GameChanging Healthcare

Will Return 2021, Orlando, Florida

48 Hours to innovate in Healthcare
with Emerging Technology!
#MeGaHealthJam


See 2018 Projects Learn More

So what’s a MeGa Health Jam?

It is THE collaborative Innovation Event that
works closely with the Healthcare Industry

MeGa·Health·Jam
noun
1. an event in which individuals come together in a physical environment and attempt to rapidly prototype a technology, software, app or game (video or otherwise) focused on some element of healthcare in a limited amount of time; a “healthy” hackathon: She was on the team that made that awesome technology I love at the MeGa Health Jam!

In April 2018 we completed our 1st ever MeGa Health Jam, and we were so excited to bring this event to Central Florida and excited that in Fall 2020 this event will return. Our event provides fun challenges, amazing resources and a great opportunity for talent exposure. This is your chance to build something extraordinary using gaming technologies and solving major healthcare related challenges with talented peers from all over Central Florida. Become part of a team or stay a lone wolf.

Everyone is welcome to participate throughout the 48-hour Jam using gaming technologies to bring solutions to healthcare industry challenges. We’re looking for artists, programmers, game designers, UI & UX designers, physicians, sound designers, writers, former patients, poets, interpretive dancers, healthcare administrators, people excited about games, people excited about healthcare, people who like to eat pizza, and people like you. Keep an eye out for more news on our next event and get ready to jam!

So how does the event work?

Through the chaos of development comes something beautiful

Select a Challenge

There are so many areas of healthcare that need help! Choose a category of healthcare (see below) and take on the challenge to create an innovative solution using gaming and emerging technology. Speak to experts, take their advice and incorporate your own ideas into your solution. Consider that boundaries often spark the best creativity!

Pitch your idea (or not)

Have a great idea, or know someone who does? Everyone is welcome to pitch their concept using gaming tech to the group. The best ideas will be used to make innovative solutions for healthcare! If you just want to use your skills then join one of the ideas pitched instead!

Form Dev Teams

Don’t have an existing development team? No problem! We will form teams at the event. All skills and skill levels welcome. Also remember to bring your own development equipment (Desktop, Monitor, Laptop, VR headsets, musical instruments, etc).

Build your Game

Developing software, games or experiences in 48 hours is hard, exhausting, and laborious work that is also collaborative, thought provoking, exciting, rewarding, and fun.

Our Mission

Our goal is to bring together people from various creative and technical fields to develop solutions using games, VR, AR & interactive experiences that help the healthcare industry (patients, physicians & administrators.) Our dream is that these same individuals discover new products and ways to work together and form lasting relationships. We hope to put the national spotlight on the cross section of these industries and our region and show off the unique combinations of talent & even more, that the outcomes of the event also help promote interest in “STEAM” education to the generations that will carry these concepts into the future.


Challenge Categories

Below are a few of the categories teams can form around to create solutions for and tackle.

Children’s Health

Oncology | Anxiety | Risk Factors | Asthma

Behavioral & Disability

PTSD | Autism | Shyness | Suicide Prevention | Mass Tragedy Events

Aging Well

Diabetes | Falls | Loneliness | Nutrition | Caregivers

Engagement & Adherence

Care Plan Compliance | Medication Adherence | Patient Education

Security, Payments & Privacy

Blockchain | HIPAA | Payments | Confidentiality Challenges

Community/Social Responsibility

Food Deserts | Minority Careers in Healthcare | Access to Care | Human Trafficking

Examples of emerging & gaming tech used in healthcare.

Why VR could help treat Alzheimer’s and Chronic Pain
Transporting a hospitalized patient “home” via VR
Holiday Magic to Kids in the Hospital
Transforming Medical Education with HoloLens
Transforming Medical Training at CHLA

Are you ready to join in?

Food everyday, Working with awesome talented people, working on something impactful, cool, lasting connections & opportunities

Register Now!

Event Agenda

Get ready for an action packed 48 Hours!

Thurs- Talks & Comedy
Fri-Pitches & Teams
Sat-The Grind
Sun-Final Showcase

Thurs- Talks & Comedy

This night is for inspiring, though provoking, interesting talks & humorous jokes all about the healthcare industry and its future. Loosen your collar, take off the tie, let your hair down, put on your flats, because tonight you will get to enjoy your industry in a new way (whether it be in Health, Gaming, or Tech) and have inspired discussions for the weekend ahead.

Venue – Orlando Science Center

6:00pm – Event begins with mingling, drinks.
7:00pm – Healthcare & Technology Speakers & Stand Up Comedy
9:30pm – Go Home!

Fri-Pitches & Teams

The night you chart a course for fun & excitement. Have an idea? Pitch it. Heard an awesome idea? Join a team.
As is with most jams, remember to bring your own development gear.

Venue – Guidewell Innovation Center

6:30pm – Event begins with mingling, drinks and dinner
7:00pm – Event Intro
7:30pm – Game Pitches begin
9:00pm – Teams Assemble, Ideas Planned and Begin work
11:00pm – Go Home!

Sat-The Grind

The non-stop game building action remains non-stop, except for the times you have to stop for food and ask for help.

Venue – Guidewell Innovation Center

8:00am – Doors Open, Breakfast/Coffee
12:30pm – Lunch / Status Updates / Call for Help
6:30pm – Dinner
11:00pm- Go Home!

Sun-Final Showcase

The hard work hopefully looks like it is forming into something recognizable as fun. Success or failure, hopefully you learned something. Tonight, you will present your team’s game concept for everyone to enjoy!

Venue – Guidewell Innovation Center

8:00am – Doors Open, Breakfast/Coffee
12:00pm – Lunch and Status Updates / Call for Help
4:30pm – Complete Game Projects, Begin Project Uploads
5:30pm – Dinner & Technical Check with presentations over the projector
6:30pm – Team Presentations Begin
9:00pm – Go Home!

Our venue has amazing resources.

Warning: You will be spoiled!


This is a highly collaborative event
creating fun, exciting & impactful technology
to improve patient lives & the health care industry

The Organizing Team

Our experienced team is dedicated to bringing you the greatest collaborative event possible.
(This isn’t our first trip to the game development rodeo – see pics & testimonials spread throughout this site!)

Kunal Patel

Kunal Patel

CTO / brandXR / Co-Founder Indienomicon /
Health Jam Organizer
Kelli Murray

Kelli Murray

President MedSpeaks /
Co-Founder Healthcare Innovators /
Health Jam Organizer
Nina Talley

Nina Talley

Director Healthcare Innovators /
Health Jam Organizer
Rob Coble

Rob Coble

Career consulting

‘I had a really great time. The [game jam event] you guys put on continues to be a great way for new people to get into the community and for anyone in the area to meet other local developers. Everyone organizing it helps make it a fun, lighthearted and enjoyable experience.
S.B. 2014 Game Jam Attendee

Advisors

We have an ever growing diverse group of subject matter experts for MeGa Health Jam. They have deep healthcare industry knowledge necessary to create compelling and evidence-based solutions. Our mentors are experts in their fields and will provide guidance, experience, and insight to any and all teams. Seriously they have attended 100 years of schooling followed by 100 years in the real world making cool things happen. Use them!

Dr. David Metcalf

Dr. David Metcalf

Director of the Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Lab (METIL), University of Central Florida
Dr. Shayan Vyas

Dr. Shayan Vyas

Director of Telehealth Services, Nemours Children’s Hospital
Dr. Deborah Beidel

Dr. Deborah Beidel

Pegasus Professor of Psychology and Medical Education, Director of UCF RESTORES, University of Central Florida
Matt McBride

Matt McBride

President/CEO Mend Platform
Ashley Simmons

Ashley Simmons

Director, Design Integration - Adventist Health System
Dr. Asim A. Jani, MD, MPH, FACP, (Ret CAPT, USPHS)

Dr. Asim A. Jani, MD, MPH, FACP, (Ret CAPT, USPHS)

Hospital Epidemiologist, Orlando Health
Dr. Nirmal Nathan

Dr. Nirmal Nathan

Plastic Surgeon, Entrepreneur, Angel Investor
Ken Peach

Ken Peach

Executive Director, Health Council of East Central Florida
Dr. Phillip Matar

Dr. Phillip Matar

President, KinderDoc Pediatric TeleHealth
Mia Mota

Mia Mota

Attorney, Emerging and Established Technology Enterprises, The Tech Law Firm
Marni Stahlman

Marni Stahlman

President/CEO, Shepherd's Hope
Dr. Richard Munassi

Dr. Richard Munassi

Business Mentor/Health Tech Expert/Entrepreneur, TampaBay Wave
Dr. Vicki Loerzel

Dr. Vicki Loerzel

Associate Professor of Oncology Nursing, UCF
Christine Certain

Christine Certain

Director of Clinical Operations and Innovations, Children's Home Society of Florida
Ricardo Silva Bustillos, Ph.D., C.C.E.

Ricardo Silva Bustillos, Ph.D., C.C.E.

VP, Foundation for Living, Wellness, and Health; Adjunct Professor at Valencia College and South University (Orlando)
Kunj Patel, MD MSc

Kunj Patel, MD MSc

Appointed Interventional Pain Fellow, Health Tech Advisor, Harvard University
Rachita Navara, MD

Rachita Navara, MD

Internal Medicine Physician, Bioengineer, Health Tech Advisor, Stanford University
Christine Vogel, MSN, RN

Christine Vogel, MSN, RN

Simulation Coordinator, ECPI University
Dan Baker

Dan Baker

Director of Product Development, 20+ years across EA, Topps Digital
Benjamin M. Kaplan, MD, MPH, FACP

Benjamin M. Kaplan, MD, MPH, FACP

Internal Medicine Faculty Practice, Orlando Health
Sarah D. Matthews, MPH

Sarah D. Matthews, MPH

UCF Modeling and Simulation Program-Ph.D.

Compelling Experiences require
a smart mix of combined skills

Helpful Skills

Programming

Are your algorithms Karplus-Strong? Take this opportunity to show everyone the strength of your Programming Kung Fu by creating an epically optimized galactic adventure! 

Game Design

Have you got game? In your head? About healthcare? And you just need to get it out, with the support of a strong team? Join one of ours! 

Art

Artists wanted: 2D or 3D and must have skills (middling to mad; negotiable) and ability to have fun while creating serious beauty. Come get your art on!  

Music

Great music and sound effects have the capacity to truly transform a game into an experience. Jams aren’t just for programmers- musicians wanted!

UI / UX Design

Is the rest of your team so worried about finishing that they haven’t even considered usability? Did they forget the astronaut needs access to a restroom? Perhaps… It is your time to shine.

Healthcare Expertise

You certainly couldn’t have a health jam without some bonafide medical professionals! If you’re a physician of any kind, scientist, administrator, engineer or other pro from the healthcare industry then we need your insights, guidance and support. Join a team or consult with them all!

Motion & Video

Quickly generate excitement for your team’s game with an awesome, funny, inspiring, silly, educational, or all-of-the-above trailer- here’s an example from a previous game jam! 

Marketing/ PR/ Promotion

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound? You get the idea- our teams need exposure! If you are a mad social scientist, bring your promotional knowledge to the table. Without advertising, a terrible thing happens- nothing! 

Technology

Games can require a lot of interaction & integration with various technologies, PC, Mac, Mobile Phones, Tablets, SDKs, APIs, Plugins, Consoles and kitchen sinks. If you can leap these hurdles in a single bound, then we need you!

Partners make this possible!

 

Want exposure and to make an impact? Click here to become a sponsor

Level Up / Gold Sponsors





Extra-Life / Silver Sponsors

OrlandoGameSpaceLogo
MedSpeaks
Fattmerchant

brandVR
ECS

1-Up / Bronze Sponsors

Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy
JourneyLabs
KinderDoc
Orange Technical College - Mid Florida
CG Solutions
TriNet
Virtual Hammer
FloridaHospital
ProjectMQ
BlipSounds



Organizing Sponsors

IndieNomicon_Clear
HealthcareInnovators
MEDIA SPONSORS
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE HELPING US SPREAD THE WORD, SO WE’RE SPREADING WORD ON THEM!
Substance
ONETUG-edited
NerdNiteOrlando
Otronicon
OrlandoDevs

I had a really great time. The GGJ event you guys put on continues to be a great way for new people to get into the community and for anyone in the area to meet other local developers. Everyone organizing it helps make it a fun, lighthearted and enjoyable experience.
S.B. 2014 Game Jam Attendee

Contact Us

Orlando, Florida 32801, United States

@MegaHealthJam
Hello@Indienomicon.com

Get Tickets & Prepare for Take Off

All ticket revenue goes towards providing food, drinks and general expenses of the event.

Eventbrite - MeGa Health Jam 2018

Health Game Jam

You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.
– Albert Einstein

© 2017-2018 MeGa Health Jam All Rights Reserved.