Verizon, Duke to tackle health IT efforts as one

Communications company Verizon and Duke University have formed a strategic agreement to jointly develop health IT initiatives to attempt to drive better care, expand access and lower costs.

Under the agreement, Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions, the company's healthcare practice group, and the Durham, N.C.-located Duke will combine technical resources and personnel to focus on projects that leverage communications technologies.

Among the initial potential projects are mobile health applications and consumer healthcare education, Verizon stated.

New York City-headquartered Verizon will provide the computing infrastructure to perform analytical processing and modeling, as well as implementation and operational staffing and resources required for technical development. Duke will provide personnel including students and research, project management and educational program development staff, as well as intellectual property, the parties stated.

The multiyear agreement will address the following areas:

• Technical collaboration - Identification and assessment of healthcare-related technologies and tools for technical and commercial viability, including conception, strategy, development and testing.
• Business collaboration - A formal internship program under which Duke University students will be assigned to positions within Verizon and work with teams on the development and implementation of strategic business initiatives.
• Scientific advisory board - Staffed with senior representatives from both organizations, this group will review the progress of initiatives and offer input and guidance to meet program goals.