Press Releases
Boston, February 14, 2013 - Dr. Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, founder and director of the Center for Connected Health, Partners HealthCare, was honored by the Massachusetts Health Data Consortium at their annual CIO Dinner as a leading figure in the Massachusetts health information technology community.
Boston, Oct 25, 2012 – The Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, today announced it has been awarded a research grant from the McKesson Foundation’s Mobilizing for Health initiative, to develop a text messaging program to improve pain management in cancer patients. The research will focus on improving clinical outcomes in pain management and decreasing hospital utilization.
Boston, Oct 25, 2012 – New data from a clinical trial conducted by the Center for Connected Health demonstrated that a web-based employee self-management program helped individuals with prehypertension or hypertension achieve significantly lower blood pressure by the conclusion of the program. The study was published in the current issue of the American Heart Journal (Volume 164, Issue 4, October 2012).
RESTON, VA. – July 23, 2012 – CHS™ Health Services, Inc., a national workforce health management company specializing in onsite health care solutions, has created a strategic partnership with Boston-based Center for Connected Health. The two will jointly market their services nationally to deliver specialty care from Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston using information technology to help patients access expert specialty healthcare providers in the Partners HealthCare network, to improve care, resulting in reduced overall employer healthcare costs.
Boston, May 22, 2012 – A recent study conducted by the Center for Connected Health demonstrated that a web-based self-management program helped patients with hypertension achieve significantly lower blood pressure by the conclusion of the program.
April 24, 2012: In collaboration with the Personal Genome Project, the Center for Connected Health is conducting a small pilot study that will allow individuals to map their phenotype and daily activity.
March 30, 2012 – A small study from Massachusetts General Hospital researchers found that online virtual communities may be an effective way to train patients in meditation and other mind/body techniques.
March 14, 2012: The Center for Connected Health is interested in evaluating sensors that may be used to detect and monitor changes in emotional states.
February 29, 2012 – During a visit by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Boston Public Schools, Partners HealthCare and the Partners Center for Connected Health announced that Partners Step It Up will be offered to elementary students at six Boston public schools this year.
February 2, 2012: In a pilot study developed as a collaboration between the Partners Center for Connected Health, Partners Community Health and the Lynn Community Health Center, data suggests that women receiving text messages found the messages to be helpful and had a higher level of attendance at their prenatal visits compared to a similar cohort in the same medical practice.
January 31, 2012: The use of a ‘Virtual Coach’ or computer agent increases activity levels in overweight or obese individuals, according to a new study published in the current issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research. Conducted by the Center for Connected Health, data showed a significant percentage change in step count for participants with access to Internet-based coaching, versus those without access to the Virtual Coach.
October 24, 2011: Boston area students will be taking steps toward healthier lifestyles, thanks to a Partners Healthcare Center for Connected Health program supported by the Verizon Foundation. A $25,000 Verizon Foundation grant will support a text-messaging program that promotes good health and nutrition, incorporating tracking of the students' daily activity.
October 20, 2011: The Center for Connected Health today revealed it has collected one million vital signs from patients enrolled in its connected health programs, including patients with heart failure, high blood pressure and diabetes.
October 19, 2011: The Center for Connected Health today announced that Susan Lane, RN, MSN, MBA, has joined the staff as corporate manager for technology and operations.
October 18, 2011: The Center for Connected Health today announced it has received a research grant from the McKesson Foundation’s Mobilizing for Health initiative, to develop a text messaging program to help diabetes patients better manage their condition.
December 7, 2010: The Center for Connected Health today announced the appointment of Stephanie A. Moore, MD, as Medical Director for the Center's Connected Cardiac Care program. Dr. Moore is a cardiologist specializing in heart failure at Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center.
October 22, 2010 – A text messaging program funded by Partners HealthCare has been successful in encouraging pregnant women in Lynn to get the proper amount of pre-natal care.
September 28, 2010: A recent study conducted by the Center for Connected Health was the first to combine medication reminders with educational information, which may lead to the use of text messaging as an important way to educate patients and support positive behavior change.
September 16, 2010: The Center for Connected Health today congratulated the Care Continuum Alliance on the launch of its new brand and its ongoing work on behalf of organizations and individuals providing health care at all stages of well-being.
Boston, June 23, 2010 -- The Center for Connected Health announced encouraging initial findings from a medication adherence study, using a wireless electronic pill bottle to remind patients with high blood pressure to take their medication. The ongoing study measured a 27% higher rate of medication adherence in patients using Internet connected medication packaging and feedback services compared to controls.
Boston, June 3, 2010 -- A recent study conducted by the Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, found that remote online visits with dermatologists, or e-visits, achieved equivalent clinical outcomes for acne patients. Data further revealed that this model of care delivery was popular with participating doctors and patients, ranking e-visits as convenient and time-saving.
February 2, 2010: A new, pioneering home-to-hospital program, Connected Pediatric Critical Care, features real-time video communication, enabling the on-call attending physician, when at home, to personally examine the patient and communicate directly with the PICU staff, other specialists and even the child’s parents. This innovative program was launched by MassGeneral Hospital for Children and the Center for Connected Health.
January 6, 2010: SmartBeat, an innovative new benefits program to help employees self-manage high blood pressure, was recognized as one of New England's Best Benefits Practices of 2009 by the New England Employee Benefits Council. SmartBeat was developed by the Center for Connected Health, in collaboration with EMC Corporation, the first company to participate in the program.
Boston, Dec. 8, 2009 -- In a recent study conducted by the Center for Connected Health, new data revealed that parents of children with diabetes were receptive to using novel health technology - such as a mobile phone that could collect and transmit the child's blood sugar readings to a doctor - to help manage their child's diabetes.
Boston, Dec. 3, 2009 -- A recent study conducted by the Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, found that text messaging is an innovative, low-cost and effective way to improve the daily use of sunscreen, and this technology may have important implications for larger-scale public health initiatives.
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.
Boston and Las Vegas, April 29, 2009 -- The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) has honored Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, founder and director, Center for Connected Health, Partners HealthCare, with its Individual Leadership Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the advancement of connected health and telemedicine.
Boston, April 8, 2009 – The Center for Connected Health and its technology solution partner, Claricode, were named finalists in the Microsoft Health Users Group (HUG) 2009 Innovation Awards, recognizing their proprietary patient and practice management platform, the Connected Health Care Suite (CHCS), that functions as a comprehensive records system for connected health programs.
Boston, MA, March 18, 2009 - New data from a recent pilot study conducted by the Center for Connected Health suggest that an online diabetes management program, Diabetes Connected Health, may lead to improved patient knowledge, engagement and accountability, as well as improved patient provider communication. This study was published in the current issue of the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology (Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2009).
January 22, 2009: In response to President Obama’s call for recommendations on healthcare reform, the Center for Connected Health convened an online Community Health Discussion in December, to explore the opportunities and advantages connected health, population management and participatory medicine can offer to healthcare reform. A report of the discussion findings were submitted to President Obama’s Presidential Transition Health Policy Team, led by Secretary of Health and Human Services Nominee Tom Daschle.
January 21, 2009: In a recent study conducted by the Center for Connected Health, first of its kind data reveals that online support communities and social networks appear to benefit patients with psoriasis.
November 25, 2008 – The Center for Connected Health today announced receipt of a $25,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, to support the ongoing development of its Connected Health Diabetes Program, a web-based remote monitoring program for diabetes patients at practices affiliated with Partners HealthCare, including those at Brigham and Women’s and Massachusetts General Hospitals.
August 5, 2008: The Center for Connected Health received funding from the Microsoft HealthVault Be Well Fund to develop a home-based glucose monitoring system for patients with diabetes. This new initiative, Diabetes Connected Health, will use available online technology to expand patient knowledge and support patient-physician communication to improve diabetes management and treatment outcomes.
July 1, 2008: Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, a 1983 graduate of the University of Vermont College of Medicine and leader in the field of connected health, received the UVM Medical Alumni Association’s Distinguished Academic Achievement Award at a reunion awards ceremony held on June 6. The award recognizes outstanding scientific or academic achievement.
May 1, 2008: A study conducted by the Center for Connected Health and presented at the American Heart Association’s 9th Scientific Forum on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, reports that a remote monitoring program can improve the condition of heart failure patients who are mobile and may reduce hospital readmissions.
April 8, 2008: The Center for Connected Health is presenting data from eleven new research studies conducted at Partners-affiliated hospitals, including Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s Hospitals, reporting patient perceptions of connected health technologies. These study findings, presented at the 13th annual American Telemedicine Association (ATA) annual conference this week, include new perspectives on how patients are feeling empowered to better manage their care, increased satisfaction and improvements in their overall health.
February 26, 2008: The Center for Connected Health and EMC Corporation today announced a collaboration to study how EMC's employees diagnosed with hypertension can better manage their health through proactive monitoring and education. EMC is the first company to participate in SmartBeat, designed by the Center for Connected Health, which uses a wireless blood pressure cuff and communicator, and an Internet-based feedback system, to aid employees volunteering for the study to self-manage their high blood pressure.
January 1, 2008: Bridgeline Software, Inc. has designed and developed the recently launched Center for Connected Health website, which was selected as a winner in the category of Health and Fitness for the 2007 MITX Awards. The Center for Connected Health was awarded best health and fitness web application.
October 16, 2007: First Real-Time, Interactive Healthcare Conference Held in Second Life, Featuring Panel From 'Real Life' Partners Connected Health Conference
August 23, 2007: The Center for Connected Health launches new website, engaging patients, providers and healthcare leaders to change healthcare delivery using consumer technologies.
May 15, 2007: The Center for Connected Health presented data from six new studies, demonstrating how Internet technology is improving patient satisfaction, disease management and medical education, during the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) annual conference this week.
January 17, 2007: Partners HealthCare today announced that it is expanding its commitment to connected health technologies to help increase patient access to quality medical care.