On 06 November 2019, Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) students of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences, along with the faculty and University employees, had the opportunity to explore new developments and tools in healthcare contributed by Apple Inc., one of the world’s biggest technology companies, through a lecture titled “Apple on the Healthcare Conundrum: Innovating for Better Practice” by Dr. Jay Matheson, Development Executive of Apple Inc.
Held at the Lecture Hall of the Research, Innovation, Science, and Enterprise (RISE) Tower, Valenzuela Campus, the event was hosted through the efforts of the University’s Research Development and Innovation Center (RDIC), headed by Dr. Michael Joseph Diño, who formally opened the program with a short introduction.
OLFU Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Heracleo Lagrada, likewise gave a few words of welcome, hopeful that the audience, as current and future healthcare providers, will have significant takeaways. “It is widely accepted today that healthcare providers can perform and deliver the best care when they have powerful and intuitive tools to assist them. Apple technology, as we know, helps healthcare providers work effectively within hospitals, connect remotely with patients, and conduct groundbreaking medical research,” he said.
Dr. Matheson began by sharing Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook’s vision of significantly contributing to the field of healthcare and wellness. “It can be one of the areas where Apple can have the greatest impact on mankind,” he said. He also led a discussion on how technology has evolved through the years, and later circled in on the progress of Apple in healthcare. The innovations featured advancements in various facets such as communication and coordination with patients and medication administration. For medical research, Apple also has ResearchKit for data gathering.
Dr. Matheson likewise entertained students’ questions, which ranged from the technologies’ accuracy, as well as data confidentiality.
Also in attendance was Apple Education National Development Executive Joe Sibayan, one of the key personalities that made the event possible. He showed a demonstration of augmented reality apps Insight Heart, which aids in studying the human heart, and ARMakr.
Indeed, technology, as it evolves, continues to shape society towards greater efficiency. Numerous discoveries, including those of Apple, has redefined the provision of quality healthcare without drifting away from the ‘human’ aspect. Through these forum, OLFU students and educators alike have uncovered new ways that can amplify their response to their calling, that is to improve the lives of others.
