Empowered Patient Podcast

Raj Oswal, Founder, O.Connect is enthusiastic about the potential of an event app to not only provide an online version of the conference program but also to encourage networking and sharing on social media while also providing access to speakers and presentations. With an expertise in developing apps for the scientific community, Raj is particularly interested in breaking down the barriers that separate researchers from the business side of the healthcare industry so that all get the most out of time spent at events.

#DigiMed17

@OConnectApp

OConnectApp.com

David Herzberg PhD, associate professor of history, SUNY- University at Buffalo reminds us that opioid addiction is not a new phenomenon and in fact there have been waves of addiction to sedatives, stimulants and pain killers over the last 150 years. David points out how we often view physical dependency on a drug versus drug addiction with racial and economic bias. He also warns that history tells us that the current opioid epidemic most likely will continue until we better address real pain and suffering of all patients.

DavidHerzberg.com

#opiodcrisis

Vision impairment is a major factor contributing to loss of independent living for otherwise healthy seniors. Dr. Jason Slakter, M.D. leading expert ophthalmologist and CEO of Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. explains how wet age-related macular degeneration (wet-AMD) affects the eye, genetic and environmental factors for developing wet-AMD, and measures that can be taken to delay the onset of the disease. Dr. Slakter also talks about advances in treatments and the promise of a new eye drop that is being tested in clinical trials.

@OhrPharma

OhrPharmaceutical.com

#MacularDegeneration #AMD #wetAMD #EyeDisease

#Ophthalmology #medicine #eyeinfo

Arsen Marsoobian also known as Papa Soob has written a soon to be published book A Heartbeat Away/ Are You Ready? We talk about some of the key elements of being ready for the end of life by being satisfied with relationships and reconciliation with friends and family so there are no regrets. We also talk about what kinds of legacies people can leave and taking control over the narrative about how we are remembered.

Don't Die

A Heartbeat Away

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is more common than the Zika virus, yet few people know about the irreversible birth defects congenital CMV infection can cause. Jeff Baxter, CEO of VBI Vaccines, talks about the risks CMV poses to pregnant women and their unborn babies. Currently, there is no way to prevent contracting CMV during pregnancy and the irreversible birth defects that can result. Thankfully, VBI Vaccines is currently developing a vaccine to prevent CMV. If successful, this could be given to all adolescent-aged young women as a preventive measure.

@VBIVaccines

VBIVaccines.com

#CMV #congenitalCMV #CMVawareness

#vaccine #CMVinfection #stopCMV

VB

Nathan Price, Associate Director, Institute for Systems Biology reminds us that biology is still a data poor science though it is changing with advancements in technology and genomics. Nathan is working on the Pioneer 100 Project to build personal dense data clouds to help researchers design better predictive risk models in a drive towards scientific wellness.

@ISBNathanPrice

#DigiMed17

Institute for Systems Biology

Jason Hwang, founder, Lemonaid Health and renowned healthcare innovator talks about bringing disruptive solutions to the healthcare marketplace. Lemonaid uses an asynchronous analysis model where patients submit symptoms and requests for medications online. Submissions are automatically reviewed quickly, overseen by doctors when necessary, and prescriptions sent to pharmacies for treatment. The focus of the service is on common health challenges like sinus infections and the flu to ongoing concerns like birth control and hair loss. The mission is to lower costs and make health care more accessible and convenient.

@drjhwang

#DigiMed17

Lemonaidhealth.com

Nick Desai, co-founder, Heal.com talks about taking advantage of the trend to miniaturize medical equipment to allow them to build a business model where the doctor comes to a patient's home, office, or hotel room within two hours 365 days a year. Heal is promoting price transparency, accepts most medical insurance, and is providing rapid response with well-equipped high quality doctors scheduled through the Heal mobile app, web site or by phone. Service available in limited areas with some restrictions on patients who are accepted.

@healapp

#DigiMed17

Heal.com

Noga Leviner, Co-Founder, PicnicHealth knows how important it is to be able to have access to complete medical records and is creating a company that can search for old medical files as well as provide a dashboard to manage new data. In order to get optimal care, PicnicHealth is providing clients with a service that searches medical data on paper, film and in digital format and gives access to the patient, current doctors, and appropriate family members. The biggest challenge seems to be reading the handwriting of doctors in order to digitize office visit notes.

@picnichealth

#DigiMed17

PicnicHealth

Melissa Menke, Founder and CEO, Access Afya is a digital health activist in Nairobi Kenya where she has set up micro-clinics in the informal settlements to bring health services to an under-served community. They are using digital diagnostic tools and mobile devices to send text and voice alerts to patients where there is near universal access to a phone or smart device. Melissa is also bringing 21st Century medicine to neighborhoods, schools, and factories using mobile units. Part of the secret to her success is the engagement of those in the community to participate in the program as volunteers and workers.

@accessafya

#DigiMED17

#DigitalHealth

Access Afya