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Independence Blue Cross and Jefferson host Health Hack focused on innovative health care solutions

health care

Event (#healthhackPHL), offers forum for innovators to collaborate and bring ideas to life


What:

Philadelphia’s largest insurer, Independence Blue Cross (Independence), and one of the largest health care systems, Jefferson (through its Innovation Pillar), will be hosting a free, three-day Health Hack that brings together health care professionals, designers, programmers, nurses, engineers, and students. These individuals will spend the weekend creating innovative ways to address key issues facing health care access and delivery.

Throughout the Health Hack, attendees will interact with mentors who have the expertise to make their ideas a reality. They also will take part in rotating workshops that teach skills ranging from mocking up a wireframe for an app to giving a killer pitch. Winners of each track of the Hack will receive prize packages from the companies supporting the event, including Comcast, DroneCast, IBM, Microsoft, and NextFab.

The Health Hack, which is part of the new collaboration between Independence and Jefferson to boost innovation in health care, will focus on three tracks of health care access and delivery:

  • Improving the patient experience: Reducing hospital readmissions, sponsored by Independence
  • Wearables: Helping patients and providers gain a better understanding of individual health, sponsored by Comcast and Microsoft
  • Drones in health care: Drone-based health care delivery, sponsored by DroneCast of Philadelphia and IBM

When:

Friday, November 13, 5–9pm
Saturday, November 14, 9am–5:00pm
Sunday, November 15, 9am-5pm

 

Key Media Opportunities

Full schedule available at www.innovation.jefferson.edu/healthhack/

Friday, November 13
6:30-8:00pm: Introduction and keynote speakers, including Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross and Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health

Saturday, November 14
11:00am: Hacking begins; workshops and prototype fabrication opportunities throughout the day

Sunday, November 15
1:00-4:00pm: Teams give solution pitches
4:30-5:00pm: Awards

 

Where:

Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Alumni Hall
1020 Locust St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107

 

Participation Contact:

ibcjeffersonhealthhack@gmail.com

 

About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve nearly 10 million people in 24 states and the District of Columbia, including 2.5 million in the region. For nearly 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Media contact
Ruth Stoolman
Independence Blue Cross
Ruth.stoolman@ibx.com
215-241-4807 (office)
215-667-9537 (cell)