Healthcare & Biotech

Atlanta and Los Angeles – September 20, 2026 -- StimCardio Medical reported that patients treated with non-invasive median nerve stimulation (MNS) after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation showed 90.0% freedom from atrial arrhythmias at six months, compared with 80.8% for those receiving sham treatment, though the difference did not reach statistical significance. The randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled NeuroPulse pilot study was presented as late-breaking clinical science at HRX Live 2026 and simultaneously published in the peer-reviewed journal Heart Rhythm.

Post-blanking analysis finds statistically significant drop in arrhythmia events

In a sensitivity analysis conducted after the 60-day blanking period, patients receiving MNS recorded 12 recurrent atrial arrhythmia events versus 28 in the sham group, a statistically significant reduction (p=0.025). No MNS- or device-related serious adverse events were reported across the trial.

Sheridan, Wyoming – September 20, 2026 -- The global remote patient monitoring (RPM) market is set to grow from $34.5 billion in 2026 to $62.2 billion by 2031, a 12.5% compound annual growth rate, according to a new study by Wissen Research.

Reimbursement codes and readmission penalties push hospitals toward RPM at scale

Dedicated CMS billing codes are giving U.S. providers a recurring revenue incentive to deploy RPM, while health systems use the technology to avoid costly 30-day readmission penalties tied to chronic disease relapse. Cardiovascular disease held the largest application share in 2025, reflecting the clinical and financial burden of heart failure, atrial fibrillation and hypertension.

New York – September 20, 2026 -- Project Healthy Minds, a mental health tech nonprofit, will host its fourth annual World Mental Health Day Gala on Thursday, October 8, and its fifth annual World Mental Health Day Festival on Saturday, October 10, both at New York's Spring Studios. The nonprofit says its programmatic initiatives have already served more than 500,000 people, with a goal of connecting over 10 million Americans to mental health services over the next decade.

New York – September 20, 2026 -- Invictus Pharmacy has secured LegitScript Healthcare Merchant Certification for its platform InvictusPharmacy.com, joining a select group of digital pharmacy operators that includes Amazon Pharmacy in meeting the certifier's compliance standards.

LegitScript certification confirms pharmacy licensing and prescription validity standards

The certification evaluates pharmacy licensing, regulatory compliance, patient privacy protocols, valid prescription practices, website transparency and advertising conduct. Invictus Pharmacy's approval places it among established platforms cleared to operate within the regulated digital healthcare marketplace.

Washington – September 20, 2026 -- The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) has endorsed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new appointments to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), following a years-long campaign by the group to force reforms on kidney disease screening policy. AAKP President Edward V. Hickey III said the appointees bring the diverse credentials needed to advance patient-centered medicine after what the organization calls two decades of Task Force inaction on kidney health.

Chicago – September 20, 2026 -- National Medical Fellowships (NMF) has awarded more than $50 million in scholarships and supported over 32,000 scholars across all 50 states since its founding in 1946, the organization announced ahead of its 80th anniversary celebration this October in Chicago, where its mission began.

NMF marks eight decades of funding medical education pathways

The nonprofit's support has extended beyond scholarships to mentorship, career development, service-learning programs, and clinical research leadership training for aspiring and current health professionals. Alumni from the program have gone on to work as physicians, educators, and health care leaders serving communities nationwide.

Chicago – September 20, 2026 -- The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) won four honors at the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards for communications work combating dental health misinformation and promoting evidence-based endodontic care.

AAE secures four distinct award categories at the Sept. 17 gala

The winning initiatives were "Truth vs. Trends: How One Association Combats Trending Fear-Based Information," the "Worth Saving Campaign in 2025," "Combating Root Canal Misinformation Through Evidence-Based Public Education," and "Worth Saving: Reaching Digital-First Audiences Through Integrated Social Media Education." The awards were presented at Venue West in Chicago as part of PRSA Chicago's premier public relations competition for the greater Chicago area.

Milwaukee – September 20, 2026 -- The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) formally inaugurated Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, as its seventh President and Chief Executive Officer on September 17 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in downtown Milwaukee, marking a leadership transition at the nation's third-largest private medical school.

Kurpad succeeds a 16-year CEO tenure at one of the country's top-performing academic medical centers

Dr. Kurpad, a neurosurgeon with more than two decades of service at MCW, takes over from John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, who led the institution as President and CEO for 16 years.

Washington – September 20, 2026 -- More than half of U.S. women, 51%, report at least one negative healthcare experience in the past five years, compared with 39% of men, according to a new Gallup-Pivotal survey released Sept. 18, 2026.

The research, conducted by Gallup in partnership with Pivotal, the organization founded by Melinda French Gates, finds that 42% of women say their health has prevented them from doing everything they wanted to do in life over the past five years. Fifty-four percent report at least one health-related impact on family life or relationships, 42% on work or career, and 32% on community participation.

Geneva – September 20, 2026 -- China's leading hospitals serving international patients recorded 1.28 million international patient visits in 2025, up 73.6% from three years earlier, Dr. John K. Hsiang, Chairman of Jiahui Health's Executive Committee, said at the WTO Public Forum 2026.

Inbound patient volumes surge past 1.28 million visits in 2025

Of the 1.28 million total visits, 413,000 were made by patients who travelled to China specifically for medical care, according to data cited by Dr. Hsiang. At Jiahui Health, overseas patient inquiries nearly doubled year on year in the first half of 2026. Dr. Hsiang was the sole Chinese healthcare representative invited to the forum's "Health Without Borders" session on medical tourism in services trade.