TIFx Innovation in Health
Event description
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 | TBC | TBC 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
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
