Do you want to learn how to discuss your health with your doctor? Do you want to know more about technology that can help put you on a healthy path? What technology is available to help streamline your health at home?
These questions and more will be answered at the third annual II+C Symposium set for Feb. 7-8 on the campus of Mississippi University for Women in Rent Auditorium, Whitfield Hall. This year’s symposium theme is “Revolutionizing Healthcare: Wearable Technologies, Apps and Beyond” and will feature internationally-known researchers and medical professionals who will discuss their work and the latest developments.
Dr. Doris A. Taylor, a 1977 alumna and director of Regenerative Medicine Research at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston, Texas, will facilitate the event, which opens Thursday evening at 7 p.m. with the keynote speaker Dr. Sharonne N. Hayes. Taylor has worked in the field of cardiovascular regenerative medicine since its inception and is widely recognized for several major breakthroughs in cardiac repair and replacement. A Fellow of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, she was honored with the 4th Madrid Award for Excellence in Basic and Preclinical Cardiovascular Regenerative Research in 2017.
Among other awards, she received the 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, annually recognizing a graduate of one institution who has made significant contributions to the public, intellectual or cultural life of the nation. Her work has been featured on 60 Minutes, Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman, the British Broadcasting Corp., and the National Geographic network, as well as in countless national and international outlets.
Hayes, of Mayo Clinic
Hayes, professor of medicine and cardiovascular diseases at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, will provide the keynote address. She founded and maintains an active clinical practice in the Women’s Heart Clinic and serves as Mayo Clinic’s director of diversity and inclusion. She has long advocated for the advancement of women’s health and sex-based medicine and has led numerous initiatives to enhance the professional and personal development and mentorship of women physicians and scientists.
Dr. Hayes is a nationally recognized educator and speaker on women’s health and cardiovascular issues and helped develop the NHLBI’s Heart Truth (“Red Dress”) campaign. She serves on the Scientific Advisory Council for WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease with whom she coordinates the annual Science & Leadership Symposium for Women with Heart Disease. Previously she served on WomenHeart’s Board of Directors.
Friday sessions
Beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, guest speaker Dr. Julius Kato, general invasive cardiologist with Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, will talk about wearables from a “A Physician’s View.” He is board certified in cardiovascular medicine and internal medicine by the American College of Osteopathic Internist and is a member of the American College of Cardiology, American College of Osteopathic Internist, the American Osteopathic Association and the Board of Medical Examiners. Kato joined the BMH-GT staff in March 2018 from St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, Ohio. At St. Rita’s he served as medical director of the chest pain center; director of cardiac rehab; and served a two-year term as chairman of the cardiology department.
At 9:30 a.m., a panel of W faculty experts will discuss factors that include medical uses, nutrition applications, health disparities and entrepreneurial approaches to wearable tech.
Dr. Eric Hazzard, chief science officer with Tupelo Life, will wrap up the symposium at 11 a.m. with his presentation titled “Meeting Patients Where They Are: At Home,” which will also focus on applications for home. Hazzard has a doctorate in nutritional biology from UC Davis and 15 years of experience in the research and health fields. With a passion for health technology and as Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Hazzard strives to align science, health, and business to ensure the creation and utilization of evidence to demonstrate value to all stakeholders: patients, clients, etc. TupeloLife is a connected health company with the mission to help patients with chronic conditions successfully transition to and stay at home.
The W is working with BMH-GT to offer free CEUs. This event is free and open to the public. For additional information and to register, visit muw.edu/iic.
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