Colin Van Ostern’s Post

🌟 Register now: Consensus workshops: Assistive Products Repair In May and June 2024, the Global Disability Innovation Hub (#GDIHub)at UCL, along with The University of Salford of University of Strathclyde and Loughborough University, will come together as part of the EPSRC funded TIDAL N+ to explore the complexity of repair and maintenance of assistive products. The workshop will consider under-represented groups within current repair strategies, and look at the barriers to optimising AT provision. The climate crisis and concerns about environmental sustainability have led to a huge increase in recycling - but while recycling may recover raw materials used to produce a product, the considerable value added to products through design and manufacture is lost. This major financial and environmental cost has focused attention on the importance of repairing existing products; however, current repair strategies present challenging issues for industry, commissioners, and users. Effective repair has to be connected to a wider system of production and regulation. It is a complex issue, and no one actor can achieve what is needed. These workshops will consider the huge barrier to optimising the provision of assistive products. As well as mapping current provision, attendees will build a consensus for next steps. Those in attendance will become founding members of a new repair community as we look to build collaboration in this important and predominantly underexplored area. We’re calling for users of assistive technology, clinicians, health professionals, manufacturers, designers, engineers, enthusiasts, start-ups, and academics to join this workshop and be part of this emerging committee. 16 May [Salford] prosthetics, orthotics, mobility devices & 21 June [London] wheelchairs. Register now: bit.ly/4a1FVBr #GDIhub #AssistiveTech #AT #Wheelchair #Wheelchairs #Prosthetics #Orthotics #Mobility #AssistiveTechnology #Research #Repair #Study #Disability #Technology #Innovation #Access #Accessibility #Inclusion

🌟 Register now: Consensus workshops: Assistive Products Repair    In May and June 2024, the Global Disability Innovation Hub (#GDIHub)at UCL, along with The University of Salford, University of Strathclyde and Loughborough University, will come together as part of the EPSRC funded TIDAL N+ to explore the complexity of repair and maintenance of assistive products. The workshop will consider under-represented groups within current repair strategies, and look at the barriers to optimising AT provision.   The climate crisis and concerns about environmental sustainability have led to a huge increase in recycling - but while recycling may recover raw materials used to produce a product, the considerable value added to products through design and manufacture is lost.  This major financial and environmental cost has focused attention on the importance of repairing existing products; however, current repair strategies present challenging issues for industry, commissioners, and users. Effective repair has to be connected to a wider system of production and regulation. It is a complex issue, and no one actor can achieve what is needed. These workshops will consider the huge barrier to optimising the provision of assistive products. As well as mapping current provision, attendees will build a consensus for next steps. Those in attendance will become founding members of a new repair community as we look to build collaboration in this important and predominantly underexplored area.  We’re calling for users of assistive technology, clinicians, health professionals, manufacturers, designers, engineers, enthusiasts, start-ups, and academics to join this workshop and be part of this emerging committee. 16 May [Salford] prosthetics, orthotics, mobility devices  & 21 June [London] wheelchairs. Register now: bit.ly/4a1FVBr #GDIhub #AssistiveTech #AT #Wheelchair #Wheelchairs #Prosthetics #Orthotics #Mobility #AssistiveTechnology #Research #Repair #Study #Disability #Technology #Innovation #Access #Accessibility #Inclusion

Two in-person symposium/consensus workshops are organised to explore the complexity of repair and maintenance of Assistive Products and how it relates to the rest of the value chain (from the industry, commissioners, and users under-represented by current repair strategies - to the barriers to optimising Assistive Products provision). - Symposium/consensus workshop #1: Prosthetics & Orthotics and Mobility devices [16 May 2024] [Location: Salford University (Media City Campus): Room 3.10 / 3.11, MediaCity B4, Orange Tower, Salford Quays, M50 2HE] - Symposium/consensus workshop #2: Wheelchairs [21 June 2024] [Location: University College London, Marshgate (UCL East Campus): 7 Sidings St, London E20 2AE] Stakeholders from other academic and clinical disciplines related to, working on, or interested in repairs, waste minimisation, and product lifecycle (including but not limited to design, medical devices, regulatory aspects, sustainability, manufacturing, value-based healthcare, health economics, health policy, and health systems) are also welcome. The workshops are free to attend and are in-person; however, overseas speakers can present remotely via Zoom. People are more than welcome to attend without submitting anything. Registration link (to attend either or both workshops) is provided here with further details: https://lnkd.in/dWEYTF2g. Call for short presentations: Would you like to speak at the event? We would like to hear from people interested in presenting a short talk at either of these events. Please email a short proposal (~150 words) outlining your topic to [email protected] no later than 30 April. #GDIhub #AssistiveTech #AT #Wheelchair #Wheelchairs #Prosthetics #Orthotics #Mobility #AssistiveTechnology #Research #Repair #Study #Disability #Technology #Innovation #Access #Accessibility #Inclusion

TytoCare has partnered with five health systems to bring telehealth to 100+ more schools, now reaching over 2,000 schools in 31 states. This initiative improves access to care, especially in underserved areas, and reduces unnecessary ER visits. Key Benefits - ▪️ Broader Access: Serving rural and Title-1 schools. ▪️ Efficiency: Streamlined care with the Pro Smart Clinic. ▪️ Impact: 27% of parents avoided ER visits, 45% avoided urgent care. Consider - ▪️ How can telehealth further improve access in underserved communities? ▪️ What are the challenges of scaling nationwide? ▪️ How can we measure long-term impacts on student health? #Telehealth #SchoolHealth #TytoCare

Kirsten Takeshima's experiences volunteering, conducting research, and participating on Imperative Care's project team in the DxD Pathways Program all helped her explore career opportunities in health care. Today, she's pursuing stroke research in a lab at UCLA, where she is an undergrad. "I’m really grateful I was able to explore so many different aspects of healthcare and science I didn’t even know existed before. It makes me excited that there are many options for me in the future to apply my unique perspectives and experiences to improve people’s lives." https://lnkd.in/gryqqjxA #healthtech #medtech #careerexploration #diversitybydoing Fogarty Innovation Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign

🧠Today is #WorldThinkingDay Wits Biomedical Engineer and Director of the Innovation Centre, Adam Pantanowitz, has researched the potential of technology to empower people with disabilities. He has explored the untapped potential of the brain through brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Learn More: https://shorturl.at/lqxN2 #WitsForGood #Wits #WitsInnovation

TytoCare partners with new health systems to expand school health initiative - MobiHealthNews Summary: TytoCare has partnered with new health systems to expand its school health initiative, aiming to provide remote healthcare services to students. The initiative includes telehealth visits, remote monitoring, and on-demand consultations. By partnering with health systems, TytoCare can reach more schools and offer comprehensive healthcare services to students. The collaboration between TytoCare and health systems demonstrates the growing importance of telehealth in school settings. #TytoCare #healthsystems #schoolhealthinitiative #telehealth #remotehealthcare #telemedicine Key Points: - TytoCare has partnered with new health systems to expand its school health initiative. - The initiative includes telehealth visits, remote monitoring, and on-demand consultations for students. - By collaborating with health systems ai.mediformatica.com #health #tytocare #partners #healthsystems #healthcare #partnership #about #conehealth #northcarolina #telehealth #urgentcare #virtualprimarycare #digitalhealth #healthit #healthtech #healthcaretechnology @MediFormatica (https://buff.ly/3ysB0v4)

My EPIC journey as a nursing student, Empowering Women: Looking back on my journey, I'm reminded of many women whose dreams are held back by what society expects of them. But now, standing where I am, I want to tell my fellow sisters to break free from those limits and chase their dreams with all their might. When we all strive for greatness, we open doors to a brighter future. Learning and Growing: As a nursing student, I got to visit a tech company in Wisconsin. It showed me new paths I never thought of before. Seeing different things and learning new stuff can help us women aim higher. Breaking Barriers: This company, in the countryside, challenges the idea that tech jobs only belong in cities. It proves that women can do well in any field, no matter where they come from or what they studied. Let's break free from the boxes society puts us in and follow our hearts. Standing Together: One engineer's story taught me that real love means supporting each other's dreams no matter what. Let's pick partners who lift us up and help us shine, making a strong team for success. Expressing Ourselves: At this company, people are encouraged to decorate their own workspaces and think outside the box. Being free to be ourselves and express our ideas leads to new and exciting things. Taking Care of Ourselves: The company thinks about its employees' health, with things like underground parking and buildings designed to keep us healthy. It's a reminder to always put our well-being first as we chase our dreams. Women Leading the Way: The founder, Jane, shows us how powerful women can be. Her belief in new ideas and her support for innovation remind us that women can do amazing things when given the chance. Cultural Freedom: We need to break free from old ideas that hold us back. Let's dream big, support each other, and challenge the things society expects of us so we can all shine bright. In closing, let's live by the motto "Do good, have fun, and make money" as we journey forward. And when we stumble, let's remember to get back up, dust ourselves off, and keep moving forward. Together, we can lift each other up and change the world. With love and strength, Valentine Jarata

One of the best things about being a part of MedTechVic, is working with a wonderful team who engages truly in co-design to develop impacting assistive technologies. Check out this article that talks all about some of the prototypes we have developed!! ✨️✨️ #medtechvic #codesign #assistivetechnologies #design #Swinburne

Happy World Health Day 2024 Anglia Ruskin University, Essex County Council and Medilink Midlands A day to focus world attention on health! World Health Organization #MyHealthMyRight Today we’d like to recognise those founders, innovators, entrepreneurs and investors creating the health solutions of the future! We have been reflecting on the ongoing success of our Arise ABOVE Innovation Support Grants that have been unlocking Med Tech investment in Essex. Funded by Essex County Council, we have offered £5,000 grants and specialist business support to businesses in the Health, Performance and Wellbeing sectors. More than just cash and advice, the grants are generating new R&D collaborations, future investment and local employment, and supporting a range of SMEs, from local founders, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and established businesses. Innovations include: 🧠Cutting-edge AI to efficiently identify cancer in tissue biopsies, increasing diagnosis speed and accuracy.  🧠Development of a medical assistant chatbot to support clinicians and medical staff in hospital wards.  🧠Evaluation of the safe implementation of large language models in healthcare applications. 🧠Using behavioural science and app technology to guide students towards better mental wellbeing. 🧠Wearable, context-driven scent experiences to support wellbeing. 🧠Novel use of VR to treat anxiety, depression and mental health conditions. 🧠 AI and machine learning to speed up GPs’ diagnoses of common illnesses in children. These amazing businesses and many others at Arise will also be supported by the Innovation, Skills, Talent and Business Support offered by Times Higher Education 2023 University of the Year, Anglia Ruskin. Beverley Vaughan, our Director and a member of the ABOVE funding panel, commented: “ABOVE has been essential in helping us to stimulate and support our Health and MedTech community in Essex. We are already seeing the convergence of digital platforms, AI, devices and wellbeing innovations in the grants awarded. These businesses and ideas not only support today’s challenges but tomorrow’s trends in an ever-changing world.” The ABOVE programme funding has now been allocated but is continuing to offer expert support and events to unlock MedTech investment. Investment was received from Essex County Council (ECC) in support of their 10-year strategy to grow the life science sector, leading to more opportunity, jobs and growth across Essex. We are working closely with partners Medilink Midlands (a specialist provider of support to the life science sector) to help SMEs overcome barriers to growth in the delivery of ABOVE. For more information on ABOVE and the events coming up as part of this programme, visit Arise (www.aru.ac.uk). #WorldHealthDay #HealthForAll #GlobalHealthTrends #MyHealthMyRight #Essex #Innovation