COVID-19 in many ways catapulted health care into the future as it propelled the rapid adoption of technologies such as telehealth, drones that deliver medical supplies, and germ-zapping robots. At the same time, a U.S. public health infrastructure stuck in the era of the lowly fax machine hampered COVID-19 case reporting and contact tracing, which are crucial to slowing the virus’ spread.

As part of this year’s virtual SXSW conference, you’ll learn in this session about how the pandemic:

• Accelerated adoption of certain technologies that once seemed far-fetched;
• Highlighted technological, structural and social divides that slowed efforts to control the virus; and
• Made the case for reimagining, rebooting and retooling America’s health care infrastructure.

Speakers

• Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS, CEO and executive director, The Permanente Medical Group; president and CEO, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group; co-CEO, The Permanente Federation
• Jennifer H. Mieres, senior vice president, Center for Equity of Care and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Northwell Health; associate dean, Faculty Affairs and professor of Cardiology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Northwell Health
• Lisa Suennen, lead partner, Manatt Ventures
• Reed Abelson, business of health care reporter, The New York Times