Article by Sarah Oslund, freelance writer, Destination Medical Center

This article originally appeared on the Destination Medical Center blog.

Partnerships are integral to the success of the Destination Medical Center (DMC) vision, so in October a variety of investors and innovators came together to explore how we can advance development and improve healthcare.

The Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine (CIM) has always seen its Individualizing Medicine (IM) Conference as the gathering place for conversations about genomics in the clinical practice. They have a history of inviting genomics-related technology groups and professional societies to gather in Rochester in the days adjacent to the IM conference. For the past three years, they have hosted the Investors & Innovators Reception (I2R) as a part of the event to foster conversation, encourage collaborations, and grow partnerships.

Chris Schad

“We know the importance of partnerships,” says Chris Schad, operations manager for the Center for Individualized Medicine. “By bringing investors and innovators together, we can accelerate progress in improving healthcare through genomics.”

This year, the CIM partnered with DMC and Medical Alley Association to expand the collaboration opportunities to an audience beyond genomics with Investors and Innovators: A Day in Rochester.

The highlight of the event was the “Minute Pitches” from startups and other organizations looking for growth opportunities. As short as a minute may seem, a pitch can be all it takes to spark the interest of a listener and ultimately result in a long-term relationship. One brief moment can have a considerable impact on providing innovative solutions to meet the needs of patients.

Unique events like I2R are key to Rochester’s growth over the next 10 years.

Lisa Clarke

“DMC, in general, is going to have to bring people here to show them the great value this community brings to their company or to them as an individual,” says DMC executive director Lisa Clarke. “We need to bring people from all over the world here to drive the business and the investment in Rochester.”

Attendees were invited to get a closer glimpse at what’s already happening in business and development in Rochester during a downtown tour.

“This expanded I2R ‘Day in Rochester’ was a big success,” Schad says. “New collaborations are already being explored, made possible by the leadership of Medical Alley Association, DMC, and the Center for individualized Medicine.”

We’re already looking forward to the next one – it will only get better.

Join the conversation

For more information on the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicineand our recent Individualizing Medicine Conference 2016: Advancing Care Through Genomics, visit our blog, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter at @MayoClinicCIM.

You’ll want to save the date for next year’s Individualizing Medicine Conference. It will be held Oct. 9-11, 2017.

Tags: #biotechnology, #Chris Schad, #CIMCon16, #DIMC, #I2R, #Lisa Clarke, #Medical Alley Association, #Rochester, center for individualized medicine, Destination Medical Center, genomics, mayo clinic, Minnesota, Uncategorized