Theme: Seize the Future

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Rush University Medical Center
1725 West Harrison Street
Searle Conference Center, Room 542 Brainard
Chicago, Illinois, 60612
United States

Brian Cole

Dr. Brian Cole is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and a Professor of Orthopedics and Anatomy and Cell Biology at Rush University Medical Center. He is the Section Head of the Cartilage Research and Restoration Center at Rush University Medical Center, a multidisciplinary program specializing in the treatment of arthritis in young, active patients. Since 2011, he has served as Chairman of Surgery at Rush Oak Park Hospital and as the head of the Orthopedic Master's Program at Rush. Dr. Cole’s research interests include cartilage restoration, therapeutic biologics, and minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of the knee, elbow, and shoulder. He has published more than 1,000 articles and 5 textbooks on orthopedic surgery and sports medicine.

George Fitchett

George Fitchett is Professor and the Director of Research in the Department of Religion, Health, and Human Values, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago Illinois. He also holds an appointment in Rush’s Department of Preventive Medicine. He is a certified chaplain and pastoral supervisor. In addition to his training in spiritual care, George is trained in epidemiology. In 1990 he developed the research program in Rush’s Department of Religion, Health, and Human Values, one of the first such programs in any chaplaincy department. It is now seen as a model for the transformation of chaplaincy into a research-informed profession. George’s research has examined the relationship between religion and health in a variety of community and clinical populations. It has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and other agencies. Recently he co-led a team that received grants of $4.5 million from the John Templeton Foundation to advance research literacy among healthcare chaplains.

Jacob Goldsmith

Dr. Jacob Goldsmith is the Associate Clinical Director of the Epstein Center for the Study of Psychotherapy Change, at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. He is a licensed clinical psychologist at The Family Institute, and a Clinical Lecturer in Psychology at Northwestern University. Dr. Goldsmith maintains a clinical practice with a broad focus on young adults, including work on identity development, sexual identity, and relationship problems. He teaches, writes, and conducts research on issues related to young adulthood, client-therapist relationships, and empirically-informed therapy. He has lectured and presented nationally and internationally on topics such as transition to adulthood, young adult romantic relationships, parents’ relationships with young adults, gender and sexuality, and empirically-informed therapy.

Rebecca Goudarzi

Rebecca Goudarzi is a second-year Health Systems Management student at Rush University. After graduating from Davidson College with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, she worked in television and film in Los Angeles while performing with her sister as part of the singer-songwriter duo “The Rosannah Sisters.” She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild of America and Broadcast Music, Inc. Upon graduation, Rebecca will move to Charlotte, North Carolina to pursue the administrative fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center.

Robert Colangelo

Robert Colangelo is an environmental entrepreneur who founded several leading organizations that include: Environmental Planning Group, American Business Center Nizhnevartovsk, Siberia, Russia, Brownfield Development LLC, Environomics Communications, Brownfield News magazine, The National Brownfield Association, The Surplus Property Roundtable, Green Sense radio show and Green Sense Farms, LLC. Mr. Colangelo is recognized as a national expert and an authoritative source on indoor vertical farming, brownfield redevelopment and sustainability; he is the author of several books and numerous articles on the subject and is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show Green Sense. He has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs and been quoted in newspapers and magazines.

Roy Smythe

Roy Smythe, M. D. is considered an expert in the areas of health care innovation and integrated health care delivery strategy. He is currently Chief Medical Officer for Chicago-based Valence Health. Prior to moving to Valence, he was the first Chief Medical Officer for AVIA, a leading edge provider-led health care technology accelerator, and Chief Executive Officer of HX360 – a HIMSS/AVIA joint health care leadership convening, health system evaluation and executive education initiative.

Tom Bassett-Dilley

Tom Bassett-Dilley, AIA, CPHC®, is a leader in the world of low-energy, health-promoting buildings, presenting locally and nationally on topics of Passive House design, building science, Living Buildings, and green preservation. His firm, TBDA, designed the first certified Passive House buildings in the Chicagoland area, and he continues to lead the movement in Chicago and beyond.