Dr. Jochen Reiser moderates expert panel on accelerating health care innovation at summit in Houston
The University of Texas Medical Branch joined global business and policy leaders this week for a landmark “Brain Capital” summit focused on positioning brain health as a vital economic driver.
The two-day event, held at the Texas Medical Center in Houston was bolstered by the proposed $3 billion Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT), a statewide ballot initiative set for November 2025, and the unveiling of a Brain Economy Transition Plan spearheaded by the Center for Houston’s Future.
As part of the summit, Dr. Jochen Reiser, president of The University of Texas Medical Branch and CEO of the UTMB Health System, led a high-impact panel discussion titled “From Discovery to Delivery: The Economic Value of Accelerating Healthcare Innovations.”
The session spotlighted how breakthrough research and novel care delivery models are driving measurable progress in access, affordability, and outcomes—advancing both health and the economy. Panelists emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence and digital transformation in scaling health care solutions from the lab to the clinic and, ultimately, to society.
Joining Reiser on the panel was Giulio Taglialatela, vice president of Brain Health at UTMB and director of the Moody Brain Health Institute at UTMB. Other panelists were Phyllis Barkman Ferrell, global head of the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative; Timothy Lash, president of West Health Institute; and Dr. Andrew Trister, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Verily.
Together, the panel examined how innovation is accelerating the translation of science into real-world impact—enhancing diagnostics, streamlining care coordination, and reducing inefficiencies. These advances are improving quality of care while boosting economic resilience by lowering health care costs and increasing workforce productivity.
“Health care transformation is no longer an aspiration—it’s a necessity,” Reiser said. “By uniting science, technology and policy, we can deliver better care faster and more efficiently, and we can do it in a way that fuels long-term economic growth.
“Texas is uniquely positioned to lead in this space,” added Reiser. “With our growing infrastructure, visionary leadership, and a collaborative spirit, we can make brain health innovation a pillar of our state’s economic strategy.”