NorTech

According to the Plain Dealer, fuel cells and electronic patient medical records topped President Bush’s agenda when he visited Cleveland this past Tuesday.

The first stop for President Bush was GrafTech International, a local maker of hydrogen fuel cells. He praised GrafTech’s work in fuel cell research and development and explained how such technology would lessen the United States dependence on Middle Eastern oil.  Then President Bush was off to the Cleveland Clinic, to tour the world-class medical facility and talk with doctors at the Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute. Bush also discussed the need for greater use of technology in how doctors keep track of medical records.

According to Bush, “My stop in Cleveland has been really aimed at heralding technology,” he said during an afternoon speech to Greater Cleveland Partnership, one of the country’s largest chambers of commerce and Ohio’s largest economic development organization. President Bush also took a liking to the regional marketing initiative, Cleveland Plus, showing off a Cleveland+ bumper sticker to members of the audience.

At NorTech, we are working on an initiative that speaks directly to President Bush’s point regarding the need for electronic patient medical records.  

For the past year, NorTech, has been working in cooperation with OneCommunity and other regional healthcare stakeholders to develop a Northeast Ohio Regional Health Information Organization (NEO RHIO). The goal of the group is to create a system for electronic information sharing to improve health care and health outcomes for citizens in Northeast Ohio. The group has explored the feasibility of using information technology to securely and reliably exchange patient healthcare information between provider organizations throughout the region. Progress on this initiative continues to move forward with the goal of launching the NEO RHIO in the near future to facilitiate the exchange of electronic medical health records among provider organizations in Northeast Ohio.

Join Ingenuity Festival fans on Wednesday, July 11 for a preview of Ingenuity 2007.  Come experience the synergy that’s created when artists, innovators, and researchers come together who are behind the technological advances that are fueling Northeast Ohio’s new economy. Experience “new media” and learn from the experts about the groundbreaking research in liquid crystals, nanotechnology and sensor technology taking place in Northeast Ohio’s universities.

Event: Our Place in the Urban Age: Ingenuity, Embracing the Creativity in Technology and the Technology in Creativity Location: Cleveland State University, Levin College of Urban Affairs, 171 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
RSVP: This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are requested at http://urban.csuohio.edu/forum or by calling 216.523.7330

**The 2007 Ingenuity Festival will be held 2007 will be held at Playhouse Square and Cleveland State University, July 19-22nd. For more information, visit: www.ingenuitycleveland.com/

As reported in last Friday’s Plain Dealer, NorTech Vice President Chris Varley will work with the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission over the next six months to help the county pursue its vision of a renewed Cuyahoga River Valley. Mr. Varley will focus on structuring a nonprofit entity and exploring development prospects for the valley initiative. Cuyahoga County commissioners launched the regional strategy in 2004 to restore habitat, revitalize industry and establish 150 square miles of the valley - from Cleveland to Akron - as a national destination. To learn more and become involved with the Cuyahoga Valley Initiative, please visist: www.cuyahogavalley.net/