Healthcare innovation isn’t just about new technologies—it’s about rethinking how care is delivered, resourced, and scaled. High-impact solutions require more than a great idea; they demand alignment with clinical workflows, integration into complex systems, and a clear path to measurable outcomes. This kind of scale is only possible through strategic partnerships that bring together capital, operational expertise, and a deep understanding of frontline realities. The most effective collaborations don’t just fund innovation—they shape it, accelerating development and deployment in ways that are sustainable, clinically relevant, and system-ready. Across the country, leading health systems are already piloting solutions to address pressing needs—from workforce burnout and clinical documentation to ICU capacity and care coordination. Read on to learn how these organizations are putting innovation into practice.

1. Clinically-Led Innovation

At ChristianaCare, the health system is piloting “Moxi” cobots—autonomous, AI-powered robots that integrate directly with their Cerner EHR. Designed to anticipate the needs of both clinicians and patients, these cobots deliver supplies, medications, lab specimens, and more. By offloading routine logistical tasks, Moxi helps nurses focus on what matters most: providing hands-on, compassionate care at the bedside.

2. Telehealth and Virtual Care Expansion

Through its OSF OnCall telehealth platform, OSF HealthCare now virtually manages over 200 ICU beds, delivering centralized critical care support across multiple hospitals. This innovative model keeps patients close to home, reduces the need for additional onsite staffing, and has led to a 27% reduction in ICU mortality and a 20% decrease in length of stay.

3. Workforce Solutions

At MemorialCare, the health system has partnered with Abridge to deploy a generative‑AI documentation assistant embedded in Epic. This tool listens to patient–clinician conversations, auto-generates visit summaries, and integrates them into the EHR—cutting manual note-taking time and allowing physicians to finish shifts earlier and spend more face‑to‑face time with patients.

4. Scaling Innovation with VC Support

In addition to funding innovative startups, VC partnerships often involve shared risk-taking and mentorship, accelerating the commercialization of health technologies.

For example, MedStar Health partnered with Auxira Health, a venture co-developed through Abundant Venture Studio, to bring an AI-powered cardiac procedure coordination platform to market. MedStar Health served as both an early customer and strategic co-developer, helping shape the product to fit real-world workflow needs. This partnership de-risked early development, validated the solution within a leading health system, and positioned Auxira to scale more rapidly across other cardiac centers.

5. Augmented and Virtual Reality

Innovations in augmented and virtual reality are transforming medical training and patient care. VR-based surgical training programs enhance skill acquisition, while AR tools assist clinicians in navigating complex procedures.

The future of healthcare innovation lies in partnerships, adaptability, and the ability to scale solutions that meet real-world needs. Collaborating with the right venture firms offers health systems not only the financial backing but also the strategic and operational resources required to turn bold ideas into sustainable success stories. Abundant Ventures is actively partnering with health systems and entrepreneurs to build and scale ventures that address the most pressing clinical and operational challenges. By combining strategic capital with deep operational expertise and clinical insight—and maintaining a focus on data-driven decision-making and a patient-first approach—these partnerships are driving meaningful, lasting impact across the healthcare ecosystem.