Why Sacramento and UC Davis Are Emerging as Leaders in Healthcare Entrepreneurship

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When I first heard about the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE) at Aggie Square, I knew I had to be there. Healthcare innovation has always fascinated me.

The intersection of medicine, technology and business presents endless opportunities to improve lives. This event promised to bring together clinicians, entrepreneurs, academics and industry leaders to explore how we can collectively reimagine healthcare’s future.

What drew me most was the chance to take part in that dialogue—and to witness how Sacramento and UC Davis are stepping onto the national stage as a hub for health-focused entrepreneurship.

My work as the communications officer for the Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN) overlaps many of these topics. The PPN aims to empower health care systems and communities to provide high-quality care to children every day and in crises.

Innovation is Never a Solo Effort

My experience as an MBA student at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management (GSM) gave me the tools and confidence to engage in these conversations. Courses in leadership, strategy and entrepreneurship helped me think critically about emerging challenges and opportunities in complex industries like healthcare.

The Graduate School of Management emphasized collaboration and teamwork, preparing me to engage meaningfully with people from diverse backgrounds—whether physicians, researchers, venture capitalists or startup founders.

One of the biggest lessons I carry from my experience at the GSM is that innovation never happens in isolation. It flourishes when people with different expertise come together to share ideas, challenge assumptions and co-create solutions.

That perspective shaped how I approached the SoPE event—not just as a listener, but as an active participant eager to make connections and contribute to the exchange.

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What I Learned About Healthcare Innovation

The event reinforced an important truth: healthcare innovation isn’t only about technology—it’s about people, systems and access.

Panelists stressed that even the most advanced medical device or digital platform won’t make an impact unless it’s accessible, trusted, and seamlessly integrated into real-world workflows.

Another insight was the importance of cross-sector partnerships. UC Davis researchers are exploring cutting-edge medical technologies, but it takes entrepreneurial thinking and strong industry connections to move those discoveries from the lab to the bedside. Equity also emerged as a recurring theme.

Sacramento—with its diverse population and unique healthcare challenges—is uniquely positioned to serve as a proving ground for solutions that can scale nationally especially in the healthcare field.

Finding Inspiration from the Panelists

The panel, “Fueling Innovation: Resources and Insights from Sacramento’s Leading Ecosystem Builders,” featured:

• Barry Broome, President and CEO, Greater Sacramento Economic Council
• Lokesh Sikaria, Founder and Managing Partner, Moneta Ventures
• George Baxter, Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer, UC Davis
• Rick Spencer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Growth Factory
• Monique Brown, Knowledge Community Director, Wexford Science & Technology

The discussions reminded me that healthcare entrepreneurship isn’t just about financial success—it’s about solving problems that touch lives every day. The panelists emphasized Sacramento’s distinctive strengths: a collaborative ecosystem, world-class institutions and a cost structure that makes it easier for startups to thrive.

The capital region’s advantage lies not in mimicking Silicon Valley, but in creating an ecosystem where meaningful healthcare solutions can be developed and scaled.

Sacramento and UC Davis: Rising Innovation Leaders

If there was one resounding message from the event, it was this: Sacramento is on the rise as a center for healthcare entrepreneurship. Aggie Square is fast becoming an ecosystem where researchers, clinicians, startups and community partners work side by side.

Larissa May, physician scientist and clinical professor of emergency medicine at UC Davis Health, and leader of the Sacramento SoPE chapter, said the goal of launching the chapter was about bringing our region’s hidden healthcare innovation gems into the light.

"We have the talent, vision and drive to make Sacramento a top hub for healthcare innovation.”           

            - Larissa May, physician scientist and clinical professor of emergency medicine at UC Davis Health

UC Davis’s combination of world-class research and community-focused problem-solving makes it uniquely equipped to lead this movement. And Sacramento’s position—near the Bay Area’s capital networks yet rooted in a culture of public health and equity—creates a distinct opportunity to build innovations with both global scale and local impact.

The Power of the GSM Network

My GSM network has been instrumental in connecting me to leaders like Dr. May. Having access to alumni, faculty, and peers who are both experts in their fields and passionate about driving change has opened doors I never could have imagined.

This is what makes GSM more than a business school—it’s a lifelong community that continues to support, inspire and create opportunities long after graduation.

Looking Ahead: Fueling Sacramento’s Healthcare Innovation

Reflecting on the event, one takeaway is clear: The future of healthcare entrepreneurship in Sacramento is bright, but realizing its full potential will require collective effort.

Dr. May, I and many others are motivated to help fuel innovation and elevate Sacramento’s entrepreneurial spirit—especially in healthcare. We want to foster spaces like SoPE and Aggie Square where ideas can be tested, partnerships forged and bold visions brought to life.

What’s even more exciting is the UC Davis GSM recently announced that the Sacramento Part-Time MBA and Part-Time Master of Management programs will move from the UC Davis Health Education Building to Aggie Square. This will give graduate business students even more opportunities to contribute and collaborate on health care innovation.

Sacramento is more than California’s capital. With the right vision, connections and leadership, it can become a launchpad for healthcare solutions that change the world.