PicassoMD is excited to announce that it has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 Techquity for Health Awards, a global competition presented by HLTH Foundation. The program recognizes organizations designing or using health technology to advance health equity, reduce health outcome disparities, and expand access to care for underserved populations.
“We are honored to be named a finalist for the 2026 Techquity for Health Awards,” said Dr. Reza Sanai, co-CEO. “This recognition highlights our commitment to ensuring that technology and data are used to create more equitable health outcomes for all communities.”
PicassoMD was recognized for its real-time Curbside consult platform, an initiative designed to close gaps in access to specialty care by connecting primary care clinicians to board-certified specialists in seconds. The work addresses long-standing inequities faced by patients in rural and economically disadvantaged communities, where specialist shortages, long wait times, and high out-of-pocket costs often lead to delayed care, avoidable emergency department visits, or unnecessary referrals.
By enabling immediate, workflow-friendly specialist guidance regardless of geography or insurance status, PicassoMD helps ensure that patients in low-income, underinsured, Medicaid, and Medicare populations receive timely, high-quality care. The initiative was submitted in the category of Health Case Study Awards.
This year’s competition received submissions from across the globe, evaluated by HLTH Foundation’s Techquity for Health Advisory Committee. Ten finalists were selected through a rigorous process that evaluates submissions according to their designs with regard to the beneficiary population; strength of partnerships and community involvement; commitment to understanding social determinants of health; transparency of data practices; project metrics and evaluation strategies; optimization of technology for users; and good business practice. Finalists receive a ticket to ViVE, taking place February 22–25, 2026 in Los Angeles, inclusion in HLTH Foundation’s Techquity Case Study Database, and promotional support. Three winners will be announced in February 2026.
To learn more about HLTH Foundation’s Techquity for Health Initiative, visit: https://hlthfoundation.org/techquity