Innovation in Health Symposium 2025

Saturday, 21 June 2025 | 9am - 5pm AEST
Hilton Cairns, Cairns City

Presented by Tropical Innovation Festival

Shaping the Future of Healthcare: Technology, Innovation & Access

Healthcare is evolving at an unprecedented pace. From telehealth solutions connecting remote communities to groundbreaking AI applications transforming diagnosis and treatment, innovation is reshaping how we deliver, access and experience healthcare.

The Tropical Innovation Festival is proud to present the TIFx Innovation in Health Symposium– a full-day immersive event bringing together health professionals, technology experts, researchers, innovators and investors to explore cutting-edge advancements and practical solutions in healthcare.

After successful health streams in previous festivals, 2025 marks our inaugural full-day symposium dedicated to health innovation, responding to strong community demand for focused exploration of this rapidly evolving sector.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED

DR CLINTON SCHULTZ - Co-founder Sobah Beverages, Co-author SEWB model

Associate Professor Clinton Schultz is a proud Gamilaraay man, Associate Professor at UNSW, and Director of First Nations Strategy and Partnerships at the Black Dog Institute (BDI). A registered psychologist, Clinton brings a strong focus on holistic and culturally informed models of care grounded in First Nations knowledges and social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB). His work spans research, education, and systems reform, advocating for structural change that empowers First Nations peoples and communities. Clinton is the founder of Marumali Consultations and co-founder of Sobah Beverages, Australia’s first non-alcoholic craft beer company. He is recognised nationally for his leadership in cultural governance, ethics, and the application of lore-based frameworks within health, social services, and employment systems.

HEATHER SMITH - Accountant & Story Teller

Heather Smith is an award-winning Chartered Accountant and globally recognised expert in technology, dedicated to empowering businesses to embrace digital transformation. A prolific content creator and COMMUNITY builder, she’s authored multiple books, hosts the popular Accounting Apps podcast, and champions forward-thinking solutions. Her talks blend CUTTING-EDGE insights, CREATIVE thinking, and a deep CURIOSITY— inspiring entrepreneurs to build smarter, sustainable businesses. This shall be her fourth Tropical Innovation Festival, and she’s looks forward to her time in Cairns, immersing herself in the transformative TIF2025 vibe, enjoying the sunshine in vibrant floral dresses, and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef.

Symposium Agenda

Time	Topic	Facilitator / Speaker
8:30am	Registrations open, coffee & networking
9am	Innovation in Health Symposium Commences	Tara Diversi \| Launch Y(E)P
SPONSOR ADDRESS	NQPHN Thank you	Janine Cox \| NQPHN
INSPIRATIONAL KEYNOTE	Taking an active role in empowering First Nations Health – the role of innovative thinking	Dr Clinton Schultz Researcher, Psychologist, Entrepreneur Co-founder of Sobah Beverages Co-author of SEWB model Black Dog Institute
FIRESIDE CHAT	Problems worth solving – Government relations and advocacy to progress your health cause.	Trent Twomey \| Pharmacy Guild Anne Pleash \| Mission Consulting Solutions
PANEL	The health innovations that we need – opportunities and barriers in healthcare settings	Leena Singh \| Cairns & Hinterland HHS Rex O’Rourke \| Torres and Cape HHS Ben Tooth \| NQPHN (will have proxy) Sue Andrews \| Gurriny Yaelamucka
10:45am	Morning break
PRACTICAL KEYNOTE	Business technology tools to improve your practice and your life	Heather Smith \| Anise Consulting
LIGHTENING TALK	AI and U – a lightening introduction to AI	Tracy Sheen \| The Digital Guide
LIGHTENING TALK	Technology enabled healthcare in chronic disease	Dr Jaimon Kelly \| UQ Centre for Online Health
LIGHTENING TALK	How technology can simplify your billing and maximise your revenue	Kate Taudevin \| Medibetter
LIGHTENING TALK	AI and automation in healthcare	Jarred Muller \| Hello World AI
LIGHTENING TALK	VR for health care and workforce training	Simon Lowe \| People Tech Revolution
LIGHTENING TALK	User Experience, Design and Stickiness of Health technology solutions	Ash Ivory \| Ivory Common
12:25pm	Lunch & Networking break
INSPIRATIONAL KEYNOTE	Exploiting nature’s toolbox to inspire next generation medicines	Alex Loukas \| Microbiome Therapeutics
PANEL	Commercialising your idea or clinical research	Luke Deacon \| CSIRO Alex Knight \| Advanced Donna Patane \| DRIPL (Facilitator)
INFORMATIVE KEYNOTE	Digital Health – a multi-stakeholder look at the future of effective healthcare	Kim Smyth \| ANDHealth
PANEL	Digital health for the future panel	Janine Cox \| NQPHN Dr Jaimon Kelly, UQ Centre for Online Health Kim Smyth \| ANDHealth
3:00pm	Afternoon break
MOTIVATIONAL KEYNOTE & FIRESIDE CHAT	Embracing innovation, technology and looking outside health	Dr Vu Tran \| Black Sky Aero
PANEL	Technology adoption in practice – opportunities, risks and outcomes	Dr Ro Goel \| Cairns Cosmetic Clinic Dr Vin Rajeswaran \| FNQH Skin Cancer Dr Kristian Sorenson \| FNQ Plastic Surgery
STARTUP PITCHES	Startup Pitches
FEEDBACK PANEL	Startup Pitches Feedback Panel	Rex O’Rourke \| Torres and Cape HHS Kim Smyth \| ANDHealth Dr Vu Tran \| Black Sky Aero
5:00pm	Close

Pitch Your Health Innovation - Do you have an innovative health solution, digital health application, or medtech product? Apply to pitch your innovation in our dedicated pitch session where you'll connect with potential investors, partners and customers. You can apply to pitch here. https://forms.office.com/r/MXqvcVNbuN

Partner or Exhibit your product/service – If you would like to partner with TIFx Innovation in Health Symposium, please reach out for more information. https://forms.office.com/r/yDm7rcJL1N

Part of the 2025 Tropical Innovation Festival. Explore more events throughout the festival at tropicalinnovationfestival.com.au

TIFx Innovation in Health

Choose your tickets

TIFx - Innovation in Health Symposium ticket

TIFx - Innovation in Health NFP, Charity, ACCHO ticket

TIFx - Innovation in Health STUDENT (Full Time) ticket

Special 10 Ticket Deal - Innovation in Health Symposium ticket