The Health 2.0 Conference USA 2025 commenced on March 4th at the Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, bringing together leading minds in healthcare innovation, policy, and technology. The first day of the healthcare conference in the USA set the tone for a transformative three-day event, offering insightful discussions on pressing healthcare challenges, emerging trends, and groundbreaking solutions. Attendees explored strategies to enhance healthcare accessibility, improve patient outcomes, and integrate advanced technologies into the industry.
The day opened with a thought-provoking panel discussion, “Preventing Type 2 Diabetes: Strategies For Lifestyle Modification And Risk Reduction.” With type 2 diabetes affecting over 1 in 10 adults globally, the session explored preventive measures and lifestyle modifications necessary to combat this growing epidemic. Greg Bauer, Managing Partner of Health Connections, moderated the discussion, featuring Dr. Amy Gutman, CEO of ToughLoveMD; Dr. Biplab Malo, Founder & CEO, Stapgen LLC; Dr. Adam Perlman, Chief Medical Officer at Pendulum Therapeutics; and Dr. Arsella M. Burton, VP of Government Affairs, Healthix, Inc. The panelists delved into the role of diet, exercise, and digital health tools in diabetes prevention and emphasized the importance of policy-driven initiatives to make prevention more accessible.
Following this, Justin Zenanko, CEO & Co-founder of SynerFuse, Inc., delivered a compelling keynote titled “Leadership + Capital + Execution = Innovation.” Justin highlighted the crucial intersection of leadership, investment, and execution in transforming healthcare ideas into scalable, real-world solutions. His insights resonated with the audience, particularly emphasizing the need for strategic funding and operational excellence in advancing healthcare innovations.
The morning continued with another impactful discussion, “From Idea To Market: Navigating The Startup Journey In Healthcare And Wellness.” Moderated by Jennifer Cain Birkmose, Co-founder of VivaValet, Inc., this panel explored the journey of healthcare startups from ideation to market success. Panelists Molly McElwee Malloy, VP, Metabolic Health, Locus, Jasmine Nelson, CEO, Umber By J. Lenay, Krista Moon, President of Ascend Business Growth, Howard Lim, Business & Brand Architect, HOW CREATIVE, and Justin Zenanko, CEO of SynerFuse, Inc. shared their experiences in securing funding, overcoming regulatory hurdles, and scaling their businesses in the competitive healthcare industry.
Before breaking for lunch, the healthcare conference honored key industry pioneers in a Recognition Session, celebrating their contributions to healthcare innovation. Dr. Andrea Sasha Ortíz, Chief Mental Health Officer at Texas Integrative Healthcare, presented awards to Silver Sponsor Justin Zenanko, CEO of SynerFuse, Inc., and Bronze Sponsors Stefan Wahl, Pharmacist at Vitalwelt Apotheken, and Dr. Ronny Castillo, Strategic Advisor at Regene Global.
Attendees then engaged in a networking lunch, providing an opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, discuss potential collaborations, and explore upcoming global events hosted by The 2.0 Conferences.
The afternoon began with a cutting-edge keynote on “Revolutionizing Mental Health: Regenerative Healing With Phototherapy & Stem Cell Nanotechnology” by Dr. Gony Weiss, CEO & Founder of Dr. Weiss Wellness, PLLC. The session focused on how phototherapy and stem cell nanotechnology are pioneering new treatments in neuroscience, offering hope for cellular repair and targeted healing in mental health disorders. Dr. Weiss explored the practical applications of these technologies and their potential to redefine mental health treatment paradigms.
This was followed by a stimulating panel discussion titled “Beyond The DSM: The Movement Towards Personalized Mental Health Care.” Moderated by Mahesh Natrajan, CEO of Heal.mx, the panel featured Dr. Gony Weiss, CEO & Founder OF Dr. Weiss Wellness, PLLC, Evangeline Mae Bauer, CEO, Founder & Owner of Come Play, STL, Jill Wiedemann-West, CEO of People Incorporated Mental Health Services, Dr. Andrea Sasha Ortíz, Chief Mental Health Officer at Texas Integrative Healthcare, Dierre A. Dikaha, Owner, CEO & Counselor at SevenP Healthcare Services, and Brett Warner CEO of FreshStart(s) Behavioral Therapy. The discussion centered on moving beyond standardized diagnostic models like the DSM to a more patient-centered approach incorporating genetic insights, AI-driven diagnostics, and personalized therapies.
Another standout discussion was “Patents Vs. Patients: Navigating The Tensions Between Innovation & Access.” Moderated by Krystal Boothe, CEO, Wings of the Future, NFP, this panel featured Devaki Thavarajah, Independent Volunteer at Data Transparency, Dr. Eswar Iyer, Co-founder & CEO of Aikium Inc., Olga Shebanova, Co-CEO of AI:Dental, Yves Decadt, CEOof BioLingus, and Heather Ogburn Stokes, CEO & Founder, Serenity Light Recovery, LLC. The panelists tackled the complex challenge of balancing medical innovation with accessibility, discussing ways to protect research investments while ensuring life-saving treatments remain affordable.
The final session of the day addressed the emotional and psychological toll of cancer, with the panel “Emotional Support Is A Must: Helping Patients Get Through The Cancer Journey.” Led by Rev. Dr. Lisa Nezneski, CEO of Healthy Mindful Self, the discussion featured Robert Hedequist, Founder & CEO of Ronin Awaken Coaching, Barry Warrington, CEO of Energy Lounger LLC, Laila Morcos Zissis, CEO of Laila Morcos Zissis, LLC, Prof. Dr. Robert H. Schiestl, Owner, President, CEO & CSO at Protecta-skincare, MicroBioPharma, RadMit, Immune-right, and Somyata Saxena, CEO & Founder of The Garden Recipe & The Garden Pooch. Panelists examined the importance of holistic patient support, emphasizing mental resilience, community networks, and integrative care in cancer treatment.
The first day of the healthcare conference in the USA concluded with a session on “Early Detection and Diagnosis of Alzheimer's: Challenges and Opportunities.” Moderated by Stephanie Oden, Executive Director, Valley Silvertown, this panel featured Dr. Ashley Kay Pendrick, CEO & Founder of Prosper Rx Consulting, Prof. Dr. Robert H. Schiestl, Owner, President, CEO & CSO at Protecta-skincare, MicroBioPharma, RadMit, Immune-right, Dr. Nikos Chatzibalassis, Director at Humanopathy Ltd., Dr. Sweta Sneha, Founder & Executive Director of Kennesaw State University, and Reza Abdoli (PulseGPM). The discussion highlighted advancements in biomarker research, imaging technologies, and AI-powered diagnostics, addressing the need for earlier and more accurate detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
The day wrapped up with an engaging Networking Hour, allowing attendees to build new connections, share insights, and discuss potential collaborations in a relaxed setting. The event organizers encouraged participants to visit The 2.0 Conferences’ exhibit booth to explore future editions in Dubai, Singapore, and the USA.
Day 1 of the Health 2.0 Conference USA 2025 set the stage for further deep dives into the evolving healthcare landscape. With conversations spanning from chronic disease prevention to mental health innovation and healthcare access, the discussions at the healthcare conference highlighted the urgency of implementing transformative solutions. As attendees gear up for Day 2, anticipation builds around upcoming sessions covering AI in healthcare, patient-centered innovations, the future of digital health solutions, and more.
Stay tuned for more insights as we continue to explore the advancements shaping the future of healthcare!