IMS Launching Healthcare Innovation Challenge as Formal Event
We are excited to announce that this fall we are launching the Healthcare Innovation Challenge (HIC) as a formal Institute of Medical Science event, with increased funding, more prize money, and expanded student engagement opportunities.
The seeds of the HIC were planted in 2022 when Kayvan Aflaki and Serena Peck, then IMS Master’s students, envisioned an enriching, hands-on competitive learning experience. With the support of faculty advisor Dr. Pascal Tyrrell, and seed funding from the Jay Keystone Memorial Award for Innovation in Scientific Communication, they successfully launched the inaugural iteration of their case competition. The HIC quickly gained recognition for its unique approach, where teams of IMS and other University of Toronto students tackle real-world healthcare problems.
The competition begins with students submitting written proposals addressing a specific, pressing Canadian healthcare issue. The top five scoring teams advance to the final competition, where they pitch their solutions to a live audience and a panel of expert judges. The HIC enables students to hone their teamwork, creativity and critical thinking skills while gaining valuable insight from industry professionals.
The IMS deeply values alumni engagement and the important role alumni play in enriching our community. Partnering with Kayvan and Serena, who are helping lead this year’s competition as alumni advisors, demonstrates the transformative impact that students can make during their studies and beyond. We’ve also partnered with our student-run Raw Talk Podcast who will be running the panel portion of the live event.
We believe that participating in the HIC enhances the educational experience for our graduate students and contributes to fostering the next generation of healthcare innovators.
This year’s theme will be on Primary Care X Artificial Intelligence: Redefining Primary Care in Canada. Participant registration opens on November 15, 2024. The final in-person competition and panel discussion are scheduled for February 13, 2025. The HIC is open to graduate and professional program students across U of T.
We encourage students interested in participating to register for our information session, held virtually via Zoom on November 12, 2024 at 4pm EST.
For more information, please visit the Healthcare Innovation Challenge website, which includes details on how to participate, timelines, and insights from past competitors. You’re also welcome to connect with our team via email.
