BALTIMORE, MD – Healthworx Accelerator, a transformative program for early-stage healthcare companies, initially launched through the innovation arm for CareFirst Inc., is announcing the startups and advisors selected for the 2024 cohort of its reimagined program. The 20 startups will take part in an intensive twelve-week program offering education, resources, and vast networks to foster innovation and equip each company with the tools and knowledge they need to break into and grow within complex, entrenched healthcare markets.

The startup companies selected for the first cohort include:

• Agilix Health

• Alaffia Health

• April Health

• Architect Health

• Ayble Health

• Basys.ai

• Cerula Care

• Equity Quotient

• Expect Fitness

• Gabbi

• Guaranteed Hospice

• Juniver

• Menda Health

• Paloma Health

• Prospera

• Shimmer

• Sunday Health

• Syntax Health

• ThriveLink

• Verbal
  
  

This cohort is reflective of the nationwide healthcare innovation sector, with startups representing eight states and a variety of healthcare verticals, including aging populations, cancer care, cerebral care, digital therapeutics, health systems & software, social determinants of health, women’s health, and more.

“With this group of healthcare innovators and advisors, we’ve created a healthcare ecosystem that is reflective of the diversity and breadth of the wider industry,” said Soo Jeon, Head of Healthworx Accelerator. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome this promising cohort and the advisors who will guide them, and to see the results that they will achieve together to make healthcare more affordable, accessible, and equitable for everyone.”

The advisor cohort also pulls expert mentors from every corner of the industry, including patient care, medical research, law, government, education, women’s health, computer science, health information, insurance advisory, and more.

The advisors who will serve as mentors for the cohort include:

●      Ben Bohonowicz, SVP, Division Director, & Employee Benefits at RCM&D

●      Chris Khoury, Vice President, Strategic Insights at the American Medical Association

●      Daniele Rigamonti, Former CEO at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare

●      Edo Banach, Partner at Manatt Health

●      Dr. Ethan Booker, Chief Medical Officer for Telehealth at MedStar Health

●      Dr. JoAnn Jackson, Chief Medical Officer at Advantia Health

●      John Reinhart, Executive in Residence at NIH’s National Institute on Aging

●      Andrea Linna, Partner at Wilson Sonsini

●      Dr. Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner, Executive Director, Center for Innovative Pharmacy Solutions at UMD School of Pharmacy

●      Dr. Marc Rabner, Chief Medical Officer at CRISP Shared Services

●      Matthias Unberat, Professor of Computer Science at Johns Hopkins

●      Phylicia Porter, Baltimore City Councilwoman.

For more information about Healthworx Accelerator, the inaugural cohort, and its advisors, visit https://healthworxaccelerator.com/

About Healthworx

Equal parts investment arm, strategic partner, commercialization engine, and launch pad, Healthworx, the investment and innovation arm of CareFirst Inc., is an agile group of healthcare experts dedicated to building a healthier future and a better healthcare experience. Made up of four arms - Healthworx Accelerator, Healthworx Ventures, Healthworx Funds and Healthworx Studio - Healthworx provides innovative healthcare startups with support at every stage of their growth. For more information about getting involved in the Healthworx ecosystem, visit https://www.healthworx.com/