Connecticut Health Council Hosts Federal Innovation Site Visit Showcasing State Leadership in Health Technology, Workforce, and Care Transformation
Hartford, CT — March 2, 2026 — The Connecticut Health Council (CHC) hosted a high-level Federal Innovation Site Visit from February 16–18, welcoming senior federal leadership to experience firsthand how Connecticut is advancing health care delivery, workforce innovation, digital transformation, and public-private collaboration.
The multi-day visit featured immersive site visits with Connecticut’s leading healthcare systems, innovation organizations, and state agencies, highlighting scalable models that improve access, strengthen workforce pipelines, and leverage technology and data to enhance patient outcomes.
“This visit represents a powerful opportunity to elevate Connecticut as a national model for healthcare innovation,” said Tiffany Morrissey, Executive Director of the Connecticut Health Council. “Our partners are demonstrating what’s possible when industry, government, education, and technology align — and this engagement allows us to shape federal understanding of what works on the ground.”
Stephen Konya serves as the Chief, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships for the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In addition to shaping the Agency’s long-term innovation strategy, he also serves as the primary liaison to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program, and manages the agency’s relationship with the external healthcare startup and investor community.
During the visit, Konya and representatives from Connecticut’s top healthcare organizations explored how the state is leveraging technology, interoperability, and health information exchange to improve care delivery and access. The visit also covered the state’s scalable public-private partnerships that are advancing workforce innovation alongside system challenges, with special attention paid to areas where federal policy, funding, and regulatory alignment could accelerate progress.
SoNE HEALTH — Innovation and data-driven care transformation
As a leader in value-based care, SoNE HEALTH welcomed Stephen Konya, Chief of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP). During the visit, SoNE leadership shared with Mr. Konya highlights of its work in innovation and data-driven care transformation, focusing on how SoNE HEALTH is utilizing technology, interoperability, and data sharing to optimize outcomes for its patient populations and manage the total cost of care to enhance the value of healthcare in the region.
Other highlights of the visit included:
Hartford HealthCare — Integrated care delivery and digital innovation
Connecticut Children’s New Tower — Pediatric innovation and workforce expansion
Deloitte Luncheon with Health Council Board Leaders — Policy, workforce, and innovation alignment
CONNIE (Connecticut’s Health Information Exchange) — Interoperability and statewide data infrastructure
Saint Francis Hospital, Trinity Health of New England — Community-centered care delivery models
The visit reinforced Connecticut’s growing reputation as a national leader in health system modernization, workforce development, and innovation policy alignment.
“This is about more than showcasing excellence — it’s about strengthening federal partnerships that unlock future investment, pilots, and policy pathways that benefit patients, communities, and the healthcare workforce,” Morrissey added.
About the Connecticut Health Council
The Connecticut Health Council, an initiative of the MetroHartford Alliance, is the state’s healthcare industry partnership, convening employers, educators, policymakers, and workforce leaders to strengthen healthcare talent pipelines, drive innovation, and advance economic development through healthcare. Learn more by visiting cthealthcouncil.com.