From Real-World Healthcare Challenges to Innovative Solutions
At Haifa Innovation Labs (HIL), we believe that innovation starts with people.
Technology, ideas, and models can create possibilities, but meaningful innovation begins when the right people come together around a real challenge.
This is the essence of Challenge2Innovation, a collaborative program connecting University of Haifa graduate students with healthcare professionals from Clalit Health Services and Carmel Medical Center to identify real-world challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Over several months, multidisciplinary teams worked closely with healthcare professionals to understand challenges from the field, validate needs, engage with stakeholders, and develop solutions grounded in real-world experience.
The third cohort culminated in a showcase featuring six projects addressing challenges across the healthcare system, including:
- Optimizing laboratory test ordering and utilization
- Improving the accuracy of pressure garment fitting
- Strengthening continuity of care between hospitals and the community
- Improving telephone reporting of life-threatening values
- Streamlining the preparation of patient discharge summaries
- Improving the use and efficiency of remote rehabilitation
Connecting Academia and Healthcare
Challenge2Innovation is built on a strong partnership between HIL, Clalit Health Services, Carmel Medical Center, the Israel Innovation Authority, and the Galilee Society.
The partnership creates a direct connection between real-world healthcare needs, academic knowledge, and entrepreneurial thinking, enabling participants to work on challenges that matter and develop solutions with the potential for meaningful impact.
Throughout the program, participants were supported by healthcare challenge owners, experienced mentors, and HIL’s innovation community, creating an environment for learning, experimentation, and collaboration.
At its core, Challenge2Innovation is about more than developing projects.
It is about connecting people, expertise, and real-world challenges to create innovation that can make a difference.
