CajunCodeFest 2.0 positions Lafayette as epicenter of health care innovation

CAJUNCODEFEST 2.0 POSITIONS LAFAYETTE AS EPICENTER OF HEALTH CARE INNOVATION

(Lafayette, LA) Lafayette was the epicenter of health care technology during the second annual CajunCodeFest, a free, three-day coding competition focused on transforming data into health care
solutions. The CajunCodeFest is a signature event for the Center for Business & Information Technologies (CBIT) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Over 400 people from 42 cities, 12 states
and 2 countries gathered at the Cajundome to create solutions and discuss the future of healthcare technology. Participants organized themselves into teams before the event, and over a 27-hour period
built exciting new prototypes and tools encouraging patients to "Own your Own Health." Last year, the event spawned 6 potential startup companies through team collaborations.

The event also hosted a full day of plenary sessions with keynote guest speakers including Bryan Sivak, Chief Technology Officer, and Dr. Farzad Mostashari, National Coordinator for Health Information
Technology of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and Kathy Kliebert, Interim Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals.
The CajunCodeFest competition ended with a local team taking home $25,000 and a qualifying entry in the National Health Data Palooza in Washington DC, in June. Awards were also given for the Louisiana
Health Care Quality Forum Best Student Team, The Opportunity Machine Best “Market Ready Team”, Best Use of Microsoft HealthVault Technology, and US Ignite Best Software Defined Networking
Application. For more information or to view speaker presentations, visit www.cajuncodefest.org. Recently, CBIT and the CajunCodeFest were recognized with the Innov8 Education award from the
Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce for bringing innovation in healthcare to the Lafayette community. The CajunCodeFest is a major component of INNOV8, an annual festival of innovation and
creativity showcasing talented thinkers and entrepreneurs who make the region a unique place to live and work. Please visit innov8lafayette.com for more information.

The Center for Business & Information Technologies (CBIT) supports the University’s economic development agenda through research, development and technology transfer in the general area of
business and information technologies. In cooperation with private sector, academic, and government partners, the Center conducts basic and applied research aimed at establishing scientific foundations
and frameworks for business & information technologies. This research facilitates the development and creation of these products. The Center provides strategic and technical support to Louisiana businesses
and government. Visit cbit.louisiana.edu for more information.

INNOV8 is an eight-day festival of innovation and creativity hosted by the community of Lafayette, Louisiana from April 19-26, 2013. For an event schedule and more information, visit innov8lafayette.com.

###