The Lahey Care-AI-thon 2026

The Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Innovation Hub is dedicated to moving healthcare forward by bridging the gap between emerging technology and clinical practice. Our "Collaborate" pathway is designed to bring together multidisciplinary expertise to solve high-priority healthcare challenges.

On Friday, May 1, 2026, we are hosting our inaugural Care-AI-thon, The Air We Breathe. This will be a focused co-design event aimed at transforming lung screening and patient outcomes through the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence.

The Care-AI-thon serves as a primary engine for our "Pearl" lung screening initiative, featuring two dedicated tracks that evaluate solutions through both the clinical and patient lenses.

We are proud to host this event in partnership with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC). Through their generous support, this event will also feature the Pink & Pearl Challenge, seeking AI-driven solutions that enhance access to lung (Pearl) screening by utilizing the existing patient pathways and data from breast (Pink) screening.

Why Apply?

  • Clinical Integration: Move beyond theoretical models by partnering directly with Lahey clinicians and ecosystem experts.

  • Direct Impact: Develop actionable "Implementation Plans" designed for immediate pilot opportunities within the Lahey environment.

  • Ecosystem Access: Connect with a network of startups, academic teams, and technical innovators at the forefront of human-centered AI.

  • Pilot Awards: Selected finalists will receive awards to support implementing solutions with Lahey Innovation Hub.

Who Should Join: Startups, academic researchers, students, and technical innovators ready to build scalable, sustainable healthcare solutions.

The Air We Breathe: Transforming Lung Screening & Patient Outcomes

Key Dates:

  • March 20, 2026: Applications Close

  • April 10, 2026: Finalists Announced

  • May 1, 2026: Care-AI-thon (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM) | Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington, MA

  • Q3 2026: Targeted Pilot Award Kick-off

Challenge Tracks

We are seeking partners to apply for one of two focused tracks:

  • Track A: Clinical Detection & Workflow (The "Hospital’s Lens")
    • Goal: Enhance clinical outcomes and operational efficiency.
    • Focus: Utilizing AI to analyze multi-modal data to identify at-risk patients earlier and optimizing workflows to prevent missed diagnoses.
  • Track B: Patient Engagement & Experience (The "Patient's Lens")
    • Goal: Improve access and reduce barriers to screening in underserved populations.
    • Focus: Leveraging AI and community data to engage hard-to-reach populations and reduce barriers to screening participation.
  • The Pink & Pearl Challenge (In Partnership with MLSC): Leveraging the 72% success rate of breast cancer screening (Pink) to identify and automate AI-driven referrals for lung cancer screening (Pearl), addressing the significant screening disparity in Massachusetts.
 

Participation

To ensure high-impact collaboration, we will select up to 10 companies or teams to participate.

  • Team Composition: Selected teams may include up to 4 members.

  • Eligibility: We welcome startups, academic researchers, and student teams.

  • Strategic & Industry Support: Help drive innovation through expertise, resource collaboration, or mentorship.. Please use the Strategic Partnership form to connect.

  • Broader Engagement: Independent innovators, clinical experts, patient advocates, and students are encouraged to contribute their expertise via our Strategic Partnership or Volunteer pathways.

 

Get Involved

 

Apply to Join the Care-AI-thon 

Ready to design, innovate, and compete?

Submit your application to participate in this year’s Care-AI-thon 

 Apply Now

Become a Strategic Partner

Help drive innovation through expertise, mentorship, or resource collaboration. Complete the partner interest form to get started.

Become a Strategic Partner

 

Become a Logistics Volunteer

Help with check‑in, timekeeping, technical support, or documentation during the Care‑AI‑thon. Choose your preferred role and shift and support the event from behind the scenes.

Sign Up to Volunteer

researcher filling cylinder with liquid

Locations

Lahey Hospital and Medical Center  Innovation Hub 

41 Mall Rd
Burlington, MA
United States
01805