ABOUT JAY ROBINSON

Dr. Jay L. Robinson III leads with a deep belief that health care should be both excellent and equitable. As Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente Sacramento and South Sacramento, he oversees operations for two of the region’s busiest medical centers, serving more than 581,000 members across 528 licensed beds—including the south area’s only Level II Trauma Center and an Advanced Neuroscience Center.

With more than three decades in health care leadership, Robinson has earned national recognition for driving innovation and operational excellence. His experience spans senior executive roles at hospitals in Chicago, Memphis, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. At Kaiser Permanente, he is overseeing the largest regional expansion in its history, including the 310-bed Railyards Medical Center, a transformative downtown project set to open in 2029.

Beyond health care, Robinson’s influence extends across civic, business, and academic sectors. He serves on several boards, including the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, Sacramento Metro Chamber, and the Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission, while teaching at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine.

Guided by lessons from his mother—a teacher who modeled respect and fairness for all—Robinson leads with humility, integrity, and inclusion. His vision for Sacramento’s health landscape is one where access, opportunity, and compassion move hand in hand.

ON LEADERSHIP AND INFLUENCE

What does “Black Power and Influence” mean to you?
It means showing up as a visible example of excellence, resilience, and possibility. It’s about occupying spaces where historically we’ve been underrepresented and making it clear that leadership comes in many forms. Power also means using influence to build bridges — between corporate, civic, and grassroots efforts — and ensuring that decisions in hiring, investment, and culture reflect inclusivity and authenticity.

Leadership Lesson:
Be authentic and continuously work to become a better listener.

Who inspires you most and why?
My mother. She was a teacher who taught me to treat everyone with the same respect — from the janitor to the principal. She instilled in me the principle that fairness and humility are the foundation of leadership.

What are the biggest opportunities you see for Sacramento’s Black community in the years ahead?
We must take a multi-pronged approach — business development, youth mentorship, professional networking, and access to education and health care — to build holistic community strength. Economic opportunity fuels housing, stability, and wellness. At Kaiser Permanente, our investments reflect that belief, from the Downtown Commons Medical Offices project — which created 1,700 jobs and prioritized local, diverse vendors — to ongoing efforts to address health disparities through culturally tailored care and research.

ON EVERYDAY LIFE

Song/Artist On Repeat: Jean-Luc Ponty and Kendrick Lamar.

Recharge Ritual: Spending time with family, golfing, and exercising.

Weekend in Sacramento: On the golf course with my wife.

Hidden Passion: Collecting jazz records and celebrating the art of precision and rhythm.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our “Onyx 25” sponsors for their generous support: