The focus of the second Morning Health Talks this year was innovation in hospitals

On October 14th the second EIT Health Morning Health Talks of 2022 took place, the focus of which this time was innovation in hospitals.
At the event, the experiences of Sweden and Finland as well as Estonia in regards of innovation practices in hospitals were introduced. The presentations provided insights into the supporting mechanisms, trends, challenges and opportunities of innovation in the represented countries’ health care system. The main interests of healthcare providers in innovations as well as about the inner and outer motivational and regulation factors were discussed.
The event ended with a discussion panel, moderated by Jaanus Pikani. Panelists were Iris Öhrn, Kalevi Virta and Siiri Heinaru.

EIT Health Morning Health Talks (MHT) is a regional discussion and networking platform aimed at shaping and improving the health innovation ecosystem of RIS regions.


Presentations

Enhancing innovation in hospitals” – Jaarika Järviste (Estonian Health Insurance Fund)
„Innovation in North Estonia Medical Centre – success and struggles” – Siiri Heinaru (North Estonia Medical Centre)
“Ongoing Health and Social care reform in Finland” – Kalevi Virta (eWELL OY)
„Findings from the development of Finnish social and healthcare innovation activities – case Oulu University Hospital, North Ostrobothnia and the national Innovation Network” – Pauliina Hyrkäs (Oulu University Hospital and the Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital District)
„Healthcare Innovation in Sweden: trends, challenges and opportunities” – Iris Öhrn (Business Region Göteborg AB)


Speakers

Iris Öhrn – Biochemist, MBA, with nearly 20 years of experience as a Life Science professional working in an international environment with matters related to scientific research, business development, technology transfer, and financing. Currently employed as an Investment Advisor for Life Science at Business Region Göteborg, Iris provides advise and support to investment firms and international life science companies looking for business and research collaboration opportunities in West Sweden. She is involved in several National and International organizations either as an expert or as a member of the board. Through her work she is committed to increasing the exchange of technology between countries around the world as well as to helping build cross-border innovation ecosystems.

Jaanus Pikani, MD, is the chairman of ScanBalt BioRegion, a health and biotechnology metacluster organization consisting of health and bioeconomy communities in different European countries and regions. Jaanus is the founder and board member of Tartu Biotechnology Park. He has been a practicing surgeon in the field of head and neck oncology, head of the Cancer Center and Tartu University Clinic, chancellor of the Ministry of Social Affairs and chief of staff of the President of Estonia.

Jaarika Järviste – is head of development in EHIF. She is a medical doctor by education, but has been working on innovating healthcare since 2020. First as project manager for telemedicine and then leading a team of project managers driving change. Her main areas of interest and action are innovation in the way we work, data driven healthcare, smart collaboration, improving healthcare leadership, healthcare where the patient is.

Kalevi Virta is the Finnish Innovation Fund (Tekes) Programme manager for iWELL and FinnWell programmes, consulting of Built environment programme (health area). Participating as mentor in EITHealth Innostars Mentoring programme since 2019, mentee Tartu Biotech Park; Consulting the national AKUSTI programme lead by the Association of Finnish municipalities; Supporting the HIMSS organization coordination. Was the Project Leader of Nordic testbeds project (2015 -2017), funded by Nordic Innovation, a joint project with five Nordic University hospital testbeds. Has led the international activities of Centre for Health and Technology, University of Oulu.

Pauliina Hyrkäs (MSc in Health Management) is the innovation coordinator of the Oulu University Hospital and the Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital District as well as the operative responsible person in developing and coordinating social and health care innovation and co-creation activities of North Ostrobothnia Wellbeing Services County. The focus of her research is on the leadership of public social and health care innovation activities.

Siiri Heinaru is the Innovation specialist of the department of R&D at North Estonia Medical Centre.