Dr. Brian E. Shiozawa, regional director of intergovernmental and external affairs for Region 8 of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will give the keynote remarks during the morning session of the Utah Technology Innovation Summit on Apr. 1 at the Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR) announced.
“We are honored to hear from Dr. Shiozawa at the Utah Technology Innovation Summit,” said Barbara Araneo, Ph.D., acting executive director of USTAR. “He will provide a critical perspective to how innovation is shaping health care at a regional and federal level.”
Dr. Shiozawa, an emergency physician from Utah, was appointed as Regional Director in Region 8 by the President in December 2017. In his role, Dr. Shiozawa leads the Denver-based office of Health and Human Services, ensuring the Department maintains close contact with state, local, and tribal partners and addresses the needs of communities and individuals in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
Prior to his appointment to his current position, Dr. Shiozawa served as a two-term member of the Utah Legislature, representing District 8 in the Utah Senate from 2013 to 2017. During his time as a state senator, Dr. Shiozawa sponsored and passed over 50 bills covering a range of health care related issues, including opioid overdose, assault and technology. He served on Governor Gary R. Herbert’s Task Force on Health Care Reform, Chairman of the Business, Economic Development and Labor Appropriations Committee, Social Services Appropriations, and on the Health and Human Services Committee. Dr. Shiozawa is a Past President of the Utah Medical Association. He also served on the Board of Trustees for St. Mark’s Hospital, was President of Emergency Physicians Group, and President of the Utah Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
During the Summit, innovators, decision makers, thought leaders, investors and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to discuss best practices to catalyze innovation in government and business. Breakout sessions will explore topics such as building Utah’s future through genomics, addressing Utah’s air quality challenges through technological innovation and international opportunities for Utah’s deep technology companies.
The 2019 Utah Technology Innovation Summit will culminate in a lunchtime plenary session with an afternoon keynote address from the Honorable Michael O. Leavitt, who served as the governor of Utah, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The lunchtime plenary will also include the presentation of the Governor’s Medals for Science and Technology. Now in their 32nd year, the Governor’s Medals for Science and Technology are the highest civilian award bestowed by the State to Utah to residents who have provided distinguished service or made significant contributions in scientific and technological fields.
Registration information and schedule can be found at UTAHINNOVATIONSUMMIT.ORG.
