Opening Remarks by Rachel Hess

The 2017 Translational Medicine Symposium was held on Feb. 27th. The symposium addressed how clinicians' ideas and research results can have an impact on patient care - if they are translated into clinical practice. The symposium was a collaboration of the Entrepreneurial Faculty Scholars (EFS) program, led by Dr. Glenn D. Prestwich, the HHMI Med to Grad program (U2M2G), co-directed by Drs. Anthea Letsou and Dean Li, and the Center for Medical Innovation. Intended as a great opportunity for faculty, students, and postgraduate entrepreneurs to get acquainted with the complex and non-linear process of translating medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, digital health applications, and research tools so they can be used to impact patient care. Clinician innovators and entrepreneurs shared their experiences and a panel of experts discussed opportunities, barriers, and steps in creating impactful healthcare innovations.