Virtual Healthcare in the Mainstream: Experts Unite to Shape the Future of Care
A packed house of clinicians, researchers, and technology leaders gathered on November 7, 2025, for the 8th Annual Virtual Healthcare in the Mainstream Symposium & Research Forum, underscoring the growing momentum behind virtual care. The event featured thought-provoking discussions on artificial intelligence, wearable technology, telehealth platforms, and governance frameworks, all aimed at making healthcare more accessible, proactive, and patient-centered.
“Technology should help us deliver smarter care without losing the human touch,” said Dr. Rahul Sharma, Barbara and Stephen Friedman Professor and Chair of Emergency Medicine and Founder & Executive Director at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Center for Virtual Care. “This symposium shows what’s possible when technology, data, and human connection come together to redefine care delivery.”
A Gathering of Leaders Driving Virtual Care Forward
The program brought together experts from across disciplines. Dr. Rajiv Kumar, clinical lead for Apple’s digital health and prevention strategies, emphasized privacy-first design and patient empowerment, urging innovators to educate rather than alarm patients when sharing health data. Dr. Jonathan Chen, physician and AI researcher at Stanford Medicine, explored the promise of “agentic AI”—systems that act on behalf of patients and clinicians—while reminding attendees that human empathy remains irreplaceable. (And he presented his talk with a dose of magic as well!)
Dr. Anurag Gupta, known for his work in telehealth platforms, shared lessons from pandemic-era “bring your own device” models and demonstrated how his work with web-based tools has connected dementia patients to board-certified physicians in seconds. Dr. Ricky Bloomfield, Chief Medical Officer at Oura Ring, highlighted how wearables are moving beyond fitness to become essential tools for chronic disease management, mitigation of burnout, and promotion of holistic health.
“This year we really doubled down at being at the very cutting edge of technology,” said Dr. Alex Fortenko, Director of Clinical Innovation in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. “The speakers showed us what could be possible for our patients in the not-so-distant future if we build bridges between industry and academia.”
Innovation with Purpose
The symposium also featured Dr. Bethany Percha, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University, who addressed the critical risks of AI in healthcare, including patient privacy, quality of care and regulatory compliance, and offered practical governance strategies for startups. Dr. Therese Canares, Founder & CEO, CurieDx, spoke passionately about designing solutions that solve real pain points, urging innovators to “be the painkiller, not the vitamin.” Dr. Adil Haider, founder of BostonHealth.AI and a global leader in surgery and health equity, inspired attendees with a call to courage and collaboration in advancing care. Dr. Angelique Taylor, Andrew H. and Ann R. Tisch Assistant Professor at Cornell Tech and the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, shared her work on robotics and telehealth, illustrating how automation can support clinicians without replacing the human touch.
“It’s incredible to hear how products from industry and academia are empowering people to own their own healthcare, fitness, and wellness,” said Dr. Kaushal Shah, Vice Chair of Education, Department of Emergency Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. “This is revolutionizing the patient-doctor relationship in so many ways.”
Why Virtual Care in the Mainstream Matters
The energy in the room reflected a shared commitment: virtual healthcare is no longer a niche. Instead, it’s becoming a cornerstone of modern medicine. By combining cutting-edge technology with human-centered values, the healthcare community is building a future where care is proactive, personalized, and accessible to all.
Stay tuned for the line-up 2026 Virtual Healthcare in the Mainstream Symposium & Research Forum.