Azalea Health Announces Results of Area’s First Hackathon

Valdosta, GA, April 24, 2014 -- Azalea Health, a leading provider of cloud-based healthcare solutions and services, successfully hosted its first annual Hackathon on April 19, 2014 at Valdosta State University. Brothers, Alan Sifuentes and Jacob Sifuentes from VSU, took first place in the competition for developing a website for a patient / doctor question and answer forum.

The hackathon event involves a competions where computer programmers and others involved in software development, collaborate intensively on a software project within a set time period. Eight teams of students from both Valdosta State University and Wiregrass Technical College competed in the daylong event. Their project goal was to write a program for VSU students and professors that would help them improve their health, awareness, and wellbeing.

“We were very pleased with the turnout of Azalea Health’s first ever Hackathon in Valdosta, Georgia. We met a lot of bright students with some extraordinary talent. We definitely will plan to make this an annual event in the future,” says Baha, CEO of Azalea Health.

Azalea Health awarded $1,750 to the winners of the Hackathon. VSU’s President, Dr. William McKinney presented the prizes. First place went to team # 5, Yes Fountain. Brothers, Alan Sifuentes (Fine Arts/Junior) and Jacob Sifuentes (Web Developer) at VSU won $1,000 for developing a website for a patient / doctor question and answer forum. The second place prize of $500 went to team # 6, Falcon Punch for developing a meal calculator website for students eating at campus restaurants. The members included David Gully (CIS, Senior), Matthew Cliatt (CS, sophomore), David Crosby (CS, Junior). The third place team, team # 7, Starsky and Hutch, received $250 for developing a fitness tracker website with Google Maps integration. The members of this team included Bryant Beverly (CS, Senior), Miguel Tonido (Business Administration, freshman), Randy French (CS, Senior), and James Ferrier (CS Senior).

At the end of the allotted time, each team had ten minutes to present their projects to the four judges: Dr. Gibson (VSU), Dr. Roy (VSU), Ryan Schmidt (VSU), and Dan Henry (Azalea Health). The judges evaluated and scored the teams based on five criteria: innovation/creativity, quality, user-friendliness, accuracy, and overall presentation. The hackathon was made possible by the hard work and efforts of volunteers from Valdosta State University, Wiregrass Technical College, and VSU’s Spectator, The Valdosta Daily Times, WCTV Eyewitness News, and the many others who helped in promoting this special event.

Please see Azalea Health’s FaceBook page (https://www.facebook.com/azaleahealth) for pictures of the hackathon event. For more information, contact Azalea Health Marketing Assistant, Anna Vasquez, at avasquez(at)azaleahealth(dot)com.

About Azalea Health
Azalea Health is a leading provider of cloud-based healthcare solutions and services. The company was recognized by Inc. Magazine in their annual Inc. 500/5000 as one of the nation’s fastest growing private companies. With a focus on patient engagement, Azalea’s full suite of products has the flexibility to accommodate multiple specialties of any size practice. Azalea provides Electronic Health Records (EHR), Practice Management Systems (PMS), Revenue Cycle Management Services (RCM), and Patient Health Records Portal, as well as pre-authorization services and laboratory ordering and resulting. For more information, visit http://www.AzaleaHealth.com or call (877) 777-7686.

About Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University offers the best of both worlds-- the extensive academic, cultural, and social opportunities of a major university and the small classes and close personal attention found at smaller institutions. Students are attracted to the close-knit community where learning occurs in a supportive environment and faculty members challenge each student’s potential. VSU has a legacy as a major provider of educational services for South Georgia. As a comprehensive university, the university focuses on the long-term, total educational experience, providing a variety of catalysts for student growth in all areas of life. Study abroad and exchange opportunities at institutions around the world give students exceptional opportunities for learning. Closer to campus, VSU offers internships and experiential learning opportunities to expand student’s horizons.

About Wiregrass Technical College
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. Our programs use cutting-edge technology and offer easy access to lifelong learning for all Georgians. we offer a seamless education process in which students can transfer credits efficiently as they advance from secondary schools to technical colleges, and to the colleges and universities within the University System of Georgia. With convenient locations, financial aid, and more than 107 programs, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is committed to preparing students for successful careers in an ever changing workforce.