On September 17, the Hospital Innovation Summit took place at the Warsaw Gasworks Museum, organized as part of the MCSC Hospital Leadership Innovation program.
On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, innovators, decision-makers, representatives of hospitals, the public sector, business, and media gathered at the Warsaw Gasworks Museum to participate in the Hospital Innovation Summit. The main highlight of the event was the pitching session of the finalists of the 4th edition of MCSC. The session was accompanied by a debate, workshops, and networking activities.
The event was hosted by Konstancja Gołda from the Press Office of the Institute of Mother and Child. Event partners included the ORLEN Foundation named after Ignacy Łukasiewicz and the Warsaw Gasworks Museum.
Opening – The innovator’s journey is never easy
The event was opened by Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Tomasz Maciejewski, who, in his speech, highlighted the dynamic development of the MCSC program – from a competition focused on pediatric patients to an international initiative centered around the medical innovation ecosystem.
Many of the tools we use every day in the healthcare sector already have AI algorithms built in – for example, in ultrasound machines. These are the often invisible elements of digitalization working in the background. The MCSC competition, now in its fourth edition and attracting an international group of participants, shows that anyone can be an innovator and implement change – even small ones that make a big difference in hospital routines
– said Dr. Maciejewski.
He highlighted that the path of an innovator is never easy, but thanks to courage and determination, gene therapies, 3D printing, and neuroprosthetics have made their way into clinical practice.
His speech set the tone for the entire day: “It’s a good time for change and innovation.”
Opening debate – Who really drives change in healthcare?
In the debate on driving change in healthcare, the panelists pointed out that innovations arise from the combination of various forces: patient needs, political decisions, and investments. Each participant in the discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration and balancing the interests of different stakeholders.
Jarosław Gruszka from the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffing noted that:
Each of us drives change – from patients and their unmet needs, to regulators, and the public sector.
Dominik Krzyżanowski, Director of the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, highlighted the need for balancing needs:
IT and new technologies are very important to us – we see this every day. However, it is essential to skillfully balance three areas: patient needs, funding, and the formal framework that enables the development of startups and research.
Karolina Nowak from the Agency for Medical Research emphasized the importance of support for patients within innovation:
All activities of the Agency for Medical Research are focused on the patient. A tangible result is, for example, the ‘Patient in Research’ portal, whose goal is education and support for the sick.
This lively discussion highlights the need for integrating different approaches and engaging various entities to create an innovative system that truly addresses the real needs of patients.
Pitching Session – TOP10 of MCSC’s 4th edition
The most dynamic part of the day was the pitching session. In two blocks, nine projects from this year’s TOP10 were presented: Promedheus, AILIS, Medbase, Medinice S.A., DyzurApp, Exura, Genotic, Noctuai, Pharmdiver.
Spanish innovator Qubio Neurocloud®, unable to attend in person, submitted a video presentation that was shared during the session.
Each team had 3 minutes to pitch and 5 minutes for expert Q&A. The atmosphere was intense – the audience felt like they were on an investor stage, where facts, credibility, and implementation potential matter most.
Special thanks go to the Expert Council: Dr. Elżbieta Piątkowska, Wiktor Strzelczyk, and Paweł Zieliński, who stepped in for Klaudia Gutowska. They asked sharp questions, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each idea.
The Q&A session truly showcased the energy, courage, and determination of the innovators to bring their solutions into hospitals in Poland and beyond.
The finalist presentations marked the final step before announcing the competition winner. Next comes the Program Council and Directors’ Board meeting, followed by the awards gala on October 21.
HIPSS Workshop – Bridging Hospital Needs and Market Solutions
One of the key elements of the summit was the workshop “Bridging Healthcare Needs & Market Solutions”, organized by EIT Health and Health Innovation Procurement Support Services (HIPSS).
The workshop had an international scope, featuring experts from Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, including:
- Maria Sanchis, PhD – EIT Health (Spain)
- Pau Esteve Monja – EIT Health (Germany)
- Olman A. Elizondo-Cordero – AQuAS (Spain)
- Sofía Moreno-Pérez – VALDE INNOVA (Spain)
- Meike Bomhof – Avania (Netherlands)
- Isabella Seiler – Medical Valley EMN e. V. (Germany)
- Loth Van der Auwermeulen & Michelle Meys – UHasselt (Belgium)
Thanks to their presence, participants gained insights into the innovation implementation process from legal, organizational, and market perspectives.
The workshop demonstrated that innovation requires not only ideas but also an understanding of public procurement mechanisms, regulatory barriers, and implementation processes.
Interestingly, they weren’t the only international guests – the summit also welcomed a delegation from 10 of the largest hospitals in the Philippines. It was a pleasure to exchange experiences from such diverse parts of the world and compare challenges and solutions.
Partner presentation – 30 years of hospital digitization experience
Another highlight was the presentation by Łukasz Borzęcki, CEO of CompuGroup Medical Polska, titled: “Traps and Challenges in IT Projects for Healthcare – 30 Years of Experience.”
In a personal and insightful talk, he shared stories of both successful and challenging projects, touching on technical and organizational barriers.
The key takeaway: healthcare digitization requires a long-term approach, patience, and close collaboration with end users – doctors and patients.
Summary – a shared path toward innovation
Hospital Innovation Summit 2025 proved that medical innovation is a multidimensional process. It’s a meeting of visionaries, experts, hospitals, investors, and regulators.
It’s a space for knowledge exchange and collaboration, where solutions are born to transform healthcare.
The symbolic venue – the former Gasworks in Wola, once a hub of energy innovation – perfectly reflected the day’s message: “It’s a good time for change and innovation.”