A Bird’s-Eye View of the 2018 Connected Health Conference

Jun 16, 2018

The 2018 Connected Health Conference program team reached two major milestones this week: we finalized the main program, and it was reviewed by our esteemed advisors, who provided important feedback and guidance. We’ll be unveiling additional details as the weeks progress, but here’s what you can expect to find at CHC18, from a bird’s eye perspective.

  • Balancing Technology & the Human Element – Following along our theme, you’ll find content that looks at the ways humans can successfully integrate technology, work alongside robots (‘cobots’) and balance judgment and caregiving with artificial intelligence in a way that contributes to better outcomes, enhances the care experience and unburdens providers. In short, we’ll explore the limits of technology and human interaction in healthcare, wellness and prevention. Innovation is also a strong thread for CHC18, reflecting the mission of the Personal Connected Health Alliance and focusing on how to innovate as part of the event. From a content perspective, we are always aiming for a target that’s down the road and around the corner, and we have our members, partners and advisors to thank for helping us to see the future.
  • New Day 1 format – we’re foregoing a traditional pre-conference to bring you Immersion Day, featuring ‘deep dive’ morning and afternoon workshops with some exciting partners. You’ll also experience the HealthTech Standout! Competition pitches, to be hosted during lunch, and an evening networking reception. Please mark your calendars: CHC18 is officially beginning on Wednesday, October 17.
  • Compelling main stage lineup – We’ve already announced MIT’s Cynthia Breazeal (think: Jibo), Iyah Romm of Cityblock, James Vlahos, a WIRED contributor and creator of ‘Dadbot,’ CHC18 Program Chair Dr. Joe Kvedar, of Partners HealthCare, and HIMSS CEO, Hal Wolf. There are more to come and we are excited to make those announcements in the coming weeks. The main stage will also play host to a lively debate and luminary panel discussions.
  • Main program sessions (October 17 and 18) –  This year, you'll find sessions focused on new and emerging technologies and their application in consumer and clinical settings (DeNovo); best practices and implementation advice to encourage adoption (Growth), behavior change and the experience of care (The Human Element), and issues that are having or will have an impact on their entire field (Ecosystem).
  • Even more programming and networking on the floor –  With dedicated floor hours, two stages for demos and presentations, posters, and the Innovation Café for networking, social media activity, media interviews and Meet the Experts sessions, our exhibit floor will be buzzing!
  • Our new Innovation Lab –  Here we will host workshops for connected health developers, physician innovators and more.
  • Themed pavilions for exhibitors –  This dedicated exhibit area includes Digital Therapeutics, Emerging Technologies, a bigger area for Startups and an expanded Innovation Zone that will highlight collaborations, culture and process driving innovation in connected health.

Many thanks to those who submitted speaker nominations during our open period. We received a number of valuable submissions and will respond to all submitters over the next few weeks. Finally, we will again be hosting a Poster Session at CHC18 and invite you to submit a poster for presentation at the event. Please watch for our Call for Posters announcement, coming soon!

On behalf of the Connected Health Conference team, we would like to thank the PCHAlliance Council and its members for their outstanding contributions during the past year, which have helped to drive strategy and shape this year’s conference.

See you in October!