Program Agenda
Explore a full day on devices, AI, policy, rural health, and the lived experience of innovators in pediatric care — through talks, panels, and a keynote.
Speakers
Speakers will be added as details for MIT-Hood 2026 are confirmed.
This year's event will be held on the 6th floor of the MIT Media Lab, in the heart of Kendall Square and the MIT campus.
MIT Media Lab, Building E14 | 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Getting here: Given the limited access to parking in Kendall Square, we highly recommend using public transportation or rideshares.
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Public transportation: The Media Lab is conveniently located a short walk from the Kendall Square MBTA stop.
- By car: Visit the Media Lab website for directions and parking options.
A high-level overview of the schedule is below. Please refer to our preliminary program and speaker directory above, or at these links:
October 29th, 2026
MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA
| 8:00 AM | Check-in & Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM | Welcome & Introduction |
| 9:30 AM | General Sessions |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch & Networking |
| 1:00 PM | Keynote Session |
| 2:00 PM | General Sessions |
| 4:30 PM | Closing & Transition to Networking Reception |
| 6:00 PM | Close of Day |
Hyatt Regency Hotel
575 Memorial Drive, Cambridge
Tel: 617-492-1234
To register go to: Hyatt
We have procured a discount rate, but the block will close on 9/28. If using the link above, the rate will automatically populate; if you are booking your room over the phone, please mention that you are part of the HOOD block for October 10/26-10/28 to receive the rate.
A 20 minute walk along the Charles River to the MIT Media Lab at 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge.
Marriott Hotel
50 Broadway, Cambridge
Tel: 617-494-6600
To book a reservation go to: Marriott
A 10 minute walk to the MIT Media Lab at 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge
Kendall Hotel
350 Main Street, Cambridge
Tel: 617-577-1300
To book a reservation go to: Kendall
A 5 minute walk to the MIT Media Lab at 75 Amherst Street, Cambridge
If you require special accommodations to attend the event, please contact kate@media.mit.edu.
The Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub aims to break down barriers to pediatric innovation and foster transformative research to improve children’s health outcomes.
Although children make up a large part of the global population, they have been largely underserved in medical innovation, leading to significant gaps in care. We also recognize that while pediatric diseases impact families and communities, their needs have long been neglected in pediatric medicine.
The Hub, established by MIT in collaboration with the Charles H. Hood Foundation, aims to fill critical gaps in pediatric medicine through three innovation pillars focused on developing practical technologies and treatments. We will also incorporate feedback from children, parents, siblings, and caregivers, recognizing their essential role as stakeholders.
The Charles H. Hood Foundation is focused on turning a single vision into reality: improving the health and quality of life for all children. By identifying innovative pediatric advancements and providing funding in the key stages of development, the Foundation allows high-impact projects to both begin and succeed earlier. The Foundation has proven many times over that supporting brilliant minds early in their careers helps position promising researchers to leverage long-term funding from other private and government sources. We have a three-pronged approach consisting of Child Health Research Awards, Program Related Investments, and the Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub. This kind of support at critical phases of research and development helps propel the pediatric research community ahead to uncover transformative breakthroughs that impact the health and well-being of children and families in New England and around the world.
The MIT Health and Life Sciences Collaborative (HEALS) is expanding the Institute’s role as a central hub for innovation, connectivity, and translation in life sciences and health in the Boston area. Seeking to accelerate positive health and environmental outcomes, the collaborative will:
- harness the potential of AI to revolutionize health care solutions
- make MIT’s life sciences community a magnet for top talent
- enhance core life sciences and health research and education
- support exceptional scientists dedicated to transforming our understanding of health
- incorporate input from economists and policymakers
- catalyze links with the region’s world-class biotech and pharma companies as well as research hospitals to speed innovation and translation in life sciences and health.
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