CHI Franciscan Health pitches digital startups to innovate solutions to their healthcare challenges

SEATTLE, Feb. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CHI Franciscan Health is looking for entrepreneurial teams to create innovative solutions to their healthcare challenges. The health system hosted a Reverse Pitch Day™ event, in conjunction with Cambia Grove and Elevar Labs, to kick off their pilot competition, last month. In this unique opportunity, representatives from the health care system "reverse pitched" or shared its business challenges with startup firms and entrepreneurs in the digital/high tech industry.  CHI Franciscan is currently seeking applications from startups to participate in a paid pilot program.

"This is a truly innovative approach that brings together our business needs with Seattle-area technology startups," said Thomas Kruse, chief strategy, integration and innovation officer for CHI Franciscan Health. "We are excited and interested to work with entrepreneurs that are passionate about improving our health care system and that will present entirely new ways of looking through the eyes of our customers." 

CHI Franciscan is a leading health care provider and is a strong supporter of health care innovation with a focus on moving toward more consumer-centric care. Health care systems around the country are under increasing pressure to find new ways to improve how they deliver care to individuals and communities.

CHI Franciscan's pilot program to solve some of its digital challenges leverages entrepreneurial thinking and digital technologies to create a better experience for both patients and providers. The application process is underway and all startups interested in making an impact in digital health are invited to apply to Elevar. This is an exclusive opportunity for applicants to participate in Elevar Labs and land a transformative contract for a paid pilot with CHI Franciscan Health. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2016.

"Anchor partners such as CHI Franciscan are a key piece of the puzzle to further drive innovation and growth in Seattle's health care innovation ecosystem," said Nicole Bell, executive director of Cambia Grove. "Cambia Grove serves as a catalyst to bring enterprise partners and entrepreneurs together to find solutions to some of our industry's biggest challenges."

"Elevar is proud to partner with its mission-driven enterprise partners, CHI Franciscan and Cambia Grove, to advance digital health in the Pacific Northwest," said Chris Edell, CEO of Elevar. "We look forward to identifying and guiding the most promising startups though our Elevar Labs program that can innovate solutions that align with the needs of CHI Franciscan Health. Entrepreneurs interested in making an impact in the lives of patients and physicians are encouraged to apply to this program."

The event was hosted at Cambia Grove, a health care innovation hub in Seattle that connects stakeholders through Cascadia. Executive panelists in attendance included:

• Mark Adams, MD, Chief Medical Officer, CHI Franciscan Health - Dr. Adams is a board-certified general and vascular surgeon and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Washington and joined CHI Franciscan Health in 2012.
• Thomas Kruse, Chief Strategy, Integration and Innovation Officer, CHI Franciscan Health - Kruse has accountability for bringing innovation to care delivery and customer expectations for CHI Franciscan as well as strategy and regional business development; strategic planning; marketing; communications and community relations; clinical and operational integration.
• Abdul Bengali, Former CIO, Mayo Clinic - Bengali joined Mayo as a lead systems programmer and progressed to Chief Information Officer, collaborating with Medical Practice, Education, Research and Administration senior leadership to develop a 12-year IT roadmap that aligns with the Mayo Clinic strategic plan.
• Laurent Rotival, SVP Strategic Technology Solutions, CIO, Cambia Health Solutions - Rotival brings 25 years of senior leadership experience in IT business strategy and growth from some of the most well-known global brands and Fortune 10 companies. He leads Cambia's development of next generation technology solutions that will help create a more person-focused approach to health care.

To submit an application, visit: http://elevarco.com/lab/chi-franciscan-health/ Applications are due by Feb. 10, 2016 at 11:59 p.m.

CHI Franciscan Health

CHI Franciscan Health is a nonprofit health system based in Tacoma, Washington with a team of nearly 12,000 doctors, nurses and staff that provide expert, compassionate medical care at eight acute care hospitals and more than 100 primary and specialty care clinics in Pierce, King and Kitsap counties. This includes St. Anthony Hospital, Gig Harbor; St. Clare Hospital, Lakewood; St. Elizabeth Hospital, Enumclaw; St. Francis Hospital, Federal Way; St. Joseph Medical Center, Tacoma; Harrison Medical Center, Bremerton and Silverdale; Highline Medical Center, Burien; and Regional Hospital, Burien. Started in 1891 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, today CHI Franciscan Health is one of the largest health systems in Washington state. The system spans more than 1,100 acute care beds, a credentialed medical staff of more than 1,500 including more than 550 employed physicians providing specialties in cardiovascular care, cancer care, orthopedics and sports medicine, neurosciences and women's care. CHI Franciscan's mission focuses on creating healthier communities, including caring for the poor and underserved. In 2015, the organization provided $141 million in community benefit, including $10 million in charity care. More information: www.chifranciscan.org.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chi-franciscan-health-pitches-digital-startups-to-innovate-solutions-to-their-healthcare-challenges-300216678.html

SOURCE CHI Franciscan Health

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