Buchanan Recognizes Local Student Innovators for App Protecting Seniors’ Health

"Children Are 25 Percent of the Population, but 100 Percent of the Future, And That Future Is Bright with Innovators Like Gabriel and Omar Leading the Way."

BRADENTON, FL - Congressman Vern Buchanan recently recognized Hillsborough County students, Gabriel Raymond Cacho and Omar Halwani, as the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge. They, along with two additional students, designed a mobile and wearable application that uses real-time monitoring and fall-detection technology to help protect seniors' health and safety.

"I was proud to recognize Hillsborough County students Gabriel and Omar as winners of the Congressional App Challenge for their innovative app, Senior Health Guardian-AI," said Buchanan. "With roughly 36 million falls each year among Americans age 65 and older, their use of artificial intelligence to monitor health trends and provide real-time fall detection can help seniors stay independent while giving families peace of mind. As chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, I am focused on advancing innovation that improves health outcomes, and this is exactly how STEM education empowers students to solve real-world problems. Children are 25 percent of the population, but 100 percent of the future, and that future is bright with innovators like Gabriel and Omar leading the way."

The winning entry, Senior Health Guardian-AI uses artificial intelligence to analyze walking patterns for indicators associated with Parkinson's disease. The app can also monitor sleep quality and oxygen levels, which may help identify broader cognitive and health trends. The system alerts caregivers immediately if a fall or other concerning health pattern is detected, supporting seniors' independence while giving families peace of mind.

The winning team drew inspiration from watching family members age and recognizing that many existing technologies fail to support seniors' independence. Seniors in their families wanted to remain active but faced challenges related to balance and sleep. The students designed their application to support prevention, using AI-driven insights to detect risks early and respond in real time.

The app will be featured on House.gov for one year and will also be hosted on CongressionalAppChallenge.us. Gabriel and Omar will additionally receive waived copyright registration application fees under the ARTS Act.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment is projected to grow by 4.0 percent between 2023 and 2033, while STEM-related occupations are expected to grow by 10.4 percent during that same period.

The Congressional App Challenge was created by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015 and allows students to compete against their peers across the country by creating an app for desktop, web, tablet, mobile, Raspberry Pi or other platforms. The challenge is designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science.

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