ADVISORY/Major Telemedicine Effort Launched in California.

News Editors/City Desks/Health/Medical Writers

ADVISORY...for Friday (Feb. 28)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT:
        Announcing the launch of a major statewide effort to expand
        telemedicine projects to rural counties in California. A
        demonstration of the latest medical technology used to link
        patients in rural communities to physicians in urban-based
        hospitals. Also, a presentation of a $9 million grant from The
        California Endowment to the California Telehealth and
        Telemedicine Center (CTTC) to expand the networks of
        telehealth providers across the state.

WHY:
        With 3.8 million Californians now living in the state's rural
        communities, access to health care services is a critical
        issue. Telemedicine can help bridge the gap between urban and
        rural communities and assist rural Californians to receive the
        highest quality of health care services available - regardless
        of where they live.

        Oftentimes, patients in rural communities find themselves in
        the difficult position of traveling hundreds of miles for
        health care. Telemedicine increases access to services for
        underserved populations and reduces both the time and cost of
        medical treatment by bringing the services right to the
        patient. Services ranging from basic preventive care to
        complicated medical treatments and assessments are now
        conducted in real time from medical facilities in remote areas
        across California.

WHO:
        -- Mario Gutierrez, Director of Strategic Programs,
           The California Endowment

        -- Sharon Avery, Executive Director, CTTC

        -- Assemblymember David Cogdill, Chair,
           Rural Legislative Caucus

        -- Thomas Nesbitt, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Dean
           of Outreach, Telehealth and Continuing Medical
           Education Director

        -- Interview with rural physician via technology

WHEN:
        Friday, February 28
        10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
        UC Davis Medical Center
        Telemedicine Learning Center
        2450 48th Street
        Administrative Services Building (ASB)
        2nd Floor, Room 2230

        Limited parking available in front of building