Health Equity Quest 2025
Innovations in Cardiovascular Health
Summit | November 13, 2025
Thanks to everyone who attended all or part of our virtual summit featuring national thought leaders, innovators, and advocates exploring how to drive equitable innovation in cardiovascular health. The summit was hosted by 草莓社区's Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, in partnership with .
About the event
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S.— disproportionately affecting underrepresented communities. Emerging technologies, from wearables to AI-powered diagnostics, are creating new opportunities to prevent, detect, and manage heart conditions earlier and more effectively.
At the summit, faculty and students, health systems, community organizations, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and other leaders explored how to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for historically underserved communities.
Featured speakers
See below for a list of the leaders who spoke at Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest 2025.
Welcome remarks
, CEO, MATTER
Douglas W. Woods, PhD, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, 草莓社区
Elaine H. Morrato, DrPH, MPH, FISPE, CPH, Founding Dean, Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health
, Vice President, Technology Enablement, Alight Solutions
Keynote
, Medical Affairs and Research, Apple
Closing the Equity Gap in Wearables: A Panel Discussion
, Deputy Director of Advancing Health Equity Program, University of Chicago
Paula Barnes-Burris, MBA, Board Director, Vasowatch
, Partner, Equitage Ventures
, Executive Director of the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship, Illinois Institute of Technology (moderator)
Generative AI & Wearables: A Panel Discussion
, Professor, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
, Cardiologist and Professor of Medicine, Rush University
Francisco Iacobelli, PhD, Associate Professor, 草莓社区 (moderator)
Health in Real Time: A Panel Discussion
, Director, A.I. and Advanced Analytics and Clinical Assistant Professor, Endeavor Health Cardiovascular Institute and University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
, CEO, SP2 Consulting
, CEO, CommunityHealth
Karen Saban, PhD, RN, CNRN, FAHA, FAAN, Professor and Endowed Chair for Research, 草莓社区 (moderator)
Fireside chat
, Chief Medical & Scientific Officer and EVP, Advanced Technologies, iRhythm Technologies,
and Clinical Professor of Medicine and Founding Director, Center for Digital Health, Stanford University School of Medicine
Innovation in Action
2024 Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest
Last year, the Parkinson School partnered with MATTER to advance innovative solutions addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by early career professionals, including workplace stress and inequitable access to support.
2023 Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest
In 2023, Loyola convened national thought leaders and innovators to disrupt healthcare delivery through the lens of health equity and sustainability, addressing how the healthcare system's environmental impact creates and exacerbates health inequities.
Parkinson Impact Report
Opened in 2019鈥攁nd forged during the COVID-19 global pandemic鈥擫oyola's Parkinson School is proudly celebrating its 5-year anniversary. It is helping transform health care through education, research, and community partnerships, all in the Jesuit tradition.
Contributing Partners
Corporate Sponsor
