Philadelphia emerging as a magnet for health care innovation

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Jeff Fusco

Daniel J. Hilferty, CEO of Independence Blue Cross.

The Philadelphia region is well known for its world-class hospitals and doctors. Now, the region is also emerging as a nationally recognized magnet for health care innovation.

This type of transformation requires not only fresh thinking, but also a willingness to move rapidly and partner with others to execute new ideas and develop groundbreaking innovations. Although an insurer and a health system may seem strange bedfellows to some, Independence Blue Cross and Penn Medicine have long taken just such a forward-thinking, collaborative approach to harnessing innovation to improve health care and draw health care start-ups to our region.

As the health care industry undergoes dramatic change, we're moving nimbly, acting boldly, and embracing the possibilities of partnership. Together, we are working to unlock the potential of Philadelphia as a magnet for health care innovation, drawing the best minds and the brightest ideas to our region.

After all, Philadelphia is the ideal environment for health care innovation, investment and employment. Our region is home to expert health care entrepreneurs, a thriving biosciences industry, an active investment community, major pharmaceutical companies, world-class research, top notch academic institutions, and nationally ranked medical schools and health systems.

So, together with DreamIt Ventures, we created DreamIt Health, the first health care accelerator in Philadelphia. DreamIt Health is attracting promising health care startups from around the nation and the world to Philadelphia and jump-starting the development of their novel health care solutions.