CHAPEL HILL, N.C., March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Institute for Defense and Business and WellDoc, Inc. will host an academic symposium on "Improving Chronic Disease Management Outcomes & Reducing Healthcare Costs through Wireless Solutions."  The event will take place at the world-class Paul J. Rizzo Conference Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on March 29-30.  The symposium will bring together key opinion leaders from a diverse cross section of healthcare professionals representing the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs as well as other national and state governmental leaders, academics, healthcare system executives, and technology solution providers to explore and discuss promising advances in chronic disease management.

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The purpose of this symposium is to bring together stakeholders in the management of chronic diseases in the armed forces, among military veterans, and the public sector.  The objective is to discuss how new technologies and innovative solutions can be leveraged and scaled across their respective populations.  "We are very excited about the possible intersections and outcomes of this event," remarked Anand K. Iyer, President and COO, WellDoc, Inc.  

MISSION: The effects of poorly managed chronic diseases have become a serious issue for the military health system.  While investments have been made to digitize healthcare records and employ call center-based nurse support, for example, chronic disease outcomes have worsened.  This directly impacts warfighter wellness and military operational readiness.  New healthcare solutions, which leverage emerging cellular and web-based technologies, are being introduced with the prospect of significantly improving health and economic outcomes for chronic diseases. These solutions offer the promise to improve military health and operational readiness in a scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable manner that fundamentally empowers patients to take charge and alter the necessary behaviors to drive desired outcomes.  

During this symposium, participants will have the opportunity to hear the following speakers:

• Maj Gen (Dr.) Joseph Kelley, USAF (Ret.), Former Joint Staff Surgeon
• Dr. Anand K. Iyer, President and COO, WellDoc, Inc
• Ms. Lisa Ellis, Partner, McKinsey and Company
• Mr. Michael Marchand, VP, Performance and Innovation, Visiting Nurse Services of New York (VNSNY)
• Mr. Win Williams, Area Vice President, Emerging Devices, AT&T Mobility
• Dr. David Parker, Chief Medical Officer, Evolvent
• Karl Ulfers, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Optum Health, United Health Group
• Dr. Ed Fisher, Chair, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, UNC
• Mr. David Monahan, CEO, Fitlinxx
• Dr. Charlene Quinn, Head of Epidemiology, University of Maryland
• Dr. Richard Katz, Head of Cardiology, George Washington University

See complete agenda here.  

THE INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE AND BUSINESS (IDB) is a non-profit research and education institute formed in 1997 by UNC and the state of North Carolina. The IDB offers a series of educational programs for the military, government, non-governmental agencies, and private industry, in the areas of logistics, operations, life cycle management, organizational change, and economic stabilization.

WELLDOC, INC is developing the next generation of technology solutions to support chronic disease management.  WellDoc's mission is to improve the lives of people with chronic diseases.  The company fulfills its mission by integrating clinical, behavioral, and motivational applications with everyday technologies, like the internet and cell phone, to engage patients and healthcare providers in ways that dramatically improve outcomes and significantly reduce healthcare costs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  To learn more about attending this symposium, its featured speakers, or for any additional information, please call 919-969-8008 to speak with April McGill, Associate, mcgill@idb.org.  

SOURCE Institute for Defense and Business

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.idb.org
http://www.welldocinc.com