Supporter of Global Healthcare Innovation Academy

Market Grade is proud to support the Global Healthcare Innovation Academy along with the O’Brien Institute for Public Health, W21C, Alberta Innovates, and the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases.

On August 25 & 26, 2016, the W21C Program within the University of Calgary’s O’Brien Institute for Public Health is hosting the second Global Healthcare Innovation Academy in Calgary, Alberta. Over two exciting days, participants from around the world will join us at the TELUS Spark Science Centre to compete in this scientific and business pitch competition for healthcare innovations.

Initially developed by leading healthcare organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, this international partnership has expanded to include Canada, South Africa, and Hong Kong, with the inaugural event taking place in 2014 in Geneva. The overarching goal of this event is to encourage entrepreneurs and healthcare professionals at any level to identify, nurture, and pioneer improvements in the health system.

The theme for the 2016 Global Healthcare Innovation Academy (GHIA) is Create. Build. Grow. There are three primary aims: to enable and strengthen international partnerships with research and education institutions, to foster innovation in healthcare, and to inspire and instigate change on a truly global scale.

Throughout 2015, all partner sites hosted local innovation academies (e.g., 2015 W21C Innovation Academy: http://w21cinnovationacademy.com/). The finalists from each of these international events are moving on to compete against one another at the 2016 GHIA event in August.

In addition to the scientific and business pitch competition, the event will also include international speakers in business, innovation, and healthcare research and development exploring the event’s theme through keynote talks, panel discussions and workshop sessions. The event will also include a youth science showcase and substantive networking opportunities with global sectors in healthcare, government, and industry in a cross-disciplinary exploration of healthcare solutions, focused on patients’ health, safety, and well-being.

For the most up-to-date information on the event, please visit the website at: www.GHIAevent.com or contact W21C, the host organization at w21c@ucalgary.ca