College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona
• Daniel Derksen, M.D., Associate Vice President, Rural Health Workforce Development Initiatives, U of A Health Sciences; Professor and Director, Arizona Center for Rural Health, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
• Joseph Finkelstein, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Arizona Telemedicine Program, College of Medicine – Tucson; Professor, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona

Clinical Practice:

• James Bates, Founder, CEO, Chairman, Founder, AviNOW Medical
• John Coyle, Senior Partner and Digital and AI Strategy Practice Leader, The Chartis Group
• Joshua Lee, M.D., Chief Information Officer, Senior Vice President, Tucson Medical Center

2:45 PM – 3 PM | Break

3 PM – 4 PM | Arizona AI Health Innovation: Meeting Arizona’s Future Health Needs

• Jason Wertheim (Moderator), M.D., Ph.D., Associate Vice President, Health Research, Office of Research and Partnerships; Professor, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona
• Srikar Adhikari, M.D., M.S., Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine – Tucson; Director, Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship, College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona
• Onicio Batista Leal Neto, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona
• Frederick Chang, DO, MAS, Chief Medical Information Officer, Onvida Health
• Gondy Leroy, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and Professor, Department of Management Information Systems, Eller College of Management, University of Arizona

4 PM – 4:30 PM | Paths Forward Panel

• David Ebert (Moderator), Ph.D., Chief AI and Data Science Officer, University of Arizona
• Srikar Adhikari, M.D., M.S., Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine – Tucson; Director, Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship, College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona
• Justin Starren, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics, Professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging, College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona
• Jason Wertheim, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Vice President, Health Research, Office of Research and Partnerships; Professor, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona

4:30 PM – 4:50 PM | Closing Remarks

• David Ebert, Ph.D., Chief AI and Data Science Officer, University of Arizona

4:50 PM – 6 PM | Networking Social and Poster Session