BioForward (WI) Release: Annual Summit Highlights Impact Of Wisconsin’s Thriving Biohealth Industry In New Era Of Healthcare Solutions

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioForward, Inc., the member-driven association that serves as the voice of the biohealth industry in Wisconsin, showcased the strength of Wisconsin’s biohealth industry at their 2017 Wisconsin Biohealth Summit.

The event featured keynote and panel sessions with leaders and experts in the booming biohealth field who addressed the ongoing convergence of medicine and technology as it presents new opportunities, challenges, and shifts in today’s healthcare industry.

Morning keynote speaker Charlie Alvarez, Senior Advisor to the President for Foxconn Medical Group, discussed how emerging initiatives within health technologies are building a new future for Wisconsin’s biohealth industry.

“With a vast network of bioscience and medical technology resources, the state of Wisconsin is at the forefront of healthcare innovation,” said Alvarez. “Foxconn is eager to invest in the opportunities this state has to offer in terms of partnership and collaboration between high-tech manufacturers and Wisconsin’s state-wide supply chain to drive the capabilities of the healthcare industry.”

Wisconsin’s thriving biohealth industry was evidenced by the contributions of leadership and innovation exhibited by the recipients of the 2017 Wisconsin Biohealth Awards at the Summit.

Dr. Lynn Allen-Hoffmann, founder of Stratatech, was awarded the 2017 Hector F. DeLuca Scientific Award for developing novel regenerative medicine products for burn care and wound healing, and Cynthia LaConte, CEO and President of the Dohmen Company, was awarded the 2017 Wisconsin Biohealth Business Achievement Award for her achievements in creating a more efficient, effective and easy-to-use health experience for patients.

Dr. David Rhew, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Healthcare and Fitness for Samsung Electronics America, closed the event with a look into how disruptive digital health technology continues to shape the future of healthcare for patients and how an optimized healthcare delivery process will improve not only patient engagement, but better health outcomes overall.

BioForward’s Summit featured five panel sessions composed of industry leaders and experts that explored current topics within the biohealth field including personalized medicine, success stories from Wisconsin, attracting and retaining talent, and healthcare legislation and advocacy updates.

“The convergence between Wisconsin’s strength in biological science research and the state’s wide network of healthcare technology companies has created an expansive biohealth supply-chain that fuels innovation in integrated health solutions,” said Lisa Johnson, CEO of BioForward. “Wisconsin’s image is being progressively redefined by the growth and success of the biohealth industry.”

BioForward’s future initiatives include launching a biomanufacturing center of excellence and ensuring continued growth and success for Wisconsin’s biohealth industry. For more information on BioForward, please visit www.bioforward.org.

About BioForward Wisconsin

BioForward serves as the independent voice of Wisconsin’s biohealth industry, providing services and resources to support the growth of our industry throughout the U.S. and the world. BioForward is the only Wisconsin organization representing over 200 biohealth member companies including biotech, biopharma, medical device, diagnostics, digital health, as well as research institutions, and service providers. Our focus in 2017 is advocating on behalf of Wisconsin’s industry strength in integrated health solutions and research. We have implemented a Strength of Wisconsin Biohealth campaign and placed emphasis that BioForward represents this impactful industry for the state of Wisconsin.