Liberty Science Center (LSC) and Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced a new and expansive collaboration this week to transform health care in the United States.

As part of that partnership, EY US will assume the role of lead orchestrator of a unique interdisciplinary Healthcare Innovation Engine at SciTech Scity, the 30-acre “Science City of Tomorrow” innovation campus being developed by LSC adjacent to its main facility in Jersey City.

SciTech Scity aims to galvanize world-changing, scientific research, developing breakthrough technologies and catalyzing businesses that use science and technology to address humanity’s greatest challenges. The first $450 million phase of the project is scheduled to open in 2025 and 2026.

The project includes: Edge Works – a business creation hub; Scholars Village – residential housing available for the SciTech Scity community; Liberty Science Center High School – a new public magnet STEM high school for Jersey City and Hudson County; and Public Commons – a 5-acre outdoor park.

In its role as the leader of this new Healthcare Innovation Engine, which will start its work in advance of SciTech Scity’s physical opening, EY US will engage with a diverse group of stakeholders on the quest to find a more proactive, effective – and less expensive – approach to address the underlying causes of illnesses, to catch them early on, manage them more effectively and prevent them before they even arise.

A proactive approach

In a press release announcing the collaboration, Paul Hoffman, president and CEO of LSC, who is spearheading the SciTech Scity project, said that the overwhelming driver of the enormous health care costs in the U.S. is “sickcare” — reactive, mostly hospital-based, point-in-time interventions and a challenge that is especially pronounced in Hudson County.

“We feel a strong shared responsibility to our community,” said Hoffman. “Everyone will benefit from the transformation of our current SICKcare system to a true HEALTHcare system that detects illnesses in their infancy, or prevents illnesses entirely, through cost-effective digital home health technology. But underserved neighborhoods that lack access to specialized medical care will benefit the most from health care that meets people where they live.

“SciTech Scity will work to foster the development and adoption of digital and home health technology,” he continued.

Hoffman said to advance that mission, LSC is building an ecosystem of diverse partners.

“From universities and hospital systems to public health officials, pharma and medtech companies, and community representatives,” said Hoffman. “Only through such a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach will we be able to transform a problem as pervasive as inadequate health care in America. So, I can’t thank EY enough for agreeing to be the Lead Orchestrator and bring together these partners and knowledge of best practices.”

“EY US is honored to be the Lead Orchestrator of the SciTech Scity’s Healthcare Innovation Engine,” said Arda Ural, EY Americas industry markets leader, Health Sciences and Wellness. “Liberty Science Center’s renewed focus to lead with a preventative health care model aligns with EY Health’s purpose – and passion – to change the face of care delivery while helping health care organizations improve people’s lives with a human touch. We’re eager to begin this collaboration to enhance patients’ health experience via digital enablement and with a team of diverse team members.”