Accessible Healthcare for AI-Augmented Decisions

10/02/2026

On October 1, rural health providers gathered with the Louisiana Department of Health and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to improve access, quality, sustainability, and innovation across rural health care systems statewide.

The multi-year initiative, led by the LDH, will make strategic investments in workforce development, value-based care, health care infrastructure, telehealth, interoperability, emergency medical services, and rural health innovation. The program will strengthen rural providers, improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and create sustainable models of care for Louisiana’s rural communities.

⚜️ The Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence - CAAI, the Accessible Healthcare for AI-Augmented Decisions Center, and the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation are developing an artificial intelligence-based geographic information system and data platform that helps rural clinics standardize data and identify local community health care needs.

⚜️ The UL Lafayette College of Nursing & Health Sciences will support academic programs, faculty resources, and student support services aimed at bolstering the state's nursing workforce.

Read more about UL Lafayette's involvement in the initiative:
https://louisiana.edu/news/louisiana-department-health-taps-ul-lafayette-improve-rural-health-care

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting and shared valuable insights as we develop and grow the program.

Learn more about the program: https://ldh.la.gov/page/rural-health-transformation-program

09/28/2026

The Accessible Healthcare through AI-Augmented Decisions (AHeAD) Center invites you to participate in the AI4HealthOutcomes Webinar Series, a multi-institutional forum bringing together leading experts in artificial intelligence, public health, and medicine to help advance evidence-based health innovation using AI.

Join us on October 16, 2026
Time: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm CT / 3:30 pm – 4:40 pm ET
Topic: The Last Mile Begins in the First: Insights from Developing Technologies 🧩 Autism and 👴 Aging

Agata Rozga, PhD.Principal Research Scientist in the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Director of Translational Research for AI-CARING

Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/w4Be170ByL

Presented by UL Lafayette, Ochsner Health, Tulane University, Georgia Tech, and the University of Florida

09/11/2026

StateChain Summit ’26 is coming to UL Lafayette.

On September 30 and October 1, the LITE Center will welcome state and local government leaders, policymakers, researchers, technology builders, infrastructure providers, and industry practitioners for a two-day conversation focused on Critical Digital Infrastructure.

The Summit will explore how emerging technologies move from policy and experimentation toward practical implementation and adoption across government and public infrastructure.

Conversations will span artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, payments, blockchain and digital assets, data and interoperability, energy resilience, advanced air mobility, GovTech, workforce development, and more.

Through keynotes, fireside conversations, panels, and Rapid Solutions presentations, attendees will hear perspectives and real-world use cases from leaders across Louisiana and around the country.

StateChain Summit ’26
September 30 - October 1, 2026
LITE Center | University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, Louisiana

Learn more and register at StateChainSummit.org.

08/21/2026

Join us today at 2:30 pm CT

Meeting link- https://ullafayette.zoom.us/j/9925771063

08/11/2026

🔔 We are excited to kick off the fall AI4HealthOutcomes Webinar Series with Brian Summa, PhD, from Tulane University, to hear more about MAGIC -SCAN, an AI-powered imaging technology for cancer detection.

Friday, August 21, 2026
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm CT

Researchers, faculty, industry, doctors, healthcare professionals, and students are invited to join our Zoom meeting. Registration is complimentary, but advance registration is required to receive the meeting link:
➡️ https://forms.office.com/r/w4Be170ByL

Brian Summa is co-leading the groundbreaking MAGIC-SCAN project, an AI-powered imaging technology designed to help surgeons detect even the smallest traces of cancer during surgery, reducing the need for repeat procedures and improving patient care.

Their work is helping ensure that world-class cancer innovation reaches patients everywhere, including rural communities where access to advanced care can be limited.

07/16/2026

Congratulations to Gabriela Mustata Wilson, PhD, FHIMSS, FIAHSI, FAMIA, SNAI, Director of the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, for being selected to participate in the 2027 Leaders for a Better Louisiana Health Fellow Inaugural Class.

The leadership development program addresses public issues in areas such as healthcare, education, and workforce development.

Its new Health Fellows program brings together leaders from disciplines such as business, healthcare, higher education, government, public policy, and research to address challenges that influence health outcomes and to explore opportunities for improvement.

Read more - https://louisiana.edu/news/wilson-named-inaugural-leadership-louisiana-health-fellows-class?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=%40Louisiana%20July%2016%2C%202026%20-%20INTERNAL&utm_id=10985278&dlv-emuid=b76d54d0-9520-4504-8510-4a0280e3d4cb&dlv-mlid=10985278

Dr.

06/09/2026

Raju Gottumukkala, PhD will be speaking about Data-Driven Decision Making at the Louisiana Department of Health Rural Health Transformation Summit this Thursday, June 11, in Natchitoches, LA.

Speakers will present information on current rural health initiatives, available funding opportunities, and strategies for fostering innovation, collaboration, and long-term sustainability in rural Louisiana health care.

06/03/2026

Highlights from the NSF AHeAD Industry Planning Meeting on May 13, 2026.

06/03/2026

We’re excited to share a few more highlights from our May 13 Industry Planning Meeting, hosted at the University of Florida by Joel B. Harley and his team.

It was a fantastic day of collaboration, meaningful conversations, and networking. The group sessions were full of energy and inspiration! We are excited to begin working with you!



University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Tulane University
Georgia Tech

05/11/2026

The Accessible Healthcare for AI-Augmented Decisions is hosting its final industry planning meeting this Wednesday, May 13, at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

The center will bring together industry leaders and innovators to harness the potential of AI to transform the healthcare profession by reducing costs, improving the quality of care, and making health information accessible to all populations.

👉 Participants will gain:
• The opportunity to provide input into future multi-million dollar research priorities
• Early visibility into emerging AI-driven healthcare innovations
• Connections with a select group of peer organizations
• Opportunities for collaboration with four leading universities: University of Florida, Georgia Institute of Technology, Tulane University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

🏢 Event Details:
• Date: May 13, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (lunch provided)
• Location: UF Straughn Center, 2142 Shealy Dr, Gainesville
View more details - https://nsfahead.org/planning-meeting-may13-2026/

We look forward to seeing you!

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Andrea Frey at [email protected].