Connected for Telehealth Summit:
Reimagining a post-pandemic world and the lessons we’ve learned
The following videos feature the keynote speaker and panelists who took part in Connected Nation Michigan’s April 2021 Telehealth Summit.
If you have any questions regarding telehealth or rural broadband access, please email us at info@connectednation.org
Keynote speaker:
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II
Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II was the keynote speaker at Connected Nation Michigan's telehealth summit.
Watch his address and learn why he views broadband and telehealth access as critical pieces of the state's work to improve lives for all Michiganders. Learn more about Lt. Gov. Gilchrist by clicking here.
Broadband Roundtable: Empowering Telehealth in a Connected Community
A discussion around the state of rural broadband. Speakers focused on the impact that the lack of internet access has had on rural communities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and its implication on telehealth.
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- Sarah TennantSector Development Director & Cyber Initiatives, Michigan Economic Development CorporationSarah TennantSector Development Director & Cyber Initiatives, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Sarah Tennant is the Sector Development Director & Cyber Initiatives at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Serving as the State's program expert and advisor to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Sarah collaborates with other government agencies, academia and industry on raising awareness and promoting the growth of the cyber ecosystem within the State of Michigan. Sarah’s focus is on cultivating cybersecurity talent through statewide education, with an emphasis on the emerging embedded systems security space while promoting a collaborative statewide approach to cybersecurity. Sarah also heads up the MEDC’ s broadband efforts with a focus on access, affordability and adoption, and a commitment to enabling equitable economic opportunities for all Michiganders.
Previous to joining the MEDC Sarah was the DOD OEA Grant coordinator for the Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board where she oversaw a $6.7 million dollar Southeast Michigan Defense Industry Adjustment grant, supporting 15 projects intended to identify and diversify Michigan’s defense portfolio, expand educational and workforce training for emerging markets including the cyber range hub expansion in Michigan, and provide opportunities for Michigan companies engaged in the defense economy.
Additionally Sarah also serves on several non-profit boards and advisory committees and currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Women in Defense Michigan Chapter.
A Michigan transplant, Sarah is a proud graduate of the University of Windsor holding a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Learn more about the Michigan Economic Development Corporation here: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/
- Christopher KitchenEnterprise Architect, Munson HealthcareChristopher KitchenEnterprise Architect, Munson Healthcare
Chris Kitchen is an Enterprise Information Systems Architect for Munson Healthcare. Having more than 20 years’ experience in health care and health information technology, Chris contributes leadership to complex projects and ensures the success of enterprise-level application rollouts, focusing on applying applications and technology to enhance the delivery of health care.
Over the past year, he had served as a technical lead and architect for Munson’s implementation of Munson’s telehealth program. Chris is a registered respiratory therapist and holds undergraduate degrees in respiratory care and health care systems administration.
Learn more about Munson Healthcare here: https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/ - Barbara MainGeneral Manager, Agri-Valley Services & Pigeon Telephone CompanyBarbara MainGeneral Manager, Agri-Valley Services & Pigeon Telephone Company
Barbara “Barb” Main is the General Manager of Agri-Valley Services broadband and Pigeon Telephone Company. Both are subsidiaries of Agri-Valley Communications, Inc based in Pigeon, Michigan.
As a member of AVCI’s Executive Leadership Team, Barb is charged with supervising day-to-day activities and profitability of both companies. The broadband and landline telephone services she oversees span throughout Michigan’s Thumb Region and also into several Northern Michigan communities.
Barb was first appointed as the General Manager for Agri-Valley Services in July of 2012 and expanded her duties to Pigeon Telephone Company two years later. Her ongoing priority is to continually streamline each businesses’ operations and service offerings. Under her watch, Agri-Valley Services has achieved the reputation as the Thumb Region’s preferred internet service provider. This was realized through rapid expansion into new communities and constantly upgrading broadband delivery methods to utilize the latest technologies.
Barb’s previous positions within the Agri-Valley Communications family of businesses paved the way for her later success as General Manager. From 2008 to 2012 she was AVCI’s Radio Frequency (RF) Manager, where she led optimization and growth of the corporation’s wireless network. She supervised a team of RF technicians and provided recommendations to upper management for network improvement. Between 2005 and 2008 she was part of the cellular and RF technician teams, working hands-on with equipment and coordinating with network performance engineers to ensure maximum network ‘up-time’. Barb originally joined Agri-Valley Communications as a Customer Service Representative in 2000, where she provided support for payments, service troubleshooting and customer onboarding.
Barb holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baker College of Flint with general studies in business administration and management. She has completed additional training in leadership development and team building, broadband network optimization and radio frequency management. Barb is actively involved in multiple industry and community organizations including Connected Nation Michigan, the Rotary Club of Pigeon,
NTCA - the Rural Broadband Association, and the Pigeon Bandshell.
Learn more about Agri-Valley Services here: https://www.agrivalleyservices.com/ - Dr. Christopher AliAssociate Professor in Department of Media Studies and a Knight News Innovation Fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia UniversityDr. Christopher AliAssociate Professor in Department of Media Studies and a Knight News Innovation Fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University
Dr. Christopher Ali is an Associate Professor in Department of Media Studies and a Knight News Innovation Fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University. Previously, he held fellowships at the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society and the Global Future Council of the World Economic Forum. Christopher’s research focuses on broadband policy and deployment in the United States, specifically in rural areas. His forthcoming book, Farm Fresh Broadband: The Politics of Rural Connectivity (MIT Press, 2021), examines the complicated political, economic, and technological terrain of rural broadband policy, asking why millions of rural Americans lack broadband access and why the federal government, and large providers, are not doing more to connect the unconnected.
Christopher has published in numerous internationally ranked academic journals including: Communication Theory, Media Culture & Society and Telecommunications Policy. His most recent article, which examines the failure of broadband policy at the Federal Communications Commission was published in the International Journal of Communication in 2020. Christopher’s work has been published in The New York Times, The Hill, and Realtor Magazine on broadband policy, and he is a frequent commentator on the subjects of broadband, media policy, and local news, with interviews in the Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, Los Angeles Times, NPR, CNET, CBC, Bloomberg, and other major national and international news outlets.
In March 2021, Christopher testified before the Senate Commerce Committee regarding rural broadband infrastructure investment and policy. He has also briefed members of Congress - presenting to the House Democrats House Task Force on Rural Broadband, the New York State Blue Ribbon Commission on Re-Imagining New York, and has presented before numerous state and county governments.
Learn more about the Department of Media Studies here: https://mediastudies.as.virginia.edu/.
Telehealth Roundtable:
Innovating During a Pandemic and Its Impact on the Future of Telehealth
This was a discussion about the advancement of telehealth and related technologies in the face of a global pandemic and what the future looks like for healthcare for older adults.
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- Scott SheltonAVP of Operations, Paragon RehabilitationScott SheltonAVP of Operations, Paragon Rehabilitation
Scott Shelton, Assistant Vice President of Operations (AVP), Paragon Rehab, has worked in the healthcare industry for over 10 years. He’s enjoyed numerous positions ranging from inpatient rehab to acute care to SNF/LTC.
He began his career with Paragon in 2010 as a staff therapist, transitioned into a Program Director role in 2011, and was promoted to Area Manager in 2014 and then Regional Director of Operations in 2017 where he supports our south region. He says his main goal is to provide compassionate care to Residents while supporting employees and customers at the same time.
About the company - https://paragonrehab.com/who-we-are/ - Chelsea SzafranskiSystem Director of Digital Health, Munson HealthcareChelsea SzafranskiSystem Director of Digital Health, Munson Healthcare
Chelsea (Lange) Szafranski joined Munson Healthcare in February 2020 as the System Director of Digital Health. In this newly created role, Chelsea is responsible for strategic development, oversight, and management of all Munson Healthcare telehealth systems including video visits, remote monitoring, and e-consults.
Prior to joining Munson, Chelsea worked at Johns Hopkins Health System and at Beaumont Health in various roles, including Administrative Fellow, Director of Operations, and Director in the Access Center. Chelsea holds a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Michigan and a master’s of health administration from Johns Hopkins University.
About the company - https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/ - Dr. Tom KamberFounder and Executive Director, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS)Dr. Tom KamberFounder and Executive Director, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS)
Tom Kamber, PhD, is an award-winning social entrepreneur, educator and activist who has created new initiatives in aging, technology, affordable housing and the arts. As founder and executive director of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS). Tom has helped over 30,000 seniors get online and created the country’s first technology-themed community center for older adults. Tom has taught social entrepreneurship and philanthropy at Columbia University and has published widely in academic journals on topics including public policy, business strategy, and technology.
He speaks regularly at local, national, and international conferences, including the Consumer Electronics Show, the Institute of Medicine, the American Society on Aging and the Federal Communications Commission. His work has been featured widely in the media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, and The Today Show, and he has won awards from local, state, and national organizations.
About the company - https://oats.org/
- Laura KilfoyleTelemedicine Policy Specialist, Medicaid Program Policy Division, Michigan Dept. of Health and Human ServicesLaura KilfoyleTelemedicine Policy Specialist, Medicaid Program Policy Division, Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services
Laura Kilfoyle is the Telemedicine Policy Specialist within the Medicaid Policy Division of the Medical Services Administration for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. In her current position she develops Medicaid policy ensuring alignment with current trends and medical appropriateness, while always bearing in mind the best services for Medicaid beneficiaries from across Michigan.
In addition, Laura has 20-plus years of experience in the nonprofit and public policy sectors—with emphasis on program administration, policy development, community assessment, and data analytics. She holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration/Health Administration degrees from Grand Valley State University.
Learn more about the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services by heading here: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/
The FAQ’s About Telehealth
Although many different types of telehealth exist, there are four main categories of telehealth that exist in today’s medical industry. The benefits of each category vary and can support you, and your patients, in different ways depending on what you need to get a full scope of their health.
- Live Video-Conferencing – This is most well-known type of telehealth. It consists of a live, two-way video-based conference between a patient and their healthcare provider. This type of telehealth is widely used by everyone from physicians in local hospitals to providers who own their own private practice. Live video-conferencing not only eliminates commute time and stress for both the patient and provider but also helps to bring healthcare to areas, usually rural, that don’t have nearly as many healthcare options as urban areas.
- Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) - This is often used for seniors or in senior living areas, remote patient monitoring is the collection of a patient’s health data from a patient or resident in one location that is then electronically sent to a healthcare professional (provider, nurse, etc.) for monitoring and review. RPM is especially helpful in senior living areas in order to prevent falls and keep a watchful eye on residents’ vitals.
- Asynchronous Video (AKA Store-and-Forward) – This consists of the electronic delivery of a patient’s documented health history outside of real-time, used by a healthcare provider. Commonly used in rural areas when providers are consulting with a specialist in another location, this type of telehealth also helps bring healthcare to areas where it, especially in terms of specialists, is sparse.
- Mobile Health (mHealth) – This is the use of smart devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.), and the health-based software apps developed for these devices, that supports continued healthcare. Many health-based apps exist now and can monitor everything from a diabetic patient’s blood sugar level to one’s daily water intake. These apps help to encourage healthier lifestyle behaviors and also (if designed to) can integrate with a patient’s personal health records.
In many cases, yes. Many insurers voluntarily pay for telehealth visits and 26 states have laws requiring them to do so. The laws vary, so it makes sense to learn more about the rules in the state where you live or practice. To learn more about telemedicine in your state visit https://www.cchpca.org/telehealth-policy/current-state-laws-and-reimbursement-policies and select your state on the map to learn your state’s current telehealth-related laws and regulation.
Be sure to check with your insurance company to confirm services covered.