The greatest athletes in the life sciences gather today in Cleveland for the MedCityNews.com Medical Cornhole Tournament. Attendees and participants alike can start gathering for the picnic and tournament starting at 4 p.m. today in Gateway Plaza in Cleveland between Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena. The cornhole tournament itself will start at 5 p.m.
All necessary details for this year’s event are included in this post. But many members of our national audience are, at this point, likely asking a couple questions. First, what in the heck is cornhole? And, second, is it really that popular in the life science community in Cleveland?
Cornhole is essentially how people in Ohio and Kentucky refer to the beanbag toss game played regularly at picnics and tailgates. And its popularity is showcased by the caliber of 60 teams participating in the tournament: hospitals such as Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals; trade groups such as BioEnterprise and the Ohio State Medical Association; startups like NDI Medical and CerviLenz; and insurance companies like Kaiser Permanente and last year’s champions, Medical Mutual. We started the tournament in MedCityNews.com’s first year to thank and connect the different parts of the life science industry. It’s been wonderful to see in three years it balloon into a 64-team mainstay of the medical community.
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
This year will be particularly special. Along with the tournament we’ll honor innovation, entrepreneurship and achievement by awarding our first ever Cities Awards. The medical industry has so many innovation hubs: places like Research Triangle Park, Boston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Cleveland and beyond. It’s easy for some of healthcare’s greatest contributors to go unnoticed. We’ll recognize local superstars today in Cleveland – and then later do the same in other life science cities.
Here are details for today’s event. You can also contact MedCity Media for more information: (216) 453-2662 ext. 102.
For the teams. Cornhole games start at 5 p.m., but please come in advance of the 5 p.m. start time to sign in and get your free cornhole t-shirts and wristbands that give you access to the food and soft drinks (alcohol available at a cash bar). Games will run continuously. There are still five slots available for the 64-team tournament, and any organization that is part of the life science industry can take part. Teams, which consist of two players, cost $25 (shirts and a picnic dinner included).
For the cheering sections. Attendees and onlookers are encouraged. Attending is free, but you must pay $15 if you’d like to take part in the picnic dinner. Plus, there will be some cornhole boards for onlookers to play, random prize drawings, and additional games – such as a version of “Angry Birds Cornhole.”
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
About The Cities Awards. The Cities honor innovation, entrepreneurship and achievement from America’s elite medical cities. Five awards will honor major breakthroughs, services to the life sciences and individual contributions and achievements. We’re starting these award by honoring the innovators in Cleveland, but will soon move on to the Twin Cities and Research Triangle Park, among other places. Winners will receive their awards from a representative of The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Directions & parking. Gateway Plaza is between Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena. Street parking, lots and parking garages abound (the East Garage is directly adjacent to Gateway Plaza will be open and rates range between $3 to $6). Traffic will be manageable as the Cleveland Indians are on the road. View this map for more information.
Who do we thank for all this?
The Kauffman Foundation, STERIS, Downtown Cleveland Alliance, Benesch, Sequentia Care, The Ohio State Medical Association, The Krill Company, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, TWIST Creative, Perspectus Architecture, RGI, Studio Think and Thunder::Tech have graciously sponsored the event.
Watch it live online
MedCity News will broadcast the tournament via its UStream channel, which will also be posted at MedCityNews.com at tournament time.
Weather
There’s nothing but clear skies and temperatures in the high 70s expected. In other words, it will be beautiful for cornhole.
Basic cornhole rules
This is a fun event, and everyone will be forgiving about the rules. But the tournament will be run under the official setup and rules of cornhole. Here are the rules to keep in mind.
- Cornhole sets are 27 feet apart. Teammates throw four bags from opposite sides of one another alongside the cornhole platforms. An “inning” consists of both teams throwing a eight bags.
- A team wins when it is the first to reach or exceed 21 points.
- A bag in the hole is worth three points. A bag on top of the platform (a bag “in the count”) is worth one point. Keep this in mind: Opponents throwing in the same half-inning will cancel one another’s bags. For example, if opponents match one another by each putting a bag in the hole, those bags cancel one another out. Only uncanceled bags count for points.
- Fun: You are not required to have fun. But it will be hard not to.
And one quick message. There’s been some great video smack talk amongst the competitors this year (particular hat tip to STERIS). Medical Mutual’s Alan Skotko and Johnathan Horton, the winners of last year’s MedCityNews.com Medical Cornhole Tournament, are again the team to beat in this year. Both are incredibly confident about their cornhole skills and shared a bit of strategy before defending their title.
