Overview
Chartered in 2009 by MedStar Health President and CEO Kenneth A. Samet, FACHE, the MedStar Institute for Innovation (MI2) catalyzes innovation that advances health. Our mantra, “Think Differently,” reflects the core belief that innovation—which is about doing differently—always starts first by thinking, seeing, and understanding the world in different ways than before.
The MedStar Institute for Innovation has developed capabilities in the following areas to help further MedStar Health’s vision of being the trusted leader in caring for people and advancing health.
Catalyze
Catalyzing innovation energy at MedStar Health by inspiring and equipping associates to unlock their potential.
Innovate
Developing deep technical capabilities—often in the "white space" where others have not gone before.
Case Studies
Learn more below about key teams, programs, and more or explore case studies highlighting our here.
MedStar Telehealth Innovation Center
The MedStar Telehealth Innovation Center (MTIC) was established in March 2017 to expand upon years of foundational telehealth work at MedStar Health. MTIC supports and coordinates telehealth activities across MedStar Health by providing telehealth infrastructure, best practices, subject matter expertise, project implementation, and programmatic operational support—at system scale.
MedStar Health Simulation Training & Education Lab
The MedStar Health Simulation Training & Education Lab (SiTEL) creates and deploys a blended learning model of interactive online training, virtual and hands-on high-fidelity simulation, and continuing professional education (CPE) products used at MedStar Health and by healthcare organizations in more than 40 states. It is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, the American College of Surgeons, and Joint Accreditation for CPE.
Business Innovation
Our business innovation efforts support MedStar Health in identifying, vetting, and structuring engagement with startup and scale-up companies to help MedStar Health tackle difficult issues and problems while creating essential future-facing capabilities through new technologies, alternative business models, and novel collaborations.
MedStar Inventor Services
MedStar Inventor Services works with MedStar Health associates to transform their innovative ideas and discoveries into commercial products.
MedStar Health Center for Wellbeing

The MedStar Health Center for Wellbeing further develops and promotes an innovative and supportive wellbeing culture that prioritizes optimal health, professional fulfillment, and quality of life to help the system serve as a best place to work in health care. The Center was established in November 2021 within the MedStar Institute for Innovation after years of successful foundational work that earned MedStar Health “Joy in Medicine” recognition from the American Medical Association.
MedStar Center for Surgical Innovation
The MedStar Center for Surgical Innovation (MCSI) was chartered in July 2021 to further strengthen MedStar Health’s national leadership in shaping the future of surgical innovation technology, practice, and training. The Center supports the system in serving as a magnet destination for outstanding patients, surgeons, and residents, and advancing health through innovation, research, and education.
MedStar Innovation Forum
The MedStar Institute for Innovation has held an innovation forum for MedStar Health associates 10 times to date. Its goal has been to provide a day away from the “tyranny of the daily” by offering a program that stretches the mind, changes the frame, and provides attendees with lasting tools for new ways of looking at the world. This signature event has convened hundreds within the MedStar Health system to provide fresh perspectives on innovation, a variety of presentations designed to inspire and excite, and facilitated discussions aimed at catalyzing innovation and encouraging networking.
Key Collaborators
MedStar Health National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare

Founded within the MedStar Institute for Innovation, the MedStar Health National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare grew out of our incubator and, as of July 2020, moved to its new organizational home in the MedStar Health Research Institute. Given the success and evolution of its work to promote a safer and more efficient healthcare environment, the Human Factors Center remains deeply integrated with, and shares a location with, the MedStar Institute for Innovation as part of the Advancing Health family at MedStar Health.
Our Administrative Residency Program
Read about the MedStar Health administrative residency in innovation and clinical operations, as well as the past residents. Learn more