The UCLA Center for Healthcare Management held its second annual case competition on January 29, 2021. Out of 57 teams from around the world that participated in the first round, eight teams were invited to the live (virtual) semi-finals with the top four teams advancing to the finals.
UCLA Health was the premier sponsor of this year's contest and the case study came from a real issue facing the UCLA Health: how to create a telehealth strategy that targeted some of the most vulnerable patients in a way that did not exacerbate the digital divide. This case study was flexible enough to allow for different solutions, but also didn't require deep knowledge of UCLA Health or the surrounding area. While four of the final eight teams were from the Los Angeles area (Cal State LA, UCLA, and two from USC), four came from significantly further away (Carnegie Mellon, University of South Carolina, Army-Baylor, and University of Minnesota).
After working on the case study during the allotted time period last November, each four-member team submitted their ideas electronically in an executive summary and PowerPoint presentation. Judges from UCLA Health reviewed the submissions (which had key identifying information removed to prevent bias) and selected the top eight entrants. Entries were judged on attention to detail, creativity, business acumen and other standards.
Synergy Solutions from UCLA Fielding School took home the first place prize of $12,000. Health Communications Consulting from the MHA program at USC received $8,000 for their second-place finish. A team from the University of Minnesota and a team from Army-Baylor finished third and fourth respectively.
Learn more about the case competition.
See pictures and videos from the winning teams.