Health Connect South will host its 13th Annual Gathering on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, bringing together more than 1,200 healthcare executives, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and academic leaders for one of the Southeast’s largest gatherings of the healthcare community.

With Kaiser Permanente serving as Presenting Sponsor, Health Connect South 2026 will convene leaders from across the healthcare ecosystem for a day centered on collaborations and partnerships defining the future of health.

Keynoting this year’s gathering is Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, 18th Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), who will share his perspective on the future of biomedical research, innovation, and health in America.

Exclusive Fireside Chat with CDC and HHS Leadership

There will also be an exclusive fireside chat featuring Erica Schwartz, MD, MPH, JD, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Samantha Brown-Parks, MD, MPH, Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The conversation will explore the priorities and vision for the CDC.

A Distinguished Lineup of Healthcare Leaders

Health Connect South 2026 will feature an exceptional group of national and regional leaders representing healthcare delivery, government, technology, research, insurance, academia, public health, and innovation, including:

• Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD — Director, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Erica Schwartz, MD, MPH, JD — Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Samantha Brown-Parks, MD, MPH — Regional Director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Corwin Harper — President, Kaiser Permanente Georgia
• Todd Sharp — Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Erica Coe — Global Executive Director, McKinsey Health Institute
• Jeff Arnold — Founder, Sharecare
• Tim Denning — President & CEO, Georgia Research Alliance (GRA)
• Caylee Noggle — President & CEO, Georgia Hospital Association
• Anthony Saul — President, Grady Health System
• David Zaas, MD — CEO, Duke Health System
• Amanda Free — President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• Yogin Patel, MD — CEO, ApolloMD
• Kristin Higgins, MD — Chief Clinical Officer, City of Hope Atlanta
• Chris Franklin — President, LocumTenens.com
• Tim Lieuwen, PhD — Vice President for Research, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Stephen Scott — Principal, Morgan Health Ventures
• Carolyn K. Clevenger, DNP, RN — Founding Dean & Professor, School of Nursing, University of Georgia
• Jeremy Slaga — Chief Clinical Operations Officer, Florida State University
• Lauren Drowley, PhD — Head of U.S. Research, UCB

Together with dozens of additional speakers, these leaders will tackle some of healthcare’s most consequential issues, including healthcare leadership, workforce, rural health, value-based care, public health, artificial intelligence and technology, innovation, investment, research, and access to care. The full agenda is here

The program is intentionally designed to bring together perspectives that do not always share the same stage—creating opportunities for unique perspectives, collaborations and future partnerships. 

“Healthcare does not advance in silos. The most important breakthroughs happen when leaders from different parts of the ecosystem come together.”

— Russ Lipari, Founder & CEO, Health Connect South

Unlike traditional conferences centered on a single sector or discipline, Health Connect South was founded on a simple principle: meaningful progress happens when the broader healthcare community is connected.

For 13 years, Health Connect South has brought together leaders from health systems, government, universities, life sciences, technology, public health, investment, and industry. More than a conference, the annual gathering is designed to create meaningful relationships, spark new collaborations, and build partnerships that continue well beyond the event itself.

Health Connect South 2026

Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Georgia Aquarium | Atlanta, Georgia