Ann Arbor, MI; The Chairman and Chief Scientist of MedSMART, Dr. Dag von Lubitz, retires from his active involvement with the company on the 1st April 2008. Under the leadership of von Lubitz, the company pioneered simulation-based advanced distributed learning (ADL), and subsequently deployed worldwide several routine education/training programs aimed at 1st Responders and medical personnel working in field, pre- and in-hospital settings. MedSMART also pioneered distributed, global-access simulation-based training for medical military personnel, and was the first to employ the concept of Medical Application Service Provider (MedASP) in multinational, transatlantic training in counter-bioterrorism measures. Von Lubitz transformed the company from a leading-edge, simulation-based training organization delivering worldwide educational content to an international think-tank devoted to the analysis of advanced technology and delivery platforms in medical training, homeland security, and disaster management operations. During his tenure at MedSMART, von Lubitz was the first to introduce then apply the principles of network-centric operations in non-military activities. Selected publications that present MedSMART's operations conducted during the period of his association with the company are accessible at this web-site (see Publications link). Von Lubitz will continue his association with the company as a consulting scientist. Mr. Howard Levine, B.Eng., will act as the Interim Chairman of MedSMART. Laureate of City of Laval Prize in Technology, Mr. Levine serves currently as the Executive Vice President and Director of Operations at Digital Realm, Inc, a highly successful next-generation company specializing in broadband internet access and data, video telephony and video delivery service over IP networks. Following education at the University of Michigan and a career as a cameraman in several feature films, Mr. Levine concentrated on the development of interactive e-commerce Web-based systems for some of the major companies in the USA. Mr. Levine played a critical role in the development of telemedicine systems at the University of Michigan. In addition to his leadership functions at Digital Realm, Mr. Levine is actively involved in the development of new methods in simulation-based distance medical education, and in the development of telemedical telecommunication platforms suitable for use in the Third World and in other technologically impoverished regions of the globe. Mr. Levine is the co-author of several peer-reviewed papers devoted to these topics. Under direction of Howard, MedSMART will continue on its path of innovation and change initiated by von Lubitz.

The uses of High-Fidelity Patient Simulators have been expanded through the highly innovative training program developed by MedSMART and the Italian group from the Department of Surgery at the School of Medicine at the University of L'Aquila, Italy, led by Francesco Gabbrielli, M.D. During the course, final year medical students of the L'Aquila School of Medicine were trained in the management of trauma emergencies that require rapid surgical decision making and perisurgical patient management.
 

MedSMART and the College of Health Professions at Central Michigan University (CMU) conducted the first ever distance-based simulation refresher course for First Responders. The main purpose of the program - founded on the simulation-based principles championed and extensively tested by MedSMART - was to provide analysis of logistical issues pertinent to the routine training of U.S. prehospital personnel in the combined environment of High-Fidelity Patient Simulation, Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) and Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS).
 

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