Loma Linda University Health Geoinformatics Lab

07 December 2009, 4:54pm

Redlands, California — December 7, 2009 — Loma Linda University (LLU) today inaugurated a center with two new computer laboratories that will be used to teach students in the health professions how to use geographic information system (GIS) technology to better understand and improve human health across the world. The Health Geoinformatics Laboratory center will provide undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experience in applying modern information system technologies that combine maps and satellite imagery with data about the geographic locations of diseases, health care resources, and sociodemographic characteristics of communities. ESRI was represented by Jack Dangermond, founder and CEO of ESRI in the ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the state-of-the-art Health Geoinformatics Laboratory. The center is located in the university's new Centennial Complex that was recently completed at a cost of approximately $85 million.

The Health Geoinformatics Laboratory is equipped with modern GIS software including ESRI's spatial statistical tools for public health epidemiology, specialized logistical software for optimizing health care delivery, and geographic digital dashboards that enhance health informatics. LLU undergraduate students can pursue a bachelor of science degree in public health, health geographics, and biomedical data management, and graduate students can obtain certificates in health geoinformatics and specialized offerings in areas such as environmental health, global health and development, and spatial epidemiology.

University president Richard Hart, M.D., DrPH, spoke of the University's long-standing vision to produce a skilled and educated health workforce that will contribute to the enhancement of community and global health. He noted that the inclusion of the Health Geoinformatics Laboratory within this new global learning hub is a critical part of the university's objective to connect with the world and think about problems in a different way. He went on to say, "I am deeply appreciative of ESRI and their partnership with us. We are moving into a new age of information sharing, health planning, and of connecting with the world. This technology and the lab will help prepare us for that future.”

ESRI president Jack Dangermond, noting that he was born at the Loma Linda University Medical Center, thanked Loma Linda for assisting him over the years, especially when he first established ESRI. He said, "This new lab will combine great talent in health science education with emerging talent in technology in the geospatial field. We are moving from the position of using geographic information systems to describe the world to using it to help us take responsibility for the future of our world. This center will participate in that evolution of designing our future and participating in building a healthier world.”

Hart and Dangermond also announced that ESRI and LLU will jointly host the first Designing the Healthy Community international invitational symposium. The meetings are intended to bring together the best minds in public health to share new ideas about using GIS to make the world a healthier place. The inaugural event is planned for 2010 and will be held at both the Loma Linda University campus and ESRI's Redlands headquarters.

Loma Linda University

Geo: International