Inaugural Miami Congenital Heart Defect Innovation Symposium to bring together leading physicians, scientists, federal agencies and investors to advance breakthrough treatments for children

 November 10, 2026 – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Florida International University (FIU) will co-host the inaugural Miami Congenital Heart Defect Innovation Symposium, Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15 at FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami. The two-day event will convene leading cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, biomedical engineers, researchers, regulatory experts and investors to explore groundbreaking advancements in congenital heart disease and accelerate the development of innovative therapies for children.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are among the most common birth defects, affecting approximately one in every 100 babies born. While advances in pediatric cardiovascular care have significantly improved survival and quality of life, important challenges remain in developing therapies that can adapt to a child’s growth and address the complex needs of patients throughout their lives.

The symposium aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and clinical application by bringing together experts across medicine, engineering, research, regulatory policy and investment. Discussions will highlight emerging innovations, including growth-compatible heart valves, tissue engineering, patient-specific computational modeling and other technologies with the potential to transform congenital heart care.

“Children born with congenital heart defects deserve access to therapies that not only save their lives but also improve their long-term health and quality of life,” said David Kalfa, MD, PhD, Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery and Co-Director of Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute, and Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. “By bringing together the brightest minds in medicine, science, engineering and innovation, along with regulatory experts, investors, and philanthropists, we have an

opportunity to break down traditional barriers, accelerate discovery and move promising solutions closer to the children and families who need them.”

A distinguishing feature of the symposium is its focus on the critical role of funding, regulatory pathways and strategic partnerships in advancing pediatric cardiovascular innovation. Representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), healthcare systems, philanthropic foundations and venture capital organizations will participate in conversations about overcoming obstacles that can delay the development and implementation of new therapies.

“Transformative advances in congenital heart care require more than scientific discovery. They demand meaningful collaboration across disciplines and a shared commitment to translating research into real-world solutions,” said Joshua D. Hutcheson, PhD, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director of Biomedical Engineering at FIU, and Director of the FIU-FHRF Center for Innovation in Cardiovascular Health. “This symposium creates an important opportunity to connect clinical needs with engineering innovation, research expertise and the resources necessary to bring new technologies to patients.”

Through this collaboration, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and FIU seek to strengthen Miami’s position as a growing hub for pediatric and congenital cardiovascular innovation, fostering partnerships that extend beyond the symposium and lead to tangible advancements in pediatric care.

The symposium is open to healthcare professionals, researchers, investors, donors, community leaders and individuals committed to advancing congenital heart disease research, treatment and innovation.

Event Details

Event: Miami Congenital Heart Defect Innovation Symposium
Dates: November 14–15, 2026
Location: Wolfe University Center, Florida International University, Biscayne Bay Campus, North Miami, Florida
Hosted by: Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute and Florida International University

For more information: www.nicklauschildrens.org/CHDSymposium

About Nicklaus Children’s Health System – Where Your Child Matters Most ™ 

For more than 75 years, Nicklaus Children’s Health System has stood as a beacon of hope for children and families across the state of Florida and beyond. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s #1 nonprofit, freestanding specialty licensed hospital exclusively for children. Nicklaus Children’s provides pediatric care across a growing network of hospital and community-based partnerships, including within NCH North Hospital in Naples, Jupiter Medical Center, select Baptist Health Hospital pediatric emergency units, as well as at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Fort Lauderdale and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Coral Springs, each located on the campuses of Broward Health. The hospitals and their network of more than 35 outpatient locations offer lifesaving care in Miami-Dade, Broward, Martin and Palm Beach counties. Outpatient locations include an array of urgent, pediatric primary and specialty care centers and are either hospital-based or outpatient locations under Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists, LLC (NCPS). Providing a pipeline of future physicians and groundbreaking research, Nicklaus Children’s is an academic and clinical affiliate of the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and home to centers of excellence including the Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, the Orthopedic, Sports Medicine and Spine Institute, the Neuroscience Institute and the Heart Institute. The 474-bed system is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, with many programs routinely ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. Nicklaus Children’s also includes a nonprofit physician practice subsidiary with more than 40 pediatric specialties and an ambulatory surgery center. For more information, visit nicklauschildrens.org.

About Florida International University

Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars, and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health, and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.