WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will host an Insular Areas Health Summit on Sept. 29-30, 2008, bringing together senior-level federal health officials and the leaders of the U.S. territories and freely associated states to develop strategies and initiatives for advancing health care in those communities.
Kempthorne will offer opening remarks at “The Future of Health Care in the Insular Areas: A Leaders Summit” at 9:00 a.m. in the Kona Moku Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii. Following the opening session of the two-day summit, a news conference will be held in the Oahu Room at 12:15 p.m.
The summit will discuss how the federal government in partnership with territorial and freely associated state governments and health professional groups can build partnerships, develop strategies, expand programs and leverage resources to assist island leaders in meeting educational, funding, personnel, facility and training challenges in the public health sector. Discussion topics and presentations include Serving Island Communities through Island Health Officials; Telehealth: Remote Communication with Health Care Professionals for Services and Information; Addressing Critical Shortages: Capacity Building and Quality Assurance Programs, Partnerships, Volunteers; and Caring for America’s Military Heroes and Public Services.
| Who: | Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne Secretary of Veterans Affairs James B. Peake, M.D. Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness David S.C. Chu, PhD Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary of Health Joxel Garcia, M.D. Hawaii Lt. Gov. James Aiona Federated States of Micronesia President Manny Mori Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing Republic of Palau Vice President Elias Chin American Samoa Gov. Togiola Tulafono Guam Gov. Felix Camacho Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Ben Fitial U.S. Virgin Islands Health Commissioner Vivian Ebbesen Fludd USVI Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen, M.D. American Samoa Delegate to Congress Eni F.H. Faleomavaega. |
| What: | Insular Areas Health Summit |
| When: | Monday and Tuesday, September 29-30, 2008 |
| Where: | Marriott Hotel, 2552 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii. (808) 922-1500 |
| Media: | Credentialed media wishing to cover the summit and those wishing to schedule interviews with participants during or after the conference should contact Frank Quimby, Office of Communications, at 202-208-7291, frank_quimby@ios.doi.gov |