Dr. Jack Chapman Takes Part in International Telemedicine Meeting

GAINESVILLE-Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., an ophthalmologist with Gainesville Eye Associates, attended the 16th Annual International Meeting of the American Telemedicine Association in Tampa recently.

The American Telemedicine Association is the leading international resource and advocate promoting the use of advanced remote medical technologies. The meeting attracted 3,600 attendees from nearly 50 countries and featured presentations of the latest peer-reviewed research, clinical outcomes, case studies and business models related to telemedicine and telehealth. The event also included Professional Development Courses providing training on the latest administrative, clinical and technical aspects of telemedicine.

Dr. Chapman is a board member of the Georgia Partnership of TeleHealth, a charitable nonprofit corporation. The organization was formed to promote improvements in healthcare and healthcare facilities in rural and underserved communities throughout the state of Georgia by assisting in the establishment of Telemedicine Programs. Today, Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth is the leading agency in Georgia focusing on increasing access to healthcare through innovative use of technology including telemedicine, health information exchange and telehealth.

"Telemedicine is widely used today, and will continue to grow and be a vital part of the future of healthcare," Dr. Chapman said. "Through continued advances in medical technology, telemedicine is a way to provide healthcare to people in outlying areas who have limited access to doctors."

Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth provides technical assistance and education to its network of more than 170 physicians serving patients in more than 100,000 encounters to date in 200 access points. GPT is working aggressively to expand the network across Georgia and into bordering states.

Gainesville Eye Associates has offices in Gainesville, , Cornelia, Blairsville, Hiawassee, Clayton and Hayesville, N.C. Its newest clinic is in Braselton, while additional offices are planned for Franklin and Sylva, N.C.