April 2026 · Howard University · Washington, D.C.

HIT×Howard
Health Hackathon

🏆Cash Prize · One Day · Real Impact

A one-day hackathon where Howard medical students team up with engineering and computer science undergrads to build innovative solutions for real health problems. No prior hackathon experience needed.

What Is It

Medicine Meets Technology

🤝

Cross-Disciplinary Teams

Medical students are paired with engineering and computer science undergrads from Howard. Each team brings complementary expertise — clinical insight paired with technical execution.

One Intense Day

From ideation to demo, you have one day to design and build a working prototype addressing a real health challenge. Fast-paced, focused, and high-stakes.

🏆

Cash Prize

Top teams compete for a cash prize. Win by building something innovative, clinically grounded, and technically impressive — then pitch it to judges.

💡

Real Problems

Tackle challenges spanning diagnostics, patient education, health equity, mental health, telemedicine, hospital operations, and more.

🛠️

Build Anything

App, dashboard, AI tool, hardware prototype — if it addresses a health problem and you can demo it, it qualifies. AI-assisted coding is encouraged.

🌐

Hosted by HUCM HIT

Organized by the Health Innovation & Technology Interest Group at Howard University College of Medicine, in collaboration with Howard Engineering and CS.

Who Can Join

Two Tracks, One Mission

🩺
Medical Students

HUCM M1 – M4

You bring the clinical knowledge. Identify real pain points from the bedside, guide your team toward solutions that actually matter to patients and providers, and pitch with the authority of medical expertise.

  • No coding experience required
  • Contribute clinical insight & problem framing
  • Learn what building health tech really takes
💻
Engineering & CS Undergrads

Howard Engineers & Coders

You bring the technical horsepower. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started with vibe-coding and AI tools, you'll build the solution that your medical teammates envision.

  • All skill levels welcome
  • AI-assisted coding encouraged (Cursor, Claude)
  • Build apps, dashboards, AI tools, or hardware

Challenge Areas

Pick Your Problem Space

Teams can tackle any health challenge they choose. Past hackathons have seen solutions in areas like these:

Machine Learning / AI
Diagnostics
Mental Health
Health Equity
Patient Education
Telemedicine
Hospital Operations
Primary Care

When & Where

April 2026 · Howard University

📅
Date
April 2026
Exact date TBD — sign up to vote on availability
📍
Location
Howard University
Washington, D.C. — exact venue TBD
🏆
Prize
Cash Prize
Awarded to the top team at the final presentation

FAQ

Common Questions

Q
Do I need to know how to code?
No. Medical students are not expected to code. Your role is to bring clinical knowledge, guide the problem framing, and contribute to the pitch. AI-assisted development tools are also encouraged for those who want to build.
Q
Do I need prior hackathon experience?
Not at all. This event is designed to be accessible to first-timers. The registration form asks about your experience level so we can match teams effectively — all skill levels are welcome.
Q
How are teams formed?
Teams are matched by the organizers based on your registration form responses — taking into account your affiliation, skills, experience, and preferred teammates. You can request to be placed with a specific person.
Q
What can we build?
Anything that addresses a health problem and can be demoed: web or mobile apps, AI tools, data dashboards, hardware prototypes, or even a well-designed product spec. The key is a working demo and a compelling pitch.
Q
Who is eligible?
Howard University medical students (M1–M4) and Howard University engineering or computer science undergraduates (all years, including graduate students in those programs).

Spots Are Limited

Ready to Build Something
That Matters?

Register your interest now. The form takes 2 minutes — let us know your availability, skills, and what health problem you care most about.

Register Your Interest →

Open to Howard medical students and Howard engineering / CS students only.