Health Tech Alley

Location

Columbia, MD

  

Project Name

Catalyzing Health Information Technology for Economic Opportunity and Growth in Underserved Communities

  

Award Amount

Federal Share

Local Match
 

$746,060

$193,170

Health Tech Alley aims to stimulate local economies and build regional talent through an innovative quick-start accelerator program, Catalyzing Advances in Technology for Community Health (CATCH). CATCH will bring health information technology (IT) entrepreneurs and community-based healthcare organizations together to advance emerging IT capability.

The project will focus on communities hardest hit by COVID-19 and upskill the health IT workforce by: a) tapping into local networks of entrepreneurs and startups focused on primary care and digital health solutions, b) creating alliances with healthcare organizations operating in underserved areas, and c) partnering with local government agencies to address community healthcare challenges. The project will engage women and minorities in the health workforce who are interested in pursuing a career in health IT.

Health Tech Alley will select four underserved communities across Central Maryland and ally with a designated healthcare organization to identify pressing clinic needs. The commitment is to:

  1. Educate technology entrepreneurs on underserved community’s needs.
  2. Highlight emerging primary care, digital health, and social determinants solutions.
  3. Partner with the local community to tailor solutions for local needs.
  4. Develop economic opportunities and fill the large need for health IT professionals.
  5. Establish support to sustain solutions.