Continua Health Alliance Newsletter

December 2010

Tribute to 2010

What a fantastic year it has been!

Thanks to you—our Board, Officers, Work Group chairs, Work Group participants, and Continua member companies, Continua has accomplished so much this year.

I wanted to take a moment to highlight our many accomplishments:

• Continua’s membership-base has remained strong and continues to grow. There are currently 236 member companies and 17 liaisons.

• We have good Promoter company growth with Bosch, Microsoft, and Oracle as recent additions.

• The board has expanded to include additional companies that are significant in personal health- Ascension Health, Nokia, Qualcomm.

• There has been a steady increase in the number of Continua certified devices; we are currently at 24.

• There was significant Continua representation at many international industry-shaping events including AALF, ATA, CEATEC, CES, HIMSS- (Dubai, EU, Korea, US), mHealth Summit, MWC, Partners CFH, WoHIT, and World uHealth Forum.

• We hosted three fantastic Membership Summits:

• San Diego (WLSA symposium; Dr. Mohit Kaushal (FCC); Dr. Topol (Scripps)

• Belfast (ECH symposium; Cristiano Codganone (IPTS); Niamh Scannell (Technology Research for Independent Living Centre)

• Seoul (Business Development Workshop; Samsung reception; Dr.  Seok Hwa Kim (uHealth); Professor Stephen Yang (Games for Health)

• We released our second set of Guidelines, incorporating several devices/critical interfaces to allow for a true end-end solution.

• We added new membership benefits including Market Development Workshops, the Continua Align Program, the Matchmaking Service, and “Demo in a Box.”

• We engaged the Japan market and gained impressive market penetration culminating in 40+ companies, including 15 Internet services providing demonstrations.

• Continua gained excellent industry awareness in EU with Smart Personal Health events and demonstrations in Barcelona and Belfast.

• We participated in an unprecedented Medical Device Interoperability Workshop with the FDA.

• We created a new mobility work group to deliver industry building blocks and accelerate Continua’s role in mobile health.

• Continua will be releasing a white paper later this month to cap off the year.

Leadership Changes

It is hard to believe it has been almost 2 years that I have had the privilege to serve as Continua president and board chairman. I have learned immensely from working with the many excellent individuals from top companies in our industry. I recently accepted a new position at Intel as Director of Health Information Technology Worldwide which will necessitate that I resign as Continua president and board chairman. Intel remains fully committed to Continua as a Board Promoter and I plan to stay on as the Intel Board representative. I truly believe that Continua-enabled interoperable personal health solutions will empower people and increase the quality of life the world over by providing opportunities for innovations and solutions for improved care. I am passionate about this and will continue to endeavor with Continua to bring this to fruition.

Looking forward- 2011

Next year is shaping up to be the most exciting year yet as the worldwide appetite for Continua solutions is increasing and we continue to grow and mature as a respected organization. We will be rolling out several valuable new programs and providing additional membership opportunities and events. 

We are well-funded and positioned to successfully execute our 2011 strategic plan including specific efforts to increase membership value, extend capabilities, increase the depth and breadth of certified devices, drive market acceptance, and increase our consumer focus. 

The best is yet to come as we approach the tipping point as the recognized worldwide leader in personal health standards-based solutions. 

Have a great holiday season!

Thanks,

R

Rick Cnossen

Continua 2010 President and Board Chair

Rick.a.cnossen@intel.com