Nashville, Tennessee – a city once known primarily for country music – is now becoming synonymous with health innovation. With the establishment of its U.S. Operations Hub, Global Health Connector has solidified its presence in a city poised to lead a new era of healthcare transformation.
As a global nonprofit network of more than 1,100 organizations across 78 countries, Global Health Connector connects innovators, health systems, researchers, companies, and policymakers. The move to establish U.S. headquarters in Nashville reflects not just a strategic decision, but a recognition of the city’s dynamic and collaborative health ecosystem. It also marks a significant milestone in the effort to address macro challenges facing the global healthcare industry: rising costs, a shrinking workforce, and aging populations.
Leading this charge is Eric Thrailkill, a Nashville-based healthcare executive with more than four decades of experience. As Executive Director of U.S. Operations, Thrailkill brings a track record of collaboration, innovation, and ecosystem building. He is the former chair of Project Healthcare, a flagship program of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, and serves as a U.S. Ambassador for HLTH Community and venture partner in two digital health funds.
“Nashville is uniquely positioned as a ‘soft landing zone’ for global innovators looking to enter the U.S.healthcare market,” says Thrailkill. “We’re building abridge that supports commercialization, creates jobs, and—most importantly—accelerates solutions that improve patient lives.”
The Global Health Connector Hub in Nashville will serve as a launchpad for international companies ready to scale in the U.S., offering access to local networks, strategic guidance, and economic development partners. The city’s healthcare economy already boasts over 900 healthcare companies, more than $97 billion in annual revenue, and a growing reputation as a test bed for digital health solutions.
But what sets Nashville apart is not just its numbers—it’s the spiritof collaboration. Through Global Health Connector’s proven modelof “ecosystems of ecosystems,” the Nashville hub will connecthealth and social care providers, companies, funders, researchers,third sector organizations, and policymakers—all centered aroundthe needs of patients and citizens.
This model is more than theory; it’s action. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Nashville will be a proving ground for real-world solutions that can scale nationally and globally. From startups and universities to payers and policymakers, everyone has a seat at the table.
“Nashville is the right place, and now is the right time,” adds Thrailkill. “Together with global and local partners, we are building a connected, interoperable, and human-centered health future.”
The Nashville story is just beginning. With a strong foundation and growing momentum, this hub is set to become an essential part of the global dialogue on health innovation and impact.
