Ideas wanted: MedNexus hosts Innovation Challenge for Palm Coast area high school students

The competition encourages high school students to participate in designing ideas to solve real state/local health care challenges.


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  • | 4:40 p.m. August 26, 2021
UNF President David Szymanski and Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin. Photo by Brian McMillan
UNF President David Szymanski and Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin. Photo by Brian McMillan
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by: Ginny Walthour

Director, Media Relations, UNF

The University of North Florida, along with the city of Palm Coast and Flagler Schools, is presenting the 2021 MedNexus Innovation Challenge open to all Flagler, St. Johns and Volusia high school students. The MedNexus Innovation Challenge is a team-based entrepreneurship competition that will showcase top regional high school students tasked to pitch their solutions to Florida’s evolving health care needs.

New, innovative services and technology-focused solutions are needed to meet the demands of Florida’s growing health care systems and to help underserved areas. The MedNexus Innovation Challenge is a competition that encourages high school students to participate in designing ideas for the future of health care.

The challenge competition will have teams of 2-5 students, ages 16-18, that will come up with products or service ideas to address three main health areas:

  • Advancing Telemedicine
  • Improving Mental Health Services for Young Adults
  • Enhancing Soft Skills in Healthcare

“We’re excited that the city of Palm Coast is able to partner alongside UNF and Flagler Schools to offer this incredible opportunity to local high school students,” said Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin. “The importance of the MedNexus concept centers on providing education and career opportunities right here in our city. This Innovation Challenge plays right into the goal of getting young adults interested and engaged in the medical and technology fields right here in our community.”

Teams will receive mentoring by top UNF faculty, opportunities to provide innovative solutions to real health care needs within Florida’s First Coast, and a chance to receive cash and in-kind prizes.

Applications are open from Aug. 23 to Sept. 19. Decisions of the participating teams will be released by Oct. 1. More information can be found at: https://www.unf.edu/coggin/CEI/Mednexus_Innovation_Challenge.aspx.

 

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