Over 200 participants compete in marathon coding session to solve national and local data challenges
Philadelphia, PA –Independence Blue Cross (IBC)is pleased to be one of the sponsors of Drexel University’s second Philly Codefest, a two-day marathon coding competition that brings together innovative thinkers and programmers from across the nation to transform data into real-world solutions. IBC sponsored the first Drexel Codefest — which focused specifically on health IT solutions — last April.
The primary focus and theme for this year’s Philly Codefest is to develop quality tools or approaches that enable access and use of data in areas of national and local priority, such as health, hospital and patient care; government and civic solutions; media and digital arts; data science and visualization; and cybersecurity, among others. With this year’s broadened focus, attendees have the flexibility to address a diverse set of real-world information challenges.
More than 200 coders, including professional softwear developers and designers, students, health care leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs, will break into teams and compete from Saturday, February 22 at 7 a.m. to Sunday, February 23 at 1 p.m. at Drexel’s URBN Center, 3501 Market Street, Philadelphia, The teams will identify a problem within the five priority areas listed above and analyze the data to devise a proposed solution or tool.
“We’re happy to be involved in this exciting event, as part of our ongoing support for building the health care entrepreneurial community here in Philadelphia, especially around the use of data and informatics in health care,” said Terry Booker, Vice President Corporate Development and Innovation at IBC. “Events like Codefest are also a great way to help develop and retain technology talent in the region.”
Beginning Sunday, February 23 at 2 p.m., each team will present their solutions — in the form of new approaches, algorithms, or tools for accessing and using a variety of information — to a group of judges from various tech-related fields. The prize pool — more than $14,000, with a $5,000 grand prize, — includes awards in the following areas: Innovation, Best Mobile, Most Scalable, and a $2,000 Health Library Innovation prize. Winners of the lead prizes will have the opportunity to discuss their innovations with leading venture capitalists and leaders of business accelerators.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 7.5 million people nationwide, including 2.2 million in the region. For more than 75 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 about how we’re changing the game, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at 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
215-241-4807 (Office)
Ruth.Stoolman@ibx.com