MediLink Nationals

The primary yearly competition — the thing every chapter builds its year around. Teams of 3–4, each covering the clinical, financial, and technology lenses, tackle a real health-system case derived from that year’s Track 4 capstone. Regional → State → National, ending in a national round and awards gala.

Three phases

Every team gets the same real-world health-system case, drawn from that year’s Track 4 capstone so the curriculum and the flagship competition are one connected year. Advancement still follows Regional → State → National; state boards set this year’s dates and materials.

Phase 1

Case Release (Prelims)

Done remotely. Teams submit a written brief plus a short video pitch. Every team of 3–4 must include at least one person covering each lens. Case materials use the internal name Care, Cost, Code.

Phase 2

Regional Rounds

Top teams from each region present live to judge panels drawn from partner hospitals, finance firms, and health-tech companies. Judged on all three lenses equally — not just the flashiest idea.

Phase 3

National Finals + Gala

Top teams compete live, followed by an awards evening. The intended home for finals is Charlotte. This is the marquee gathering of the year — the event built for hype, press, and chapter recruiting.

Recognizing all three lenses

Sponsors can put their name on a track or award. The Grand Prize requires excelling at Care, Cost, and Code together.

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Best Clinical Insight

The Care award — the team that best names the health problem and who is affected.

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Best Financial Model

The Cost award — the team that best answers who pays, what it costs, and whether it is sustainable.

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Best Tech Innovation

The Code award — the team that best uses data, software, devices, or infrastructure to change access or delivery.

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Grand Prize

Requires excelling at all three lenses. This is the headline award of the gala.

Who Can Participate

Open to high school students in grades 9–12 who are active members of a Flagship-Eligible MediLink chapter (or a chapter on the path to that status). Teams have 3–4 students and must cover all three lenses.

How to Register

Participation is through a MediLink chapter at your high school. Chapter leaders receive this year’s case, deadlines, and round details from the state chapter board.

Practice first

Chapters can run a local case challenge internally using the same Care / Cost / Code format. That local run is the practice ground for Nationals — see the Chapter Starter Kit.

The full Case + Pitch + Gala format is the destination structure for Nationals. Local and regional pilots come first so chapters can learn the format before a large finals weekend. Check with your chapter leader for what is running this year — this page describes the structure, not a published calendar.

Start a Chapter Event Ladder Track 4 syllabus The Apex

The other national competitions