• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
MENUMENU
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • FlaglerLive Board of Directors
    • Comment Policy
    • Mission Statement
    • Our Values
    • Privacy Policy
  • Live Calendar
  • Submit Obituary
  • Submit an Event
  • Support FlaglerLive
  • Advertise on FlaglerLive (386) 503-3808
  • Search Results

FlaglerLive

No Bull, no Fluff, No Smudges

MENUMENU
  • Flagler
    • Flagler County Commission
    • Beverly Beach
    • Economic Development Council
    • Flagler History
    • Mondex/Daytona North
    • The Hammock
    • Tourist Development Council
  • Palm Coast
    • Palm Coast City Council
    • Palm Coast Crime
  • Bunnell
    • Bunnell City Commission
    • Bunnell Crime
  • Flagler Beach
    • Flagler Beach City Commission
    • Flagler Beach Crime
  • Cops/Courts
    • Circuit & County Court
    • Florida Supreme Court
    • Federal Courts
    • Flagler 911
    • Fire House
    • Flagler County Sheriff
    • Flagler Jail Bookings
    • Traffic Accidents
  • Rights & Liberties
    • Fourth Amendment
    • First Amendment
    • Privacy
    • Second Amendment
    • Seventh Amendment
    • Sixth Amendment
    • Sunshine Law
    • Third Amendment
    • Religion & Beliefs
    • Human Rights
    • Immigration
    • Labor Rights
    • 14th Amendment
    • Civil Rights
  • Schools
    • Adult Education
    • Belle Terre Elementary
    • Buddy Taylor Middle
    • Bunnell Elementary
    • Charter Schools
    • Daytona State College
    • Flagler County School Board
    • Flagler Palm Coast High School
    • Higher Education
    • Imagine School
    • Indian Trails Middle
    • Matanzas High School
    • Old Kings Elementary
    • Rymfire Elementary
    • Stetson University
    • Wadsworth Elementary
    • University of Florida/Florida State
  • Economy
    • Jobs & Unemployment
    • Business & Economy
    • Development & Sprawl
    • Leisure & Tourism
    • Local Business
    • Local Media
    • Real Estate & Development
    • Taxes
  • Commentary
    • The Conversation
    • Pierre Tristam
    • Diane Roberts
    • Guest Columns
    • Byblos
    • Editor's Blog
  • Culture
    • African American Cultural Society
    • Arts in Palm Coast & Flagler
    • Books
    • City Repertory Theatre
    • Flagler Auditorium
    • Flagler Playhouse
    • Flagler Youth Orchestra
    • Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
    • Palm Coast Arts Foundation
    • Special Events
  • Elections 2024
    • Amendments and Referendums
    • Presidential Election
    • Campaign Finance
    • City Elections
    • Congressional
    • Constitutionals
    • Courts
    • Governor
    • Polls
    • Voting Rights
  • Florida
    • Federal Politics
    • Florida History
    • Florida Legislature
    • Florida Legislature
    • Ron DeSantis
  • Health & Society
    • Flagler County Health Department
    • Ask the Doctor Column
    • Health Care
    • Health Care Business
    • Covid-19
    • Children and Families
    • Medicaid and Medicare
    • Mental Health
    • Poverty
    • Violence
  • All Else
    • Daily Briefing
    • Americana
    • Obituaries
    • News Briefs
    • Weather and Climate
    • Wildlife

Team Wins $4,000 in MedNexus Challenge on ‘Becoming a Mental Health Influencer’

April 4, 2025 | FlaglerLive | Leave a Comment

The winners were Dr. Achorn’s Team: Natalie Patel-Holmes, Joy Prime, Makaylla Williams, Alessandra Caballero. (Palm Coast)
The winners were Dr. Achorn’s Team: Natalie Patel-Holmes, Joy Prime, Makaylla Williams, Alessandra Caballero. (Palm Coast)

Bright minds, bold ideas, and a passion for mental health advocacy took center stage at the 2025 MedNexus Innovation Challenge, held April 3 at the Palm Coast Community Center. This year’s theme, “Becoming a Mental Health Influencer,” invited students to explore how social media can be used for positive change in adolescent mental health.

Competing teams, guided by esteemed mentors, showcased their projects to a panel of judges, demonstrating creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for healthcare innovation. This year’s participants included:

  • Dr. Cummings’ Team – Brosna Seth, Meliyah Lumpkins, Eryka Damas, and Hannah Melton
  • Prof. Hooper’s Team – Aida Moghanaki, Prem Prakash Patel, Madison St. George, and Antonia Perez
  • Dr. Luytjes’ Team – Liliana Rosa, Kacie Jones, Persia Hughes
  • Dr. Achorn’s Team – Natalie Patel-Holmes, Joy Prime, Makaylla Williams, Alessandra Caballero

Each team tackled the challenge with empathy and creativity—offering social media campaigns and peer-to-peer initiatives aimed at improving mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and promoting wellness among teens.




Following the students’ compelling presentations, judges faced a difficult decision. Second place was awarded to Team Inner Peace, led by Dr. Cummings, with each member receiving a $750 scholarship. Taking first place was Academic Athletes Unite, mentored by Dr. Achorn, with each team member earning a $1,000 scholarship.

Dr. Julie Merten, Associate Dean of UNF MedNexus, said, “We are so grateful to Palm Coast for their vital partnership in fostering innovation and community engagement in healthcare. The success of this evening highlights the incredible potential of our students to drive meaningful change in the industry.”

Lauren Johnston, Acting City Manager of the City of Palm Coast, added, “The level of creativity and problem-solving displayed by these students is truly inspiring. The MedNexus Innovation Challenge provides a platform for young innovators to explore groundbreaking solutions that could shape the future of healthcare.”

Michelle Bartlome, Communications Manager for AdventHealth, commented, “At AdventHealth, we are committed to inspiring the next generation of innovators to make a lasting impact on our communities. The MedNexus Innovation Challenge empowers our area’s high school students to explore creative solutions that promote healthier futures. We are excited to see their ideas come to life and witness how their passion for innovation can positively influence the world of health.”

The competition, hosted in collaboration with the University of North Florida, AdventHealth, the City of Palm Coast, and Flagler County Schools, continues to grow each year, reinforcing Palm Coast’s commitment to fostering education and innovation in the medical field.

Support FlaglerLive's End of Year Fundraiser
Thank you readers for getting us to--and past--our year-end fund-raising goal yet again. It’s a bracing way to mark our 15th year at FlaglerLive. Our donors are just a fraction of the 25,000 readers who seek us out for the best-reported, most timely, trustworthy, and independent local news site anywhere, without paywall. FlaglerLive is free. Fighting misinformation and keeping democracy in the sunshine 365/7/24 isn’t free. Take a brief moment, become a champion of fearless, enlightening journalism. Any amount helps. We’re a 501(c)(3) non-profit news organization. Donations are tax deductible.  
You may donate openly or anonymously.
We like Zeffy (no fees), but if you prefer to use PayPal, click here.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Conner Bosch law attorneys lawyers offices palm coast flagler county
  • grand living realty
  • politis matovina attorneys for justice personal injury law auto truck accidents

Primary Sidebar

  • grand living realty
  • politis matovina attorneys for justice personal injury law auto truck accidents

Recent Comments

  • Pierre Tristam on Lawmakers Describe ‘Disturbing, Vile Conditions’ at Everglades Migrant Prison
  • Big Mike on Lawmakers Describe ‘Disturbing, Vile Conditions’ at Everglades Migrant Prison
  • Tadpole on Flagler Beach Commission Votes 4-1 to Start Negotiating Sale of Ocean Palm Golf Club, But Residents Skeptical
  • Ray W, on The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, July 14, 2025
  • Ray W, on The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, July 14, 2025
  • Jake from state farm on Lawmakers Describe ‘Disturbing, Vile Conditions’ at Everglades Migrant Prison
  • Dusty on Flagler Beach Commission Votes 4-1 to Start Negotiating Sale of Ocean Palm Golf Club, But Residents Skeptical
  • Sherry on Lawmakers Describe ‘Disturbing, Vile Conditions’ at Everglades Migrant Prison
  • Just say'n on At Flagler County Jail, Inmates in Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Now Foster Kittens as Part of Their Therapy
  • Larry on Leaseholder Issues Letter of Intent to Buy Ocean Palm Golf Club, But Without Accountable Milestones City Expected
  • joe on Lawmakers Describe ‘Disturbing, Vile Conditions’ at Everglades Migrant Prison
  • Dusty on Flagler Beach Commission Votes 4-1 to Start Negotiating Sale of Ocean Palm Golf Club, But Residents Skeptical
  • PeachesMcGee on Flagler School Board’s Lauren Ramirez Challenges Ethics Commission’s Pending Restrictions on Her Private Business
  • The Villa Beach Walker on Flagler Beach Commission Votes 4-1 to Start Negotiating Sale of Ocean Palm Golf Club, But Residents Skeptical
  • Ray W, on Lawmakers Describe ‘Disturbing, Vile Conditions’ at Everglades Migrant Prison
  • Land of no turn signals says on Lawmakers Describe ‘Disturbing, Vile Conditions’ at Everglades Migrant Prison

Log in