Welcome to the 2nd Annual Healthcare Hackathon!
Following the success of our inaugural event, the second annual Healthcare Hackathon—held in partnership with the Healthcare Symposium—invites University of Toledo graduate and professional students to collaborate with community leaders in addressing local health disparities. This event will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2025, 8 AM- 4 PM at the Health Science Campus. All participants will receive free admission to the Healthcare Symposium happening concurrently.
What is a Hackathon?
Traditionally, hackathons bring together programmers, designers, and domain experts to collaborate on tech projects. We’re reimagining this concept, applying it to medicine, equity, and public health.
This year’s competition focuses on adapting to the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Technological advancements like Health Information Technology (HIT) have transformed healthcare by improving access, outcomes, and quality of care. However, these advancements often amplify the digital divide—the gap between those with and without access to modern technologies. Influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, geography, age, and education, this divide hinders equitable healthcare access. Teams will be challenged to propose innovative interventions leveraging HIT while addressing barriers created by the digital divide.
About the Program
This interprofessional experience encourages teams to develop creative public health strategies addressing systemic health disparities through the lens of social determinants of health. Teams can select one of three tracks to guide their intervention and will receive their specific prompt on the day of the competition.
- No prior experience or pre-work is necessary! Bring your creativity, passion, and collaborative spirit to work alongside your team in building an innovative solution.
Opportunities for Participants
- Network with healthcare professionals and local experts throughout the two-day Healthcare Symposium at the Delta One Hotel, located just across the parking lot.
- Consult with experts to refine your team’s presentation.
- Compete for the chance to represent the University of Toledo, all expenses paid at a National Case Competition during the next academic year.
Track Options
Teams will design interventions that address the digital divide while improving outcomes for specific populations:
Track 1: Pediatric Population
Chronic illnesses such as asthma, Type 1 Diabetes, and neurodevelopmental disorders affect many children. Caregivers often face challenges with digital literacy, impacting care delivery. How can your team bridge the digital divide to improve outcomes for pediatric patients and their families?
Track 2: Pregnant Population
Chronic illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes, and depression, can complicate pregnancy. Increased reliance on digital prenatal and postnatal care services often exacerbates inequities. What intervention can your team propose to enhance maternal and fetal health while addressing digital access barriers?
Track 3: Geriatric Population
Nearly 95% of older adults have a chronic illness, and many face challenges with technology and digital literacy. How can your team address the digital divide while improving outcomes for older patients, particularly those at risk of negative outcomes due to polypharmacy?
Contact Information
For questions or concerns, please reach out to Kyla Johnson at kyla.johnson2@rockets.utoledo.edu.
We’re excited to see your innovative solutions and the impact they can have on our community!
