The Hack the Health Gap Innovation Program is a semester-long collaboration between the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) University. The program connects students with real-world healthcare challenges impacting rural communities, public health systems and community-based care delivery across Massachusetts. Through interdisciplinary teamwork, expert mentorship, classroom learning, and exposure to healthcare leaders, students develop practical, implementation-focused solutions that improve healthcare access, outcomes, and operational effectiveness.
This reflects the shift from a Community Health Center (CHC)-focused hackathon to a broader rural health and public health innovation program.
Key Program Elements
Real-World Challenges
Innovation needs are sourced directly from local community health centers.
Student Innovation
MCPHS students develop solutions through team-based projects.
Expert Mentorship
Students engage with team mentors, expert panelists, subject matter experts and final showcase judges representing healthcare, public health, academia, entrepreneurship and the Massachusetts innovation ecosystem.
Final Showcase
On December 4 student teams will present their solutions to a panel of judges representing healthcare, public health, academia and the Massachusetts innovation ecosystem.
Teams will showcase practical, sustainable solutions designed to address real-world challenges affecting rural health, public health infrastructure, healthcare access, workforce support and community-based care delivery.
Rural Health
- Public Health - strengthen population health, prevention, community health initiatives and public health infrastructure
- Community-Based Care - support innovative models that improve care delivery where people live, work and receive services
- Workforce & Operations - reduce administrative burden and improving healthcare workforce effectiveness
- Digital Health & Innovation - leverage technology to improve engagement, communication, access and care coordination
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) University
- Dr. Michael Spooner
- Dr. Keri Griffin
Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI)
- Haven Nichols, Digital Health Ecosystem Manager
- Keely Benson, MeHI Director
- Hands-on student experience solving real-world healthcare challenges
- Increased exposure to healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship
- Practical solutions addressing rural health and public health priorities
- Strengthened collaboration among academia, healthcare organizations, public health leaders and the Massachusetts innovation ecosystem
- Workforce development for the next generation of healthcare innovators
Expert Panel Series
Students will engage with healthcare leaders, innovators, clinicians, operators and entrepreneurs through four expert panel discussions:
Digital Health Tools & Technology
- Digital access
- Patient engagement
- Telehealth
- Technology adoption
Clinical Considerations
- AI-driven decision support
- Clinical workflows
- Provider adoption
- Patient safety
Operational Innovation
- Process improvement
- Workforce support
- Care coordination
- Operational efficiency
Business Strategy & Sustainability
- Data governance
- Ethical design
- Scalability
- Long-term impact
Contact Info: Nichols@masstech.org | CRD@mcphs.edu
MeHI | MCPHS | Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers