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Innovators Day

Innovators Day Program

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Workshop: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Program: Noon-5 p.m.

Health Education Building, Ad Astra Room (5th floor)
KU Medical Center

Click on presenter names to expand additional contact information.

Workshop | 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Innovation to Commercialization

Explore the path from early-stage innovation to market-ready solutions. This workshop will provide practical guidance across four essential areas:

  • Funding Your Innovation
    Explore funding pathways, including grants, SBIR/STTR programs and investors.
  • Building Your Business
    Learn the fundamentals of company formation, business models and reimbursement strategies.
  • Navigating the Regulatory Roadmap
    Gain insight into FDA requirements, HIPAA considerations and regulatory compliance.
  • Moving from Research to Product
    Understand product-market fit, customer discovery and the partnerships needed to move an idea forward.

Each session will include time for questions and discussion.

Program | Noon-5 p.m.

Noon-12:25 p.m. | Welcome Remarks and Funding Announcement

Kick off Innovators Day with a look at the Digital Health Co/Lab’s growing impact and what’s ahead. Hear from the 2026 Wearable Insights into Health Award recipients as they share their research and the progress they’ve made and be among the first to learn about a new digital health funding opportunity.


Executive Director, Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas
Senior Vice President of Business Development & Integration
The University of Kansas Health System
cwilson11@kumc.edu


Scientific Director, Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas
A. Drue Jennings Professor of Medical Oncology
Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics
Director, Center for Survivorship and Patient-Oriented Research
University of Kansas Medical Center
asung2@kumc.edu


Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
Associate Director, KUMC Program in Digital Mental Health
Director, Mobile Health Implementation and Design Evaluations Laboratory
University of Kansas Medical Center
fmateria@kumc.edu


Associate Professor, Medical Informatics
Division Director, Medical Informatics
Associate Professor, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Associate Professor, Biostatistics & Data Science
University of Kansas Medical Center
droblesmazzotti@kumc.edu


Research Associate Professor, Physical Activity & Weight Management
University of Kansas Medical Center
aszabo@kumc.edu

12:45-1:45 p.m. | Keynote Presentation

Michael Torno has built his career at the intersection of healthcare, technology and entrepreneurship. He co-founded the AI-enabled digital pathology company PathologyWatch, which was acquired by Sonic Healthcare in 2023. As advisory board chair of Kansas City Digital Health, he now helps connect entrepreneurs, investors and health systems while sharing his experience in product-market fit and healthcare commercialization.

1:45-2 p.m. | Break

2-2:45 p.m. | Research to Commercialization: A KU Journey

Explore the journey from academic research to commercial opportunity through a conversation with Jeffrey Burns, MD, MS, and Chris Rehkamp. They’ll discuss how to recognize commercial potential, navigate the commercialization process and connect with the right campus resources. Dr. Burns will also share lessons learned and practical insights from his experience moving innovation forward at KU.


Edward H. Hashinger Professor of Medicine
Co-Director, KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, SOM-Kansas City
Division Director, Neurocognitive Division, SOM-Kansas City, Neurology
Director, Memory Care Clinic, University of Kansas Health System
jburns2@kumc.edu


Assistant Director of Commercialization, Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas
Vice President of Business Services, KU Innovation Park
crehkamp@btbcku.com

2:45-3:15 p.m. | Looking Ahead: The Future of Digital Health

Explore three rapidly evolving areas with significant potential for innovation and commercialization: digital mental health, AI and big data in healthcare, and wearables and remote monitoring. Experts in each area will share emerging opportunities, real-world applications and insights into where digital health is headed next.


Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Research AI Officer at the University of Kansas
sgovindan@kumc.edu

Jesse Blackstock
Wellness Sales Manager, Garmin Health

3:30-4:15 p.m. | Navigating the Regional Innovation Ecosystem

Learn how organizations across the Kansas City region work together to support innovators and move ideas forward.


Program Director, Digital Health KC
elizabeth@DigitalHealthKC.org


Community Health Strategist, KC Digital Drive
jfitzpatrick@kcdigitaldrive.org


Managing Director, KCRise
edfrindt@kcrise.com


Vice President of Business Services, KU Innovation Park
Assistant Director of Commercialization, Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas
crehkamp@btbcku.com

4:15-5:30 p.m. | Happy Hour, Live Demonstrations and Networking

We want to extend our sincere appreciation to the Innovators Day Engagement Committee for their expertise, vision and dedication in guiding the development of this year’s program.

Frank Materia, Ph.D., MHS
Programming Committee Chair
University of Kansas Medical Center

Josh Moore
University of Kansas Medical Center

Chris Rehkamp
KU Innovation Park

Kaala Berry, MPH
University of Kansas Medical Center

Liz Shaffer
Digital Health KC

Previous program recordings

Click on presenter names to expand additional contact information.

WORKSHOPS
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
The Garmin Health Device Portal | HEB 2112

Originally developed by Children’s Mercy Research Informatics, this workshop will introduce KU researchers to the newly accessible Garmin Health Device Portal, a platform designed to support the integration of Garmin wearables into clinical research.

Led by:

Scientific Director, Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas
A. Drue Jennings Professor of Medical Oncology
Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics
Director, Center for Survivorship and Patient-Oriented Research
University of Kansas Medical Center 
asung2@kumc.edu


Data Engineer, Research Informatics
University of Kansas Medical Center
mdabriwal@kumc.edu


Senior Manager for Research Software and Bioinformatics Engineering
Children’s Mercy Research Institute
hgill@cmh.edu

Introduction to User-Centered Research of Digital Health Systems | HEB 2223

Discover evidence-based strategies for conducting user-centered design research, with a focus on developing digital health programs that foster adoption and sustained engagement by both patients and providers.

Led by:

Associate Scientific Director, Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas
Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology
Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
University of Kansas Medical Center 
fmateria@kumc.edu


Professor and Senior Scientist, The Department of Clinical Child Psychology
The University of Kansas
christopher.cushing@ku.edu


Research Associate, Mobile Health Implementation and Design Evaluations Laboratory
University of Kansas Medical Center
kberry8@kumc.edu

PROGRAM
Noon – 5 p.m.
Health Education Building, Ad Astra Room (5th floor)
KU Medical Center
Noon - 12:45 p.m.
Welcome Remarks & Funding Announcement

Hear an overview of the Digital Health Co/Lab’s accomplishments over the past year and a look ahead to its 2026 vision. Celebrate emerging innovators as we highlight the 2025 Rising Investigator Digital Health Award Winners and learn about a new collaborative digital health funding opportunity.

Welcome Remarks


Executive Director, Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas Medical Center
Senior Vice President of Business Development & Integration
The University of Kansas Health System 
cwilson11@kumc.edu


Scientific Director, Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas
A. Drue Jennings Professor of Medical Oncology
Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics
Director, Center for Survivorship and Patient-Oriented Research
University of Kansas Medical Center 
asung2@kumc.edu


Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
University of Kansas Medical Center
okaradaghy@kumc.edu


Associate Professor, Population Health
University of Kansas Medical Center 
msieger@kumc.edu

Funding Announcement


Associate Scientific Director, Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas
Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology
Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
University of Kansas Medical Center 
fmateria@kumc.edu


Senior Director, Garmin Health Engineering

12:45 - 1:45 p.m.
Keynote Address
Where the Rubber Meets the Road: A Process-Oriented Approach to Digital Health

Joshua Smyth, PhD, Ohio Eminent Scholar in Health Psychology at The Ohio State University, will explore how researchers and clinicians with ideas for new digital health tools can conduct early design and implementation studies that promote patient acceptance and sustained engagement. Drawing on his expertise in ambulatory assessment, intervention and mobile and digital delivery systems, Dr. Smyth will highlight practical strategies for novice researchers to blend social and health psychology principles throughout the lifecycle of a digital health idea. Attendees will learn how to begin background research, build collaborative teams and generate pilot data to support future grants, proposals and product development.

Dr. Smyth is an internationally recognized scholar with more than 400 publications and an h-index of 91. He has more than 25 years of continuous NIH funding totaling over $175 million in collaborative grants. A fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research and the Society of Behavioral Medicine, he is also an award-winning teacher and mentor dedicated to training the next generation of researchers.


Professor of Clinical Psychology
Ohio Eminent Scholar in Health Psychology
Department of Psychology
The Ohio State University

1:45 - 2:00 p.m.
Break
2:00 - 2:50 p.m.
Bridging Gaps in Rural Care Using Digital Health Techniques Flash Talks

Learn how researchers and clinicians are using digital health strategies to expand access and improve outcomes for rural patient populations.


Medical Student, School of Medicine
University of Kansas Medical Center
rkingrey@kumc.edu


Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training
University of Kansas Medical Center
bhanson4@kumc.edu


Assistant Professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Pharmacology
University of Kansas Medical Center
dtilden@kumc.edu


Professor, Medical Oncology
University of Kansas Medical Center
jklemp@kumc.edu

2:50 - 3:40 p.m.
From Pilot to Product – A Panel on Commercializing Digital Health Innovations

Join experts from across the commercialization pathway—spanning pilot studies, funding, regulatory and legal considerations, and business strategy—as they share insights on moving digital health innovations from early testing to market. The session will include perspectives on FDA approval and conclude with audience Q&A.

Moderator:

Assistant Director of Commercialization, Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas Medical Center
Director of Business Services, KU Innovation Park
crehkamp@btbcku.com


President, Digital Health KC
dick@digitalhealthkc.org


Adjunct Professor, Population Health
University of Kansas Medical Center
Founder and CEO, MedCurate
amcclellan@kumc.edu


Executive Director, KU Center for Technology Commercialization - Office of Research
University of Kansas
cmichaels2@kumc.edu


Founder and CEO, Abada Health
apatel@kcdigitaldrive.org

3:40 - 4:00 p.m.
Who’s the Go-To for That? Digital Health and Commercialization Resources

Meet representatives from KU and regional partners who support digital health innovation and commercialization. After brief introductions, attendees will have the opportunity to connect one-on-one during a networking happy hour.


Senior Director, Garmin Health Engineering
Garmin, Ltd.


Senior Director of Research IT, Research Administration
University of Kansas Medical Center
schandaka@kumc.edu


Director of Artificial Intelligence Initiatives, Enhanced AI Center
University of Kansas Medical Center
dking20@kumc.edu


Executive Director, KU Center for Technology Commercialization - Office of Research
University of Kansas
cmichaels2@kumc.edu


Program Director, Digital Health KC
elizabeth@DigitalHealthKC.org


Innovation Program Manager, KC Digital Drive
jstarcev@kcdigitaldrive.org


Director, Research Administration
University of Kansas Medical Center
kstephens3@kumc.edu

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Networking Happy Hour

Grab a bite, sip a drink and mingle with other digital health innovators—great ideas (and connections) happen over good food and conversation!

We want to extend our sincere appreciation to the Innovators Day Engagement Committee for their expertise, vision and dedication in guiding the development of this year’s program.               

Frank Materia, Ph.D., MHS
Programming Committee Chair
University of Kansas Medical Center

Kaala Berry, MPH
University of Kansas Medical Center

Taylor Escher, Ph.D.
University of Kansas

Chelsea Kracht, Ph.D.
University of Kansas Medical Center

John Rochelle
The University of Kansas Health System

Liz Shaffer
Digital Health KC

Digital Health Co/Lab

University of Kansas Medical Center
Digital Health Co/Lab
2106 Olathe Blvd.
Mailstop 3010
Kansas City, KS 66160-8500
913-588-6683
DigitalHealthCoLab@kumc.edu