Innovations in health and healthcare that promote, impact, and monitor health are creating a paradigm shift in our approach to healthy living. In the United States, healthcare has entered a period of unprecedented change with the Affordable Care Act and the “triple aim,” the emphasis on care that is safer, more efficient, and more accessible. Worldwide, the goal is clear: a healthier future that revolves around reducing infectious and noncommunicable disease, increasing the safety of care, lowering the cost of health care delivery, expanding access, and introducing technologies that bring greater health and wellness to the populous. The common thread is INNOVATION, and the Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge (HIC) will build on the strengths of the University of Washington to provide a platform for interdisciplinary student teams to work on new solutions to existing problems, new approaches to helping people live healthier lives, new opportunities for care and treatment, new products/services to market. Challenges spark creativity, design thinking, novel solutions, and the potential for new companies. This challenge, much like the Buerk Center’s well-regarded Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge, is designed for those students who are passionate about health innovation and are determined to make a difference.
