Health Policy Symposium: What is the future of medicine?

In an age of rapid technological development, augmented reality and innovative therapeutics, what will the future of medicine look like? Baylor College of Medicine experts will explore that question at this year’s Health Policy Symposium, hosted by the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, on May 16. Sessions at the virtual event will address topics like artificial intelligence, brain computing, the metaverse and psychedelic research.

“We are thrilled to bring experts together to talk about pioneering techniques, treatments and technologies that are transforming medicine now and for the future,” said Dr. Amy McGuire, Leon Jaworski Professor of Biomedical Ethics and director of the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor. “The rich conversations will provide insights about human behavior, big data and health, with a focus on the ethical and policy considerations, as well as research and education needed to ensure all patients experience the greatest possible benefit. We hope attendees ask questions and walk away empowered to help address the toughest healthcare challenges that lie ahead.”

Symposium topics and panelists include:

• Intelligent Medicine: Drs. Sharmila Anandasabapathy, Erez Lieberman Aiden and Kristin Kostick-Quenet with moderator Dr. Laura Petersen
• Brain Computing: Drs. Jennifer Blumenthal-Barby, Sameer Sheth and Wayne Goodman with moderator Dr. Eric Alan Storch
• Medicine in the Metaverse: Drs. Teresia O'Connor, Deborah Thompson, Vasiliki Nataly Rahimzadeh with moderator Dr. Kristin Kostick-Quenet
• Psychedelics: Drs. Lynette A. Averil, Sanjay Matthew and Amy McGuire with moderator Dr. Mary Anderlik Majumder

Keynote lecturer Dr. Seth Stephens-Davidowitz is an author, data scientist and speaker who studies what we can learn about people from new internet data sources. He has worked as a contributing op-ed writer for the New York Times, a visiting lecturer at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a data scientist at Google. Dr. Jean Leclerc Raphael will moderate the session.

A virtual poster session will follow the panels and keynote address. The event will be hosted on Zoom from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register and see the full event program here.