One way Ascension cultivates innovation is through its Innovations Accelerator Team (IAT), which identifies, incubates and accelerates development of innovative care and business models that move the organization closer to its 2020 Vision.
As part of that work, Ascension is a sponsor of Healthbox, one of the first business accelerators in the country exclusively focused on the healthcare field. Healthbox was created to uncover and foster innovative solutions and connect them with mentors and funders that enable entrepreneurial success. Ascension began working with Healthbox in 2012, as its work complements the incubation work led by IAT, which is part of Ascension Holdings.
How Healthbox Works
Healthbox matches up select early-stage health entrepreneurs with early adopters and funders though its “accelerators,” regional networks in six cities across the U.S. and Europe. Ascension and Alexian Brothers Health System co-sponsored a Healthbox Accelerator in Chicago, which was focused on seven companies:
Learn It Live – a real-time health and education platform on which users can attend a variety of interactive sessions led by thought leaders in health and wellness education
Quietyme – provides sound-documentation devices for hospitals, hotels and rental units to manage noise and optimize patient/resident experiences
Purplebinder – provides a database to healthcare providers, cities and nonprofit organizations to connect patients with the resources they need to thrive in their community
Ludi – helps hospitals and health systems automate, track and reduce administrative expenses while managing the legal risks of regulatory compliance with physician agreements
PatientConnecter – a platform compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that allows providers to rapidly deploy custom-branded, patient-facing mobile and Web applications
CeutiCare – optimizes medication therapy management by offering software with a pharmacist extender that can provide therapeutic recommendations at the point of care
Opternative – provides the world’s first online eye examination for consumers in need of a prescription, enabling them to purchase glasses and contact lenses
After the 16-week Chicago Healthbox process ended, Ascension Health Ministries began to pursue pilot projects with three of these companies – Learn It Live, Quietyme and Ludi.
New Healthbox Opportunities
As new accelerators form, IAT continues to look at how we can leverage the work of Healthbox companies and partners,” said Scott Lambert, Vice President, IAT. “This includes looking at opportunities to learn from both the start-ups and other Healthbox sponsors, exploring pilots within the Health Ministries, evaluating potential investment opportunities, and introducing the work to others across the organization who are interested in innovation.
St. Vincent HealthCare in Jacksonville recently joined a new accelerator in Jacksonville, Fla. As Ascension moves forward with this sponsorship there will be additional opportunities for Health Ministries to participate in pilots with accelerator companies.
