eMerge Americas is making a major move to expand its influence in healthcare innovation, announcing a new partnership with HealthIMPACT Live and appointing its Founder & CEO, Megan Antonelli, as Director of eMerge HEALTH. The collaboration marks a significant expansion of the health vertical within eMerge’s growing tech ecosystem and a signal that Miami is doubling down on its role as a national healthtech hub.
The partnership positions eMerge HEALTH as a year-round innovation platform connecting leaders from healthcare, AI, finance, and national security, far beyond the annual conference spotlight. Antonelli, a veteran convener of healthcare transformation stakeholders, brings decades of experience working at the intersection of technology, policy, and clinical delivery.
Antonelli’s career began in academic medicine, conducting Parkinson’s Disease research at New York Presbyterian. She later joined the team managing Kaiser Permanente’s electronic health record rollout during the tech boom of the late 1990s and was an early member of WebMD, gaining a front-row seat to the rise of consumer digital health. Her unique background spans integrated delivery systems, policy driven innovation, and the digital transformation of care.
In 2012, she founded HealthIMPACT Live, a media and events platform that grew out of Purpose Events; a boutique firm focused on healthcare CIO convenings. Today, HealthIMPACT produces executive level forums and hosts the Digital Health Talks podcast, amplifying stories of system wide transformation. Antonelli also serves as Head of Events & Experiences at California SMASH and previously held senior roles at World Congress, Informa, and the Institute for International Research.
Megan is a visionary force in healthcare transformation. With HealthIMPACT Live, we’re building the definitive platform for healthcare innovation that catalyzes real-world outcomes across sectors.
said Melissa Medina, CEO & Co-founder of eMerge Americas.
Four Pillars of Health Innovation
eMerge HEALTH will focus on four thematic areas that reflect both immediate opportunity and long-term industry shifts:
- Precision Health That Pays: Leveraging AI, genomics, and real-time monitoring to deliver better outcomes at lower costs.
- Health Equity That Scales: Spotlighting solutions like “food as medicine” and “aging in place” tech that drive community health and financial returns.
- Care Without Walls: Emphasizing “hospital at home”, “climate resilient infrastructure”, and “digital tools for remote workforces”.
- Capital That Cares: Promoting value based investment models that accelerate innovation and access to care.
Florida as a Healthtech Launchpad
The move taps into Florida’s recent momentum in the health innovation space. In 2024, the state drew more than $4.1 billion in health related venture capital, launched 1,400+ clinical trials, and ranked second nationwide in medical device manufacturing. South Florida, with its proximity to Latin America, aging population, and growing AI ecosystem, is uniquely positioned to lead.
Florida is where healthcare breakthroughs are happening at scale. We’re creating an ecosystem that fuels patient care innovation and national competitiveness.
said Megan Antonelli, in a statement.
Road to eMerge HEALTH 2026
The partnership includes a robust slate of events leading up to the next eMerge Americas conference in April 2026, including:
- September 2025: AI in Healthcare Generative Gathering (Miami)
- October 2025: HealthIMPACT + eMerge Innovation Dinner
- December 3, 2025: Tech Basel Miami AI Summit
- December 2025: Femtech Pitch Event
- January 2026: eMerge Innovation Hub @ HealthIMPACT Forum NYC
Each event is designed to bring together key players across sectors, providers, payers, startups, investors, and policymakers to drive collaborative innovation.
We’re not just accelerating innovation. We’re curating a runway for breakthroughs that can scale nationally.
said Megan Antonelli
For eMerge Americas, this move is a strategic play to deepen its healthcare footprint and distinguish its brand among major U.S. tech conferences. For South Florida, it’s a clear signal: health innovation isn’t just a vertical, it’s an economic growth engine.