So you’re going to JPM Healthcare Conference again…

Vera Mucaj
4 min readJan 10, 2025

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It’s chaotic, might as well enjoy it. Three itineraries, one destination, one playlist.

The healthcare flock migrates back to SF every January

Every year I’m in San Francisco for JPM Healthcare week, I tell myself, “Never again.” The crowds, the back-to-backs, the San Francisco winter weather (#sidewaysrain), the overpriced hotel rooms, the jitters after the fifth coffee chat in one morning… what’s to love about this madness?

Yet, almost every year, I come back. Why? Because there’s something electric about seeing so many passionate healthcare folks under one metaphorical roof. The chaos and caffeine-fueled frenzy create moments to connect with friends, colleagues, and collaborators, both old and new. And dare I say it? The weather is promising to be winter-spectacular this time around (fingers crossed).

There’s a unique energy in this shared exhaustion — an unspoken bond of surviving JPM week together. But let’s be real: the relentless pace can make it hard to truly appreciate San Francisco or even find time to breathe. SF is a lovely city (yes, even Union Square and the Financial District). I had the privilege of calling it home during my first three years at Datavant. I hope every attendee — whether local, seasoned, or a first-timer — sneaks in some moments of city tourism.

Personally, I’ve found that a few well-timed brain breaks make all the difference. For me, a good “walk and talk” meeting and some interspersed quiet time are the secret ingredients to surviving (and enjoying) not just JPM week, but any busy week. So, for those attending this year, I’m sharing a few ~20-minute walking itineraries for your meetings, featuring interesting sights and guaranteed to get you back in time for your next sprint. I’ve also thrown in a bonus suggestion for those moments when you need pure solitude with nature, literature, and music. 😊

If you see me around, please say hi! This is my first year attending as a “private citizen” after leaving Datavant at the end of 2024. I’m excited to meet fascinating people, catch up with old friends, and dive back into the fast-moving world of bioscience.

  1. Union Square Loop

2. Transamerica Pyramid Loop

  • Itinerary: Start at 44 Montgomery street (you most definitely had at least one meeting at that WeWork this week), walk north → Turn right on Washington Street → View Transamerica Pyramid from Redwood Park → Return via Sansome Street.
  • Fun Sights: The Redwood park! Home to 50 redwood trees in the middle of the Financial District, and some quirky statues. Side note: The @ispytransamericapyramid Instagram page is a fun ode to “SF’s most famous ‘photo bomber’”. Once you start looking for it, it’s everywhere!
  • Coffee/Tea: Coffee bar Montgomery

3. Embarcadero Waterfront Walk

  • Itinerary: Start at Embarcadero Plaza → Walk along the waterfront past the Ferry Building → Turn around at Pier 7 and return.
  • Fun sights: Ferry Building, Bay Bridge, Cupid’s Span (the gigantic bow and arrow). Fun Fact: Pier 7 is one of the famous SF spots featured in the movie “Always be my maybe”
  • Coffee/Tea: You’re going to one of the Blue bottle cafe stores at some point in this adventure, might as well do so now.

4. For when you want to get away: Golden Gate Park’s Shakespeare Garden. This is probably my favorite place in all of San Francisco, and it is mercifully away from all the JPM craziness. Go here when you want to go “full introvert” mode!

  • Itinerary: Sit down, relax, say hi to the bronze bust of Shakespeare, figure out all the Shakespearean Easter eggs.
  • Musical playlist: nothing says “please don’t approach me, I need to recharge” like headphones and some good music. Here, I made you a playlist too 😊
Source: Inspired Imperfection

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Vera Mucaj
Vera Mucaj

Written by Vera Mucaj

Passionate about R&D and healthcare data. For more science-focused ideas, please visit my blog "Thought Experiments" at https://veramucaj.substack.com

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