Emory University Scientific Brainpower poised to make an impact on the Future of Healthcare| Highlights from alumni event in Boston

On the eve of Boston’s first Nor’easter of the season, our southern colleagues hosted a riveting discussion at the Museum of Science (of course where else?) on the Future of Healthcare.    Nearly every speaker on the panel had professional credentials and experiences that crossed over many sectors of science, business, and health care social impact.  They were diverse in their fields, but shared the common vision to pursue work that would disrupt the norm.  Here are a few highlights from the Q & A which was thoughtfully led by Dr. Rhonda Moore from the Partners HealthCare Innovation team.

There are many stakeholders in the complex health care ecosystem.  There wasn’t time to cover all of them, but a few stood out:

Researchers: Amri Johnson, speaking on behalf of the Novartis Institute of BioMedical Research delved into the topic he referred to as the “sociology of innovation” – in short, finding ways to improve the way scientists  interact with each other – creating “sustainable dialogue” versus competition in the lab environment.   He  provided fascinating window into this aspect of advancing science – the human interaction and how it can block or accelerate progress without a proper working framework.

Policy Makers: Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford believes strongly that to make an impact, policy makers (in government) must see and hear the FIRST in scientists (best and brightest) and give them a place at the table.  She went so far as to say, scientists and medical experts should actually BE the policy-makers.  It’s too risky to walk away and not be privy to what happens in your wake.

Private Enterprise:  The panel had representation from both large and small companies and interestingly each was focused on an innovative approach to solving a health care problem.   Arjun Rangarajan represents an incubator inside the Brigham, Adam Rogers is CEO of Hemera Biosciences, a startup focused on using gene therapy targeted at macular degeneration, Nabiha Saklayern – CEO and co-founder of Cellino Biotech runs a cell therapy startup using synthetic biology and nanotechnology.  Recognizing the possible challenges of scientists in an entrepreneurial environment, Nabiha is instilling a strong value system that puts diversity and cross-disciplinary capabilities up front and center.

Patients: Clearly patients and participants in clinical trials need a voice and need more insight into costs and choices.  Technology and the market may force some changes.  Chip Wilkerson, Director of Consumerism and Connected Health at Johnson & Johnson pointed out that Uber is  working with hospitals to ensure that clinical trial patients get to their appointments.

The question of “industry challenges” was raised and they agreed on the following calls to action:

• Among the various steps toward “The Future of #Healthcare” – we must embark on a a multi-sector, collaborative approach is critical to solving the health care problems – including research, policy-making, patient care, insurance, etc.
• Make preventative care and treatment a higher priority
• Think globally and find “equity” in healthcare solutions such that underserved parts of the world are not disintermediated from healthcare. ROI in the drug industry should include social impact or Social ROI as critical to development efforts.
• Recognize that the health care industry is nearly impossible for all onlookers to comprehend. The industry must become more transparent.  Most doctors would not actually know the cost of a “surgery” of any kind.  Patients have a right to know and understand costs.
• Think differently about how to get attention of key stakeholders and raise the level of discussion. For example, is the disease that is obesity a threat to national security?  If so, we can get their attention.  The fact that qualification for military service requires a particular BMI is an example of how to get their attention.
• Address the archaic practices and resource-challenges of the FDA. It is clearly an overworked organization that has restrictions in terms of both capacity and taking advantage of today’s communication opportunities.   It is ripe for an overhaul.

Looking back at my own Emory experience and the preeminence of the pre-med population, I can now see that Emory has created a high caliber community of health care professionals that represent the balanced outlook needed for the Future of Healthcare.    From the outside looking in, there appears to be an opportunity for Emory to step up its thought leadership and collaboration – leveraging the collective voices of the diaspora of medical and scientific professionals spawned on the Atlanta campus.   Emory’s Gayathri Srinivasan, Director of Public and Private Partnerships who wrapped up the session is in a perfect place to help bring forward these important initiatives.   The full discussion is here on Emory’s Soundcloud.