Ontario Tech Students Recognized for Health-Care Technology Proposals at Catalyst Challenge

Ontario Tech University students participated in the annual Catalyst Challenge, an eight-day event held in Oshawa, according to a university announcement released on February 10. The event was hosted by the Brilliant Catalyst in partnership with Lakeridge Health and the Partnership for Advanced Technology in Health Care (PATH).

Organizers stated that the Catalyst Challenge asked interdisciplinary student teams to develop proposals using artificial intelligence and technology to address health-care sector challenges. Project development was guided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Quadruple Aim framework, which Lakeridge Health has adopted. This framework focuses on improving population health outcomes, care quality, resource sustainability, and provider well-being.

The top nine student teams presented their ideas to a panel of judges from Lakeridge Health and Ontario Tech University in the event finale on January 31. According to Ontario Tech University, three winning teams each received $2,000 to support the development of their projects. The university also stated that these teams will have continued access to mentorship, funding, and networking through the Brilliant Catalyst’s Business Incubator and will participate in a tour of Lakeridge Health facilities.

As described in the university’s announcement, the Social Impact and Sustainability Award was presented to the Axis team for a project that uses augmented reality motion-tracking and machine learning to support musculoskeletal injury care. The Technical Innovation Award went to MedRoute, an application that the university stated connects patients to medical facilities based on their needs in an effort to address emergency department congestion. The Market Readiness Award went to NavConnect, a hospital navigation tool, which according to university officials is scheduled for pilot testing at Lakeridge Health. The university further noted that NavConnect will include features such as speech-to-text, language accessibility, and tactile and auditory prompts.

All participants received honoraria funded by the Experience Ventures program, which the university indicated is supported by the Government of Canada and delivered in partnership with post-secondary institutions.