Medicine is nothing if not a constantly changing practice. The treatments for a disease that were deemed necessary and proper ten years ago have given way to new plans derived from advances in technology and science. But it’s not just the tech that’s constantly revolutionizing the field: it’s the ideas from which they’re born. The future of medicine has always been dictated by men and women who think outside the box, and this scattering of TED talks is a great way for today’s doctors, nurses and medical students to get a glimpse of what’s to come.

1. Aditi Shankardass: Neuroscientist Aditi Shankardass is doing amazing things with EEG technology, especially when it comes to redefining the way we approach diagnosing developmental disorders in children. She argues (compellingly) that looking at a child’s brain, not just their behavior, is the key to discovering the truth.
2. Alan Russell: Alan Russell’s 2006 speech digs into something that would have been considered science-fiction a generation ago: instead of treating bodily injury with supports or prosthetics, why not attempt to regenerate real body parts and organs? It’s a fascinating look at the horizon of modern medicine, one that’s getting closer every day.
3. Anthony Atala: This 2009 video makes a great follow-up to the previous one, as Anthony Atala talks about what’s happening in the specific areas of organ generation and how it can change the world.
4. Catherine Mohr: "A talk about surgical robots is also a talk about surgery." Catherine Mohr’s fascinating look at the past and present of surgical tech highlights the future as well, and how more and more procedures are being assisted and performed by machines.
5. Christopher deCharms: This quick (four-minute) talk from 2008 is riveting despite its brevity, thanks to the subject matter. Christopher deCharms talks about using MRI technology to see how we function and feel in real time.
6. Daniel Kraft: Kraft is a real pioneer, and his 2009 speech covers his innovative methods of harvesting bone marrow with minimal discomfort to the donor.
7. David Agus: David Agus speaks frankly about how cancer diagnosis and treatment needs to radically change and take a long-term view of disease eradication and not just stopping the short-term problems.
8. Dean Ornish (2004): The first Dean Ornish speech to make the list, this 2004 address deals with the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It’s a smart and deceptively simple way to approach a big-picture view of health care.
9. Dean Ornish (2008): This quickie from Dean Ornish talks about how lifestyle changes don’t just improve your health but can actually alter your genetic make-up.
10. Eric Topol: Smartphones aren’t just for playing "Angry Birds" anymore, as Eric Topol highlights in his engaging talk. Wireless devices are becoming tools of medical diagnosis as well as colleague-to-colleague communication. Expectant mothers can now monitor fetal heartrate on their iPhones. How awesome is that?
11. Joe DeRisi: Joe DeRisi, a biochemist, has some amazing ideas about how DNA can be used as a predictor of disease, effectively making it possible to cure problems before they appear.
12. Kary Mullis: Kary Mullis has won a Nobel Prize for chemistry, so he knows what he’s talking about. His brief speech illuminates the way molecules can be targeted to kill bacteria.
13. Kevin Stone: An orthopedic surgeon, Kevin Stone has some great ideas about using animal tissue to reconstruct damaged human limbs and joints. It could be a way to eliminate the entire donor process.
14. Marc Koska: Filmed in 2009, this frank talk from Marc Koska deals with how the reuse of syringes kills more than 1 million people every year.
15. Michael Specter: Many medical professionals find themselves beset by complaints from people who suddenly deny the track record of scientific progress. This speech will comfort any nurse or doctor who’s dealt with a wingnut denier and give them ways to counter bogus claims.
16. Paul Ewald: Evolutionary biologist Paul Ewald is pushing the envelope when it comes to how we think about germs and other micro-organisms and the way they lead to disease.
17. Pawan Sinha: We tend to take sight for granted, but Pawan Sinha doesn’t. By providing treatment to children born blind, Sinha and his team are able to study how the brain learns to see, and they can then use that data to gain insight into broader neurological areas.
18. Seth Berkley: The key to defeating HIV isn’t just developing a vaccine but implementing a distribution process that works for the third world, according to this insightful talk from Seth Berkley.
19. Thulasiraj Ravilla: The costs of health care have been in the news more than usual in the past couple years, which makes Thulasiraj Ravilla’s 2009 especially relevant. His work to bring affordable eye care to millions in India offers a template for ways other countries can increase the quality of care without seeing costs skyrocket.

20. William Li: Most patients — and most doctors and nurses, as well — think about cancer in terms of treatment after diagnosis. But William Li’s captivating talk asks viewers to consider taking preemptive measures, namely eating foods designed to fight cancer and prevent the growth of blood vessels that would support tumors. Maybe the new year means a new diet.