CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Faster access to care, more affordable treatment and policies that support innovation were central themes of a Health Technology Innovation Roundtable convened by City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago on Thursday, October 15, at its hospital in Zion.
The discussion brought together Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and leaders from City of Hope, Vantive and Zocdoc to examine how technology can help bend the health care cost curve, connect patients with care sooner and expand access to specialized treatment.
“Thank you to City of Hope in Zion for graciously hosting our recent roundtable to discuss how emerging health technologies are shaping patient care, access, and affordability,” said Schneider. “I am proud to represent a district where so many people work in the life sciences field to advance innovation. This convening was an important opportunity to hear directly from health technology innovators about the progress they are making to better connect patients with lifesaving care and how we can work together. I will continue to partner with City of Hope and the health technology experts throughout our district to ensure more people have access to the cutting-edge treatment and testing they deserve.”
The conversation spanned digital appointment scheduling, home dialysis, surgical robotics, artificial intelligence and remote monitoring. Zocdoc’s digital marketplace connects patients with available appointments, helping fill openings that might otherwise go unused. Vantive’s work in kidney care, including home dialysis, illustrated how technology can expand options for where and how patients receive treatment. City of Hope’s experience with advanced surgery and wearable devices highlighted opportunities to bring specialized expertise closer to patients and support recovery at home.
“Technological advancements continue to evolve rapidly, and keeping up with them can feel like a job unto itself,” said Pete Govorchin, president of City of Hope Chicago. “Having an opportunity to pause and reflect on the progress we have seen thus far, as well as look ahead to what’s next alongside a distinguished panel of respected professionals, is critical.”
The discussion also addressed barriers that can keep innovation from reaching patients, including state licensing requirements, limited broadband, outdated regulations and reimbursement challenges. Access for rural communities and veterans was a recurring concern, alongside the need to measure how new technologies improve outcomes and reduce avoidable costs.
“As both a developer and adopter of advanced surgical technologies, City of Hope is well positioned to provide practical, evidence-based insights into how robotic surgery and other procedures, delivered remotely, could improve access, enhance quality, and support the future of patient-centered care,” said Dr. Yuman Fong, a City of Hope surgical oncologist.
Joining Schneider, Govorchin and Fong were Chris Toth, CEO of Vantive; Kyle Jackson, Vantive’s executive director of government affairs and market development; and Ilyssa Meyer, Zocdoc’s director of government affairs.
“I was proud to be part of an important convening of health technology experts discussing how we can continue to work together to connect more patients to care and innovative treatment. Rep. Schneider’s leadership on the bipartisan, bicameral Health ACCESS Act is an important next step in turning the innovations discussed at the recent roundtable into broader access to care,” added Meyer. “By reducing barriers to digital health services and online appointment scheduling, the bill can help connect more patients with the care they need.”
About City of Hope
City of Hope’s mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, Orange County, California, campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope™. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago
