New healthcare conference aims to disrupt “sick care”

Health

Jan 27

Written By Staff

Nathan Baar
Photo courtesy of Baar Ventures

A new conference focused on transforming the healthcare system through innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable models will take place March 31–April 1 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Presented by Baar Ventures, ‘Health’care 2026 aims to unite healthcare leaders, innovators, practitioners, and investors around a shared mission: reimagining healthcare to prioritize health over sick care.

“We’re creating a parallel healthcare economy,” said the event’s organizer, Nathan Baar. “By bringing structure, strategy, and focus to independent healthcare solutions operating in parallel to our healthcare system, we can build alternative access points to health services incentivized by healthy outcomes”.

The event will feature programming that bridges thought leadership and real-world implementation. Attendees can look forward to keynotes from leaders actively challenging traditional healthcare paradigms. These sessions will be complemented by action-oriented presentations that dive deep into topics such as entrepreneurship, disruptive payment models, practice innovation, and care centered around improved health outcomes.

Hands-on workshops will give attendees the chance to collaborate and develop actionable strategies to improve patient outcomes and build more sustainable systems. In addition to structured sessions, the conference will provide ample networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect with fellow innovators, funders, and changemakers from across the healthcare ecosystem.

“['Health’care 2026] is designed to spotlight real-world solutions that challenge the status quo, from independent practice models to disruptive payer strategies, and accelerate tangible change,” Baar said.

The conference will spotlight independent practitioners, emerging startups, and established organizations working outside traditional systems to reshape how health is defined, delivered, and financed.

According to event organizers, the conference comes at a time when the U.S. healthcare system is facing rising costs, inequitable access, and outdated care models. Stakeholders across the healthcare continuum are increasingly seeking strategies that promote prevention, value-based care, and sustainable systems that support true well-being.

‘Health’care 2026 aims to foster collaboration that drives impact. Topics will include technology-enabled care, novel financing approaches, and community-centered models.

Programming begins March 31 at 4 p.m. with a VIP dinner and continues through April 1 at 4 p.m. For more information, visit https://healthcare2026.com/.

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