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News From MeHI
January/February 2023
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New Challenge Launched to Support Healthy Aging | |
Finalists Will Compete for Prizes Worth $200,000 | |
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The Massachusetts eHealth Institute at MassTech (MeHI) is seeking digital health startups from across the U.S. to compete in the Massachusetts Digital Health Sandbox Challenge Program, aimed at finding unique digital health solutions that improve the lives of older adults and help them remain active, productive, independent, and socially connected.
MeHI launched this Challenge to discover digital health solutions that can help older adults live as well and independently as possible in their homes and communities by supporting their physical, mental, and social health.
Up to eight finalists will be selected to participate in the program and compete for prizes worth up to $200,000. Selected entrepreneurs will participate in a two-month, virtual introduction to the Massachusetts digital health ecosystem program. To learn more about the Challenge, view the recording of our recent info session here.
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A Sandbox Success Story - Leuko | |
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For cancer patients, one of the most serious side effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy and targeted cancer therapy is neutropenia—a decrease in neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell and the most important cell needed to prevent bacterial infection. Leuko is developing the world’s first portable, non-invasive white blood cell monitoring device to screen for severe neutropenia.
In May 2020, MeHI awarded $60,000 to Leuko to work with the MIT Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR) to test and validate their solution. The grant enabled Leuko to test their PointCheck™ device with untrained operators in a simulated home environment, helping to prepare them for a clinical trial and FDA certification.
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Mass HIway Spotlight Story | |
Community Technology Cooperative Chooses the Mass HIway as their HISP | |
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Community Technology Cooperative (CTC) is a Massachusetts organization that formed to help Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) improve health and equity through technology. CTC is made up of FQHCs from across the state and is currently working to transition its member organizations to one instance of Epic EHR. CTC goes live on Epic later this year.
The Mass HIway Account Management Team at MeHI has been working closely with CTC to support planning and implementation of solutions to meet their HIE needs for their Epic instance. Early on in the project, a Mass HIway Account Manger met with CTC to understand their HIE needs and provide information on the HIway connection options available to them. CTC decided that connecting to the Mass HIway HISP best aligned with their needs and technology goals. Since this time, the Mass HIway Account Management team has facilitated CTC’s enrollment, testing, and on-boarding to the Mass HIway. The HIway team has also supported CTC by ensuring its compliance for all required DPH reporting within Epic through the Mass HIway HISP.
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Healthcare Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise | |
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In November 2022, MeHI partnered with MassTech's MassCyberCenter division to produce a cybersecurity tabletop exercise focused on the healthcare sector.
The event, hosted by MITRE, covered the cyber threats facing healthcare, the challenges of responding to a cyber incident, and the importance of being prepared.
Speakers included MassCyberCenter Director Stephanie Helm, MITRE Vice President of Engineering and Prototyping Douglas Robbins, and Daniel J W King, Chief of Cybersecurity for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Region 1. Participants included healthcare organizations of all sizes from across the Commonwealth, as well as state and local responders.
For organizations interested in bolstering their cybersecurity, MassTech's MassCyberCenter offers an outline for a foundational level of cyber preparedness, which can help organizations take their first step toward cyber resiliency.
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Healthcare Provider Cybersecurity Monthly Call | |
Topic: Multifactor Authentication in Health Care Settings | |
On the second Thursday of every month, MeHI and the MassCyberCenter host a call to provide updates on emerging cybersecurity threats and cover a monthly topic of interest. The calls feature discussion leaders from MeHI and the MassCyberCenter, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) New England, the Commonwealth Fusion Center, and additional guest speakers. | |
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Thursday,
February 9, 2023
10:00 am-11:00 am
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This month's call will take place on Thursday, February 9th at 10:00 am. The topic will be on multifactor authentication in health care settings.
You can register for the call by visiting our Zoom registration page. You can also listen to recordings about the monthly topics from past calls here. If you have any questions, please email Max Fathy at fathy@masstech.org.
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Healthcare Cybersecurity Updates | |
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At the HIMSS Healthcare Cybersecurity Forum, held in Boston in early December, experts shared best practices for maintaining healthcare cybersecurity amid rapid digital transformation. Read more from Health IT Security.
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A number of free cybersecurity resources are available to help healthcare organizations of all sizes enhance security and improve organizational resilience. Read more from Health IT Security about free resources to help detect threats and mitigate risk.
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Massachusetts digital health companies are actively seeking staff with experience in healthcare to bring operations and clinical expertise to their organizations. As the only free resource solely dedicated to open digital health roles in Massachusetts, the MassDigitalHealth jobs board is the best way to find opportunities in this growing sector. Below are just a few examples of the over 2,000 open roles currently on the board: | |
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Mass HIway Account Manager | |
MeHI seeks an organized and motivated individual to join our team as a Mass HIway Account Manager. The Account Manager will be responsible for providing HIE (Health Information Exchange) focused consulting and account management services to healthcare organizations, assisting in implementing HIE technologies, and educating providers to promote interoperability, improve patient care, and increase access to public health data. Apply now to become an integral part of our dedicated team helping healthcare organizations improve their processes to facilitate better management of the quality and cost of care. | |
Caring for the Caregiver Webinar Series | |
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Join the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), Mass Home Care, and the MassTech Collaborative's Mass Caregiving Initiative for the next webinar in the Caring for the Caregiver series.
This webinar will take place on Tuesday, February 7th at 12 PM and will outline the services and benefits of home care, eligibility requirements for in-home supports, and examples of how the home care program benefits older adults and their family caregivers.
Check out past webinars in the Caring for the Caregiver series on the EOEA YouTube channel here. Please feel free to contact masscaregiver@mass.gov with any questions or comments.
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Tuesday, February 7th
Noon - 12:30 pm
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