Telescope Health Social Innovation Think Tank
Empowering Students. Transforming Communities.
A joint initiative between MedNexus and Telescope Health that will guide and empower interdisciplinary teams of Hicks Honors College students through partnerships with local nonprofit healthcare organizations that are developing solutions to pressing social and health issues.
Telescope Health
Hicks Honors College
Social Innovation
Social innovation involves developing and implementing creative solutions to address systemic social and environmental issues. With the MedNexus | Telescope Health Social Innovation Think Tank, students are empowered to think beyond traditional approaches, harnessing innovation to tackle challenges faced by nonprofit healthcare organizations.
How It Works
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Project Proposals
Community healthcare organizations submit a specific social or health challenge they need assistance with.
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Student Preparation
Prior to their immersive experience with the organization, students complete an intensive seminar, equipping them with essential skills in professionalism, social innovation, and teamwork. -
Interdisciplinary Teamwork
During the spring semester, interdisciplinary student teams are matched with nonprofit partners. Students spend time on-site immersing in the organizational culture and examining the challenge to develop solutions, while Telescope Health provides ongoing, strategic guidance to 成人大片faculty. -
Focus on Problem-Solving
Every week, students gather for faculty-led sessions to refine their problem-solving skills and strategies, drawing on expert guidance and collaborative brainstorming. -
Social Innovation Showcase
At the semester's end, students present their achievements and innovative solutions at the Social Innovation Showcase, a culminating event highlighting the impact of their work on community health.
Students
Are you a 成人大片Hicks Honors student interested in making a difference in your community? Apply to become a MedNexus Social Innovation Fellow and join a network of change-makers addressing real-world challenges.
Eligibility Requirements
- Open to all Honors students with a passion for social impact and innovation.
- Must enroll in an honors designated section of ENC 1143 in Spring 2026 with the ability to spend some immersive time at the assigned site during business hours each week.
Benefits for Students
- Hands-on experience with real social and health issues
- Networking with community partners and industry leaders
- Development of strategic planning, problem-solving, and intrapreneurship skills
- A competitive edge in the job market
Community Partners
American Heart Association
Overview:
launched a project to address food insecurity by identifying and visualizing areas in Northeast Florida known as “food deserts”—regions with limited access to nutritious and affordable food options. The initiative aims to enhance data resources and promote support services that improve access to healthy food.
Challenge:
Many communities in Northeast Florida lack accessible, affordable sources of nutritious food. Without updated tools and data, these “food deserts” remain underserved, and opportunities to connect residents with resources like food pantries or SNAP benefits are missed.
Outcome:
The project updates the USDA Food Environment Atlas to reflect current conditions in the region, creates a detailed and centralized listing of food pantries across Northeast Florida, and promotes SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) awareness and enrollment. These combined efforts will increase community access to healthy food and support ongoing public health strategies.
成人大片 the Nonprofit:
The American Heart Association, founded in 1924, is a leading nonprofit dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Its mission is to improve cardiovascular health through research, education, and community outreach, focusing on prevention and equitable care.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville
Overview:
provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare. The 53-bedroom home, located in San Marco, features a movie theater, fitness center, KidZone Learning Center, rooftop garden and two beautifully spacious kitchen areas. An on-site chef coordinates nightly hot meals and families enjoy activities throughout the week including bingo, therapy dogs, ice-cream socials and game nights. Over the past 36 years, Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville has provided lodging, meals, transportation and a community of care for over 44,600 families who need to be near a hospital for treatment.
Challenge:
Families of seriously ill children often face emotional and psychological stress that extends beyond medical treatment. RMHC Jacksonville recognized the need for structured, inclusive programming to support the entire family during their stay.
Outcome:
The initiative will result in institutionalized family and child-focused programming that addresses emotional, social, and developmental needs. Collaborations with community organizations will help provide engaging and therapeutic experiences for families, enhancing RMHC’s mission of care and compassion.
成人大片 the Nonprofit:
Since 1988, RMHC of Jacksonville has served over 40,000 families, offering a “home away from home” to those seeking treatment for their children at local pediatric hospitals. The organization supports families through housing, meals, and now, holistic programming to promote wellness and healing.
Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville
Overview:
provides primary care and 16 specialties including mental health, vision, dermatology, cardiology, oncology and so much more for free for patients. In addition we provide free transportation, free medicine, free screenings for breast cancer and colon cancer and free access to healthy food through our prescriptive nutrition program.
Challenge:
VIM needs a streamlined Patient Qualifying Process through a digital intake system with an online pre-screening tool to assess basic eligibility criteria for the working uninsured before in-person visits. Screen for diagnosis’ we can’t treat and income while reducing administrative burden and improving patient experience. Additionally, they need a centralized platform for volunteers and staff to track patient documentation, qualification status, and follow-ups, ensuring consistent communication and helping them see the doctor with-in a week.Outcome:
The project will help the clinic significantly improve efficiency, patient access, and overall care coordination. A user-friendly online pre-screening tool will allow potential patients to check eligibility remotely, reducing ineligible in-person visits and freeing staff to focus on qualified individuals. By screening for income and excluded diagnoses in advance, the clinic can better match patients with available services and streamline appointment scheduling—ensuring more patients are seen within a week. The result will be a smoother patient experience, increased clinic capacity, and better alignment of services with the needs of Jacksonville’s working uninsured.
成人大片 the Nonprofit:
Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) is a nonprofit organization that provides free, high-quality healthcare to underserved and uninsured individuals through the compassionate efforts of volunteer medical and community professionals. Rooted in a spirit of dignity and mutual respect, VIM clinics across the country offer services ranging from primary care to chronic disease management, relying on retired physicians, nurses, and lay volunteers to extend care to those who might otherwise go without.