Announcing Winners from Missouri's First Vibeathon Hosted in Joplin

November 12, 2025

On November 8-9, JRAH and codefi hosted Missouri’s first Vibeathon (AI coding hackathon) event in Joplin, Missouri. The event was designed for participants to build AI-powered software solutions for three healthcare challenges, using new and emerging AI coding methods and tools. 47 participants from Missouri and surrounding states were onsite at Missouri Southern State University to take up the challenge. “Vibers” worked with codefi’s vibe-coding experts and local healthcare professionals over the weekend to design and submit 31 solutions for judging. Winners who created solutions that best met the requirements of the healthcare problems presented were provided cash prizes, which were announced on Sunday afternoon.

The event is a key component of Codefi's proprietary startup studio, delivered through a multi-year partnership between JRAH and Codefi¹ to systematically identify critical healthcare delivery problems and market opportunities that lead to the creation of new AI-powered product and service companies in the region. Solutions created will be evaluated in further market validation with the goal to jump-start the creation and growth of one or more new companies.

In early October codefi announced Missouri’s first AI vibe-coding hackathons,² with plans to deliver events in cities and regions across the state. The events include training and mentoring from experienced vibe-coding coaches, access to leading platforms and tools, and connection to a fast-growing community of startup founders, creative technologists, and business professionals. A schedule for the statewide tour will be announced soon!

Partners and Sponsors

Funding Partners

• Missouri Technology Corporation³
• Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development⁴

Venue Sponsors

• City of Joplin⁵
• Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau⁶
• Missouri Southern State University⁷

Break Sponsor

• Nothing Bundt Cakes⁸

Challenge Areas, Prizes and Winning Solutions

Challenge: 3 Critical Healthcare Problems to Solve

1. Frictionless Scheduling: Streamlining appointment booking and reducing no-shows
2. Financial Navigation: Making healthcare costs transparent and understandable
3. Referral & Care Navigation: Orchestrating referrals and coordinating patient journeys

Solutions

31 solutions submitted across 3 challenge areas

Prize Money Awarded: $20,000

• Per Challenge: 1st Prize – $5,000; 2nd Prize – $3,000; 3rd Prize – $1,500
• Best of Show: Additional $500

First Prize Winners

Problem 1: Frictionless Scheduling

• Challenge: Patients face complex booking systems, long wait times, and missed appointments.
• Local Impact: No-shows cost Joplin providers thousands annually and delay care.

🏆 Best of Show & 1st Prize Winner: Tenise Wertman – Frictionless Scheduling

• Solo competitor, mother of 9 from Verona, MO
• Self-taught AI novice
• Created an AI-powered scheduling tool that matches patient and provider availability, reduces no-shows, and improves staff efficiency.

Problem 2: Financial Navigation

• Challenge: Patients struggle to understand healthcare costs and insurance complexities.
• Local Impact: Financial uncertainty leads to delayed or avoided care in Joplin.

🏆 1st Price Winner: Jordan Corbett – Financial Navigation

• Solo competitor from Springfield, MO
• Developed an AI platform to help patients understand costs and assist providers in reducing billing questions.

Problem 3: Referral and Care Navigation

• Challenge: Patients get lost between providers, face delays, and experience fragmented care.
• Local Impact: Rural Joplin patients struggle with coordinated care across multiple providers.

🏆 1st Prize Winner: Team Campfire and Burrow Labs – Referral and Care Navigation

• Two-person team from Springfield, MO
• Built an AI-powered referral system for rapid provider matching, one-click scheduling, and care journey updates.

Second and Third Prize Winners

Problem 1: Frictionless Scheduling

🏆 2nd Prize Winner: Camden and Adam

• Two-person team from Cape Girardeau, MO and Springfield, MO

🏆 3rd Prize Winner: Team Name: MedAI

• Multi-person team with members from Joplin, MO; Rogers and Gravette, AR; and Jenks, OK

Problem 2: Financial Navigation

🏆 2nd Prize Winner: Team MediCompare

• Multi-person team with members from Cape Girardeau, MO

🏆 3rd Prize Winner: Open SGF 2

• Trio team from Springfield, MO

Problem 3: Referral and Care Navigation

🏆 2nd Prize Winner: Team GO REDHAWKS!!!

• Multi-person team with members from Cape Girardeau and Kirkwood, MO

🏆 3rd Prize Winner: Semo1

• Multi-person team with members from Cape Girardeau, MO

About JRAH:

The Joplin Regional Alliance for Health (JRAH) works with community entrepreneurs, businesses, healthcare stakeholders and educational institutions to develop and execute strategic plans and programming to fortify long-term growth of the Joplin region’s healthcare and health science sectors. This includes recruiting and educating new entrants into healthcare careers as well as retention of experienced healthcare workers within the region, and new products and services development to maximize economic development opportunities for the greater Joplin region across the four states it serves.

JRAH strives to support and advance excellence in health-related initiatives by connecting healthcare providers and educational institutions so they can align their objectives and collaborate to build a talent pipeline as well as sustain and expand healthcare economic development within the greater Joplin region. JRAH was founded in 2024 by a coalition of key regional leaders including the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, The Farber Foundation, Mercy Health, Freeman Health System, Crowder College, Kansas City University – Joplin, Missouri Southern State University and the City of Joplin.

JRAH is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization.

Contact

Lori Worthington, Executive Director
[email protected]
Direct/Mobile: 816-507-2576

About Codefi:

Codefi is a Missouri-based non-profit that trains tech talent and supports startups to drive economic impact in rural communities. We operate in three tiers: open-access frameworks for anyone in Missouri, selective programs for founders showing traction, and deep strategic partnerships for companies proving venture-scale potential. Learn more at www.codefiworks.com.⁹

Contact

Craig McMahon, Chief Revenue Officer
[email protected]
Mobile: 417-379-3317