The keynote speakers at this year’s HIMSS conference in Las Vegas include two high-level government officials, a former executive chairman at one of the world’s biggest technology firms and a CEO on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list.
Oh, and one of the best NBA players of all-time, who now oversees a $1 billion investment firm.
Here’s a rundown of the five keynote speakers at HIMSS18.
Eric Schmidt, technical advisor and former executive chairman at Alphabet Inc.
Keynote: Technology for a healthier future: Modernization, machine learning and moonshots
People are excited for this keynote address, particularly since Alphabet has gradually increased its interest in healthcare with significant startup investments, including Verily, an analytics company that is looking to partner with insurers, according to a recent CNBC report.
Healthcare executives across the industry are intently focused on how big technology firms like Alphabet plan to impact healthcare. Schmidt plans to discuss how machine learning and the cloud are changing the way clinicians treat disease, and what the industry can do to speed up innovation.
Monday, March 5. 5:00-6:00 p.m. Palazzo Ballroom.
David Shulkin, M.D., VA secretary, and Vice Admiral Raquel C. Bono, director of the Defense Health Agency
Keynote: It takes a community: Delivering 21st century coordinated care for those in and out of uniform
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, M.D., is coming off a bit of a rough patch. In February, the VA inspector general said the agency paid for Shulkin’s wife’s airfare to Europe along with leisure time during a 10-day trip. The agency told Shulkin to reimburse the costs, and he has since acknowledged the distraction, but he’s also reportedly facing headwinds from the Trump administration amid reports that he was caught in a power struggle within the agency.
At the same time, he's leading the VA through high-level modernization efforts, including a massive project to update the system's EHR platform.
Despite February's news cycle, he's still on track to deliver a keynote address at HIMSS along with Vice Admiral Raquel C. Bono, the director of the Defense Health Agency. The pair will talk about advancements in the use of health data within the military health system and innovations taking place across the VA. Whether he’ll announce the VA’s contract with Cerner at that time remains to be seen.
Friday, March 9. 8:30-10:15 a.m. Palazzo Ballroom.
Keller Rinaudo, founder and CEO of Zipline
Keynote: Innovative leadership, robotic technology and the future of healthcare
Named to Forbes’ prestigious “30 Under 30” list last year in the consumer technology category, Keller Rinaudo oversees a company that manages drones designed to carry life-saving medical supplies to areas in need. The company has focused its efforts on some of the most remote parts of the world.
In his keynote address, Rinaudo will talk about what role technology and robotics play in the future of healthcare and what it’s like to “emerge as an innovation leader in a sector dominated by entrenched systems.”
Friday, March 9. 8:30-10:15 a.m. Palazzo Ballroom.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises
Keynote: Perspectives on leadership and healthcare advocacy
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is among the best professional basketball players of his generation (and perhaps all-time). Now he is co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, serves as president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers and oversees a $1 billion investment firm.
His investment work includes a number of technology startups and has dedicated whatever energy he has leftover to making a positive impact on underserved communities. In the HIMSS closing keynote, Johnson will talk about his recipe for success, his work advocating for HIV/AIDS awareness and his thoughts on leadership.
Friday, March 9. 1:15-2:30 p.m. Palazzo Ballroom.