New Challenge Launching

In This Issue

• New Blog Post: The Precision Medicine Era is Dawning
• Announcing the “Proving the Potential” Health Data and Standards Code-A-Thon
• Join the New Health Data Provenance Challenge 
• Resource: Emergency Medical Services and Health Information Exchange

New Blog Post: The Precision Medicine Era is DawningAs part of the nation’s Precision Medicine Initiative, patients will be able to take advantage of the potential of individualized health care. Read the blog post that takes a look at ONC’s involvement in the Precision Medicine Initiative’s various programs, including the five organizations that will pilot test the Sync for Genes project. Read the post on the Health IT Buzz Blog. 

Announcing the “Proving the Potential” Health Data and Standards Code-A-Thon Later this month, ONC is hosting the “Proving the Potential” Health Data and Standards Code-A-Thon. The event will challenge software developers, students, and entrepreneurs to leverage open, publicly accessible internet and health-specific tools to solve interoperability challenges in healthcare. Up to $15,000 in prizes will be awarded to as many as 12 teams.

For detailed information about the Code-a-Thon, eligibility and submission requirements, and evaluation criteria visit Code-a-Thon website. For technical information, email Debbie Bucci. For logistical questions and information, email Jennifer Adona .

Date & Time: Monday, April 24 at 8:00am ET -Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Location: 1776 Crystal City, 2231 Crystal Dr #1000, Arlington, VA
Register: “Proving the Potential” Health Data and Standards Code-A-Thon*
*Registration closes Friday, April 21, 2017 at 11:59pm ET          

Join the New Health Data Provenance ChallengeLast week, ONC announced a new challenge focused on health data provenance. The goal of this challenge is to understand where health data has traveled – from where the data originated and how it has been modified throughout its lifecycle. A total of $180,000 in prizes will be available in this two-phase challenge. Submissions for phase 1 are due Tuesday, May 16, 2017 by 11:59pm EST. Visit the Health Data Provenance Challenge website for more information.

Resource: Emergency Medical Services and Health Information ExchangeThe ability for emergency medical services (EMS) providers to access relevant health data is critical, especially for field paramedics and emergency staff. ONC recently released a document that explores how EMS and health information exchange (HIE) organizations can work together to improve data sharing in emergency situations. Read Emergency Medical Services Data Integration to Optimize Patient Care.