A team from the Defense Health Agency recently showcased its innovative spirit at the Defense Technologies “Hackathon” during the National Defense Industrial Association’s Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference in Washington, D.C. Competing against 50 other teams, the DHA’s Chief Data and Analytics Office (CDAO) earned second place for creating a unique solution aimed at enhancing medical readiness.
This team, known as MEDAL (Medical Evaluation for Defense Airmen’s Readiness), consisted of members Barinderjeet Dhillon, Chris Kittrell, and Junayd Park. Dr. Jesus Caban, the agency’s chief data and analytics officer, emphasized that participating was about more than just winning — it was a chance to tackle real-world challenges and improve operational readiness through data and artificial intelligence (AI).
Their focus was on automating the process of aeromedical waivers for U.S. Air Force pilots. Park noted that this task often slows down pilots’ return to duty after medical issues. By creating a prototype that could process waivers in under 30 seconds — compared to the typical 30 minutes to several days — they addressed a critical bottleneck.
Kittrell highlighted the breakthrough, stating they managed to drastically reduce processing times by leveraging AI, which not only sped up the workflow but also improved efficiency. The trio built their application in under 16 hours, combining coding tools with AI components.
Their success underscores a larger trend in military efficiency. According to a recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the military is increasingly integrating AI into various processes to enhance capabilities and streamline operations. This shift is crucial as the Department of Defense navigates a landscape where speed and adaptability are paramount.
Beyond just the hackathon results, the DHA team demonstrated how technology can transform military medical readiness. This kind of innovation leads to faster decision-making and improved outcomes for servicemembers. Dhillon expressed excitement about continuing to develop AI solutions that support the DHA’s mission.
Dr. Caban praised the team’s accomplishments and the importance of using data analytics to eliminate barriers that can slow down military response times. This aligns with a broader mission to enhance the readiness of U.S. forces in a rapidly evolving environment.
Team MEDAL’s journey illustrates the powerful combination of human ingenuity and technology. As we continue to see advancements in AI, the military will likely find more ways to improve efficiency and support the well-being of its personnel.
