The New Orleans Business Alliance, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Ochsner Health System today announced the two finalists who will compete in the second New Orleans Health Innovators Challenge Pitch Finale.

The event takes place Wednesday, March 27, from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Louisiana Cancer Research Center. A biotech showcase featuring local innovators runs from 2-3 p.m., prior to the finale event. See schedule details here.

Created in 2017, the New Orleans Health Innovators Challenge connects local healthcare businesses and stakeholders to high-growth startups, to accelerate investment in New Orleans’ growing health tech sector and, ultimately, to improve the health of local communities.

The 2018, the Blue Cross and Ochsner challenge featured diabetes care while this year’s challenge focuses on social determinants of health.

Improving Health at the Population Level

“We know that disparities in the social determinants of health –ZIP code, access to transportation, and food security – are as important in determining longevity as your genetic code,” said Quentin Messer, Jr., president & CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance. “With this year’s Social Determinants Data Challenge, these two finalists will present their solutions for capturing this much-needed data to improve health at a population level. Healthier residents are able to create and benefit from a more vibrant economy.”

MedAux, a California startup with text-based application, and Phreesia, a New York company with a digital platform, will present their solutions to the Social Determinants Data Challenge for an opportunity to win up to $36,000 in project funding and access to the largest healthcare providers in the state.

Social Determinants Data Solutions for Statewide Healthcare Leaders Drives Competition

“We were thrilled to see such an enthusiastic response to our Social Determinants Data Challenge, and we look forward to hearing MedAux and Phreesia pitch their solutions,” said Blue Cross Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer Vindell Washington. “We and Ochsner recognize that innovation is critical to changing the way healthcare is delivered in our state, and this challenge is a great way to put innovation into action toward solving pressing healthcare problems.”

“Ochsner is relentless about seeking the latest breakthroughs in science and technology to save and change more lives in the communities we serve,” Aimee Quirk, Chief Executive Officer, innovationOchsner. “We know the significant impact social determinants have on health outcomes, and this challenge allows us to crowdsource new solutions that will help us use this information to provide more holistic, personalized and proactive care.”

Winners of Additional Health Challenge to Discuss Solutions

As the judges deliberate, attendees will hear from the winners of the New Orleans Health Department’s and University Medical Center’s Access to Care Challenge, Roundtrip; Lafayette General Foundation’s Real Time Results Challenge, CoHealth; and, Tulane Health System’s Affordable Choices Challenge, Symptify, with a fireside-style chat.

Thanks to Supporting Partners

Supporting partners of the New Orleans Health Innovators Challenge include: Lookfar, Omega Concierge Services, Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann, LLC, The Warehouse, Propeller, Launch Pad, The Shop at CAC, and New Orleans BioInnovation Center.

About the New Orleans Business Alliance

One of only 62 Accredited Economic Development Organizations worldwide, the New Orleans Business Alliance is the official professional economic development organization for New Orleans. Formed in 2010, the public-private partnership focuses on holistic economic development: attract new business, grow existing businesses, revitalize neighborhoods and facilitate comprehensive workforce development programs beneficial for jobseekers and employers. By pursuing an inclusive economic development strategy, will create the perfect intersection of culture and commerce while delivering New Orleanians enhanced economic security. Visit nolaba.org for more information.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. We invest both time and money in the communities we serve, supporting the health and wellbeing of Louisianians through more than 200 charitable organizations.

With our subsidiaries, HMO Louisiana and Southern National Life, we provide group and individual health insurance plans, life and disability insurance, group voluntary products and administrative services to one out of four Louisiana residents. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana also provides Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage plans and is a partner in offering the Healthy Blue Medicaid Managed care plan. Louisiana is the only state where we operate, with offices in every major region to serve our customers.

Founded in New Orleans in 1934, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is a tax-paying non-profit health insurer. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

To learn more, visit our website at www.bcbsla.com.   

About Ochsner Health System

Ochsner Health System is Louisiana’s largest non-profit, academic, healthcare system. Driven by a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate, coordinated clinical and hospital patient care is provided across the region by Ochsner’s 40 owned, managed and affiliated hospitals and specialty hospitals, and more than 100 health centers and urgent care centers. Ochsner is the only Louisiana hospital recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a “Best Hospital” across three specialty categories caring for patients from all 50 states and more than 70 countries worldwide each year. Ochsner employs nearly 25,000 employees and over 4,500 employed and affiliated physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties, and conducts more than 700 clinical research studies. Ochsner Health System is proud to be a tobacco-free environment. For more information, please visit ochsner.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.