Northwell Health funds ideas from its team members through our annual Innovation Challenge competition

At Northwell Health, we aim to create an environment that inspires growth, empowers leadership and promotes innovative breakthroughs. Since officially launching our Innovation Challenge competition six years ago, hundreds of Northwell team members have been encouraged to submit new ideas that could help improve and transform the future of healthcare. To date, Northwell has awarded funding for 13 projects to advance the progress and development of these innovative ideas within our own health system.

While often behind-the-scenes, the world of clinical and non-clinical healthcare research houses some of the most brilliant minds: transformational thinkers who envision the bigger picture of improved health for all. We believe awarding this type of research is vital to the success of our organization and professional development of our team members.

This year’s Innovation Challenge awarded two winning projects, iNav: AI-Driven identification and navigation for cancer patients, and StrokeFighter: Novel bioelectronic therapy for acute ischemic stroke. Each project could receive up to $500,000 in funding for research and development to advance innovations in care delivery and science.

“The Innovation Challenge is an incredible force multiplier for the health system, where every employee has the opportunity to present solutions and be heard by decision-makers,” said Tiffany Zavadsky, nurse practitioner and manager at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, who also is part of the iNav project team. “I have spent my career caring for patients and running a practice focused on high quality, health-based outcomes. This challenge helps advance healthcare delivery that benefits all from providers and patients to the global healthcare community.”

Investing in the ideas of our team members through programs like our Innovation Challenge, helps us raise the standard of care for our employees and enforces a culture of innovation, teamwork and continuous change.

Learn more about Northwell Health’s culture and commitment to innovation.