Partners Connected Health leader, Dr. Joseph Kvedar, named Mass High Tech All-Star of New England Innovation Economy
BOSTON, MA, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 – Mass High Tech, The Journal of New England Technology, announced that Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, founder and director of the Center for Connected Health at Partners HealthCare, is among the recipients of its 2009 All-Star Awards. Now in their 14th year, the All-Star Awards recognize 15 dynamic and influential leaders of New England’s innovation economy. Under Dr. Kvedar’s guidance, the Center for Connected Health is creating effective, new solutions and innovative interventions to deliver quality patient care outside of the traditional medical setting, using a combination of remote-monitoring technology, sensors and online communications and intelligence to improve patient adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes.
Dr. Kvedar is internationally recognized for his leadership and vision in the field of connected health and the application of communications technologies to improve healthcare to patients. In his role with the Center for Connected Health, Dr. Kvedar launched the first physician-to-physician online consultation service in an academic setting, and created such programs as SmartBeat, an employee benefit solution to help people better manage high blood pressure.
“Joe Kvedar is a ceaseless innovator, finding new and important ways to leverage technology to the betterment of health and healthcare,” said John P. Glaser, PhD, vice president and chief information officer, Partners HealthCare. “He is a visionary who was convinced of the vast potential of connected health way before anyone else was. His realization of the need for research and exceptional programming has lead to important advances in the field. These qualities make him a true leader with potential to improve or save thousands of lives, and to change the way healthcare is perceived and delivered.”
Dr. Kvedar is co-editor of the book, Home Telehealth: Connecting Care within the Community, the first book to report on the applications of technology to deliver quality healthcare in the home, published by RSM Press, London. He is a frequent lecturer and has authored over 60 publications on connected health. In 2003, Dr. Kvedar was honored by the New England Business and Technology Association for his extraordinary leadership in the field.
Dr. Kvedar is a past President and board member of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and is also Immediate Past Chair of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Task Force on Telemedicine. In 2009, Dr. Kvedar was honored by the ATA with its Individual Leadership Award, recognizing his significant contributions to connected health and telemedicine. Dr. Kvedar is a board-certified dermatologist and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School.
“Partners HealthCare has long been committed to innovative healthcare solutions and to delivering quality care to the patient where they are and when they need it. It is my privilege to lead such a talented team to help redefine healthcare delivery for our future,” said Kvedar. “I am honored to be recognized by Mass High Tech, representing the healthcare sector among such innovative leaders in New England.”
“Technology continues to provide the fuel for economic recovery and growth in our region. Even during the roughest periods of the recession, New England entrepreneurs brought forward new ideas and new tech companies. The individuals that we are honoring as All-Stars are thought leaders in their industries and continue to drive our innovation economy, ” said Michael Olivieri, publisher of Mass High Tech and the Boston Business Journal. “These are the people who not only have achieved success in their own initiatives but have blazed a trail for other entrepreneurs to follow.”
“The All-Star honorees represent a broad range of technology and service sectors, including robotics, mobile technology, hardware, health care, materials, Internet and biotech. They stand as proof that innovation and growth in New England come in many forms, and technology leaders continue to emerge,” said E. Douglas Banks, editor of Mass High Tech.
The honorees will be profiled in a special supplement in the November 4 edition of Mass High Tech. An awards celebration and networking reception will be held on October 29 at The Park Plaza Hotel in Boston. Additional event information can be found online at http://masshightech.bizjournals.com/masshightech/event/5486
About the Center for Connected Health
The Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, is creating effective, new solutions and innovative interventions to deliver quality patient care outside of the traditional medical setting. Our programs use a combination of remote-monitoring technology, sensors, and online communications and intelligence to improve patient adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes. The Center also offers expert online second opinions, enhanced medical education and training, and engages in innovative research to discover new pathways to better care, including the use of virtual worlds and online coaching. Visit www.connected-health.org.
Boston-based Partners HealthCare is an integrated health system founded in 1994 by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition to its two academic medical centers, the Partners system also includes community and specialty hospitals, community health centers, a physician network, home health and long-term care services, and other health-related entities. Partners is one of the nation’s leading biomedical research organizations and a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Partners is a non-profit organization. Visit www.partners.org.