Healthcare

Speaker Vivek Wadhwa recently penned a Washington Post column reflecting on the new dangers and opportunities of synthetic biology and gene editing, specifically as it relates to the Zika virus. He says the technologies being used, though scary, are also amazing in what they make possible: cures for debilitating diseases, new biofuels and grains that can be grown in extreme climates.

Within the past month, several American hospitals' computer systems have been targeted by hackers and infected with ransomware. The virus, part of an alarming trend that shows no signs of slowing, is causing chaos and confusion in the healthcare world.

APB speaker Regina Holliday was recently featured in The Wall Street Journal for the painted jackets she has created to help share the medical narratives of those who wear them. These jackets, part of her Walking Gallery movement, are painted by either Holliday or one of 42 artists to depict the story of a medical patient or an element of medical advocacy.

February is when the annual TED Conference is held in Vancouver, Canada, where 1,500 people attend talks highlighting TED’s three tenants—Technology, Entertainment, and Design. This year’s conference features three APB speakers: Parag Khanna, Hugh Evans and Tim Urban, who are presenting their “ideas worth spreading,” which is the TED slogan.

APB speaker Michael Douglas is an Academy Award winner and prominent producer who has starred in numerous films, but one of his greatest achievements has been beating his fight with cancer.

Dr. Gary S. Kaplan was recently profiled in Fast Company, in an article titled Why Teams Don’t Learn From Their Mistakes (And How to Change That) about how Dr. Kaplan dramatically improved Virginia Mason Medical Center’s quality of care.

Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum is a preventive cardiologist who practices patient-focused and patient-empowering care, and her recent article in Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery brings readers tips on staying heart healthy this holiday season.

In honor of Healthcare Quality week this October 18-24, it is important to acknowledge all activists for their continued work and triumphs to raise healthcare standards for everyone.

APB speaker and best-selling author Brad Meltzer recently helped his high school history teacher, Ellen Sherman, in a huge way through the remarkable power of social media.