**Agenda is tentative and subject to change. Complete agenda coming soon.**
8:00 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Sponsors
8:30 a.m.
The Technology Frontier: Utilizing AI, New Technology and the Power of Partnerships to Enhance the Provider and Patient Experience
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and digital health platforms are rapidly reshaping how care is delivered and experienced. This session features leaders from the UK HealthCare Innovation team and key partners sharing their approach to improving patient and provider experiences through technology-driven solutions to advance the health and wellbeing of Kentuckians. Attendees will explore how prioritized challenges are identified, innovation initiatives are launched, and partnerships with health tech startups and technology providers are formed. The discussion will also highlight the role of the Kentucky Bio Alliance in convening partners and accelerating collaboration across the state’s health innovation ecosystem.
Jon Adams, Technology Strategist, Microsoft
Christin Godale, Executive Director, LifeSciKY
Chelsea Ex-Lubeskie, R&D Partnerships Manager, UK College of Medicine & UK Healthcare
Tama Thé, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Kentucky/UK Healthcare
Moderator: Landon Borders, Senior Executive Director, Technology Development, Product Management and R&D Partnerships, UK Innovate
9:30 a.m.
The Future of Healthcare and the Business Community
Business leaders will share insights about their role in shaping the future of healthcare, addressing costs and the impact of benefits on attraction and retention of top talent and employee satisfaction and emerging trends including direct contracts with providers, integrated pharmacy strategies and utilizing AI to reshape benefit offerings and reduce costs.
Condrad Daniels, President, HJI Supply Chain Solutions
LaToi Mayo, Shareholder, Littler Mendelson PC
Purna Veer, President, V-Soft Consulting
Moderator: Ashli Watts, President and CEO, Kentucky Chamber
10:15 a.m.
Break with Sponsors
10:30 a.m.
The Role of Precision Medicine: What It Is, How It Works and Why It Matters
Precision medicine is transforming healthcare by moving beyond one-size-fits-all treatment toward care tailored to an individual’s genetics, environment, and lifestyle. This panel will demystify precision medicine—what it is, how it works, and where it is already being applied across prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Panelists will explore how advances in genomics, data analytics, and AI are reshaping care delivery, improving outcomes, and influencing healthcare costs. Attendees will gain insight into how precision medicine will impact employers, payors, providers, and patients—and what it means for healthcare affordability and workforce health in the years ahead.
Jaime Grund, MS, LGC, Director, Precision Medicine, St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Curtis Koons, MD, President, Bluegrass Precision Wellness
Richard Lozano, MD, President, Pathology & Cytology Labs, Inc.
Moderator: Stephen Behnke, MD, MBA, CEO, Lexington Clinic
11:15 a.m.
Break with Sponsors
11:30 a.m.
Lunch
12:15 p.m.
The Role of Hospitals in the Future of Healthcare
Gerard Colman, Ph.D., CEO, Baptist Health System
Garren Colvin, CEO, St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Hollie Harris, President & CEO, Appalachian Regional Healthcare (INVITED)
Mark Marsh, President & CEO, Owensboro Health
Moderator: Ashli Watts, President & CEO, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Hospital CEOs from across the Commonwealth will come together for a candid discussion on the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery and the critical role hospitals play in Kentucky’s economic and community health. Panelists will share firsthand perspectives on leading complex healthcare organizations—highlighting innovations in technology, patient-centered care models, workforce strategies, and operational efficiency that are shaping the future of hospitals. Drawing on real-world experience and data-informed insights, the conversation will explore where Kentucky’s healthcare sector is gaining momentum, where challenges remain, and what hospital leaders and stakeholders should be watching in the year ahead.
1:00 p.m.
AI Tools that Improve Healthcare for Both Clinicians and Patients
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare, and it holds the potential to reduce administrative burdens, enhance clinical decision-making and expand access to care. From electronic health records that predict patient risk to automated tools that support documentation, scheduling and care coordination, AI is now embedded in everyday workflows and is helping providers with clinical decision-making, enhancing administrative efficiency and its predictive models can identify patients at higher risk for readmission.
Reta A. Underwood, President Consultants for Long Term Care, Inc.
Audria Denker, DNP, RN, FAADN, ANEF, Chief Clinical, Integration & Experience Officer, Galen College of Nursing and President, Kentucky Board of Nursing
Doug Owens, Chief Information Officer, Signature Healthcare
Moderator: Jim Musser, Senior Vice President, Policy and Government Relations, Kentucky Hospital Association
1:45 p.m.
Break with Sponsors
2:00 p.m.
Managing Chronic Disease in the Modern Workforce
Chronic conditions such as cardio-metabolic disease, diabetes, and obesity are among the most significant drivers of healthcare costs, lost productivity, and employee well-being. This panel will feature medical and pharmaceutical leaders discussing how new and emerging drug therapies are changing the management of chronic disease—shifting care from reactive treatment to proactive, long-term disease control. Panelists will examine clinical outcomes, real-world effectiveness, access and affordability considerations, and the implications for employers seeking to support a healthier, more productive workforce.
Anthony J. Bashall, MD, Cardiologist, Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians
Craig J. Beavers, PharmD, FACC, FAHA, FCCP, BCCP, BCPS, CACP, Vice President of Operations, Baptist Health Paducah
Additional panelist TBD
Moderator: Dr. Ben Mudd, Executive Director, Kentucky Pharmacists Association
2:45 p.m.
From the Clinic to the Capitol: The Role of Government in the Future of Healthcare
Join state legislators for a dynamic discussion on the role of government in shaping healthcare policy. Gain insights into legislative priorities to drive impactful change in healthcare delivery and explore the challenges and opportunities for collaboration between public and private sectors on topics including Medicaid sustainability, Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation plan, public health initiatives, and workforce.
Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser, Chair, House Health Services Committee
Rep. Robert Duvall, Vice Chair, House Health Services Committee
Sen. Stephen Meredith, Chair, Senate Health Services Committee
Moderator, Annie Santos, JD, Manager Public Affairs, Kentucky Chamber
3:30 p.m.
Innovation in Rural Health: Creating Care Anywhere through the Advancing Kentucky Together Network
The Innovation in Rural Health session will specifically focus on innovation embodied through technologies, programs, models, and partnerships (the Advancing Kentucky Together Network) that have preventative health as a specific outcome. By focusing on preventative health initiatives, it reduces costs for ER visits and readmissions. System change has to be the focus for our broader communities, but also internally within our health systems in order to more effectively and efficiently serve Kentuckians. This panel will also be asked to discuss the value of purpose-driven programs for improved health outcomes across communities. By expanding care to reach more Kentuckians, companies can help close critical health gaps while unlocking new markets, reducing costs, and strengthening workforce productivity. This session will show how investing in community-driven solutions creates measurable returns: healthier Kentuckians, more efficient care delivery, and stronger economic growth across the Commonwealth.
Danielle Harmon, System Director of Community Development, Appalachian Regional Healthcare
Donald H. Lloyd, II, President & CEO, UK St. Claire HealthCare
Trudi Matthews, Chief of Value-Based Programs, Public Policy and Community Initiatives, UK HealthCare
David Melanson, Executive Director for External Relations, University of Kentucky
Larry Rector, VP of Finance and Strategic Operations, River Valley Health and Rector Business Solutions, LLC
Moderator: Dr. Serenity Wright, Senior Executive Director, Innovation, Community Health & Societal Impact, University of Kentucky – UK Innovate
4:15 p.m.
Healthcare Innovation Summit Adjourns