DALLAS, November 8, 2024 – Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death globally, including in the United States, where high blood pressure, obesity, and other risk factors contribute to high mortality rates. As experts strive to improve patient outcomes, the American Heart Association (AHA) recognizes the importance of accelerating advancements in healthcare technology to bridge the gap between clinical recommendations and daily habits.
The AHA’s Center for Health Technology & Innovation has announced the five finalists in its 7th annual Health Tech Competition. This live forum provides a platform for healthcare technology start-up companies to showcase innovative solutions for treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases and stroke. This year’s competition aims to drive technological advancements that can transform outcomes for heart and brain health patients. The AHA, a voluntary health organization dedicated to longer, healthier lives for all, has been leading this effort for over a century.
Winning technology solutions in the Health Tech Competition are designed to involve, engage, or support patient treatment. They address issues in areas such as antithrombotic therapy, coronary artery disease/acute coronary syndrome, cardiovascular kidney metabolic syndrome, cardiometabolic health, electrophysiology, heart failure, hypertension, imaging, lipid management, resuscitation, stroke, surgery, and vascular medicine. The Laerdal Million Lives Fund provides financial support for the competition, which is produced by the American Heart Association.
The finalists will present their innovative technologies at the AHA’s Scientific Sessions 2024, a leading international exchange for the latest scientific advancements, research, and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. Final presentations will be conducted live before a panel of expert judges at McCormick Place in Chicago on November 16-17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CT) in the Health Innovation Pavilion within the Science and Technology Hall.
The finalists include:
- Flow Medical (Chicago)
- Heka Heart (New York City)
- Powerful Medical (New York City)
- Proton Intelligence (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
- Rheoxtech, Inc. (Chicago)
The presentations will be evaluated on these criteria:
- Validity: How well the working prototype or product functions in the market.
- Scientific Rigor: If validation research utilizes evidence-based health research.
- Impact: The extent to which the product improves patient outcomes through innovative technology.
The competition will be divided into two parts: formal business and science “pitches,” each evaluated by a panel of experts.
Part 1: Business Pitch Judges
- Robert A. Harrington, M.D., FAHA, volunteer past president of the American Heart Association (2019-2020), chair of the American Heart Association’s Health Tech Advisory Group for the Center for Health Technology and Innovation and the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and provost for medical affairs of Cornell University
- Jeff Trost, managing partner at the Laerdal Million Lives Fund
- Ken Nelson, partner at the Med Tech Advantage Fund
- Lee Schwamm, M.D., FAHA, volunteer member of the American Heart Association Center for Telehealth Expert Panel; senior vice president and chief digital health officer of Yale New Haven Health; and associate dean of digital strategy and transformation at Yale School of Medicine
- Heather Provino, business growth and healthcare specialist at Scanlon Group
- Lisa Suennen, managing partner at American Heart Association Ventures
- Domenico Cianflone, M.D. at Universita Vita Salute, San Raffaele Milano Universita Vita Salute
- Rashmee Shah, M.D., adjunct associate professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine and clinical research scientist at Meta
- Devon Bream, general manager and president at GE Healthcare
Part 2: Science Pitch Judges
- Eric Peterson, M.D., MPH, vice provost and senior associate dean for clinical research at UT Southwestern
- Tiffany Powell-Wiley, M.D., social determinants of obesity and cardiovascular risk at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Mike McConnell, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at Stanford University
- Alexander J. Blood, M.D., cardiologist, intensivist and clinical researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Asif Ali, M.D., University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston
- Marat Fudim, M.D., advanced heart failure specialist at Duke University
- Star Jones, lawyer/TV personality, Divorce Court, and American Heart Association national volunteer
The competition winner will be announced live on November 17. The winner will be awarded membership in the Center for Health Technology & Innovation Innovators’ Network. This network connects entrepreneurs, providers, researchers, and payers. They collaborate on different projects, including developing models for clinical outcome studies, which reduces the cost of independently developing these studies. They also help connect science to technology and provide evidence of digital platforms that improve healthcare outcomes — a key concern for providers and payers. Innovators’ Network members gain access to the AHA’s digital guidelines, recommendations, and scientific resources as they develop digital healthcare technologies.
“The Center for Health Technology & Innovation is dedicated to fostering impactful solutions for global health challenges,” said Harrington. “Through their network, members can collaborate, access valuable resources and accelerate advancements that address critical issues through cutting-edge science and technology.”
Additional Resources
- AHA news release: Winner announced in Scientific Sessions 2023 Health Tech Competition
- AHA news release: 5 finalists announced in global Health Tech Competition
- Follow AHA/ASA news on Twitter @HeartNews
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force working towards a world where everyone can live longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health across all communities. We work together with many organizations. With millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for public health, and share life-saving resources. Based in Dallas, the AHA has been a leading source of health information for a century.
During 2024, our Centennial year, we are celebrating our 100-year legacy and accomplishments. As we enter our second century, we have a vision to advance health and hope for everyone worldwide. Connect with us at heart.org, Facebook, X, or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
214-706-1173 Karen Springs: 214-706-4831; karen.springs@heart.org Monica Sales: 214-706-1527; monica.sales@heart.org
For Public Inquiries:
1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) heart.org and stroke.org
[1] Martin, Seth S., et al. “2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A report of US and Global Data from the American Heart Association.” Circulation, vol. 149, no. 8, 20 Feb. 2024, https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001209.
