Last night, I had the privilege of attending the third annual TIME100 Health Leadership Forum in New York City, joining an extraordinary group of leaders, scientists, physicians, researchers, innovators, and advocates who are helping shape the future of health.

For me, being in rooms like this is incredibly meaningful.

I have spent much of my life immersed in science and asking questions about how we can better understand the human body, improve quality of life, support prevention, and create solutions that help people live healthier lives. What excites me most is seeing how quickly those conversations are evolving.

The TIME100 Health Leadership Forum brought together individuals working across some of the most important areas in healthcare today, from cancer research and cell therapy to longevity, women’s health, neuroscience, biotechnology, and more.

I especially appreciated hearing from Maria Shriver, Dr. Eneida R. Nemecek, Dr. David L. Porter, Amy Ronneberg, Dr. Andrea Cercek, Shane Jacobson, David Sinclair, Jennifer Garrison, and Jack Jia, along with the thoughtful conversations led throughout the evening.

What stayed with me most was not one single idea, but the collective sense that the future of health will require us to think differently.

We are living through an extraordinary period of scientific advancement. Researchers are exploring new approaches to cancer treatment and cell therapy. Our understanding of aging and longevity continues to evolve. Women’s health is finally receiving greater scientific attention. Emerging technologies are giving us new ways to study, measure, and understand the human body.

But innovation alone is not enough.

The future of healthcare must also be about prevention, accessibility, education, collaboration, and helping people become active participants in their own health.

I have always believed that science should ultimately serve people. Research becomes most powerful when we can translate what we learn into meaningful solutions that improve everyday lives.

That is why conversations like those taking place at the TIME100 Health Leadership Forum matter. Progress does not happen in isolation. It happens when researchers, physicians, entrepreneurs, advocates, organizations, and communities come together, challenge existing thinking, share knowledge, and remain willing to ask difficult questions.

I left New York feeling inspired by the people I met and the ideas shared throughout the evening.

There is still tremendous work ahead of us, but there is also tremendous reason for optimism.

As a scientist, researcher, and entrepreneur, I am excited to continue contributing to that conversation and exploring what is possible when science, innovation, prevention, and human wellbeing come together.

Thank you to TIME, Jessica Sibley, and everyone involved in the TIME100 Health Leadership Forum for creating a space where so many important perspectives could meet.

The future of health is being shaped right now, and I am grateful to have been in the room for the conversation.

Dr. Christina Rahm