Four student teams from Flagler Palm Coast High School pitched real-world healthcare solutions at the 2026 UNF MedNexus Innovation Challenge, with Team ConnectHer taking first place and $1,000 scholarships for each member.
This year’s theme: loneliness in a connected world
Students were asked to address the theme “Loneliness in a Connected World” — the idea that people can feel deeply isolated even in an age of constant social media and digital communication. Each team spent several weeks working with University of North Florida faculty mentors to research the topic and develop practical, community-focused strategies to address social isolation and its effects on mental and emotional health.
The teams and the competition
Four teams competed in a live pitch format before a panel of judges from the community. Each team presented its proposed solution and then responded to questions from the judges in a live Q&A session. Teams were scored on innovation, community impact, feasibility, presentation quality, professionalism, and how well they handled questions.
The competing teams were Team CADI, mentored by Professor Stephanie Hooper, with members Georgiann Ryman, Daniel Gnatyuk, Rocio Ramirez, and Ariana Rosales; Team Solace, mentored by Dr. Martin Luytjes, with members Tessa Stewart, Arianna Hall, Marthena Cubero, and Madison Gill; Team One Chance, mentored by Dr. Cristy Cummings, with members Melody Perez, Giselle Espinal, Sultana Campbell, and Colin Withrow; and Team ConnectHer, mentored by Dr. Rachel Riggs-Achorn, with members Caleb Shamblin, Hannah Seifert, Addison Landers, and Kaitlyn Ebding.
The panel of judges included Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri, Palm Coast City Manager Mike McGlothlin, Flagler County Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo, and Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce President John Phillips.
Results and scholarships
After all presentations were complete, Team ConnectHer, mentored by Dr. Riggs-Achorn, was awarded first place, with each of the four team members receiving a $1,000 scholarship. Team CADI, mentored by Professor Hooper, earned second place, with each member receiving a $750 scholarship.
COMPETITION RESULTS
First Place
Team ConnectHer — Mentor: Dr. Rachel Riggs-Achorn
Caleb Shamblin, Hannah Seifert, Addison Landers, Kaitlyn Ebding · $1,000 scholarship each
Second Place
Team CADI — Mentor: Prof. Stephanie Hooper
Georgiann Ryman, Daniel Gnatyuk, Rocio Ramirez, Ariana Rosales · $750 scholarship each
What organizers said
“Hosting the MedNexus Innovation Challenge is a true pleasure, as we collaborate with the brightest students in the region. These students have shown remarkable dedication, working closely with UNF faculty on innovative strategies to positively impact health through social media.”
— Dr. Julie Merten, Executive Director and Associate Dean, UNF MedNexus
“What stood out was not just the creativity, but the practicality of these ideas. These students approached a complex, real-world issue with maturity and a clear focus on helping others. It’s exciting to see this level of talent and to know the future of healthcare innovation is in such capable hands.”
— Mike McGlothlin, City Manager, City of Palm Coast
About the program and partners
The MedNexus Innovation Challenge is now in its fifth year. The 2026 event was hosted in partnership with the University of North Florida MedNexus, Blackstone LaunchPad, Flagler Schools, the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Flagler County Education Foundation. The program is designed to connect high school students with university faculty and professional mentors while giving them hands-on experience solving real healthcare and community challenges. More information about UNF MedNexus is available at unf.edu/UNFmednexus.
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