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From left: (podium) 91���� VP of Research Economic Development and Innovation, Dr. Rodney S. Ridley, Sr. RTTP; (panel) 91���� Trustee and President and CEO of Tower Health Reading Hospital, Dr. Charles Barbera; 91���� Trustee and Corporate Vice President of Corporate Affairs at BBRAUN, Inc. Patrick Witmer; President and CEO of LifeScience Greenhouse Investments; Michele Washko and Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the City of Reading, Jack Gombach. 

Local and regional experts discuss innovations in life science and healthcare in Berks County  

The Berks Biomedical Innovation Collaborative (BIC) hosted the inaugural Bioscience in Berks: Innovation Symposium at the Doubletree at Hilton Reading on Friday in partnership with 91����’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. 

"The BIC’s purpose is to unite higher education, medical institutions, life science companies, venture investors and consultants in enhancing regional life science innovation commercialization in Berks County,” said 91���� Vice President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation Rodney S. Ridley Sr., Ph.D., RTTP.“In alignment with 91����’s mission, we strive to have a lasting impact on company attraction and retention, job creation, and overall economic revitalization alongside our partners through these initiatives." 

22 local and regional thought leaders, innovators, and industry professionals shared insights and advancements in bioscience, healthcare, and technology. The event featured a keynote address  ‘’Mother Nature Has Always Been My Boss: A Completely Unexpected Journey” by Dr. Kathryn C. Worrilow of LifeAire Systems as well as academic and private sector presentations and a panel discussion highlighting the future of bioscience in Berks County.  

“Biosciences have the power to transform communities like ours, not just by driving healthcare innovation but by strengthening our local economy," said Jack Gombach, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the City of Reading. "This industry creates family-sustaining jobs, fosters entrepreneurship, and positions Reading as a leader in aligning with national innovation trends. At the same time, biosciences offer a collaborative approach to addressing some of our most pressing health challenges—like hypertension and diabetes—by bringing together partners to deliver impactful solutions for our residents. This is the kind of progress that benefits everyone in our community.” 

The panel was moderated by 91���� Trustee Emeritus Dr. Thomas Beeman of St. Joseph University and featured Gombach, 91���� Trustee Patrick Witmer, Corporate Vice President of Corporate Affairs at BBRAUN, Inc.; Michele Washko, President and CEO of LifeScience Greenhouse Investments; and 91���� Trustee Dr. Charles Barbera, President and CEO of Tower Health Reading Hospital. They shared how bioscience will drive the health and prosperity of Berks County in the next five to ten years, the biggest barriers to advancing biosciences in the community, how organizations ensure that the benefits of innovation reach all community members, particularly underserved populations and the responsibility of healthcare and educational organizations in integrating bioscience innovations to address health disparities and improve overall community wellness. 

"Many times, people and business owners deciding to come to Berks County look at healthcare, education and economic development—that's what makes or breaks our community. Reading Hospital is one of the top economic drivers here and it's our responsibility along with 91���� and other organizations, to utilize their positions,” said Barbera. “It takes a village. Keith Stamm runs the GRCA Education Consortium: 91����, Reading Area Community College, the Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences, Drexel University College Medicine, etc. We've all taken a role in asking ‘What are the needs of healthcare in this community, how do we deliver them and how do we use the expertise we have to train the providers of the future of healthcare?’” 

Other local industry experts from Brentwood Industries, Penn State Health, 3sixty Pharma Solutions, 91����, Drexel University College of Medicine, RACC, Kutztown University, and Penn State Berks hosted talks. Topics included antimicrobial device innovation, GLP-1 use in addiction medicine, food, exercise, & haircare as medicine, robotics & health, biomarkers of longevity, biotech workforce development, and more. 

"I'm feeling really optimistic about what the future of bioscience in Berks looks like. Our partners really showed up in many ways, whether it was through their exceptional talks, bringing their colleagues, spreading the word about the work BIC is doing, or sponsoring the event. I'm grateful and looking forward to what we can do in the future together,” said BIC Managing Director, Conference Co-Chair and Director of Technology Transfer & Innovation Commercialization, 91����’s O’Pake Institute, Caitlin Long, Ph.D., PA-C. "This is definitely just the beginning. We will be continuing some of the conversations that started at the conference especially with our keynote and our panel, and looking at the different ways that government can collaborate with education, healthcare, investments and the private sector as well to be able to make Berks County what it really can be.” 

Ridley and George Tegos, PhD, the former director of clinical research at Tower Health Reading Hospital co-founded Berks BIC.  In the past two years, efforts have accelerated with more industry involvement, especially in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Economic growth and life science activity have also benefited from the launch of the Reading CollegeTowne initiative through 91���� and Drexel University’s medical school campus in Wyomissing.   

Since its inception, the Berks BIC has tapped into the expertise of over 20 regional organizations and advised over 10 life science companies, generating patent and licensing activity, as well as some community and economic revitalization efforts. A recent success is a partnership with CatapalloVR – an immersive virtual reality learning module that enhances safety and outcomes for behavioral therapists and educators. Founding partners of the Berks BIC include Adhezion Biomedical, Tower Health, Teleflex, Ben Franklin Technology Partners NEPA, Drexel University College of Medicine, the O’Pake Institute and Total Experience Learning (TExpL), which recently established its new headquarters at 91����. O’Pake hosts normal administrative activities of the collaborative as part of its in-kind contribution to the organization.