The University of Kansas Center for Telemedicine and Telehealth (KUCTT) is dedicated to helping ensure that Kansas citizens and health professionals receive the best available health care and health education through numerous technological capabilities. One capability, interactive tele-video connection, can assist physicians in treating patients through face-to-face consultations and communication. The health of Kansans is impacted in many ways through the service that Telemedicine provides.
For one Kansan, the impact that
Telemedicine makes, is unforgettable.
Clara “Jenny” Wolf was diagnosed with
cancer, and was told by her physician that she
didn’t
have long to live. For that reason, Wolf wanted to see her
brother, who was stationed on an
airfield in Iraq. Wolf’s family requested
leave for Army National Guard Spc.
Roger Bradley, but he was unable to
receive any leave. That is where the University of Kansas Center
for Telemedicine and Telehealth (KUCTT) and Freedom Calls was
able
to provide assistance to Wolf and her
family.
Cancer patient Clara “Jenny” Wolf was comforted Friday by her sister Sherri Patterson
as they left the University of Kansas Medical Center after earlier talking by
videoconference with their
brother Roger Bradley, a soldier in Iraq.
JOHN SLEEZER | THE KANSAS CITY STAR
Freedom Calls is a program that provides free telephone connections for service personnel, enabling nearly 1,000 videoconferences a month. KUCTT was contacted by the social worker at the hospital in which Wolf was being treated, who had been contacted by Freedom Calls. Through a connection established by Freedom Calls at the Al Asad Air Base, KUCTT’s capabilities, and a widescreen television, Wolf and her brother were able to re-live many of their favorite childhood memories. For Wolf, the opportunity was one of her final wishes – to tell her little brother she loved him.
This is not the first opportunity KUCTT has had to provide a link between families and their loved ones stationed overseas. Ryan Spaulding, PhD, director, KUCTT, indicates that KUCTT worked with Freedom Calls one other time, about a year ago. “We are glad to do this on a case-by-case basis provided we have the appropriate technology to make it work,” stated Dr. Spaulding.
-- Lauren Lambert, Newslink (KUMC AHEC newsletter), reprinted with permission.
©
The University of Kansas Medical Center