2026 Healthcare Conference: Technology-Driven Healthcare

panelists at the front of healthcare conference

The fourth annual SMU Cox Healthcare Conference will bring together top healthcare executives, policy makers and academic experts to explore the technology behind healthcare innovation and its progression. The agenda features a full day of engaging discussions, networking and thought leadership.

Highlights Include:

A Fireside Chat featuring leaders from McKesson and other industry thought-leaders
Four panel discussions focused on topical issues facing the industry
Networking reception with peers from across the North Texas healthcare industry

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Featured Guests

The 2026 SMU Cox Healthcare Conference opens and closes with bold technological insights from leaders driving transformation across both private and public healthcare sectors, as well as voices from academia.

The day begins with a Fireside Chat featuring leaders from McKesson. Brian Tyler, Ph.D., CEO, in conversation with Francisco Fraga, CIO and CTO will discuss technology in service of healthcare.

To conclude the day, stay for a compelling keynote address from David Rhew, Global Chief Medical Officer and VP of Health & Life Sciences at Microsoft, that underscores the evolving landscape of healthcare tech.

Brian Tyler Ph.D.
CEO, McKesson

Francisco Fraga
EVP, CIO and CTO, McKesson

David Rhew
Global Chief Medical Officer and VP of Health & Life Sciences,
Microsoft

Informative Panel Discussions

Panel I: AI in Healthcare

This panel will examine the current state of AI in healthcare and its potential to transform clinical care, operations and decision-making. Panelists will discuss how healthcare organizations are navigating deployment, change management, governance and other challenges associated with responsible AI adoption. Panelists include:

Vishal Ahuja, Associate Professor, SMU Cox
Mark Reardon, Chief Medical Officer, ClosedLoop
Kevin Kumler, President and General Manager, Levanto

Moderator: Marco Restrepo, Partner, Chartis Group

audience asking questions at Collins Center

Panel II: How Technology is Approaching Healthcare

This panel will explore how technology companies, innovators and investors are approaching healthcare’s most pressing challenges. Panelists will discuss the convergence of disruptive technologies, care delivery, regulation and investment—and what it takes to move promising solutions from concept to meaningful clinical impact. Panelists include:

Vikas Chowdhry, CEO, TraumaCare.AI
Sanjay Doddamani, CEO, GuideHealth
Ashley McClellan, Founder and CEO, MedCurate

Moderator: TBD

photos of attendees at healthcare conference

Panel III: How Health Systems are Approaching Technology

This panel will explore how leading health systems are approaching emerging technologies while navigating concerns around workforce disruption, patient privacy, security and trust. Panelists will share how their organizations are balancing innovation with responsible implementation to improve care and operational efficiency. Panelists include:

Winjie Miao, CEO, Texas Health Resources
Fred Cerise, President & CEO, Parkland Health
Allen Harrison, President, Medical City (HCA Healthcare)
Pete McCanna, CEO, Baylor Scott &White Health

Moderator: Ken Malcolmson, President Emeritus, NDCC

Panel IV: Regulatory Approach to Healthcare Technology

This panel will bring together leaders in law, government, public policy, communications and the health and life sciences. Panelists will explore how these sectors intersect to shape regulation, influence public dialogue and address the complex challenges facing healthcare and innovation today. Panelists include:

Rob Kantrowitz, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
Mary Kosinski, Global Managing Director of Health & Life Sciences, FleishmanHillard
Erin Tawney, Regional Director - Dallas Region, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Moderator: Seema Mohapatra, MD Anderson Foundation Endowed Professor in Health Law and Professor of Law, SMU Dedman School of Law

Program Sponsors

question from the audience at healthcare conference

Register to Attend

In this and other offerings/events, the Healthcare Leadership Development Initiative has hosted programming specifically for the healthcare community of DFW. Tap into the network of this Initiative via this annual conference.

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Explore More from the Initiative

Created in 2022, the Healthcare Leadership Development Initiative supports community healthcare leaders hone in their skills, connect with like-minded practitioners who are also in the field, and help contribute to the academic dialogue of healthcare leadership.

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