Fall 2025 Fleming Center Case Competition
The Fleming Center at UTHealth Houston hosted its Fall 2025 Virtual Case Competition on November 22,2025, bringing together teams of future healthcare leaders from across the country to tackle real-world challenges in healthcare innovation, access, and digital transformation.
This year’s competition featured 13 teams from 10 universities, representing programs in medicine, public health, and healthcare administration. Over its 16-year history, the Fleming Center Case Competition has engaged more than 370 participants from 27 universities, awarding over $33,000 in prize funding to support the next generation of innovators.
Top Award Winners
First Place – Syracuse University
Team E: Alexandra Perry, Allison Hellman, Celso Perez-Mayo, Zhen Shi, and Xiaoying Feng
Project: “Transforming Rural Healthcare with WHIM: Smarter Telehealth, Stronger Hospitals, Sustainable Savings.”
The team’s presentation introduced the Wellness and Health Insight Model (WHIM), a pilot program designed to strengthen rural hospitals by reducing preventable ER visits and uncompensated care. Focused on the Southeast Coastal Corridor, WHIM integrates telehealth, patient engagement, and shared data infrastructure to improve financial stability and workforce readiness. Supported by HRSA funding, the project aims to deliver $8.48 million in cost savings while advancing sustainable rural healthcare transformation.
“Participating in this case competition was an incredible experience that pushed us to think creatively and collaboratively about one of the most complex challenges in rural healthcare,” said Alexandra Perry, team lead for Syracuse University. “This achievement reflects the dedication and diverse expertise each person brought to the table. I’m grateful to have led such a talented group and proud of what we accomplished together.”
Second Place – UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School
Team B: Pranav Mehta, Likhit Agrawal, Syed Shams, and Valerie Lomonte
Project: “Project TexLink: Bringing Every Rural Texan Within 20 Minutes of Care Through Data, Telehealth, Access, and Workforce Innovation.”
Project TexLink presents a comprehensive strategy to transform rural healthcare across Central Texas. Built on four pillars—data integration, telehealth expansion, access improvement, and workforce innovation—the project proposes a $25 million investment to ensure every rural Texan is within 20 minutes of quality care.
Third Place – Texas A&M University
Team C: Caroline Uprichard, Rachel Pittman, Dylan Patel, and Dain Copeland
Project: “Transforming Rural Healthcare with Digital Power, Tele-Specialty Access, and Measurable Impact.”
This plan leverages the Regional Digital Performance Improvement Program (RDPIP) to enhance collaboration, reduce preventable admissions, and accelerate tele-specialty consults. The model uses regional Health Information Exchange data and Access Telecare partnerships to expand access across the Southeast Coastal Corridor.
Fourth Place – UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
Team H: Rhanna Wilson, Daniella Saldivar, Jazalynn Johnson, and Alondra
Project: “Coastal Connect: Expanding Rural Access Through a Shared Virtual Care Hub in Texas.”
Coastal Connect offers a five-year roadmap to enhance care delivery in Wharton and Matagorda counties. By establishing a shared virtual care hub with tele-specialty services, virtual nursing, and interoperable digital infrastructure, the project aims to expand access, reduce unnecessary transfers, and improve hospital sustainability—creating a scalable model for rural health statewide.
Judges and Leadership Recognition
The Fleming Center was honored to welcome an exceptional panel of judges representing expertise across healthcare innovation, biotechnology, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and clinical research.
Spring 2026 In-Person Case Competition
The Fleming Center is excited to announce that the Spring 2026 Case Competition will be held in person in Houston on April 11, 2026. Students and advisors from universities across the country are encouraged to apply and join the next round of this nationally recognized competition.