Physician, speaker, author and director of innovation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, Laura Jana, M.D., will discuss innovations in health technology at the next Omaha Science Café at 7 p.m., Nov. 17 at the Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St.
“The term health technology is often used to refer to the applications of organized knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, procedures and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve the quality of lives,” Dr. Jana said.
An example would be the Fitbit and other wearable health technologies and apps that people now use as part of their daily lives, she said.
“At the same time, we are undergoing a major shift in focus when it comes to how we approach health – from our 20th century focus on infectious diseases and chronic diseases to an increasing focus on preventive care and wellbeing – that is requiring us to look well beyond the hospitals, clinics and across disciplines in our commitment to promote health,” Dr. Jana said. “This shift is being fueled by new technologic capabilities.”
Dr. Jana is a pediatrician, educator, health communicator and founder of Practical Parenting Consulting, LLC & Amazing Me Books, LLC. She works as an innovation strategist for MIT Media Lab, working on a co-development model of global health and community level technology innovation. She also is a strategic consultant for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on their Building a Culture of Health effort.
Dr. Jana obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular Molecular Biology at the University of Michigan, her MD from Case Western Reserve University, and completed her pediatric training at both the University of California – San Francisco and at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. Having first served as a consultant to Dr. Benjamin Spock, she went on to co-found The Dr. Spock Company – one of the first online health sites – in the late 1990’s, and subsequently her own company – Practical Parenting Consulting.
Science Cafés involve a face-to-face conversation with a scientist about current science topics. They are open to everyone (21 and older) and take place in casual settings like pubs and coffeehouses. Each meeting is organized around an interesting topic of conversation. A scientist gives a brief presentation followed by a question and answer period.
Pizza will be provided for the first 50 people. For more information about Science Cafes, go to www.unmc.edu/sciencecafe. Podcasts of previous Science Cafes also are available on the website or available for download on iTunes here.
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