SACRAMENTO -- Thomas Nesbitt, executive associate dean for clinical and administrative affairs at UC Davis School of Medicine, has been appointed to an expert panel on emergency communications that stems from recommendations made to Congress by the 9/11 Commission.

The "Joint Advisory Committee on Communications Capabilities of Emergency Medical and Public Health Care Facilities," was established to inform Congress about the nation's communications requirements and needs during times of major emergencies and disasters. The committee is being coordinated by the Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, as well as the U.S. Department of Commerce.

As a physician specializing in family and community medicine, Nesbitt founded the telemedicine program at UC Davis in 1992 as a way to improve quality of care in remote locations around the state using videoconferencing and satellite connections. In addition to his role as an executive associate dean, he also directs the university's Center for Health and Technology, which focuses on using high-tech communication systems to overcome barriers of distance for health care, education and emergency preparedness.

"I'm honored to be asked to serve on this important advisory committee," said Nesbitt, who is a nationally recognized expert on improving clinical services for rural communities. "My focus will be on providing Congress with the best information and advice about improving our nation's voice, data and broadband capabilities for use by medical and public health personnel during times of large-scale emergencies and disasters."

Nesbitt said that advisory committee members are being asked to analyze and provide advice to Congress on options to accommodate the growth of basic and emerging communications services used in emergency and public health-care facilities. Additionally, the committee will be asked to investigate ways to improve existing emergency communications networks and the potential for integrating them with future systems.

Nesbitt's appointment to the 25-member committee is for a six-month period. Under the 9/11 Commission Act, he and his fellow advisory committee members must prepare and deliver a report to Congress by February of 2008. Along with Nesbitt, members of the panel range from telecommunications industry representatives and public health specialists to government officials and experts in emergency preparedness.

"Clearly, we've got a lot of work ahead of us in a very short time," said Nesbitt. "I'm confident, however, that we can do the job and provide good and timely information that will help lawmakers make critical decisions about improving our nation's emergency communications capabilities."

The UC Davis Center for Health and Technology is a recognized leader for its innovative use of the latest in telecommunications technology to improve the delivery of health care. The center pioneered the use of telehealth and e-health programs to enable patients from throughout California to receive direct clinical and specialty care without leaving their own communities. In addition to also using technology for distance training and education, the center has played an important role in use of high-tech communications for emergency preparedness. For more information, visit www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/cht/.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Public Affairs

UC Davis Health System

4900 Broadway, Suite 1200

Sacramento, CA 95820

Phone: (916) 734-9040

FAX: (916) 734-9066

E-mail: publicaffairs@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Web address: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/