About the Innovation Challenge
The University of Maryland Medical Center Innovation Challenge is a competition hosted by Dr. Bert O'Malley and UMMC senior leadership. The Innovation Challenge was launched in March 2021 with the goal of capturing new ideas and concepts, and to harness innovative spirit at the UMMC Downtown and Midtown campuses.
The Innovation Challenge is open to anyone to apply, the only requirement being that one member of the team be employed at UMMC. Nearly 100 applications were received in the first round. From those applications, a total of six awards were given in July 2021, including three for $125K and three for $25K. Projects have a 12-18 month timeline for completion.
Intent to Apply Deadline – August 5, 2022
The Innovation Challenge will open for round two on July 1, 2022. Another six awards will be given, beginning on January 1, 2023. The Intent to Apply deadline is August 5, 2022, and the full application is due by September 2, 2022.
Innovation Challenge Team
Rajabrata Sarkar, MD, PhD
Division Head, Vascular Surgery
Vice Chair for Clinical Operations for the Department of Surgery
Director of Faculty Group Practice Operations
Innovation Challenge Program Mentor
Colleen Hughes Driscoll, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Medical Director, Drs Rouben and Violet JiJi Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Innovation Challenge Program Mentor
Victoria Francies, MPH, MBA-HA
Innovation Center Project Manager
Contact Us
Questions? Please email UMMC_Innovate@umm.edu.