WLSA Convergence Summit Brings Together Wireless and Life Science Leaders, Award Winning Entrepreneurs and Innovative Health Applications to San Diego

SAN DIEGO, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Executive leadership from around the world will descend on San Diego for three days in May for the sixth annual WLSA Convergence Summit. There they will engage in multi-faceted conversations about the role of communications technology in addressing the major barriers to delivering cost-effective healthcare around the world.  

Organized by the Wireless-Life Sciences Alliance (WLSA), the conference will be held May 10-12 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego.

At this annual conference, the leadership of the emerging global ecosystem of technology companies, medical device manufacturers, healthcare providers, payors, investors, policy makers and innovators, will discuss proven ways to advance wireless and mobile solutions in healthcare through lively debate, brainstorming and the spirited exchange of ideas.  

"Since 2006, the WLSA Convergence Summit is where the brightest minds in the healthcare community meet each year to brainstorm the future of healthcare," said Robert B. McCray, WLSA President & CEO. "The WLSA identifies inspired mobile healthcare solutions early, including four of the top five companies in 'Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in Health Care for 2011'.  If you want to know what innovations are coming next, and how to evaluate them, the Summit is the place to be."

"The WLSA Convergence Summits have been an important catalyst for the mobile health industry," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, Chairman and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated.  "They provide a unique environment for sharing ideas and developing new partnerships, which is critical to enabling the next wave of mobile health technologies."

The Convergence Summit consists of three packed days worth of content and displays.

The Executives Forum kicks off the first day with a series of short, rapid fire executive-level brainstorming sessions.  Keynote speakers on the first day include Dr. Paul E. Jacobs; Eric Topol, M.D., Chief Academic Officer, Scripps Health; and Preetha Reddy, Ph.D., Executive Director of Apollo Health Systems (India). Topics range from chronic disease management, a look at new healthcare models, to technologies that can improve care for seniors by helping them live at home. 

The Investors Forum and I Award Program on the second day focus on innovation and finding an investment return on wireless and mobile health technologies.  Second day keynote speakers include Bill McGuire, M.D., former chairman and CEO of UnitedHealth Group; and Donald Dempsey, senior vice president of the Marwood Group. The I Awards for innovation in healthcare and technology finalists will be presented. 

The Ecosystem Forum on the third day is devoted to practical issues in building and marketing wireless healthcare devices and applications. Featured speakers include Dan Buettner, best selling author on health and happiness, "Blue Zones & Thrive," and Harry Greenspun, M.D. Chief Medical Officer at Dell Computer.   Also on the third day, the Innovators Pavilion will showcase sponsoring companies with informal conversations and hands-on demonstrations. 

"San Diego is establishing a global reputation as the leader in wireless health innovation," McCray said.  "The WLSA started this trend in 2005 with Qualcomm and Johnson & Johnson, and this year's Convergence Summit continues to demonstrate the draw of the region, with participants from five continents, including global and international companies such as Apollo Hospitals (India), SanofiAventis (France), SmarTone Vodaphone (Hong Kong) and Orange Healthcare(France)."

WLSA founding partners include Qualcomm and Johnson & Johnson. WLSA's membership now includes global companies such as AT&T, CareFusion, OptumHealth, Procter and Gamble and 3M, as well as venture-backed startups and health-focused nonprofits such as Ascension Health.

For information on the 6th Annual WLSA Convergence Summit, visit www.wirelesslifesciences.org or contact Andrea Jackson.

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Parker at +1 858-205-3439.

About WLSA

The Wireless-Life Sciences Alliance (WLSA) is a special purpose trade organization for innovators, globally relevant companies, scientists, physicians, and policy makers. The WLSA is dedicated to creating value and improving health, globally, through the convergence of communications technologies, consumers, caregivers and all sectors of the life sciences and technology environment. WLSA partners and companies all over the world are using wireless health innovations to better manage chronic conditions, pre-empt disease and improve the lives of the elderly and under-served populations around the world.

Contact:
Andrea Parker
Comunicano, Inc.
[email protected]
+1 858-205-3439

SOURCE Wireless-Life Sciences Alliance