San Joaquin Valley Boosting Access Through Telemedicine
UC-Merced has received a $225,000 grant to establish a telemedicine network of medical specialists for the San Joaquin Valley, the Stockton Record reports.
The funding is earmarked for UC-Merced's medical education program, which has yet to be established. The university in March 2006 announced plans to develop health sciences and medical education programs in San Joaquin Valley. UC-Merced eventually hopes to establish a medical school.
The telemedicine program, called the San Joaquin Valley eHealth Network Project, initially will establish four different eHealth Centers in San Joaquin and Kern counties and a network hub at UC-Merced.
Each center will provide telemedicine patient services via video conferencing and specialized equipment as well as training for physicians, medical students and health professionals throughout the region. UC-Davis will help establish the program.
Funding for the UC-Merced project comes from a seed grant from the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) established in 2005. The eHealth center project was one of 15 partnership seed grants awarded to improve the regional economy and quality of life in the area (Goldeen, Stockton Record, 4/17).