“Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution, but furthest from power and resources.” -Glenn E. Martin
This quote informs the why behind the inaugural #NOMW26 Hackathon. We are excited to provide a platform to amplify the innovative and creative minds of nurses, doulas, lactation consultants, community birth workers, and students. We invite everyone who is passionate about mitigating maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.
What You Will Experience
This Hackathon provides creative mindset applicants with tools and techniques to manage design thinking. This process is intended to hone and perfect a set of skills that will allow participants to become better at finding novel solutions based on the unmet needs of our patients and community. This will be a collaborative team-based endeavor that will culminate in a pitch presentation.
Format
Innovation Teams of four (4) people will be able to advance their projects through an active learning process. All intellectual property generated will be assigned to the innovation teams. Mentors will be assigned to each team to coach and direct.
Teams will choose to innovate within one of the following Innovation Tracks:
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Birthing people are dying from cardiovascular disease, hemorrhage, substance use disorder leading to overdose and/or suicide, and complications from mental health disease. CDC states that 80% of deaths are preventable. What ideas do you have that can help save lives?
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Most maternal mortality occurs anywhere between day 15-365 post-birth. What can we put in place to protect women and their families?
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Technology-aided solutions are increasing significantly from medtech devices, to apps that interface with home monitoring devices, to telehealth solutions. What innovative ideas do you have?
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Medicaid extension and expansion in some states have been extremely beneficial. What other policies can we put in place, or how do we support bills like the Momnibus and the Kira Johnson Act to create a groundswell and fuel bipartisan support and national adoption?
Cost
The cost to participate in this Hackathon is $50.
Judging and Awards
The winning team will be awarded $2,500 + $2,500 in-kind support to help move their project forward. All participants who complete a pitch will receive fun Hackathon swag, a $50 gift card, and access to project and development support.
Dates
Applications open: June 29, 2026
*Informational Webinar - What is a Hackathon? with Rose & Ty: July 23, 2026 (Watch the Recording Here)
Applications close: August 3, 2026
Participants notified of acceptance: August 3, 2026
Participants confirm acceptance: August 6, 2026
Participant registration and payment: August 6-10, 2026
Notification of teams and first webinar: August 11, 2026, 2 PM ET
Second webinar, Creating a “Needs Statement”: September 10, 2026
Office Hours (help writing Needs Statements): September 17 - October 15, 2026; Every Thursday at 2 PM ET
Hackathon and Pitch Day: October 22, 2026, 9 AM - 3 PM ET
Hackathon Application
A note from Rose…
It is with immense gratitude and excitement that I introduce you to my coconspirator in this Hackathon project, Ty Hagler, Founder & CEO of Trig.
medDesign by Trig offers design thinking courses built specifically for busy clinicians. Live and asynchronous courses teach the mindsets, methods, and tools used by the world's most innovative healthcare companies. Their curriculum helps nurses, physicians, and practitioners develop the empathy and creative problem-solving skills needed to turn clinical insights into real solutions. Learn more at md.trig.com. For a deeper look at how Trig has helped healthcare innovators move from idea to outcome, explore case studies at trig.com/case-studies.
As you can see above, we are not messing around, y’all! This is going to be an amazing opportunity for us to reimagine healthcare and be part of the solution. I can’t wait to experience Hope in Action with you. The NotOnMyWatch team looks forward to your applications.