MamiKnow Collaborates with Shanghai Jiao Tong University to Launch China's First Pediatric Healthcare Management 'Leadership Program'

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that on October 17, Mami Zhidao, a leading domestic maternal and child healthcare service provider, signed an agreement with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, a century-old prestigious institution. The two parties have officially entered into a strategic partnership for talent development, pioneering the country’s first “Leadership Program” in pediatric medical management. They have also established a training and practice base for pediatric medical management talents, aiming to build the premier “Whampoa Military Academy” for pediatric medical management professionals in China.

Mommy Knows Founder and CEO Liang Liang Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Li Zhenquan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of International and Public Affairs at Shanghai Jiao Tong University

As market access policies in the healthcare industry continue to relax, privately run medical institutions have entered an era of rapid growth, with the number of clinics projected to increase by 6,000–7,000 annually. Although national policies enabling multi-site practice, along with the proliferation of physician groups and private clinics, have liberated many skilled medical professionals, the shortage of specialized healthcare management talent has become increasingly pronounced.

To address the shortage of healthcare management talent and cultivate high-quality future leaders for the industry, Mammy Knows has partnered with Shanghai Jiao Tong University to pioneer China’s first training system for pediatric healthcare management professionals.

Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate in three key areas: establishing a training and practice base for pediatric healthcare management talent, closely integrating Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s advanced management theories with Mommy Knows’ pediatric healthcare practices to cultivate professionals who are internationally aligned and deeply knowledgeable about the domestic healthcare market; jointly conducting thematic research and producing policy advisory reports, carrying out specialized investigations, and submitting refined reports to the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, and relevant central authorities for their reference, thereby enhancing social influence and decision-making capacity; and building a distinctive brand in healthcare governance by promoting innovative practices in pediatric healthcare management and setting an industry benchmark.

As a prestigious university in China, Jiaotong University has cultivated a cohort of high-caliber, interdisciplinary senior management professionals with global perspectives and solid expertise in modern public administration. Mami Zhidao focuses on the vertical sector of maternal and infant healthcare, not only innovating medical service models but also continuously exploring ways to empower primary care institutions. Through this strategic alliance between two industry leaders, both parties will jointly ensure a steady influx of “fresh blood” into the sector.

This program, jointly developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Mommy Knows Best, is specifically tailored to cultivate pediatric healthcare management professionals. Designed in full accordance with business school MBA curriculum standards, it covers a comprehensive healthcare management system encompassing human resources, finance and legal affairs, chain operations, brand building, marketing, and health information technology. In addition to foundational management theories, the program exclusively incorporates an artificial intelligence module from BAT (Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent), keeping pace with emerging trends in medical technologies. The complete curriculum consists of 33 thematic courses delivered over a one-year period.

At the inaugural public lecture of the Linghang Class, representatives from the first cohort of students from "Mommy Knows" wore their school badges.

The instructional model adopts a “Theory + Benchmarking Study” approach, enabling participants to conduct on-site visits and study tours at leading institutions and enterprises across various industries, such as Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, United Family Healthcare, Tencent, and Alibaba. The Leadership Program serves as a practical platform for applying learned knowledge. Participants engage in scenario reenactments or simulations based on lecture content and real-world challenges encountered in their organizations, thereby identifying problem-solving strategies and enhancing their comprehensive management competencies.

The instructional team comprises top-tier experts from diverse fields, including professors from leading Chinese universities such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Zhejiang University who deliver theoretical courses; presidents of major public hospitals, including Shanghai Children’s Hospital and Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, as well as founders of outstanding non-public healthcare institutions like United Family Healthcare and Ruici Medical, who share practical management experience; and senior executives from Alibaba Health.

Since its establishment in 2014, Mommy Knows has experienced rapid growth within the industry. This growth stems not only from its exploration of innovative business models but also from its learning-oriented organizational culture.

MMDP (Medical Management Development Program) is a specialized internal training initiative launched by Mammy Knows in 2017. Its objective is to help physicians develop medical management competencies, building a talent pipeline for future leadership roles and serving as the liaison for implementing medical management strategies between headquarters and clinics. Over the course of the one-year program, physicians not only acquire professional management knowledge but also integrate theoretical concepts into practical clinic operations, transforming from pure clinicians into true managers.

With the exception of physicians in managerial roles, all full-time physicians are entitled to internal training and continuing education from the date of their employment. Internal training encompasses a comprehensive curriculum covering international JCI standards and systems, service workflows, the Hospital Information System (HIS), brand building, science popularization writing, and paid knowledge content creation. Continuing education is more personalized; the company provides each full-time physician with paid leave and financial support, allowing them to choose industry conferences or specialized courses for further professional development based on their individual needs.

To support ordinary physicians leaving the public healthcare system in establishing independent practices, Mami Zhidao established an Empowerment Division this year to incubate pediatrician-led startups. In addition to a comprehensive training framework, the division provides the essential “hardware” and “software” resources required for physicians’ entrepreneurial ventures. The “Smart e-Clinic” clinic information management system (HIS on SaaS) and the Pangu System, independently developed by Mami Zhidao, leverage data-driven solutions to enhance overall management and operational efficiency. Furthermore, services include partnerships with platforms such as Alipay and Mamabang to drive millions of user visits, along with professional teams offering brand building, online operations, physician recruitment, and other supporting services.

This collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University further opens a new professional avenue for physicians: pediatric healthcare management, representing a further upgrade of the existing training system. Following the opening of Mammy Knows’ seventh clinic nationwide, its operational management concepts and systems for pediatric healthcare will also be rolled out successively.

Mami Zhidao is a technology-driven healthcare brand providing 24/7, integrated online-to-offline medical services for mothers, infants, and children. Its maternal and child health consultation app, Mami Zhidao, has exclusively contracted with 3,000 obstetricians and pediatricians from Grade A tertiary hospitals in key cities. The platform has cumulatively served over 6 million mother users and operates seven Mami Zhidao Pediatric Clinics across Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. It has received investments from SoftBank, Morningside Venture Capital, Fosun Group, Chow Tai Fook, and Fenxiang Capital.