Business Advancement Center for Health Signature Events
Convene Conference
Held annually each April, the Carlson School's Convene Conference is a thought-leadership conference focused on the intersection of healthcare, technology, and data analytics as major solutions to healthcare issues.
The conference brings together leaders from the provider, payer, technology and regulatory sectors who address how innovations can transform access, quality, and health equity. Convene offers opportunities for attendees to engage with keynote speakers, participate in engaging panels, and have one-on-one conversations with nationally recognized industry leaders, all while encouraging cross-disciplinary learning and collaboration.
Since January 2022 the conference has been hosted by the Business Advancement Center for Health (BACH); prior to that, the Medical Industry Leadership Institute was the host (September 2017-December 2021).
Health Sector Leaders Consortium
Held annually in the fall, four to five health leaders from various sectors are invited to share their perspectives about the challenges, the innovations, and the opportunities they see when it comes to achieving equity in the healthcare sector.
The Consortium is tailored to encourage collaboration through an engaging networking session which takes place following the presentations. BACH aims to bring together diverse stakeholders from academia, industry, and the community, all of whom share a passion for advancing accessible healthcare.
The Health Sector Leaders Consortium is not just an event; it's a call to action. Together, we can leverage the strength of Minnesota's healthcare community, lead in addressing complex healthcare problems, foster collaboration, and drive health equity.
UMN Interdisciplinary Health Data Competition
Launched in 2020 and held annually in the spring, the University of Minnesota Interdisciplinary Health Data Competition marked a significant stride towards fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling contemporary healthcare challenges.
Participants in this data competition engage in a thorough exploratory analysis of designated datasets, leveraging data science tools and methodologies to offer inventive solutions and insights.
This event serves as a platform for graduate students from diverse disciplines at the University of Minnesota to actively apply, refine, and exhibit their comprehension of real-world healthcare issues, showcasing their adeptness in addressing these challenges through innovative applications of data science and presenting their findings directly to sponsors and judges.
Most Recent Event
Health Sector Leaders Consortium: October 15, 2024
Watch 2024 Consortium Sessions Now
Previous Events
(April 25, 2024)
*SmartTech is broadly defined as "advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data science within the med tech space."
Healthcare industry leaders, experts, and innovators gathered to advance a vision of making the region a global hub for smart medical technologies, leveraging AI, machine learning, and advanced data analytics. Participants explored key partnerships, the integration of smart technologies with electronic health records, and strategies for market innovation, including funding considerations.
(April 2, 2024)
Theme: A Comprehensive Look at MN and What We Can Learn Pre- and Post-Pandemic
This unique competition showcases innovative solutions to pressing healthcare challenges, directly from the talented students at the University of Minnesota. This year, 62 students across 10 different programs joined forces to showcase their understanding of real-world healthcare problems and their abilities to solve them with innovative use of data science.
(October 17, 2023)
The Consortium is an opportunity to engage at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and community collaboration! This event brought together industry leaders who are change makers in the business of healthcare. Presenters shared important trends they saw impacting their business or organization, highlighted innovative projects or initiatives their organization is working on, and discussed challenges and opportunities within their sector.
Convene 2023 focused on the interconnectedness of the health sector and how data, analytics, and technology can drive solutions to advance value and health equity. In 2023, Convene was awarded a Bronze Stevie Award for Conferences & Meetings – Conferences, by the American Business Awards®. Based in the thriving Twin Cities healthcare ecosystem, the conference promotes cross- disciplinary learning with keynote speakers, engaging panels, and one-on-one conversations with nationally recognized, leading executives in the health sector.
View Recordings
(November 8, 2022)
Healthcare data is abundant but accessing this information can be challenging for researchers. MN Community Measurement (MNCM) is a nonprofit organization that plays an important role in Minnesota as a trusted source of information on health care quality, cost, and equity. MNCM is working to make healthcare data more visible and accessible for payers, providers, researchers, and others to better understand gaps in care and to inform improvement efforts. Learn about the data that MNCM collects and how MNCM works with researchers to utilize their data. Presentation materials.
(September 20, 2022)
This inaugural event brought together industry leaders who are disrupting the status quo of business in healthcare. Watch the recordings to learn more about how industry trends, innovation, and cross-sector engagement are driving solutions to address value, access, and health equity. Presenters included Andy McMahon (Vice President, Community Investment & Innovation, UnitedHealthcare Community & State), Grady Davis (Vice President, Global Commercial Marketing Structural Heart, Medtronic), Sarah Taylor (Vice President & Chief Analytics Officer, Prime Therapeutics), Frank Jaskulke (Vice President of Intelligence, Medical Alley Association), Mark Steffen (Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota), Sami Yusuf (Vice Chair of Corporate Development, Mayo Clinic International), and was moderated by BACH Founding Director Prof. Pinar Karaca-Mandic.
Health Sector Leaders Consortium Recording - Part 1 - featuring Andy McMahon, Grady Davis, and Sarah Taylor
Health Sector Leaders Consortium Recording - Part 2 - featuring Frank Jaskulke, Mark Steffen, and Sami Yusuf
(May 17, 2022)
This discussion, led by BACH Founding Director Prof. Pinar Karaca-Mandic, reviewed recent legal and policy questions under discussion in the Courts and Congress and examined how stakeholders are responding to the ever-evolving 340B program landscape. Presenters included Thomas Barker, JD (Foley Hoag, LLP); Sayah Nikpay, PhD (University of Minnesota School of Public Health); and Faraz Siddiqui, JD, MPH (Hyman, Phelps & McNamara). Read a Summary and view the Presentation Materials.
(April 26, 2022)
CONVENE is a thought-leadership conference focused on the intersection of healthcare, technology, and data analytics as major solutions to healthcare issues. The 4th annual Convene explored consumerism in healthcare and the evolution of digital health innovations to support personalized care. Leaders from the patient, provider, payer, medical device, and regulatory sectors addressed how their organizations are transforming the medical industry to increase access and improve the quality of care.
(April 5, 2022)
The University of Minnesota hosted the 3rd annual Health Data Competition promoting interdisciplinary collaboration using data to address current healthcare challenges. Student teams analyzed the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider & Systems (HCAHPS) survey to assess how patient experience in a hospital setting impacts other aspects of care.
(March 2, 2022)
The University of Minnesota research team partnered with the Minnesota Hospital Association to introduce their new study "Social Bonds as a Pooled Financing Mechanism to Address Social Drivers of Health Equity." The study, led by BACH Founding Director Prof. Pinar Karaca-Mandic, investigates if a novel social bond can pool resources across multiple competing health plans to create stable, long-term financing for interventions addressing social determinants of health and promoting racial justice and health equity.
(December 1, 2021)
MILI Academic Director, Prof. Pinar Karaca-Mandic and MILI Executive in Residence, Gopal Khanna talk with Dr. Meena Seshamani, the newly appointed Director for the Center for Medicare, on her vision for the future of Medicare, and the challenges and opportunities the industry faces in the post-pandemic era of health.
(November 10, 2021)
Lucas Nesse, (President & CEO, MCHP), Andrea Walsh (President & CEO, HealthPartners), and John Naylor (President & CEO, Medica) discussed the landscape of nonprofit health plans in Minnesota, the impact of nonprofit health plans, industry trends, and the employment outlook.
(October 13, 2021)
Biologics have revolutionized the treatment of care, but often at high prices. As the biosimilar market evolves with new biosimilars coming to market, it is essential to consider patient, provider, payer, manufacturer, and policy dynamics that influence uptake and affordability. This virtual panel discussion, led by BACH Founding Director and Prime Therapeutics leadership, introduces the biosimilars landscape and discusses coverage and pricing of biosimilars, provider-level factors influencing uptake, legislative challenges, and manufacturer perspectives. Presentation Materials.