Together we went Beyond the breakthrough
On Thursday, 6 November, the TechMed Centre of the University of Twente organised the seventh edition of the TechMed Event. It proved once again why it is the meeting place for everyone working on the future of healthcare. Under the theme "Beyond the Breakthrough", more than 400 researchers, entrepreneurs, students, executives, healthcare professionals, and representatives from government and policy came together to answer one central question: how do we ensure that technological innovation really finds its way into practice? During the keynote lectures, interactive sessions, and panel discussions, it became clear that the biggest breakthroughs occur when working together on solutions that actually end up in daily healthcare practice.
Inspiring speakers and lively discussions
Danina Kapetanović, Vice President, Innovation & Chief Health Innovation Officer of the Waterloo Regional Health Network, affiliated with the University of Waterloo (Canada), emphasised that the future of healthcare is not determined by technology, but by how people, systems and values are connected. “Only when innovation is embedded in culture and relationships can it lead to lasting and meaningful change." The Canadian CareNext initiative provided an inspiring example of how innovation can be structurally embedded in healthcare practice. By allowing universities, hospitals and communities to work together as equal partners, a system is created that continuously learns, adapts and evolves.
A striking example of this is the new hospital of the future that is being built on the campus of the University of Waterloo: a living platform for innovation, where research, education and care are in constant dialogue. The building symbolises a new care model in which technology, data and human-centred design reinforce each other. "When we digitise, we have to ask ourselves whether we are deepening or losing the connection, whether technology strengthens or clouds our humanity."
At the end of the day, Femke Nijboer (University of Twente) provided a stimulating Keynote with her quirky and humorous vision of the future of healthcare. Under the title "How to Wreck Your Health and Be Happy", she supposedly gave the audience three "missions": learning how to break down your health, how to pass on those behaviours, and how to help others shorten their lives as well. With a lot of irony, she shared tips such as "drink more beer: it not only kills your liver, but also brain cells", "embrace sitting, because the Netherlands is the European champion of sitting still" and "stop varying your diet, monotony keeps your intestines nice and inflamed". Behind this playful and almost uncomfortable reversal lay a serious message: by turning the perspective around, it became clear just how hard it is to live healthily in an environment that constantly encourages unhealthy choices.
Nijboer explained that science and health education often fall short because they mainly communicate rationally and moralizingly: "We tell people it's your choice, your responsibility, but we forget the system they live in." She advocated that scientists make more use of imagination, humour and empathy to reach people. "Stretch your mind to find new possibilities — we need more imagination, humour and love in how we talk about health."
In-depth inspiration sessions
During the sessions, participants exchanged ideas about how innovations emerge from clinical questions and ultimately find their way into practice — and beyond. From AI and medical imaging to bioengineering, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health, women’s health and collaboration with the defence sector, the sessions demonstrated how research and application strengthen one another. The atmosphere was open and energetic; Speakers not only shared successes, but also the challenges involved in implementation, regulation and adoption in healthcare. For example, the AI session showed that regulations such as the AI Act and the MDR are essential to protect patients, but should not slow down innovation. "Progress can only be achieved if all parties continue to talk to each other," concluded moderator Jelmer Wolterink (University of Twente). In the session From Idea to Impact: Accelerating Healthcare Innovation, moderated by Hanneke Bodewes (University of Twente and 4TU.Health), participants recognised that research and real-world healthcare are not the same; bringing a medical innovation into practice involves many more stakeholders and requires alignment with existing care processes and organisational structures.
Meet and inspire
What makes the TechMed Event so unique every year is the special energy and the combination of inspiration, meeting and connection that participants share. In the Meeting Lounge, numerous contacts were made, and collaborations were formed. The combination of scientific depth, practical insights and an open atmosphere made the event a breeding ground for new ideas.
This spirit also came alive in the bustling Experience Centre, where visitors could explore no fewer than 32 prototypes, research projects and medical technologies up close: from microrobots navigating blood vessels for targeted treatment to a social robot supporting patients in daily life. Two striking examples of how technology and healthcare come together in practice.
Looking ahead
The TechMed Event 2025 demonstrated that when research, technology, and practice converge, healthcare can be transformed. And expectations for the next edition are already high. So, write the date in your agenda: November 5, 2026.
Listening tip:
Tune in to the NTR Science radio segment Uit de Nacht van NTR-Wetenschap (in Dutch), where Maroeska Rovers, Scientific Director of the TechMed Centre, discusses “How technology makes your healthcare better” in an early-morning broadcast (4:40 a.m.) on the day of the event.
University of Twente - TechMed Centre
Enabling sustainable and personalised health through technology
The TechMed Centre is a leading innovation hub that drives impact on healthcare through cutting-edge research, education, and innovation. With state-of-the-art facilities—ranging from advanced laboratories and preclinical testbeds to realistic simulated hospital environments—the centre accelerates technological advancements that transform healthcare. We believe that developing, evaluating, and implementing technology responsibly is key to achieving sustainable and personalised health for all. By fostering entrepreneurship and supporting new and growing companies within our regional ecosystem, the TechMed Centre creates a collaborative environment where experts from healthcare, biomedical technology, and government sectors join forces to make a lasting societal impact.