The GOS Hackathon
The GOS Hackathon is the capstone experience of our summit—a high-energy, collaborative "think tank" where the brightest minds in eye care and public health converge. This isn’t just a brainstorming session; it is a healthy competition designed to crowd-source real-world solutions for the most pressing inequities in global eye health.
How It Works
Attendees are organized into interdisciplinary teams, intentionally pairing seasoned global ophthalmology leaders with residents, medical students.
Over the course of the summit, teams will:
● Tackle the Challenge: Each team is assigned a "Case Study" based on a real-world scenario (past challenges have included designing financial proposals for new residency programs in Africa or creating cross-subsidy fee models for rural district hospitals).
● Innovate & Collaborate: Groups meet during dedicated "Hackathon Breaks" and lunch sessions to identify a specific gap, design a tech-enabled solution, and stress-test its sustainability and ethical impact.
● The Final Pitch: On the final day of the summit, the experience culminates in a live "Pitch Competition." Each team presents their solution to a panel of expert judges and their peers.
Why Participate?
The GOS Hackathon is more than a contest; it is a mentorship vehicle and a networking powerhouse.
● For Students & Residents: It offers an unparalleled opportunity to work side-by-side with experts in the field and have your ideas heard by the international community.
● For Professionals: It is a chance to apply your clinical and logistical expertise to new environments and to share your knowledge and experiences with the next generation of leaders.
● For the Mission: The winning "pitch" represents a potential blueprint for future global health interventions.
Join us in Philadelphia to hack the future of global eye care. Are you ready to pitch the next big breakthrough?
Get Inspired
See topics and winners from previous Hackathons:
Questions?
Contact us at gos@aao.org.
