Over 200 Attracted to November Healthcare and Medtech Reform Series Breakfast A terrific roster of CEOs, investors and experts offered great discussion and insights into the impacts and opportunities for Minnesota The Collaborative hosted a three-panel breakfast discussing healthcare and medtech, two of Minnesota's most important employers and growth engines for our economic future. This event featured 12 outstanding speakers who offered their insights on the evolving Healthcare Reform Legislation, wellness trends, data enabled solutions and the changing dynamics at the FDA and CMS. The audience of entrepreneurs, executives and investors were treated to an information-filled morning with vigorous networking opportunities.

After a healthy breakfast, the first session, “Health, IT & Wellness Impacts,” included (left to right, below) moderator Jeff Saunders, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney; Andrew Slavitt, CEO, OptumInsight; Kyle Rolfing, President, RedBrick Health; and Mark Briggs, CEO, ABILITY Network. The panelists considered the role of technology in healthcare and what opportunities exist for entrepreneurs. “There is an enormous amount of data in healthcare that remains siloed in proprietary systems. We think that this is a great opportunity,” asserted Briggs.  The other panelists agreed that sharing information is particularly important. “We leverage social media because we get sick together then get well together,” remarked Rolfing. The panel ended with comments on finding medtech investors and resources in Minnesota. “There is no more higher quality, no more thoughtful, no more talented workforce than here in Minnesota. This is one place where Minnesota can compete and get on top,” stated Slavitt.

After a strong networking break, program attendees returned to the discussion with the second session, “Medtech & Health Innovation Impacts.” The panelists were (left to right, below) moderator Chris Pulling, CEO, The Integra Group; Chad Cornell, Vice President Business Development, Medtronic; Nadim Yared, CEO, CVRx; and Dave Stassen, Managing Director, Split Rock Partners. Minnesota is known for its strengths in the medtech and health clusters.  The panelists looked at how we can continue to innovate and lead the nation in the regulatory and reimbursement environments. “Large healthcare markets have stalled.  Growth is imperative and innovation/technology is our vehicle,” stated Cornell.  However, “the industry is shrinking.  There is less money to invest and there is a lot of cost to distribute capital. Early stage investors are not getting paid to take those risks,” added Stassen.  “If I had to start today, and if I wanted to swim with the current, I would start with a small idea, small investment and try to exit early with a smaller exit,” concluded Yared.

The final session of the morning, “Care & Delivery Impacts,” featured (left to right, below) moderator James Davenport, Partner, KPMG; Douglas Wood, M.D., Director, Strategy & Policy, Mayo Clinic; Kathy Cooney, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, HealthPartners; and David Moen, M.D., President, Fairview Physician Associates. Panelists discussed how we must adapt to the changes (and how Minnesota is already ahead of) coming through healthcare reform. “We do not hold our delivery system accountable for providing health. We have to change the discussion to rational care rather than rationed care,” offered Wood. “We don’t have a healthcare system that delivers consistent health outcomes to the population. Physicians need to advocate for change in the systems,” agreed Moen. “People have to have more individual responsibility for their health. We need health to be a social movement,” added Cooney.

The Collaborative was pleased to host such an informative and well-attended Reform Series event and would like to thank our co-sponsors who made this event possible: Dorsey & Whitney, The Integra Goup, KPMG and Twin Cities Business.