Renewed investment will support the next five years of the Baptist Health Knight Foundation Fellowship in Healthcare Technology Innovation
October 13, 2026 – Baptist Health Foundation today announced a $1 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to support the next five years of the Knight Foundation Fellowship in Healthcare Technology Innovation, a signature program of Baptist Health Innovations. The grant, which includes a 1:1 matching requirement, renews Knight Foundation’s commitment to fostering healthcare innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration throughout South Florida.
Originally launched in 2021 through Knight Foundation’s inaugural $1 million investment, the yearlong fellowship was created to attract, train and empower healthcare visionaries, innovators and entrepreneurs dedicated to transforming healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes. The renewed funding will support the fellowship through 2031 and further strengthen Baptist Health’s innovation ecosystem.
Developed by Baptist Health Innovations, the highly competitive fellowship incorporates elements of leading healthcare innovation programs, along with graduate- and professional-level coursework focused on advancing innovation in healthcare. Through immersive training, mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, fellows gain the knowledge, tools and professional networks needed to identify healthcare challenges and develop innovative solutions.
The fellowship brings together physicians, nurses, administrators, technologists, community leaders and entrepreneurs to create a diverse and connected community of innovators both within Baptist Health and across South Florida. The concepts, skills and relationships developed through the program foster downstream entrepreneurial and innovation activities that may benefit patients, providers and the broader community.
“The Knight Foundation Fellowship in Healthcare Technology Innovation is a catalyst for identifying unmet healthcare needs and developing solutions that can improve how care is delivered,” said Barry T. Katzen, M.D., chief medical innovation officer for Baptist Health and chief medical executive emeritus of Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. “By bringing together clinicians, entrepreneurs, engineers and community leaders, the fellowship creates a unique environment where innovation can flourish. The ideas, skills and relationships developed through this program have the potential to generate lasting benefits for patients, providers and the communities we serve.”
“Knight Foundation recognized the promise of this fellowship from the very beginning and has been instrumental in its success,” said Alex Villoch, chief executive officer of Baptist Health Foundation. “This renewed investment demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening South Florida’s innovation ecosystem by supporting talented individuals who are passionate about solving complex healthcare challenges. We are deeply grateful for Knight Foundation’s continued partnership and its belief in the power of education, collaboration and entrepreneurship to improve lives.”
Since its inception, the fellowship has helped cultivate a growing network of innovators who ar exploring new approaches to healthcare technology, patient care and operational excellence. Participants have benefited from hands-on learning experiences, collaboration with industry experts and opportunities to translate ideas into real-world solutions that address healthcare needs in South Florida and beyond.
Francesca de Quesada Covey, vice president of community impact at Knight Foundation, remarked, “As Miami-Dade grows and health care demands rise, this program has helped Baptist Health maintain a strong workforce and improve how care is delivered. Renewing our support is an investment in the South Florida leaders building solutions that improve care for residents and open new pathways for entrepreneurship and innovation in health care.”
In recognition of Knight Foundation’s extraordinary generosity and cumulative support of the fellowship program, the first-floor lobby of the Baptist Health Education Center at Baptist Hospital will be named in honor of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The Education Center serves as a hub for learning, collaboration and professional development, furthering Baptist Health’s commitment to training the next generation of healthcare leaders.
For more information about the Knight Foundation Fellowship in Healthcare Technology Innovation, visit BaptistHealth.net/about-baptist-health/innovations/fellowship.
About Baptist Health Foundation
The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Foundation and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 30,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and The Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform. Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
About Knight Foundation
We are social investors who support democracy by funding free expression and journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and the success of American cities and towns where the Knight brothers once had newspapers.
