IST’s David Metcalf recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year at AIMed25

November 21, 2025

 

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

 

David Metcalf, Ph.D., director of the Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Lab (METIL) within the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation & Training (IST), received the 2025 AI Champion’s Award ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ at AIMed25 on Nov. 11.

 

The award recognizes his contributions to advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, including his efforts to support research, guide collaborative projects and help translate emerging technologies into practical applications.

 

AIMed is an annual conference focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine. This year’s meeting was held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego and brought together researchers, clinicians, technologists and organizational leaders.

 

“It’s an honor to be recognized alongside groups like the Cleveland Clinic, Amazon Web Services Health and the American Medical Association as Entrepreneur of the Year,” Metcalf said. “AIMed is one of the largest AI medicine conferences, and it’s the group that builds many of the standards and curriculum used around the globe.”

 

The program included keynote talks, instructional workshops and sessions examining current developments in clinical AI. The event also provided time for participants to exchange insights and discuss ongoing challenges and opportunities within the field.

 

Metcalf was nominated alongside Arlen Meyers, Ph.D., professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and strategic advisor for Sicventure; Justin Norden, MD, adjunct professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine and co-founder of Qualified Health; and Kyle McAllister, MD, co-founder of Trially.

 

The recognition highlights Metcalf’s work with UCF’s National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, which trains and mentors researchers to transform innovations into real-world ventures. By helping teams validate ideas and advance early-stage projects, he exemplified leadership and entrepreneurial impact celebrated by AIMed.

 

“This award reflects not only my own work, but also my efforts to support others on their entrepreneurial journey through UCF’s NSF I-Corps program, where we’ve guided more than 200 teams over the years, many in healthcare and technology,” Metcalf said.

 

Metcalf also credited the honor to his work at METIL, where his team focuses on integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain, advanced visualization and digital twin technologies across healthcare, military, energy and space applications.

 

He highlighted several innovative projects, including AI-driven personalized learning plans, holographic simulation tables and the “Knight of the Round Tables™” AI super teams model.

 

“Our goal is to combine the best of human expertise with advanced AI to solve complex problems and enhance outcomes across critical fields like medicine and defense,” Metcalf said. “This approach spans Military, Energy, Space and Health, or MESH, where high-stakes decisions demand the integration of human insight and artificial intelligence.”

 

Metcalf credited his success to his colleagues and expressed gratitude to the university and broader professional community, emphasizing that the award reflects a collective effort rather than an individual achievement.

 

“Thank you to the entire UCF community, especially my colleagues at the Institute for Simulation & Training, the extensive AI community across multiple colleges and departments, the METIL team and the GBV Fund,” Metcalf added.