MedNexus and CSI challenge students to combat physician burnout

MedNexus, in collaboration with CSI Companies and Blackstone LaunchPad, recently hosted the 2024 Innovation Challenge. This dynamic, team-based competition invited undergraduate and graduate students to develop and pitch innovative solutions to critical healthcare challenges facing the region.

The challenge focused on the pressing issue of physician burnout-a significant concern identified by the American Medical Association, with more than 60% of physicians reporting symptoms. Given the increased strain of the pandemic, many physicians are contemplating leaving practice, which poses a serious threat to healthcare delivery and patient care.

Four teams of students competed to earn scholarship money, gain mentorship from university faculty, network with regional healthcare executives and engage with real-world problems.

The competition culminated in a thrilling pitch event where teams presented their solutions to a panel of local healthcare leaders including Chris Kovacs, COO, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital; Britt Tabor, EVP & CFO, Brook's Rehabilitation; Tera Gross, CNO Mayo Clinic Florida; and Paul Sapia, CPHO, Telescope Health.

The first-place prize of $5,000 in scholarship funds was awarded to Team AcuDura who proposed a wearable biofeedback patch that proactively detects physician burnout. The team of students included Rebecca Dean, Amr Elfayoumy, Drew Newsom and Stacy Delano, led by professor Martin Luytjes.

The second-place prize of $3,000 went to Team CareWatch+ who sought to develop an app for Apple Watches to monitor physician burnout. The team of students included Ceder Crawford, Adrian Ascencio, Jessica Jin and Rory Hampson, led by Professor Sam Matties.