Students develop novel solutions to medical community challenges at George Hacks Hackathon


January 28, 2020

President LeBlanc speaking with teams

Students worked for 24 hours to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges facing the medical community during the Third Annual George Hacks Medical Solutions Hackathon. With enthusiasm and energy drinks to sustain them, students spent most of the weekend developing working prototypes such as apps, devices, systems processes, and business models to solve problems in the medical field.

Nearly 100 students formed 18 teams to develop solutions to the challenges presented to them by partnering health care organizations, including GW Hospital, the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Children’s National Hospital, and others.

Prizes were awarded to the following teams:

 

Heyo Solutions receiving award

First Place: Heyo Solutions
Pitch: A system to create a cleaner and safer hospital environment for immune-compromised cancer patients by forcing hand washing through a radio-enabled wristband system that restricts movement around the medical center until the wearer uses an automated hand sanitizer machine
Team: Evan Lindeman, Biomedical Engineering; Yahya Aliyu, Biomedical Engineering; Huzeyfa Telha, Computer Science; and Oscar Southwell, Mechanical Engineering

Instafusion receiving award

Second Place: Instafusion
Pitch: An algorithm to optimize treatment scheduling at chemotherapy infusion centers and provide data analytics of the infusions
Team: Huma Ilyas, Mechanical Engineering; Waqas Haque, Public Health (Johns Hopkins University); and Aqsha Nur, Public Health (Johns Hopkins University)

Smart Stool receiving award

Third Place: Smart Stool
Pitch: An ergonomic height-adjustable step stool for surgeons
Team: Yasser Althuwaini, Mechanical Engineering; Jonathon Lee, Computer Science; Phoenix Price, Mechanical Engineering; and Cordelia Scales, Biomedical Engineering

Techstep receiving award

Spot Prize | Best Implementation of Hardware: Techstep
Pitch: An electronic height-adjustable step for surgeons
Team: Michael Degaga, Biomedical Engineering; Ibraheem Farooq, Biomedical Engineering; and Donivyn Cruz, Biomedical Engineering

JACE receiving award

Spot Prize | Best Pitch: JACE
Pitch: An app and medication wallet to help adolescent patients adhere to their medication regimens
Team: Claire Allison, Biomedical Engineering; Jenna Kahwash, Biomedical Engineering; Abby Klink, Biomedical Engineering; and Emilie LeMieux, Biomedical Engineering

To learn more about the hackathon, read the GW Today article “George Hacks Hosts Third Annual Medical Solutions Hackathon,” or the George Hacks post-event booklet.