Border Health Innovation Summit
Agenda 2026
7:30 - 8:00 AM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00 - 8:45 AM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Welcome & Opening Remarks - MCA
8:45 - 9:15 AM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Health as an Economic Engine, Why Some Regions Succeed
Eve Blossom - CEO & Founder of the Material Change Institute
9:15 - 9:45 AM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Critical Gaps to Execution: What Works Here - Translating Proven Models to the Borderplex
Aaron Chiu - General Partner at Turnstone Investments LLC
9:45 - 10:45 AM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Closing Translation, Commercialization & Delivery Gaps
As healthcare innovation accelerates, this panel will examine the critical gaps that exist between research, workforce development, and healthcare delivery. Panelists will explore barriers to translating innovation into practice, including workforce readiness, clinical adoption, infrastructure, funding, data, and cross-sector collaboration.
Moderator: Dr. Emmanuel Gorospe
Speakers: Eardie Curry, Dr. Kristina, Mena and Dr. Eric Rohren
10:45 - 11:00 AM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
BREAK - Networking & Exhibit Tables
11:00 - 11:30 AM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Innovative Models: What Accelerates Research to Commercializtion?
Moderator: Ryan Westberry
Speaker: Dr. Lauren Richardson
Luncheon Panel
The Hotel Paso del Norte Hotel, Autograph Collection
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Health as an Economic Driver: Aligning Vision, Investment, and Policy for Regional Competitiveness
Healthcare is more than a public service, it is a catalyst for economic growth. This panel will examine how strategic investments in health, education, workforce development, and innovation can strengthen the regional economy while improving quality of life. Discussions will focus on aligning policy, funding, and cross-sector partnerships to create a more competitive and resilient healthcare ecosystem for the Borderplex.
Welcome: Veronica Escobar
Moderator: Tracy Yellen
Speakers: Jacob Cintron and Dr. Mary E. Gonzalez
1:00 - 1:15 PM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
BREAK - Networking & Exhibit Tables
1:15 - 1:45 PM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Building an Integrated Care Network: Expanding Access & Improving Care, Lessons from the Field
Ginger Raya - Center Leader of the George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management and Associate Professor at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
1:45 - 2:45 PM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
A Connected Model: Regional Assets, Gaps, & Solutions
As healthcare innovation becomes increasingly collaborative, this panel will explore what it would take to build an integrated research, healthcare delivery, and policy network across the Borderplex. Panelists will examine the region's existing strengths, identify critical gaps in workforce, infrastructure, data, and policy, and discuss practical strategies for transforming ideas into coordinated action that advances healthcare innovation and regional impact.
Moderator: Frantz Berthaud
Speakers: Art Garza, John Hummer and Mylena Walker
2:45 - 3:00 PM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
BREAK - Exhibitor Showcase
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Funding the Future: How Regional Alignment Drives Investment, Innovation, and Growth
As healthcare innovation becomes increasingly collaborative, this panel will explore what it would take to build an integrated research, healthcare delivery, and policy network across the Borderplex. Panelists will examine the region's existing strengths, identify critical gaps in workforce, infrastructure, data, and policy, and discuss practical strategies for transforming ideas into coordinated action that advances healthcare innovation and regional impact.
Moderator: Daniel Jones
Speakers: Bill Allen, Dee Margo, and Emma Nevarez
4:00 - 4:20 PM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Closing Keynote – Christina Paz, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CEO, Centro San Vicente
4:20 - 4:30 PM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Closing Remarks & Call to Action
4:30 - 6:30 PM
Hotel Paso Del Norte
Reception & Networking