UF launches conference to advance digital health communication innovations

January 25, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida’s Center for Digital Health and Wellness will hold the first Digital Health Communication Extravaganza, known as DHCX, conference Feb. 15-17 at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

This first-of-its-kind event is designed for health, medical, and communication professionals seeking practical, proven insights about how to promote and protect people’s health using digital communication innovations and technologies.

“Information and communication technology is revolutionizing how health content is created, shared, accessed and applied,” said Jay Bernhardt, co-founder of DHCX and director of the UF Center for Digital Health and Wellness. “DHCX is for advanced users of information and communication technologies — and those who want to become advanced users. Attendees will leave the conference bursting with new ideas on how to effectively and efficiently use digital tools to improve health and wellness.”

In keeping with DHCX’s focus on digital health care innovations, the conference will feature speakers with unique and diverse perspectives creating, implementing and evaluating digital initiatives, including:

  • Sekou Andrews, motivational poet/strategic presenter and master storyteller: Andrews is the creator of the Sekou Effect, a methodology designed to turn information and data into inspiration in the digital realm and beyond.
  • Kathleen Crosby, director of the Office of Health Communication and Education, Center for Tobacco Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Crosby leads the center’s health communication and education campaigns and programs to prevent youth smoking, inspire cessation among smokers and educate stakeholders about FDA product regulation.
  • Jonathan Atwood, CEO of Zamzee. Atwood, a serial entrepreneur, leads Zamzee, a technology firm spun off from the world-famous Hope Labs focused on utilizing gaming platforms to get young people and families across America moving.
  • Rohit Bhargava, global strategy & marketing, Ogilvy. Bhargava is the best-selling author of “Personality Not Included,” a guide on how to create a more human brand, and the forthcoming author of “Likeanomics.” He has helped develop digital initiatives for some of the world’s largest health companies, including Novartis, Pfizer and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

In addition to experiencing a stellar lineup of speakers, attendees will learn about the latest digital health research. A broad range of organizations and initiatives are scheduled to present on their innovative research and products. One example is Text4Baby, a successful federal public-private partnership designed to reduce infant mortality among moms in vulnerable populations.

To register for the conference, please go to DHCX’s website at http://www.dhcx.org. Keep up with DHCX via Twitter and Facebook.