Continuing its commitment to economic development in Baltimore, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States is launching an innovation-acceleration program for young professionals in the area. The program will provide support for eight entrepreneurs who will work to address factors that can improve the total health of those living and working in Baltimore.
The program started with a Social Innovation Challenge, held at Coppin State University earlier this month. This two-day event brought together developers, activists, idea generators and designers to find solutions to some of Baltimore’s most complex issues. Participants tackled a range of issues, including education and workforce development, access to health care and mental health.
The prizes awarded for the Hackathon, including an $8,000 grand prize, were just the start of the rewards for participants, who will have ongoing access to training and mentors through the acceleration program. These important efforts will be continued through ongoing support from Kaiser Permanente beginning in early 2017, following individual team assessments this fall and winter.
“Kaiser Permanente recognizes that there are many challenges facing West Baltimore, and through this contest and the on-going program, we are demonstrating what community residents have long known — that by cooperating and engaging diverse partners, we can make progress,” said Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, director of Stakeholder Relations for Kaiser Permanente. “I was thrilled by the opening event, including the participation of so many locally based institutions, large and small, and that those in the room reflected the diversity and talent of West Baltimore.”
Read the full press release about the winners here.
