Lake Nona Newsletter 1st Edition Volume 1 | Page 2

F E AT U R E

Collaboration
at its Finest
LAKE NONA H OST S
ANNU AL IMPAC T FO RUM

“Less than one decade ago, some leaders
thought plans for Lake Nona would never
materialize,” said University of Central Florida
(UCF) President Dr. John Hitt. “Now, Lake
Nona is said to be the biggest economic
game changer for Central Florida since Walt
Disney World. Because our community dared
to dream big, Lake Nona has become a
model for the nation.”
This resounding message filled the air at
the second annual Lake Nona Institute
Impact Forum, held in late October, 2013 at
Lake Nona Medical City. The unique event
brought top CEOs and leaders in academia,
technology, and health care together to

discuss important topics that have the ability
to change our world – starting right in our
backyard.
Notable moments from the event included
an announcement on the creation of the
GuideWell Innovation Center – a new hub
for burgeoning start-ups and seasoned
companies, expected to break ground in
Lake Nona Medical City later this year. Also,
a pledge was signed by dozens of CEOs, led
by Johnson & Johnson’s Alex Gorsky and
spearheaded by Lake Nona neighbor Human
Performance Institute, to encourage healthy,
active lifestyles in the workplace.
A roster of keynote speakers, from Under
Armour CEO Kevin Plank and former US
Senator Tom Daschle to NBC News Chief
Medical Editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman and
Clinton Health Matters Initiative CEO Ginny
Ehrlich, led an impressive series of discussions
on everything from health care reform and
stem cell research to new-age technology and
personalized medicine.
Lake Nona will host its third annual
Impact Forum in February 2015. For more
information, visit lakenonaimpactforum.org.

“Somebody once said that those without
imagination have no wings. I think you are a wing
factory at Lake Nona...you have built something
that is now being recognized around the world.”
- TOM DASCHLE

Former US Senator

FAST FACTS

150+
Days of programming on
3 health innovation
45 Speakers featuring
Global
attendees

Michael Roizen
Chief Wellness Officer
Cleveland Clinic

Susan Dentzer
Senior Policy Advisor
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Jan DeWitte
President and CEO
GE Healthcare IT and Performance
Solutions

Dr. James Madara
Executive Vice President and CEO
American Medical Association

Kevin Plank
Founder, Chairman and CEO
Under Armour

Alex Gorsky
CEO and Chairman
Johnson & Johnson

Dolvette Quince
Fitness Expert and TV Star
NBC’s “The Biggest Loser”