Yale Ventures is pleased to announce the Health Track Keynote at the 2025 Yale Innovation Summit: “U.S. Health Policy and Innovation in a Time of Transition” featuring Secretary Alex M. Azar ’91 J.D., former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, in conversation with Dr. Megan Ranney, Dean of the Yale School of Public Health.  

“Innovation in health policy doesn’t just happen in Washington or in the lab—it happens where public purpose meets private enterprise. As we face demographic shifts, technological leaps, and evolving global threats, we must ensure our health systems are prepared to deliver better outcomes at lower cost, for more people,”  said Alex M. Azar, ’91 J.D., Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

As the U.S. enters a new era of leadership and policy direction, the fireside chat will explore how changing priorities—from federal budgets and Medicaid strategy to the future of telehealth, AI in healthcare, and population-level interventions—are shaping the future of health innovation. The discussion will also touch on the practical implications for founders, funders, and institutions seeking to drive health impact in a rapidly shifting regulatory and investment environment.

“This is a critical moment for health innovation in the U.S.,” said Dr. Megan Ranney. “From new technologies and delivery models to policy reform and public health strategy, the decisions being made today will define the landscape for decades to come.”

Secretary Azar, who served from 2018 to 2021 under the Trump administration, brings unique insight into federal health policy, HHS operations, and public-private collaboration, while Dr. Ranney brings deep expertise in health systems innovation, data science, and public health leadership.

About the Yale Innovation Summit    

The Yale Innovation Summit, taking place May 28-29, 2025, is the Northeast's premier event for innovation and entrepreneurship. Held on Yale University's campus, the Summit brings together visionaries, investors, founders, and industry leaders for two days of discovery, connection, and opportunity. Featuring six programming tracks—arts, biotech, civic, climate, health, and technology—it showcases panels, keynotes, pitch competitions, and exclusive investor networking.    

Hosted by Yale Ventures, the Summit unites Yale’s schools, centers, and innovation hubs in a dynamic, campus-wide collaboration that showcases the university’s extraordinary depth of innovation and commitment to real-world impact.  

For more information and to register, visit ventures.yale.edu/summit.