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

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

We were thrilled to welcome more than 100 attendees to the 2025 Innovators Day, presented by the Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas. Researchers, clinicians and industry partners from across the region came together to explore what’s next in digital health and spark new collaborations.

Workshops

This year’s event opened with two interactive workshops. The Garmin Health Device Portal session, led by Anthony Sung, M.D., Mansi Dabriwal, MS and Harpreet Singh Gill, MBA, introduced researchers to KU’s newly accessible platform for integrating Garmin wearables into clinical studies. The Introduction to User-Centered Research of Digital Health Systems workshop, led by Frank T. Materia, Ph.D., MHS, Christopher C. Cushing, Ph.D. and Kaala Berry, MPH, focused on evidence-based methods for designing digital health tools that support strong adoption and sustained engagement.

> Watch the Garmin Health Device Portal workshop

> Watch the Introduction to User-Centered Research of Digital Health Systems workshop

Welcome & Funding Announcement

The afternoon program opened with welcome remarks from Chris Wilson, J.D., MPH, who highlighted the Digital Health Co/Lab’s accomplishments from the past year and shared an energizing look at the 2026 vision. We also celebrated the 2025 Rising Investigator Digital Health Award winners, Omar Karadaghy, M.D., MSCI and Margaret Sieger, Ph.D. In addition, Dr. Frank Materia and Scott Burgett from Garmin Health unveiled an exciting new collaborative funding opportunity. More information on this opportunity is provided below.

> Watch the welcome remarks

> Watch the funding opportunity announcement

Keynote Address

The keynote address, "Where the Rubber Meets the Road: A Process-Oriented Approach to Digital Health" was delivered by Joshua M. Smyth, Ph.D., Ohio Eminent Scholar in Health Psychology at The Ohio State University. Dr. Smyth offered a compelling and highly practical framework for embedding behavioral science throughout the lifecycle of digital health innovation.

> Watch the full keynote address

Dr. Joshua Smyth

Bridging Gaps in Rural Healthcare Using Digital Health Techniques Flash Talks

Presentations from Ryan Kingrey, Bethany Forseth, Ph.D., MS, Dan Tilden, M.D., MPH, and Jennifer Klemp, Ph.D., MPH, MA highlighted innovative digital health strategies researchers and clinicians are using to expand access and improve outcomes for rural patient populations.

> Watch the flash talks

From Pilot to Product – A Panel on Commercializing Digital Health Innovations

A dynamic commercialization panel moderated by Chris Rehkamp, MHS brought together Dick Flannigan, FACHE, Ashley McClellan, DHA, MHA, MBA, FACHE, Cliff Michaels, Ph.D. and Anurag Patel, M.D. The group offered candid, insightful perspectives on what it truly takes to move innovations from pilot to product — from funding and regulatory pathways to legal considerations and market readiness.

> Watch the panel discussion

Before the networking happy hour kicked off, Dr. Sung introduced representatives from KU and regional partner organizations who support digital health innovation and commercialization. Each provided a brief overview of their services and how they help innovators move ideas forward.

> Meet these representatives

Explore all Innovators Day sessions. Find full videos, speaker information and contact details.

In an effort to continually improve our programming and offerings, we ask those that attended to please take a moment and complete the feedback survey.

> Feedback survey

The Digital Health Co/Lab, in collaboration with Garmin Health, is offering two Wearable Insights into Health awards to foster clinically relevant research discoveries that improve human health and well-being. 

Each award will support two observational studies using Garmin wearable devices to evaluate undiscovered physiological, behavioral or psychosocial health processes. Each study will focus on one of the following areas:

Award recipients will receive $10,000 in funding from the Digital Health Co/Lab to conduct their research. In addition, Garmin will provide in-kind support valued up to $10,000, including wearable devices, consultation, technical assistance and data analysis guidance.

Researchers are required to utilize the Garmin Health Device Portal, hosted by the KU Medical Center Research Informatics team, to manage study data.

These awards provide a unique opportunity for researchers to combine wearable technology with clinical insight, helping to uncover new pathways to improve health outcomes.

RFA Details

Announcement: October 29th, 2025 
Application Deadline: February 13th, 2026 (5:00 PM CST) 
Notice of Invitation to Present an Innovation Pitch to Review Committee: March 2026
Live Innovation Pitch Presentations: April 2026 
Announcement of Awards: May 2026 
Award Period: July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027 
Number of Awards: up to 2 in FY2027 
Total Value Amount of Award:  $20,000

Dates: December 11, 2025 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) & December 12, 2025 (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Location: KU Innovation Park, 2033 Becker Dr., Lawrence, KS

Are you working on innovative technology with the potential to make a commercial impact? If you’re planning to apply for a competitive SBIR or STTR research grant in the coming year, this 2-day boot camp is designed to help you get there.

Led by Veronika Redman and Ed Lahue, and supported by the KU Innovation Park team, this hands-on program will guide researchers in the KU community through the critical steps of preparing a strong SBIR/STTR grant application.

Note: Space is limited, and an application is required to participate.

> Read the full blog about the bootcamp and find the application here

Chris Rehkamp, MPS, Assistant Director of Commercialization for the Digital Health Co/Lab and Director of Business Services at KU Innovation Park will be holding office hours to meet one-on-one with anyone interested in commercializing an idea.

Whether you’re just starting to explore your concept or looking for guidance on next steps, this is a great opportunity to get practical advice and insights from someone experienced in turning ideas into reality. 

Office Hours: December 4, 2025 | 1-4:30 pm
Location: Health Education Building Skybridge, KU Medical Center

No appointment necessary—stop by and start the conversation!

If you are unable to make it on Dec. 4^th or have any questions, please reach out to Chris at crehkamp@btbcku.com.

Chris Rehkamp

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

Amit Noheria, MBBS, SM

Subject: Multimodality noninvasive sensors for comprehensive cardiovascular diagnostics.

December 17, 2025 | Noon-1 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.

KU Innovation Park will soon begin recruiting a cohort of innovative researchers for a six-month accelerator program designed to advance discoveries from the lab to their highest commercial potential.

More information will be provided in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please reach out to Chris Rehkamp crehkamp@btbcku.com.

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.

Connect with us:

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or online and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or online.