Health systems. Physicians. Startups. 💥

Healthcare through a Kentucky lens. It's niche. But neat!

Author

Andrew Steen
February 17, 2026

“Charlie don't surf!” 😢 

 

Health system VC

“…Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health’s venture capital arm had a successful and active 2025.”

How Bon Secours Mercy Health became a leader in digital investing

Bon Secours Mercy Health leads in digital investing with targeted venture capital and strategic startup partnerships across six states.

www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/digital-health/how-bon-secours-mercy-health-became-a-leader-in-digital-investing/?origin=DigitalE&utm_source=DigitalE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=9128I7569089J3D

“Mr. Szczuka said other health systems often reach out for advice on starting or revamping their venture capital arms…”

TGH Innovation Week

This is cool. I especially love this part:

“The event continues with a Shark Tank–style pitch competition where team members present innovative concepts designed to elevate patient care, enhance the team member experience and strengthen the Tampa Bay community…”

Tampa General’s Innovation Week Returns with New Programming to Showcase Breakthroughs in Patient Care and Technology | Tampa General Hospital

https://www.tgh.org/news/tgh-press-releases/2026/february/tampa-general-innovation-week-returns-with-new-programming

Health systems ⇄ startups

This is from Joshua Liu. Pretty accurate.

AI Bubble?

“Major health systems tout AI deployments as innovation victories, yet many are essentially beta-testing unproven technologies from vendors surviving on venture capital rather than revenue.”

The Coming Clinical Correction: Why Health Care Needs Its AI Bubble To Burst

Maxim Topaz Jing Dong Laura-Maria Peltonen Zhihong Zhang

www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/coming-clinical-correction-why-health-care-needs-its-ai-bubble-burst

Well.

Physicians and startups

How do we get physician - startup engagement?

Physician Careers and Start-Ups: How to Get Started - NEJM CareerCenter Resources

Physicians can engage with start-ups through advisory or full-time roles, leveraging clinical expertise while earning equity and experience.

resources.nejmcareercenter.org/article/physician-careers-and-start-ups-how-to-get-started

Was Louisville-based 3DR Labs founded by a Louisville-based physician? Yes.

Give me two more examples. Go.

Humana's Q4 Earnings Call

The Health Tech Nerds team dives into the key takeaways from Humana's recent earnings call.

Oh, and talked to two startups…

…not in Louisville. Both pretty cool. Both with potential local connections. Stay tuned.