Pictured left to right: Drs. Kenneth Goodman, Monika Safford, Fred Pelzman
The Division of General Internal Medicine’s 8th Annual Primary Care and Hospital Medicine Innovations Symposium opened with a call to action: the pursuit and defense of scientific knowledge is more important than ever. Dr. Robert A. Harrington, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean and Dr. Myles Wolf, Chair of Medicine, delivered opening remarks that underscored the importance of innovation in healthcare. Dr. Fred Pelzman, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine and Medical Director of Weill Cornell Internal Medicine Associates, captured this spirit perfectly. “Even during challenging times, we are innovating, changing and fighting, and we’ll continue to do so,” he said. His words reflected the ongoing commitment of the medical community to adapt, evolve and improve patient care.
For over eight years, the Primary Care Innovation program has proudly supported more than 50 faculty, resident, fellow and medical student projects. This year’s symposium carried that legacy forward, highlighting a dynamic range of work in research, quality improvement and educational innovation, each showcased through compelling research posters.
The symposium celebrated emerging innovators. Seed grant awardees Drs. Ro-Jay Reid, Alice Tang and Alim Esemenli presented their research projects that featured diverse areas of healthcare. Their research focused on topics such as the impact of race and social risk factors on stroke outcomes, a master coach program designed to promote cultural change through feedback and a unique gastronomy teaching initiative aimed at pediatric patients and their caregivers. These projects embody the symposium’s mission: to empower creativity and support research that can transform patient care. By providing a platform for early-stage ideas and fostering a culture of experimentation, the Primary Care Innovation program continues to drive progress at every level of medical education and practice.
The event’s keynote presentation was by Dr. Kenneth Goodman, Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Philosopher at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. His talk on “Ethics, Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare: How to Enjoy a Mistake While Making It,” explored the ethical implications and transformative potential of AI in medicine. Dr. Goodman emphasized that internal medicine, particularly the integration of inpatient and outpatient services, stands to benefit significantly from AI, especially with the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR). Rather than fearing AI, Dr. Goodman urged physicians to explore how these tools can enhance care. He discussed the potential for AI to clarify medical documentation, reduce medical jargon, improve communication and increase efficiency in physician workflows.
This year’s symposium was made possible through the support of Primary Care Innovation within the Division of General Internal Medicine, the Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine Pediatrics and The Pelzman Foundation for Healthcare Innovation, whose contributions have been instrumental in sustaining this community of innovators.
The future of healthcare lies in our ability to collaborate, adapt and lead with vision. The 8th Annual Primary Care and Hospital Medicine Innovations Symposium proved that the Weill Cornell Medicine community is prepared to continue working toward healthcare innovation.