Featured Speakers

Featured Speakers

Keynote

  • Edmondo Robinson is the Founder and CEO of Downeast Digital and a national leader in digital health and innovation with over 25 years of experience in health care delivery, management, and leadership. Dr. Robinson is a prominent public speaker and thought leader who provides management and strategic consulting as well as board and advisory services. At Downeast Digital he is leading the charge to leverage digital innovation to solve some of the toughest challenges in health care. Dr. Robinson is an academic hospitalist who provides patient care as well as trainee and student teaching as part of the Hospital Medicine service at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.

    Previously, Dr. Robinson served as Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Moffitt Cancer Center. There he founded and led the Center for Digital Health which created digital services, programs, partnerships, and technologies focused on preventing and curing cancer. He also co-led the creation of CancerX, a public-private partnership using digital innovations and transformation to achieve the goals of the White House Cancer Moonshot. Prior to that, Dr. Robinson was the Chief Transformation Officer and Senior Vice President of Consumerism at ChristianaCare, one of the largest health systems in the mid-Atlantic. He was responsible for the transformation of health care delivery to advance population health initiatives and the move from volume-based to value-based care with a special focus on developing and managing ChristianaCare’s consumerism and digital strategies.

    Dr. Robinson is a professor in the departments of Internal Medicine and Oncologic Science at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine. He serves as a Director of the Boards of Ardent Health and Carriage Services, Trustee of the Board of the University of Vermont Health Network, and former Chair of the National Advisory Council for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a senior fellow of the Society of Hospital Medicine, and a former Aspen Institute Health Innovators Fellow. He holds a medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles; an MBA with an emphasis in health care management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania; and a master’s degree in health policy research from the University of Pennsylvania.

  • Founder & CEO, PopCheck Technologies, Inc.

    Erika Dillard, MD, PhD is a physician scientist and medical device entrepreneur dedicated to improving surgical outcomes through innovation. She earned her MD/PhD from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where her doctoral research focused on developing novel viral therapeutics for malignant brain tumors. Her clinical training in neurosurgery and neurocritical care ignited a passion for patient safety and the systemic challenges patients face post-operatively, particularly among vulnerable and underserved populations. Dr. Dillard is the founder and CEO of PopCheck Technologies ®, a Memphis-based medical device startup developing VenaCheck®, a non-invasive, AI-enabled wearable with connected digital platform designed to remotely monitor and predict the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in high-risk surgical patients. PopCheck’s mission is to deliver technology that empowers earlier interventions and stress-free recoveries, starting with VTE and expanding to other preventable complications.

    An advocate for diversifying the biotech and healthcare innovation ecosystem, Dr. Dillard has served as President of BioTN’s Mid-South Academic Alliance, a workforce development organization focused on life science graduate students and post-doctoral candidates at institutions across Tennessee. She has served on the National Medical Association’s Council on Concerns of Women Physicians (CCWP) since 2021. Her work has been supported by the NIH, NSF, and regional innovation hubs, and she continues to mentor the next generation of clinician-entrepreneurs through exposure to non-traditional roles in healthcare innovation.

  • Chief Health Officer, Cityblock Health

    Kameron Leigh Matthews MD, JD, FAAFP is the Chief Health Officer of Cityblock Health, a transformative, value-based healthcare provider integrating medical, behavioral, and social services for Medicaid and dually eligible, low-income Medicare beneficiaries. She previously led transformational efforts at the Veterans Health Administration focused on integrated, Veteran-centered models of care including the implementation of the MISSION Act of 2018 and the EHR modernization effort. She is Senior Faculty with the Weitzman Insitute, and Associate Clinical Professor - Volunteer with the Department of Family and Community Medicine at University of California at San Francisco. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine where she chairs the Health Policy Fellowships and Leadership Programs Advisory Committee and is a member of the Standing Committee on Primary Care. She is a member of the sixth class of the Aspen Institute's Health Innovators Fellowship. She co-chairs the Health System and Provider Advisory Board of the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI).  As a passion outside of work, she co-founded and directs the Tour for Diversity in Medicine (T4D), an initiative seeking to bring premedical enrichment activities to underrepresented minority high school and undergraduate students across the country. She completed her bachelor's degree at Duke University, her medical degree at Johns Hopkins University, and her law degree at the University of Chicago. She is currently located in Washington, DC where she lives with her husband Mazi.

  • President, TruLite Health

    Dr. Walter Conwell is President of TruLite Health where he is focused on expanding the awareness and implementation of TruLite's innovative software. He most recently served as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Associate Dean for Faculty Development at the Morehouse School of Medicine. A graduate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Dr. Conwell received his bachelor of science degree from Florida A&M University and master of business administration degree from the University of Colorado Business School. He is a practicing physician specializing in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on topics related to medical education, health economics, and health equity.

  • Founder & CEO, Marti Health

    Dr. Michael Vincent Smith is a heart surgeon, former health insurance executive, and nationally recognized expert in patient engagement and care management for special needs populations. He is the Founder and CEO of Marti Health, a health equity startup based in Atlanta, Georgia, launching the nation’s first specialized medical home for individuals with sickle cell disease.

    Dr. Smith brings a unique interdisciplinary background at the intersection of clinical excellence, value-based care, and technology innovation. Under his leadership, Marti Health is transforming sickle cell care by integrating evidence-based medical standards, advanced digital tools, and community-based participatory approaches to reduce preventable hospitalizations and improve quality of life.

    He previously established Georgia’s first lung cancer early detection program and launched the state’s first bloodless cardiac surgery program, broadening access to life-saving interventions for diverse and often underserved patient populations. Additionally, Dr. Smith was the first African American to complete the general surgery training program at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. He is also a recognized author and speaker on population health and complex care management. His work with Marti Health has been recognized nationally for its groundbreaking approach to care.

  • Tonja Wynn Hampton, MD is the Executive Director, Section Head, Heart Failure and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Global Regulatory Affairs at Merck & Co, Inc. Leading a team of regulatory liaisons, she oversees the development and execution of regulatory strategies, including global health authority interactions, for the submission and maintenance of cardiovascular products for the company. During her 20+ years at Merck, she has also contributed to the development of women’s health and neuroscience products.

    In addition to her role as Section Head, Tonja serves on Merck’s Pediatric Development Committee, guiding pediatric development across Merck’s portfolio. She also represents Merck on the pediatric committees of the industry organizations, BIO and PhRMA. With her strong desire to build talent in the pharmaceutical industry, for the past 10 years, Tonja has been the regulatory preceptor for the Merck/Rutgers PharmD Fellowship Program. Most recently, she assumed the position of Co-Program Lead for the Merck Physician Scientist Program, which seeks to identify diverse and talented physicians completing residency or fellowship programs and provide them with the opportunity to build skills and gain hands on experience for a career in the pharmaceutical industry. She is a member of the following external organizations: Drug Information Association, Healthcare Businesswoman Association, and Women of Color in Pharma.

    Tonja earned a BA degree in chemistry and her MD degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). Following a pediatric residency at Emory University School of Medicine, she worked as a general pediatrician in a group practice in metropolitan Atlanta for over seven years. Prior to joining Merck in 2004, Tonja worked at WebMD and later as the Wellness Coordinator at The Center in Black Women’s Wellness in Atlanta.

    Tonja is married and has two daughters and a silver Labrador. She loves exploring new restaurants, reading, cooking, attending plays/musicals, and traveling and is an avid Tar Heel basketball fan.

  • Founder & Chief Executive Officer, IndyGeneUS Bio

    Yusuf Henriques is a visionary entrepreneur and Howard University alumnus leading the charge in global biotech innovation. As Founder & CEO of IndyGeneUS Bio—a groundbreaking biofintech company—he is reshaping healthcare through African genomics, blockchain technology, and AI-driven drug discovery.

    With over 25 years of experience in healthcare, regulatory science, and national security, Yusuf has served in critical roles at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) at the U.S. Department of Defense. His work has focused on advancing medical product approvals, biosecurity strategies, and mental health solutions for veterans.

    Yusuf founded TruGenomix Health to develop the first gene expression assay for PTSD, directly addressing veteran suicide. At IndyGeneUS Bio, he leads the development of the world’s largest African diaspora biobank, empowering individuals with genomic data ownership and transforming global drug discovery. His leadership has secured over $300M in federal contracts and $4M in venture and grant funding.

    Yusuf works with international partners like the Aurum Institute, GHI, and PlantForm Corporation to develop biosimilars and AIxBio platforms that center African genomic data. He is building a future where science serves the full spectrum of humanity.

  • President & CEO, MD Newsline

    Obi Osuji is a strategic business leader and entrepreneur with a track record of driving growth at the intersection of healthcare, media, and technology. He is the President and CEO of MD Newsline, a digital health media company that connects healthcare professionals with actionable, patient-centric clinical content. Prior to this, Obi led strategic initiatives at Google, where he specialized in go-to-market strategy, product marketing, and advertising measurement across high-impact platforms.

    Obi began his career in management consulting at McKinsey & Company, advising Fortune 500 companies on growth strategy, operational efficiency, and organizational transformation. His work consistently focused on delivering measurable outcomes and building scalable systems across industries.

    Obi holds a dual Master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, earning an MBA and a Master of Design Innovation (MDI), equipping him with a rare blend of strategic insight and creative problem-solving. He also studied global business strategy at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, further honing his international business perspective. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

    Obi is passionate about using media and data to reduce disparities in healthcare and is building platforms that empower both patients and professionals to engage more deeply in the future of medicine.

  • Founder. Black Health Connect

    Dr. Duclas Charles is a first-generation Haitian-American born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. A licensed pharmacist and consultant specializing in medical cannabis, he brings expertise in the endocannabinoid system and phytocannabinoid-derived medications. As the Founder of Black Health Connect (BHC), he has built the largest interdisciplinary and intergenerational network of Black healthcare professionals—fostering community, career advancement, and health equity through curated global events and initiatives. Find Your Community.

    Duclas discovered his passion for science and community engagement as a Chemistry Major at Brooklyn Technical High School, which led him to pursue a Doctorate in Pharmacy at Howard University, an HBCU in Washington, DC. After earning his degree, he returned to New York to begin his pharmacy career, gaining experience across community, hospital, and tech-based pharmacy start-ups, where he served as an Operations Manager before transitioning into medical cannabis. His passion for patient education, integrative medicine, and health equity made medicinal cannabis a natural fit, and he now advocates for increased access and research.

    Beyond his work in medical cannabis, Duclas is dedicated to building infrastructure for Black healthcare professionals. He founded Black Health Connect to address the critical need for representation, leadership, and entrepreneurship in healthcare. BHC has grown into a thriving international network of over 30,000 professionals across 24 U.S. markets and four countries, providing a digital and physical hub for Black healthcare leaders, practitioners, and organizations. Through BHC’s annual national conference in Washington, DC, regional networking events, and professional development programs, the organization actively bridges gaps in mentorship, career opportunities, and industry influence.

    Duclas has served as a Board Member for The Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine (ACHEM) and is affiliated with the International Society of Cannabis Pharmacists, the Association of Cannabis Specialists, the National Pharmaceutical Association, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. In addition to his healthcare leadership, he sits on the advisory cabinet for Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE-NYC), a groundbreaking initiative focused on increasing economic opportunity and equity for Black entrepreneurs in the city.

    With a mission rooted in collaboration, empowerment, and innovation, Dr. Duclas Charles champions belonging, equity, and inclusion in healthcare—ensuring that Black and Brown professionals succeed and shape the future of medicine and health equity. Helping professionals in Healthcare Find Their Community.

  • Executive Vice President, Mount Sinai Health System

    Dean for Multicultural and Community Affairs, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    Dr. Butts is currently Executive Vice President, Mount Sinai Health System and Dean for Multicultural and Community Affairs, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is a visionary leader with over 25 years’ experience in designing, developing, implementing and managing programs and strategies in executive level academic healthcare. Dr. Butts has overseen the development of one of the nation’s (if not world’s) most comprehensive, full thickness and impactful equity and inclusion programs for an academic health care system. In these roles, Dr. Butts is responsible for oversight, management and integration of all aspects of equity and inclusion programs and policies for the Mount Sinai Health System, including the medical and graduate schools (over 3,800 faculty and 650 students), graduate medical education (nearly 3,000 trainees) and the Mount Sinai Health System hospitals (42,000+ employees). In 2019, as Principle Founder, he co-founded the Discovery and Innovation Hub (DIH): A Mount Sinai Venture. A first for a health care system, the DIH intentionally intersects priorities of equity and inclusion with innovation and technology, addressing the lack of inclusion in the health innovation and technology space by expanding the inclusion and capacity of entrepreneurs with tech and innovation pathways and focus on local community entrepreneurship.

    Dr. Butts has been the leading senior representative and voice for deans and leaders in New York State through Associated Medical Schools of New York as Chair for the Committee on Diversity and Multicultural Affairs since 2006 and has mentored dozens of leaders in D&I for medical schools and health systems.

    Dr. Butts completed his training in pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital after graduating from Cornell Medical College. He holds joint appointments as Professor with tenure in the Departments of Pediatrics, Medical Education, and Environmental Medicine/Public Health.