About AIMS

AIMS brings clinicians, innovators, and entrepreneurs into one forum - celebrating innovation and shaping healthcare’s future together.

How it Started

Five years ago, two busy surgeons – one at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago and the other at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – saw a need. They envisioned a unique forum where forward-thinking clinicians could collaborate directly with the innovators and investors shaping healthcare’s future. That vision became the AIMS Summit.

From its first gathering to today, AIMS has gone from strength to strength- drawing thousands of delegates, hundreds of speakers, and a roster of heavy-hitter sponsors who have been essential to its success.

Peter Naughton – Founder

Prof. Peter Naughton is a Consultant Vascular Surgeon in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin and he is a Senior Lecturer with RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland). An RCSI graduate, he completed a one year fellowship in St Mary’s Hospital, London, and a two year fellowship in Northwestern. He has a number of research interests and he is currently the Dean of Postgraduate education and training in Beaumont hospital.

Heron Rodriguez – Founder

Dr. Heron Rodriguez is a Professor of Surgery and Radiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, where he directs the Vascular Surgery Residency Program. A graduate of the Universidad Popular Autónoma in Puebla, Mexico, he trained at Columbus Hospital and Northwestern University. He has published extensively, led international courses, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery. His interests include surgical education, leadership development, and international collaboration.

John Sheehan – Chair of Innovation

Dr John Sheehan is a Consultant Radiologist at Blackrock Health and Mobile Medical Diagnostics, and trained in MRI and Cardiovascular Imaging at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago. Also a graduate of RCSI, he is Clinical Director of Radiology at Hermitage Clinic and Clinical Advisor to xWave Technologies, with expertise spanning diagnostic and interventional radiology. Passionate about digital health, AI, and emerging technologies, John is a member of Ireland’s Digital Health Leadership Strategy Group, driving innovation to position Ireland as a global leader in healthcare.