Who Owns Your Medical Information?
Part of the (In)Justice Series & UMN Conversations at Northrop
Thu, Nov 6, 3:30–5:00 pm
In-person / Livestream
Free Event, Registration Requested
In an era of rapid technological advancement, the lines between improved care, data surveillance, and profit have become increasingly complex. This conversation brings together experts and practitioners to examine how data is collected, shared, and used in the name of public health—and how those practices often deepen existing inequities. From genetic testing kits, wearable fitness trackers, and apps that manage pregnancy or mental health to digital medical records and predictive algorithms, panelists will explore how personal health information is weaponized or commodified, often without true consent or transparency. Together, we will ask: who really owns your health information—and who benefits from it? In a world where patients’ digital medical records are fifty times more valuable than financial information, what does consent look like when data is currency? And how can communities reclaim agency over their own bodies and information in systems that too often exclude or exploit them?
The first event in the new (In)Justice Series on Data & Power invites participants to critically reflect on our most personal form of data, as well as the ethics, impact, and future of how we share and utilize it. Together, we will imagine alternative approaches rooted in justice, transparency, and care.
Presented in partnership with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the Data Science and AI Hub.
The 2025–27 (In)Justice Series on Data & Power presented by the Institute for Advanced Study at the University of Minnesota critically examines data: how it’s collected, who controls it, and what it reveals (or conceals) about power, identity, and justice. Supported by the MnDRIVE Human in the Data Initiative.
Institute for Advanced Study (In)Justice Series events are professionally CART captioned and are available in person at the Best Buy Theater at Northrop or online via Zoom. Some accommodation requests may take us time to arrange, so please make requests for this event by Thursday, October 23, 2025. If you are registering after this date, please still reach out to us so we can explore available options. Contact Carolina Maranon-Cobos at gust0952@umn.edu.
Paige Nong, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on optimizing the design and governance of digital technologies and analytics in healthcare to minimize harm to patient trust. As a health services researcher with disciplinary expertise in sociology, health informatics, and policy, she uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to produce evidence that informs quality digital healthcare through two primary domains of investigation: 1) optimizing effective governance and use of digital tools and 2) centering patient perspectives as essential to the design and use of these tools.
Genevieve Melton-Meaux, MD, PhD, is a professor of Surgery, Senior Associate Dean of Health Informatics and Data Science, Director for the Center for Learning Health System Sciences, and Core Faculty in the Institute for Health Informatics at the University of Minnesota. She serves as the Chief Health Informatics and AI Officer for M Health Fairview leading informatics including Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and Health IT optimization and Fairview's AI program. As a colorectal surgeon, she has interests in colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, minimally invasive techniques, individualized treatment plans for complex patients, and bringing innovative care models and solutions to improve patient care.
Elisia L. Cohen is the director of the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication. As the School's executive officer she is responsible for managing the School's undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, research, service and engagement missions. As a researcher, she partners with medical and behavioral scientists in her research and engagement with the Masonic Cancer Center, Center for Translational Science Institute, and external others to enhance the quality of personally-relevant and culturally targeted communication strategies to improve cancer and related health outcomes. She is a board member of the Minnesota Newspaper Association Foundation, past treasurer of the International Communication Association, and past president of the board for National Scholastic Press Association/Associated Collegiate Press.
UMN Conversations at Northrop is a collection of lectures, panel discussions, and other conversations focused on important and timely issues presented in collaboration among numerous University of Minnesota departments and held at Northrop.
