Samsung, MIT, VA Host Three-Day Healthcare IT Hackathon

Samsung Electronics America, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology jointly hosted an annual three-day hackathon that challenged participants to create healthcare information technology applications.

The third MIT Hacking Medicine Grand Hack ran from May 3 to 5 and centered on the development of apps using Samsung's Galaxy Note9 smartphone to support mental health, rehabilitation and cancer treatment, the company said Friday.

“Use of consumer-based technologies can help expand access to care, improve quality of care, reduce costs and improve the user experience for patients and clinicians,” said David Rhew, chief medical officer at Samsung Electronics America.

Chris Balcik, senior vice president of government sales at Samsung, said the event reflects the firm's commitment to transform mobility technology platforms that encourage collaboration on community care and increase access to medical services via connected health and telehealth programs.

The company works with multiple partner organizations to develop and launch commercial healthcare IT tools in the U.S. market.