This article is a part of the March/April 2026, Volume 38, Number 2, Audiology Today issue.
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform health care, audiology stands at a critical crossroads—one where innovation must move forward without losing sight of the human connection at the heart of care. At the Opening General Session of AAA 2026 in San Antonio, Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh will challenge attendees to think differently about technology, empathy, and the future of health care in his keynote, The Art of Human Care.
Drawing on his acclaimed book The Art of Human Care and insights from Smarter Healthcare with AI, Dr. Tetteh will explore how AI can be thoughtfully integrated into clinical practice in ways that support—not replace—meaningful human connection. For audiologists, whose work inherently blends advanced technology with deeply personal patient experiences, this message is especially resonant. Dr. Tetteh will highlight how the profession is uniquely positioned to lead health care forward by modeling compassionate, patient-centered care in an increasingly digital world.
During the keynote, attendees will gain practical perspectives on blending AI with empathy, fostering collaboration across professions, and strengthening relationships with patients and colleagues alike. Dr. Tetteh will emphasize that innovation is most powerful when it enhances trust, understanding, and connection—reminding us that technology should amplify what makes health care meaningful, not overshadow it.
Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh brings a breadth of experience to the stage. A retired U.S. Navy Captain, thoracic surgeon, and associate professor of surgery at the Uniformed Services University, he also serves on the faculty at Howard University College of Medicine and practices with Vituity. As a National Academy of Medicine Emerging Leader in Health and Medicine Scholar, Dr. Tetteh founded the Specialized Thoracic Adapted Recovery Team to advance organ transplantation research and save lives. He is also the Founder and CEO of HumanCare Technologies, Inc., where he applies more than 25 years of experience as a transplant surgeon, military leader, and AI strategist to design solutions that center empathy alongside innovation.
A TEDMED Frontline Scholar, TEDx speaker, and best-selling author, Dr. Tetteh is widely recognized for his ability to connect purpose, personalization, and partnerships in health care.
“If you carry purpose, personalization, and partnerships in your heart, you will deliver compassionate, effective human care… Engineer the ‘human’ into everything you do.”
– Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh
Join us in San Antonio for this inspiring Opening General Session and discover how audiology can help to lead the future of health care—by keeping humanity at its core.
