Advancing digital health technologies at the intersection of research and commercialization.

The Digital Health Co/Lab is excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 Rising Investigator Digital Health Innovation Award. This year’s RFA received a strong pool of applications, and after a rigorous, multidisciplinary review process, we found it impossible to select just one. We are proud to honor two outstanding proposals that exemplify innovation and real-world impact in digital health:

Omar A. Karadaghy, MD, MSCI

Continuous Biometric Monitoring in Postoperative Recovery: Exploring Wearable Devices for Early Detection of Complications in Head and Neck Surgery

Margaret L. Sieger, PhD

U-TRAC: Using Technology to Refine & Advance Courtrooms

We are grateful for the time, energy and expertise our reviewers devoted to ensuring a thorough and thoughtful review process.

Scott Burgett 
Senior Director, Garmin Health Engineering

Lisa Friis, PhD
Department Chair, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kansas

Julius Leary, EdD, MBA
Executive Director, Frontiers CTSI

Daniel Parente, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Family Medicine

Ryan Rains
Director of Entrepreneurship Co-Curricular Programs, School of Business, University of Kansas

Chris Rehkamp
Director of Business Services, KU Innovation Park

Renee Rogers, PhD, FACSM
Senior Scientist, KU Weight Management

Tony Sung, MD
Scientific Director, Digital Health Co/Lab, Professor, Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics

We look forward to supporting Drs. Karadaghy and Sieger as they advance their research. Stay tuned for updates on their progress and future funding opportunities!

Digital Health Co/Lab 2024–2025 Staudacher Fellow Summary 

Over the past year, Angela Kaczorowski-Worthley has made outstanding contributions as the 2024–2025 Staudacher Fellow, blending clinical insight with innovation across women’s health, otolaryngology and pulmonary medicine.

Angela's primary project was working on the development of a novel endoscopic vaginal speculum, earning a provisional patent (July 2024) and an NIH funding award (Feb 2025). Project advancement was supported by through Continuum Educational Technologies, PBC and the Lab2MarketAccelerator program at KU Innovation Park, and is now in term sheet negotiations with a local VC. A related qualitative study is pending submission (first author).

Her publications include DCLK1-mediated regulation of invadopodia dynamics and matrix metalloproteinase trafficking drives invasive progression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the Molecular Cancer Journal and Pragmatic, comparative effectiveness trials in rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease: a multi-perspective qualitative study (first author) in CHEST-Pulmonary. She also has multiple manuscripts submitted across oncology, pulmonary disease and cancer biology.

Beyond her research and alongside SOM faculty, Angela mentored five junior medical students through the Student Research Forum and Summer Research Training Program, supporting poster presentations and ongoing project development.

Angela’s fellowship year was marked by innovation, scientific leadership and a deep commitment to mentorship. We thank her for her contributions and look forward to her continued impact in academic medicine and digital health.

Learn more about Angela’s work.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Noon-5 p.m.
Health Education Building Ad Astra Room (5th floor)
KU Medical Center

Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas invites you to join us for the second annual Innovators Day, an event dedicated to advancing innovation in digital health. This year, we’ll spotlight Dr. Joshua Smyth, Ohio Eminent Scholar in Health Psychology and Professor of Clinical Psychology at Ohio State University, as our distinguished keynote speaker.

The agenda will include a range of engaging sessions showcasing emerging ideas, research and collaborations in digital health. We’ll wrap up with a networking happy hour—perfect for connecting with peers, industry leaders, and future collaborators.

Whether you’re an experienced digital health professional or just beginning your journey, Innovators Day provides an exceptional platform to shape the future of digital health.

View highlights from our 2024 inaugural Innovators Day—an event that brought together over 100 individuals from KU Medical Center, The University of Kansas Health System, University of Kansas and the local digital health community.

Digital Health Co/Lab hosts a monthly Digital Health Seminar, offering a platform for innovators at various career stages to showcase their work. These presentations include innovations, grant proposals, business plans and investor pitches. All meetings are virtual and free to attend.  

UP NEXT

Lucas Richards, MD, IR/DR

3D printing at KUMC - New lab within the radiology department

August 27, 2025 | Noon-1:00 p.m.

For the latest meeting updates or to submit a presentation request, visit our website. For additional inquires, reach out to us at DigitalHealthCoLab@kumc.edu.

Hosted by Digital Health KC, Digital Health Day, is an event where innovators and visionaries at the forefront of healthcare information technology come together. Whether you're a founder, investor, or healthcare professional, this is your chance to be part of KC’s dynamic community driving health tech innovation. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of digital health.

August 21, 2025

The Abbott: 1901 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64108

Our very own Dr. Frank Materia, Associate Scientific Director of the Co/Lab, is the invited expert moderator for the event’s "Expanding Healthcare Horizons: Bridging Gaps and Innovating Beyond Traditional Care" panel.

EVERYONE has a heroic story to tell, their own legend to fulfill and HLTH is forging ahead into new realms of possibilities, gathering 12,000+ influential leaders, executives and visionaries who are passionately creating the next generation of healthcare. At HLTH you can foster meaningful connections, gain insights on cutting-edge trends, enhance your professional journey, or elevate your organization to unprecedented success.

October 19 – 22, 2025

The Venetian Expo Center, Las Vegas, NV

Digital Health Co/Lab has put together step by step guides to help guide you through the stages of idea generation to commercialization.

Got Digital Health News?

We’d love to feature your opportunities or highlights in our newsletter! Share your updates with us at DigitalHealthCoLab@kumc.edu.

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