At TEDMED 2018, our community embraced the power of Chaos+Clarity to advance science, global public health, and medical innovation across a wide range of topics. An amazing lineup of speakers took the stage this this November, and we look forward to sharing these talks with the world throughout 2019!
Why attend TEDMED? Our Delegates Say it Best:
Passionate
Delegates
"3 days of being surrounded by brilliant, passionate, courageous people who left me hopeful about the future for the first time in a year. I like the broad range of topics, and enjoyed discovering new ideas I didn't even know existed."
– Delegate, TEDMED 2017
Participating
Countries
"Medical students, medical doctors and students from different fields joined us to watch the talks. It was an amazing experience seeing them all interacting and discussing the science behind every break through."
– TEDMED Live 2015 Location
Brilliant
Speakers
"TEDMED was such an incredible experience because you had all of these brilliant people bringing their best thing to the stage - their gift. Every minute felt like a great use of time. I also loved that we were all coming at health from different vantage points. My thinking grew tremendously over the two days."
– Delegate, TEDMED 2016
Game-Changing
Innovators
"Just great. And very humbling to see the work of these brilliant people."
"Excellent group of highly entrepreneurial individuals changing the face of healthcare."
– Delegates, TEDMED 2017
Inspiring
Days
"Every single person I spoke with at TEDMED was incredibly inspiring. Every attendee exuded passion about their field, their research, or their personal interests. It was an amazing way to hear opinions and share thoughts with people who approach healthcare and medicine from some a wide variety of backgrounds."
– Delegate, TEDMED 2016
Incredible Experience
"I look forward to TEDMED all year for the meaning it gives to my life. It is a breath of fresh air to come to a place where the positive energy is palpable. It's rare in our day-to-day activities that we get to connect so positively to people and discuss our hopes for growth and change...I would not miss this for anything. I always come back to work refreshed and rejuvenated and better for my patients because of the interactions I've had at TEDMED."
– Delegate, TEDMED 2017
The TEDMED Program
A healthy society is everyone’s business. That’s why TEDMED speakers are thought leaders and accomplished individuals from every sector of society, both inside and outside of medicine. Whether they come from science, business, academia, government, law, media or the arts – whether they are doctors, patients or Muppets – the extraordinary voices of the TEDMED stage unlock our imaginations. They inspire new thinking that can lead to a healthier world.
A single session of TEDMED might include a Nobel Prize-winning researcher, a dance troupe, a health activist, a venture capitalist and a brilliant young medical student. Each is selected because they have an amazing story to share…and a different way of looking at the world.
The TEDMED 2018 Stage Program:
-
Adam Waytz
Morality Psychologist -
Amanda Sturgeon
Biophilic Builder -
April Zeoli
Public Health Criminologist -
Carl June
Immunotherapy Pioneer -
Celine Gounder
SESSION HOST: Storytelling Disease Detective -
Christine Nieves
Community Healer -
Daniel Streicker
Animal-Borne Disease Detective -
David Asch
Behavioral Economist -
Denisse Rojas Marquez
Health Care Dreamer -
Dikembe Mutombo
Global Health All-Star -
Elizabeth Howell
Maternal Health Reformer -
Emily F. Rothman
Pornography Literacy Scientist -
Gerardo Reyes Chavez
Workers' Rights Strategist -
Giles Newton
SESSION HOST: Science Communicator -
Greg Asbed
Social Justice Visionary -
Irene Papanicolas
Health Economist -
Isha Sesay
Global Journalist -
Jason Shepherd
Neurobiologist -
Jay Walker
Perpetual Innovator -
Jerome M. Adams
20th U.S. Surgeon General -
Kafui Dzirasa
SESSION HOST: Brain Engineer -
Kate Bowler
Divinity Professor -
Kathleen O'Donnell
Robotics Designer -
Lucy Kalanithi
SESSION HOST: Caregiver -
Lydia Bourouiba
Disease Transmission Scientist -
Marilène Oliver
Digital Age Artist -
Mathias Basner
Noise Health Effects Investigator -
Michael Painter
SESSION HOST: Culture of Health Advocate -
Mitchell H. Katz
Health Care Champion -
Pam Belluck
Spirited Science Writer -
Niobe Way
Adolescent Development Researcher -
Queen Dube
Neonatal Health Innovator -
Rabiaa El Garani
Human Rights Protector -
Sarkis Mazmanian
Gut-Brain Interpreter -
Sherry Johnson
Anti Child Marriage Activist -
Shirley Bergin
HOST: Superhero in Residence -
sj Miller
Gender Identity Justice Educator -
Steve Pantilat
Palliative Care Physician -
Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin
Biobehavioral Scientist -
Tim Lu
Biological Engineer -
Thomas Curran
Personality Psychologist -
Yaniv Erlich
Computational Geneticist -
Yoko K. Sen
Sound Alchemist
The Hive Program
The Hive explores the technology, creativity and innovation that contribute to a healthier future. Dedicated to embracing transformative startups and inspiring entrepreneurs, TEDMED brings together the leaders of today with the leaders of tomorrow by inviting startups and the creative, multi-disciplinary entrepreneurs powering new approaches to innovation and scalable game-changing ideas.
The TEDMED Experience
The stage program is only a fraction of TEDMED - the full experience involves many more activities and interactive installations that catalyze discussion and stimulate new relationships.
To kickstart each day, we begin each morning with "TEDMED Health" to get the blood pumping with activities like hiking, running, yoga and meditation to help get you ready for the day ahead. After fueling up with a nutritious breakfast, the day is spent alternating between inspiring and thought-provoking talks from our speakers, and meals and interaction with fellow Delegates, who comprise a truly multi-disciplinary group of change-makers passionate about creating a healthier world.
During breaks between sessions, The Hive offers innovative hands-on activities, beautiful art exhibits, and of course meet-ups with all of our speakers and with The Hive Innovators. On both Wednesday and Thursday evening, take the chance to kick back, relax and share new ideas over food, drinks and performances at our opening reception and evening celebration.
The Location
TEDMED takes place in sunny Palm Springs, California at the La Quinta Resort and Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. The location was selected to help foster and nurture the important connections of the TEDMED community. This unique setting enables Delegates to stay on-site around the clock – enjoying the full program, social engagements, and lodging all in one place, while fully embracing the powerful ideas that will undoubtedly be shared.
Frank Capra was one of a long line of artists who found creative inspiration in this tranquil desert retreat and ultimately made La Quinta his home; he called it “the Shangri-La of screenwriting” and it was at La Quinta that Capra wrote many of his screenplays. He believed there was something magical here, and TEDMED is excited about incorporating this rich history – and maybe even a little magic – into this year’s event as we share important stories in health and medicine.
In this spirit of inspiration, we also invite our delegation to take advantage of the unique natural landscape and attractions found in the Palm Springs area. Be sure to plan your travel accordingly to leave time before or after the event. Learn more about local sites and activities.
The result is an immersive experience that challenges us to reframe our mental models, ignite new thinking, energize our work and enlarge our worldview. We will leave TEDMED imagining fresh possibilities and recommitted to our contribution to a healthier future.
We hope you’ll join us.
TEDMED 2018 Schedule
Ttimes subject to change, and are shown in Pacific Time.