FORT WAYNE, IND. – May 19, 2021 – Parkview Health and MATTER, a healthcare incubator and innovation hub, today announced the second annual competition to find solutions for maternal and infant mortality. The 2021 Healthy Mom and Baby Competition 2.0, also sponsored by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Indiana Chapter, invites innovators to submit ideas and solutions that address the needs and wellbeing of women during pregnancy and postpartum.
According to the 2020 Maternal Deaths in Indiana report, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee determined that 87% of reviewed pregnancy-associated deaths were preventable. Because of this need, Parkview Health and the state of Indiana are issuing a global call to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and infants.
“Innovation is often seen as a long-term goal, but at Parkview Health we know that there are gains we can make toward improving maternal and infant health more immediately when we work alongside other innovators,” said Jolynn Suko, chief innovation officer, Parkview Health. “We are proud to host this competition with MATTER and HIMSS and look forward to seeing new ideas to address this challenge.”
The competition asks: How might we better support at-risk pregnant and new mothers throughout their healthcare journey as well as in their daily lives? The competition is seeking solutions including, but not limited to: mental health, community support, birth spacing, substance abuse assistance and chronic diseases such as hypertension.
“We are proud to again be working with Parkview Health on identifying and advancing promising innovations for maternal and infant health. This year’s focus on solutions to address challenges faced by underrepresented mothers is an urgent need in our healthcare system,” said Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER. “As the 2020 competition proved, innovators can and will help meet this need. Collaboration between startups and healthcare systems is the best way to advance goals toward improving care.”
This competition is open to existing startups, as well as anyone with an innovative idea for a product, solution or service that fits within the competition scope. Prizes include the opportunity to pilot the winning solution with Parkview Health, a $10,000 cash award and a one-year membership at MATTER.
Interested companies can learn more and apply by visiting parkview.com/innovation2021. Applications are due by Wednesday, July 28.