Our nation’s healthcare system has earned the dubious reputation as a sick-care system. How to fix it is being debated by nearly everyone—health policy pundits, social scientists, politicians, community activists, providers, among others. The one point they all seem to agree on is the need to transform how we approach health and delivery of healthcare.

This topic is at the center of the annual Transform Conference. Hosted by Mayo Clinic, the conference brings together great minds from across the globe to tackle the massive challenge of transforming the future of healthcare.

Every session we attended at Transform 2015 offered thought-provoking ideas, strategies and solutions to move us closer to that goal. Among the many takeaways, these three made it to the top of our list:

  1. Healthcare gaps and failures are fueling innovation.
    A large number of entrepreneurs are developing life-saving and life-enhancing platforms, technologies, products and services. Accolade, Care at Hand and PhysIQ are just a few of the organizations creating practical solutions to very real problems.
  2. Wellness is part of healthcare, too.
    Preventive health has to be part of the healthcare equation. Entrepreneurial payer Oscar is using technology to reduce its members’ need for sick-care. Behavioral economist Dan Ariely is uncovering what motivates healthy behaviors—including why we brush our teeth. (Apparently, we like minty-freshness.)
  3. Look outside the healthcare system to improve what’s inside.
    Perhaps the most provocative idea came from a team of service designers from the Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation. Their point, “Let’s stop trying to fix a broken system and start building one that works,” was particularly bold, considering that it came one of the world’s leading medical centers. This approach was best realized with the unveiling of the Well Living Lab, a collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Delos. This one-of-a-kind research facility studies the real-world impact of indoor environments on human health and well-being. The goal of the research is to create healthier indoor spaces, products and technologies that can actually improve our health and wellness—not just keep us from getting sick. (Full disclosure: StoneArch developed the brand, messaging and website for the Well Living Lab.)

Transforming our healthcare system is a massive undertaking, but the movement is quickly gaining ground with visionaries, entrepreneurs, academics and medical experts who want to make change happen. If Transform 2015 is any indication, next year’s conference will more than live up to its name. Join us and prepare to be transformed!