Health TechQuity Conference
Health TechQuity 2026: Technology for Health Equity will be the 2nd annual conference at San José State University dedicated to advancing health technologies and their application to eliminate disparities and achieve health equity. This groundbreaking event will serve as a critical platform for cross-sector dialogue on the far-reaching implications of technological innovation. This will encompass wellness, enhanced disease prevention, access, and alternatives to effective treatment. Health TechQuity 2026 will include dynamic keynote addresses, expert panel discussions, and collaborative sessions focused on:
- How technological innovation contributes positively and negatively to health equity, and how to maximize the positive contributions while minimizing the negative through emerging model technologies in predictive analytics and telehealth
- Developing collaborative networks from industry, care delivery, community organizations, and academia
- Exploring trends in the rapid development and deployment of innovations that support health equity
Date: March 4 - 5, 2026
Event Location: Diaz Compean Student Union, San Jose State University Campus
Registration will be available soon
Theme: Behavioral Health in the Age of Emerging Technology
Health TechQuity Summit - Tentative Schedule
Day 1: March 4th, 2025, 8:30am to 5:00pm | Foundations, Tensions, & Possibilities
8:30 am - 9:00 am: Check-in & Morning Reception
Light breakfast, coffee, and networking
9:00 am - 9:50 am: Welcome & Framing
Speakers:
- NIMHD's Perspectives on Technology in the Behavioral Health Equity Frontier: Dr. Monica Webb Hooper, Ph.D. (awaiting NIH approval), Acting Director, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
- California's Behavioral Health Transformation: Progress and Vision: Marlies Perez, MA (confirmed), Behavioral Health Transformation Project Executive, California Department of Health Care Services
- Orientation and Overview Health TechQuity: Dr. Joseph G. Grzywacz, Ph.D.
10:00 am - 11:30 am: Opening Panel: Population Behavioral Health
- (Thinker) Dr. Brendon Hale, Ph.D. (Confirmed) - Chief Science and Product Officer, Sidekick Platform
- (Innovator) Dr. Trevor van Mierlo, Ph.D. (Confirmed) - CEO/Founder Evolution Health
- (Doer) TBD - National Alliance on Mental Health - Progress for All in Need
Format: Moderated Discussion + Q&A
11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Break & Lunch
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Session 1A: Applied Dialogue & Networking Lunch
Title: Implementation of California's Behavioral Health Transformation
Structure: 3 short (15 minutes) talks + Moderated Discussion + Lunch
- (Innovator) Dr. Guy Tsafnt, Ph.D. (Confirmed) - Founder & CEO Evidentli
- (Thinker) Marlies Perez, MA (Confirmed), Chief of Community Services, California Department of Health Care Services
- (Doer) Ria Paul, M.D. (Confirmed), Chief Medical Officer, Santa Clara Valley Health Plan
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Session 1B: Applied Dialogue & Networking Lunch
Title: Digital Tools for Loneliness in Special Populations (Older Adults & People with ASD)
Structure: 3 Short (15 minutes) Talks + Moderated Discussion + Lunch
- (Innovator) Victor Wang (Confirmed) - Co-founder, Friendi.fi
- (Thinker) Dr. Lawrence Quill, Ph.D. (Confirmed) - False Starts and Ongoing Proglems
- (Doer) Dr. Lauren Libero, Ph.D. (confirmed) - Autism Services Branch Lead, California Department of Developmental Services
1:30 pm - 1:45 pm: Break
1:45 pm - 3:15 pm: Working Session A: Challeng Collab
Title: Designing for Equity in Behavioral Health Innovation
Goal: Cross-sector groups define/respond to a behavorial health challenge
Facilitation:
- All conference participants are assigned to a group
- Each group includes a Thinker, Doer, and Innovator
- Prompts or group-defined challenges
Output: Equity-anchored prototype, policy idea, or framework
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm: Break
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm: Session 2: Innovation Spotlight
Title: 5x5 Lightning Talks: Innovations That Could Close the Gap
Format:
- ZoCalo, Behavorial Health
- Clarity
- FairScan (TBC)
Focus: What it does, who it is for, and how it meets equity goals
4:45 pm - 5:00 pm: Reflections + Day 1 Wrap
Facilitated Synthesis of Key Insights
- Share takeaways from Working Session A
- Invite contributions to Equity-in-Tech Ideas Wall
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Evening Reception & Networking Mixer
Hosted reception with appetizers and drinks
- Informal remarks and suggested conversation themes
- Optional showcase of community-rooted behavioral health orgs or startups
- Optional student showcase
Day 2: March 5th, 2025, 8:30am to 12:00pm | Synthesis, Strategy, and Action
8:30 am - 9:00 am: Check-in & Morning Reception
Coffee and Networking
9:00 am - 9:45 am: Session 2A: Nitty-Gritty Issues
Title: What will it take to scale equitable solutions?
Format: Fireside Chat or Panel
Participants:
- Paying for Scalable Behavioral Health: Looking Forward & Backward - TBA
- If You Build It, They Will Come? On User Engagement - TBA
- Special Legal Challenges in Behavioral Health - TBA
9:00 am - 9:45 am: Session 2B: Looking Forward
Title: Preparing Tomorrow's Workforce, Today
Format: Fireside Chat or Panel
Participants:
- Dr. Sharmil Shah, MA, Psy.D. (TBC), Branch Chief for Behavioral Health and Policy, California Department of Health Care Access and Information
- Dr. Mary Ann Fauchner, Ph.D. (Confirmed), Texas Tech Health Sciences Center (Nursing, Midwifery, 2025 Scoping Review)
9:45 am - 11:00 am: Working Session B: Strategy Lab
Title: From Ideas to Impact: Testing & Translating Equity-Centered Approaches
Goals:
- Refine Outputs from Session A
- Identify Stakeholders, Funding Pathways, and Barriers
Output: Commitment Pitch or Next-Step Roadmap
11:00 am - 11:45 am: Community Feedback & Cross-Sector Commitments
- Groups share 1-minute insight or invitation
- Dialogue with community, funders, and implementers
- Capture post-conference opportunities and resource needs
11:45 am - 12:00 pm: Closing Remarks & Next Steps
- Recommit to Unifying Goals
- Announce Post-Conference Brief, Follow-Ups
- Appreciation & Call to Collective Leadership
