Who We Are:
From electronic health records to patient imaging details, health care systems worldwide collect billions of data points. The potential for these data assets to transform human health is beyond comprehension. That’s why Houston Methodist and Rice University united to form the DHI and harness the power of AI, biomedical engineering and integrated data systems to tackle urgent health care needs.
Our teams build sophisticated algorithms that draw on multimodal data to uncover patterns in disease progression, predict individual health risks and deliver personalized prevention and treatment strategies. This holistic approach is shaping the future of precision medicine, improving hospital efficiency and expanding access to high-quality care in under resourced communities.
DHI is also a training ground for the next generation of digital health leaders, translating research into real-world impact across diagnostics, therapeutics, remote monitoring and health equity.
Why We Matter
Digital Transformation
We are at the forefront of transforming cutting-edge AI and real-time data into digital health solutions for all.
Collaborative Power
Our multidisciplinary model allows clinicians, engineers, data scientists and public health experts to co-create innovative solutions with real-world impact.
Supportive Infrastructure
From data collection to solution development, our infrastructure and resources accelerate innovation.
Academic Discovery
We are deeply committed to research that drives our mission, such as developing next-generation AI algorithms, uncovering new digital biomarkers or exploring the frontiers of precision medicine.
Academic Entrepreneurship
We have the resources to commercialize our products, ensuring our technologies positively impact patients, providers and entire health care systems.
Strategic Partnerships
As part of the world’s largest medical center, we’re positioned to efficiently test and scale innovation through industry, public agency and global research network partnerships.
Mission
We aim to accelerate the digital transformation of health care by uniting Rice University’s world-class leadership in engineering, artificial intelligence and data science with Houston Methodist’s excellence in clinical and academic medical research. Through this partnership, we are committed to translating research into real-world solutions and equitably delivering novel digital health solutions that enhance patient care, advance medical discovery, improve operational efficiency and expand health care access.
Vision
We aspire to deliver personalized, predictive and proactive health care through cutting-edge research and universally scalable solutions that redefine health care experiences.
Background
The Digital Health Institute (DHI) was founded through a strategic partnership between Houston Methodist and Rice University to transform health care through digital innovation. In early 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston Methodist began building a robust data and AI infrastructure to support next-generation health care delivery.
This effort led to the creation of a shared research platform—now home to over 25 terabytes of de-identified health data, cutting-edge computing environments and collaborative teams of clinicians, engineers and data scientists. With Rice University’s research expertise and Houston Methodist’s real-world clinical integration, DHI was built to turn data into action, rapidly developing and deploying digital health solutions where they matter most: at the patient’s bedside.
“This partnership marks a bold new chapter in driving meaningful innovation at the intersection of health care and technology. This is the most transformative endeavor in our shared commitment to leading medicine through innovation.”
“This partnership embodies Rice’s bold vision to lead at the forefront of innovation in health and responsible AI. By combining our strengths with Houston Methodist, we are creating a transformative platform to address critical challenges in health care with solutions that are ethical, accessible, and impactful.”