Working together to improve health care in our region
The Health Innovation Living Lab will give you space to test your idea with researchers and health workers before going to market.
It is likely to completely change your product roadmap.
We co-create solutions for Health Innovation.
Our Commitment
By working with those who deliver health care every day you will create solutions that are not only innovative but will work for staff and patients.
What we do
Health Innovation Incubator
Health workers and researchers see problems and opportunities in care every day, but few have a supported pathway to act on them. This program is that supported pathway to developing your solution if you intend to scale it beyond one facility.
Bright Ideas
Have you ever thought ‘There has to be a better way to do this’. If so, Bright Ideas could be for you. This program is for those within the HNELHD who have an idea which will improve the LHD delivery.
Our Team
Elizabeth Stares
Program Manager, Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise, UON
Elizabeth has a background in industrial design and medical devies, including IVF, inhaler design and cleaning systems.
Elizabeth helped established the Australian MedTech and Pharma Growth Centre AUScelerate (was MTPConnect) from 2015 to 2025.
With experience in program management, MRFF program delivery and education programs, including AUSCEP, she now works for the University of Newcastle’s I2N team and leads the Health Innovation Incubator at HILL.
Sam Wieczorek
District Innovation Lead, HNELHD
Sam is passionate about helping great ideas grow. As District Innovation Lead, she works alongside clinicians, staff and partners across Hunter New England Health to identify challenges, explore opportunities and turn ideas into meaningful change.
A key part of Sam’s role is making innovation feel accessible to everyone. She supports the Bright Ideas pathway, innovation education and capability building, and creates opportunities for people across healthcare, research, universities and industry to connect, collaborate and learn from each other.
Richard Berry
Senior Manager Entrepreneurship, Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise, UON
Richard is a startup and commercialisation programming specialist and ecosystem builder with expertise in fintech, cleantech, early-stage investing, and Strategyzer methodology.
He is passionate about entrepreneurial ecosystems, supporting bold people to pursue ideas for real-world impact. At the University of Newcastle’s I2N, he plays a pivotal role connecting researchers, students, and alumni with industry to unlock the commercial potential of research. He has supported 300+ founders from regional NSW to validate ideas and connect to capital.