Medtronic Named to FORTUNE 2026 Change the World List for Healthcare Innovation
Medtronic plc has been named to the FORTUNE 2026 Change the World list in recognition of its Touch Surgery ecosystem and the Healthy Neighbor program operated through Medtronic LABS. The annual list highlights companies working to combat global issues and drive positive social or environmental change, connecting technology directly to healthcare access improvements across diverse patient populations.
- Medtronic earned a place on the FORTUNE 2026 Change the World list for the Touch Surgery platform and the Medtronic LABS Healthy Neighbor initiative.
- The Touch Surgery ecosystem now supports thousands of surgeons in 30+ countries with AI-driven analytics, live streaming, and real-time intraoperative compute support.
- Two-year clinical data from the Healthy Neighbor program in Camden, New Jersey, demonstrated that 74 percent of enrolled patients with uncontrolled hypertension achieved meaningful improvements, alongside 69 percent achieving meaningful drops in hemoglobin A1C for type 2 diabetes.
Transforming Surgical Workflows with Artificial Intelligence
The recognition centers heavily on the deployment of advanced computing inside modern operating rooms. The Touch Surgery ecosystem utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze surgical procedures, facilitate remote collaboration, and support livestreaming for clinical review. By connecting preoperative planning with intraoperative tools, the platform assists surgical teams in standardizing techniques and reviewing procedural decisions.
The platform expanded with the introduction of Touch Surgery Aide, a next-generation operating room compute platform designed to deliver real-time, AI-powered support during both robotic and laparoscopic procedures. Matt Anderson, senior vice president and president, Surgical business at Medtronic, noted that the technology aims to make the best surgery available to more people regardless of where they live, enabling clinicians to operate with greater consistency and confidence.
Addressing Chronic Health Disparities in Urban Communities
Beyond the operating suite, the FORTUNE recognition highlights community-level intervention models. Through a partnership between Medtronic LABS and Virtua Health, the Healthy Neighbor program addresses chronic health disparities in Camden, New Jersey. Residents in Camden experience life expectancies nearly 16 years lower than populations residing just 6.5 miles away, driven by disproportionately high rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
The initiative deploys community health workers directly into local households for ongoing healthcare coordination. Equipped with digital health platforms, these workers capture basic healthcare information, track blood pressure and blood glucose over time, and flag elevated readings for prompt clinical follow-up.
Long-Term Clinical Outcomes from the Camden Cohort
Evaluated after two years of active intervention across a cohort of more than 250 enrolled patients, data from the Healthy Neighbor program indicate substantial physiological improvements in high-risk groups. Among patients presenting with baseline uncontrolled hypertension, 74 percent achieved meaningful clinical improvement, marked by an average reduction of 15 points in systolic blood pressure. Simultaneously, 69 percent of patients managing uncontrolled diabetes achieved a meaningful improvement, demonstrated by a mean drop of 1.2 percent in hemoglobin A1C.
Ruchika Singhal, president of Medtronic LABS, emphasized that sustainable innovation requires addressing both medical device technology and healthcare delivery models to bridge gaps across varying income levels and ZIP codes. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Medtronic oversees a global team of 95,000+ people spanning more than 150 countries, treating 70 health conditions with cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, and patient monitoring systems.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.