Dean Edna Magpantay-Monroe (first row, fourth from right) delivered welcome remarks at the International Association of Translational Medicine Conference, held in Honolulu in May 2025.
HPU Dean of the School of Nursing Edna Magpantay-Monroe, Ed.D., APRN, CMDCP, was recently invited to deliver the welcome remarks at the International Association of Translational Medicine (IATM) Conference, held in Honolulu on May 2, 2025, at the AC Hotel.
The conference, sponsored by the Richard Lim Foundation, gathered experts and scholars from across the globe, including attendees from Hawaiʻi Island, Boston, California, Chicago, and China to explore the latest advancements in translational research. Founded in Honolulu by Dr. Gang-Min Zou, IATM aims to advance the study and collaborative exchange in translational medicine, bridging scientific discovery with real-world healthcare applications.
Dean Edna Magpantay-Monroe with Richard Lim at the International Association of Translational Medicine Conference.
Peer-reviewed presentations spanned the fields of translational oncology, translational ophthalmology, cellular gene therapy, medicine and health.
“The IATM conference offered a unique opportunity to learn from leaders in a wide range of disciplines,” said Magpantay-Monroe. “The sessions on artificial intelligence and music therapy were especially meaningful. They reminded us that as healthcare professionals, we’re not only scientists, we’re also translators of innovation to the bedside. The future of medicine depends on our ability to work across disciplines with a focus on compassion, ethics, and practical impact.”
Magpantay-Monroe noted the importance of the AI-focused session led by Jimmy Lew, who defined the medical professional’s role in AI integration as that of a "knowledge worker." She also highlighted a compelling presentation from Boston providers on the use of music therapy as a holistic tool to enhance patient-centered care.
Translational medicine, also known as translational research, focuses on turning scientific discoveries into practical applications. It should be multidisciplinary, patient focused, and bidirectional.
“In health sciences, we need to not just be scientist but also translate our discoveries to bedside. Some of the challenges in translation medicine are regulatory hurdles, ethical and social issues, funding, data integration, and collaboration,” Magpantay-Monroe said.
To learn more about the International Association of Translational Medicine, click here.
