2025 Innovation for Healthcare Access Conference Highlights:
Bringing global innovation to local implementation—lessons for effectively bridging gaps in quality healthcare access.
This conference brought together researchers from Rice, the Texas Medical Center, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, and state and national policy makers to foster collaboration to support these initiatives.
By the numbers
325 Attendees | 4 Keynote Speakers | 28 Panelists | 2 Days of Collaboration
Marginalized communities around the world face persistent gaps in equitable access to quality healthcare. These health systems gaps are driven by inequities in infrastructure, technology, research translation, and local capacity. Cross-sector global health and development efforts are reshaping health systems to be more inclusive and durable, through evidence-based solutions.
The 2025 Innovation for Healthcare Access Conference featured leaders and organizations, both local and global, working to advance healthcare innovation and champion its implementation targeting underserved communities, with a focus on maternal health and chronic disease care.
Voices from the Conference
Opening Keynote: “Within Texas in 2020, 71% of maternal deaths occurred post-partum, with the majority of deaths from 42 days to one-year after childbirth, and the two main causes were cardiovascular and coronary conditions and mental disorders. The report further showed that a huge majority of these cases were preventable in some ways through increased access to care.” - Dr. Wilburn-Wren, MD.
Closing Keynote: “The health paradox is the US has the lowest life expectancy among its peer nations and yet it spends the most on healthcare. The US is spending over double compared to its global counterparts. In Houston and Harris County, the disparity in life expectancy is determined by zip code. The gap in life expectancy tells a story.” - Dr. Chethan Bachireddy
As healthcare systems face rising burdens from noncommunicable diseases, maternal health disparities, and resource constraints, collaboration across disciplines has never been more critical.
The IHAC 2025 conference brought together researchers, clinicians, engineers, and global health leaders to share solutions, accelerate partnerships, and move innovations from lab to community impact.
Speaker Line-Up | Sessions-at-a-Glance
Watch the full conference sessions: Explore keynote talks, panels, and research presentations here.
Gratitude & Acknowledgments
A sincere thanks to the speakers, panelists, and moderators who shared their expertise and insights.
Our deepest gratitude to the attendees who joined us in Houston and contributed to meaningful dialogue.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and partners for their generous support and commitment to advancing equitable healthcare access. Your investment in innovation and collaboration makes this work possible.
Save The Date!
Innovation for Healthcare Access Conference 2026
Save the date for the next Innovation for Healthcare Access Conference, taking place October 22-23, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
Building on the conversations and collaborations from 2025, the 2026 conference will continue to connect global health innovation with local impact.
Continue the conversation and deepen your impact:
Support innovation for healthcare access: Make a gift to Rice360 and help advance technologies that expand healthcare access for underserved communities.