The Miller School's TeleHealth Program gave a seminar on telemedicine and diabetes for health leaders of seven Caribbean nations, hosted by the Florida State National Guard on February 17 and 18. The two-day seminar, held on the Miller School campus, focused on the diverse applications of telemedicine and on diabetes, a widespread public health issue in the Caribbean.

Member nations of the Regional Security Service (RSS) attended the event at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados. Members of UM's Telehealth Program and the Diabetes Research Institute were the featured presenters.

The twelve medical professionals from the RSS states came from Barbados, Antigua-Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Participants received an overview on providing health care remotely and in-depth presentations in several specialties, including teleophthalmology, teleneurology, telenutrition, telepsychiatry and telemedicine-aided management of adults with type 2 diabetes.

Luigi Meneghini, M.D., M.B.A., associate professor of clinical medicine and director of clinical operations in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, said he "appreciated the opportunity to share information on the use of advanced technology for the management of diabetes." He said he looks forward to future collaborations.

"We were able to unite a dozen key health care professionals, increase their knowledge of approaches to a significant public health issue in their region, and discuss the advantages and issues associated with telehealth applications for diabetes and other specialty care," said Anne E. Burdick, M.D., M.P.H., associate dean for telehealth and clinical outreach and professor of dermatology and cutaneous surgery.

By participating in the seminar, each participant will be a resource for their respective nation in planning and implementing advances in health care.