SXSW 2025: Step Into the Future of Healthcare

We brought our annual Healthcare Innovation Weekend back to the 2025 SXSW Conference in Austin, TX, with the hottest topics in health from AI to the influence of pop culture, health equity, obesity and oncology.

Revisit the six can’t-miss sessions below featuring brilliant thought leaders from pharma, biotech, and consumer healthcare.

Saturday, March 8: Real Chemistry Healthcare Innovation Day

A Pop Culture Rx: Health Meets Tech + Creativity 

In an era where healthcare intersects with every facet of our lives, the challenge is not just to innovate, but to engage. Learn how and when you can harness the art of storytelling in healthcare to craft narratives that resonate and drive societal impact. 

Speakers: 

• Chris Lieber, Executive Vice President, starpower

• Alyson Hagert, Managing Director, Social Media, Real Chemistry

Future-Proof Healthcare: Leading Through Disruption 

The need for visionary leadership in healthcare has never been more urgent. Hear from top executives and healthcare trailblazers about cutting-edge strategies for cultivating the next generation of healthcare providers. 

 Speakers: 

• Imamu “Mu” Tomlinson, MD, MBA, CEO, Vituity 

• Jennifer Paganelli, President, Earned Media & Integration, Real Chemistry 

• Joel Bervell, Host and Science Communicator, The Commonwealth Fund

Dr. TikTok Will See You Now: Social’s Impact on Obesity Care

From Oprah to South Park, everyone is talking about GLP-1s and their potential to revolutionize obesity care, for better or worse. This session will go beyond the buzz to consider what really needs to change so industry leaders can work with consumers, clinicians, and change agents alike to unlock a more productive healthcare system and a healthier, sustainable future for all.

Speakers: 

• Rita Glaze-Rowe, President, Transformative Healthcare Markets, Real Chemistry 

• Geoff Cook, CEO, Noom 

• Dr. Courtney Younglove, MD, FOMA, FACOG, DABOM, Founder / Physician / Medical Director, Heartland Weight Loss 

• Shelby Crosby, GLP-1 Influencer and Team Manager, Ellie MD

Science Fiction or Real Science? AI + Health Hype vs. Reality

Delve deep into the seismic shifts reshaping the pharma landscape — from AI and machine learning to personalized medicine and genomics. Explore how these innovations are accelerating the drug development process and improving patient outcomes.  

Speakers: 

• Gabi Viljoen, Head of eCommerce, Nestlé Health Science

• Kingson Man, Principal Data Scientist, Precision Medicine, City of Hope 

• Shawna Butler, Nurse Economist, Podcast Host, SEE YOU NOW Podcast 

Sunday, March 9: SXSW Podcast Lounge Takeover

Gen AI in Healthcare: Preserving the Human Touch

Explore the delicate balance between technological efficiency and the personal touch crucial in health experiences. Panelists will discuss the innovative approaches they’re taking to synergize human empathy with AI to create hyper-personalized communications that respect individual preferences and cultural contexts.  

Speakers: 

• Danny Bellet, MBA, Vice President, AI Strategy and Innovation, Real Chemistry 

• Ozgun “Oz” Demir, Head of Digital Marketing, Genentech

• Amy Atwood, Vice President, U.S. and Global Corporate Communications, Takeda 

The Big C in Cancer Care: Culture

Discover how personalized treatments crafted with cultural sensitivity and cutting-edge science can enhance patient outcomes and how collaborations in tech and advocacy can pave the way for earlier, more effective cancer interventions.

Speakers: 

• Meredith Owen, Practice Leader, Integrated Intelligence, Real Chemistry 

• Ysabel Duron, Founder, President / Executive Director, The Latino Cancer Institute

• Carolyn Austring, Executive Director, Oncology Patient Marketing, Bayer

We look forward to seeing you next year in Austin at SXSW 2026!