Health Equity Quest 2026
AI for Health Equity by Design
Workshop + Keynote | November 4, 2026
Loyola University Chicago’s Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, in collaboration with MATTER, invites community-based organizations, researchers, health innovators, and ecosystem leaders to join us for the 2026 Health Equity Quest, a one-day program exploring how artificial intelligence can advance health equity.
Together, participants will examine practical AI use cases, discuss barriers related to access and trust, and identify opportunities to ensure AI-driven solutions are inclusive, community-informed, and built for meaningful impact.
About the program
The program includes two connected experiences. You can attend one or both sessions.
- AI + Health Equity Workshop for selected community-based organizations and researchers
- Keynote and panel discussion open to a broader audience of health equity, innovation, academic, community, and industry stakeholders
AI + Health Equity Workshop
The first part of the 2026 Health Equity Quest will be a hands-on workshop designed to build foundational knowledge of AI and explore how these tools can support equity-centered health innovation for select community-based organizations, researchers, and healthcare stakeholders.
This half-day workshop will feature interactive exercises, guided discussion, and practical frameworks to educate participants on how AI can be used to better understand community needs, strengthen outreach and engagement, support data-informed decision-making, and design solutions that do not leave underserved populations behind.
Organizations and researchers who are curious about AI, actively exploring AI-enabled tools, or seeking practical ways to apply emerging technologies in service of health equity are encouraged to apply. No technical background is required.
Applications will be accepted through September 10, 2026, at 11:59 pm CT.
Who should apply
- Community-based organizations serving populations affected by health disparities
- Public health, healthcare, social service, and advocacy organizations
- Researchers focused on health equity, community engagement, implementation science, public health, or related fields
- Teams exploring how AI could support outreach, access, care navigation, research, program design, or community impact
What participants will gain
Participants will:
- Build foundational knowledge of AI and its potential applications in health and public health
- Explore practical use cases for AI in community-based research settings
- Learn frameworks for evaluating AI tools through an equity, access, and trust lens
- Identify risks, limitations, and ethical considerations related to AI adoption
- Connect with peers, researchers, innovators, and health ecosystem leaders
- Develop ideas for applying AI in ways that are responsive to community needs
Keynote and Panel
Following the workshop, Loyola University Chicago and MATTER will convene a broader audience for a keynote and panel discussion focused on the evolving role of AI in healthcare and health equity.
This program will bring together leaders from community-based organizations, academia, and the healthcare innovation ecosystem to examine how AI is being used today, where it may create new opportunities and what must be addressed to ensure it is being implemented responsibly and equitably.
Key topics
Speakers will explore key topics, including:
- How can AI help improve access, engagement, and outcomes for underserved communities?
- What risks must be addressed to avoid reinforcing bias or widening disparities?
- How can community voices shape the design and deployment of AI-enabled solutions?
- What partnerships are needed to move from experimentation to equitable impact?
What participants will gain
Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of AI’s opportunities and challenges in health equity, as well as practical insight into how cross-sector collaboration can help ensure emerging technologies serve the communities that need them most.
Innovation in Action
2025 Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest
Innovators, thought leaders, and advocates in heart health explored how digital technologies might advance cardiovascular health and reduce disparities for historically underserved communities as well as young people.
2024 Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest
In 2024, the Parkinson School partnered with MATTER to advance innovative solutions addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by early career professionals, including workplace stress and inequitable access to support.
Parkinson Impact Report
Opened in 2019—and forged during the COVID-19 global pandemic—Loyola's Parkinson School is proudly celebrating its 5-year anniversary. It is helping transform health care through education, research, and community partnerships, all in the Jesuit tradition.
Contributing partners