Algorithms, nanotechnology and 3D printing were a common theme in this year’s Third Annual Statewide Healthcare Innovation Competition for Florida students. On April 2, 15 students presented their innovative ideas aimed at revolutionizing health care by focusing on quality and delivery of products and services.

A panel of experts from education, venture capital, medicine and patent law listened as the students from USF, Rollins College, the University of Florida, and Florida International University presented their inventions and target markets.

The selected entries offered solutions for rheumatoid arthritis, data management effectiveness, wheelchair navigation and skin grafts made from 3D bio-printing.

“Innovation is core to our company mission and to helping solve many of our nation’s health care challenges”, said David Pizzo, Florida Blue Market President.

Florida students received recognition plaques for their entries during the Third Annual Statewide Healthcare Innovation Competition to help innovate the health care industry.

Rania Elmaddawi, a third-year student of the USF PharmD program, presented an idea she’s been building with Dr. Yashwant Pathak, her professor at USF College of Pharmacy.

 Rania Elmaddawi.

Cash prizes were offered to the top three inventors who demonstrated clarity and usability and who were able to establish intellectual property rights. Hunter Jackson, a USF math major, won the first place prize of $10,000 for his cloud-based digital microscopy/ pathology management solution. Dewey Dew, a Rollins College student, received $5,000 for his patented tracking device that navigates the world’s medical databases- a project that he’s been developing since the age of 13. Lastly, the third prize went to Simon Antonio Bello, a USF PhD candidate for his ocular implant to help with ocular diseases.