CHAPEL HILL – Innovate Carolina, Novant Health Innovation Lab of Novant Health System and the Digital Health Institute for Transformation (DHIT) announce the acceleration of a new initiative aimed at increasing digital health innovation capacity and driving social impact across North Carolina and beyond.

Through the NC Health Innovation District (NCHID) initiative, DHIT, Innovate Carolina and Novant Health Innovation Lab will partner with leading organizations, experts and communities to deliver and evolve a state-wide collaboration platform including digital health masterclasses, roundtables, workshops and real-world challenges in order to facilitate readiness and adoption of digital health innovations. By leveraging the latest technologies and social innovation approaches, this initiative will create new partnerships and models of engagement across North Carolina that will help improve access to healthcare, enhance patient outcomes, decrease healthcare costs and reduce health inequities. These innovations can also be scaled beyond the state to help other communities both nationally and abroad.

“We are thrilled to launch this initiative and partner with forward-thinking organizations and individuals committed to driving innovation and positive outcomes in the field of digital health,” says Michael Levy, CEO of DHIT.

“By developing our state’s innovation and digital health capacity, we can begin to fully leverage the latest technologies and social innovation practices that will make a significant impact on the health and well-being of communities across North Carolina and beyond the state,” says Sheryl Waddell, Director of Economic Development and Innovation Hubs for Innovate Carolina at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The NCHID combines virtual and physical programming and facilities to catalyze innovation in the digital health space and drive population health improvement, with a particular focus on underserved communities. The NCHID builds capacity locally to promote the adoption of digital health technologies globally for the greater good and will unite health innovation districts across the state, including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Wilmington and other centers to share learnings and best practices.

“By working collaboratively across a diverse ecosystem, including payers, consumers, providers and researchers, we can support innovation that will improve public health, support digital enablement and reduce health inequities,” said Paula Kranz, Vice President of Innovation Enablement, Novant Health and Executive Director, Novant Health Innovation Lab.

To learn more about the NC Health Innovation District initiative visit: nchid.org.

(C) UNC-CH