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News From Mass Digital Health at the Massachusetts eHealth Institute
March 2024
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ARPA-H Announces Sprint for Women's Health | |
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In February, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited Massachusetts to announce the Sprint for Women's Health. Through this funding opportunity, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) will dedicate $100 million to accelerate women's health initiatives and research. The Massachusetts-based Investor Catalyst Hub, which aims to foster collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors, will support the Sprint. Solution summaries may be submitted between now and Monday, April 15. Review the Request for Solutions here.
The Sprint for Women's Health aims to address similar critical healthcare disparities highlighted by MeHI's Women+ Health Challenge, which sought startups and entrepreneurs who are developing and validating digital health tools that support women+ health. The Challenge finalists are currently participating in a two-month, virtual Introduction to the Massachusetts Digital Health Ecosystem program and will compete for prizes worth up to $150,000. Stay tuned for more information about the final pitch event, scheduled for Friday, May 13.
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ONC Releases Best Practices Informational Resource for Maternity Health Care Records | |
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The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) recently released the Interoperability of Maternity Health Care Records: Best Practices Informational Resource (IR). A response to the Congressional request to improve the interoperability of electronic health records "to optimize the care of pregnant persons", this document is informed by maternal health subject matter experts from across the Department of Health and Human Services. It outlines high-value clinical focus areas where health IT can be used to improve maternity care outcomes by providing care, enabling shared decision-making, and advancing interoperability beyond care delivery purposes.
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Robotic Wearable Improves Gait for Patients
with Parkinson's Disease
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Researchers at the Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are developing a robotic wearable device to alleviate the problem of "freezing." A common symptom of Parkinson's disease, freezing happens when patients suddenly lose the ability to walk, causing them to lose their footing, often resulting in falls.
In a recent study published in Nature Medicine, the researchers outlined their promising results: a device that eliminated freezing in a patient while walking indoors. According to Harvard professor Conor Walsh, "We found that just a small amount of mechanical assistance from our soft robotic apparel delivered instantaneous effects and consistently improved walking across a range of conditions for the individual in our study.” The research was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Innovation Institute at the MassTech Collaborative designed to support the development and translation of robotics and wearables.
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Healthcare Provider Cybersecurity Monthly Call | |
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On the second Thursday of every month, MeHI and the MassCyberCenter host a call to provide updates on emerging cybersecurity threats and cover a monthly topic of interest. The presentation topic for the April call will be vulnerability and risk management.
The monthly calls feature discussion leaders from MeHI and the MassCyberCenter, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) New England, the Commonwealth Fusion Center, and additional guest speakers.
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Thursday, April 11
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
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Healthcare Cybersecurity Updates | |
- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its cybersecurity performance goals for the healthcare and public health sectors. Read more from Health IT Security.
- The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) finalized new HIPAA Security Rule guidance for covered entities and business associates. Read more from Health IT Security.
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Mass Digital Health Roundup | |
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Burlington-based Butterfly Network recently received FDA clearance for its new point-of-care ultrasound device. Read article from the Boston Business Journal.
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Massachusetts digital health companies are actively seeking staff with experience in healthcare to bring operations and clinical expertise to their organizations. As the only free resource solely dedicated to open digital health roles in Massachusetts, the MassDigitalHealth jobs board is the best way to find opportunities in this growing sector. Below are just a few examples of the over 1,200 open roles currently on the board: | |
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M2D2 IMPACT Cycle 7 Accelerator Pitch-Off | |
Join M2D2 and the Massachusetts life sciences community as the startups from the Cycle 7 Cohort pitch their medical device solutions to a panel of judges. These startups are working with M2D2 to advance the commercialization of their technology through the IMPACT Accelerator Program, sponsored by a group of stakeholders from medtech organizations. | |
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Wednesday, April 10
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
UMass Lowell iHub
110 Canal Street, 3rd floor
Lowell, MA 01852
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MESH Core 2024
Healthcare Innovation Bootcamp
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MESH Core is a two-day intensive, in-person healthcare innovation course hosted by Mass General Brigham Innovation. Building on decades of cutting-edge innovation, as well as expertise from Harvard, Mass General Brigham, and industry, the course will provide innovators with key knowledge to push the limits of what is possible in healthcare innovation.
Suitable for physicians, researchers, allied health professionals, MBAs, students, executives, and the public, the conference will feature a combination of lectures, hands-on cases, networking, roundtables, and scientific sessions.
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Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21
MGB Assembly Row
399 Revolution Drive
Somerville, MA 02145
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