May 26, 2011, Chapel Hill, NC—From cell phones to enhanced diagnostics, crowd-sourcing, and mobile medical devices, a growing number of innovative technologies—and innovators—are improving access to high-quality health care for vulnerable populations worldwide. Leaders in the field will discuss how they are solving unique global health challenges at a TEDxChapelHill event on Thursday, June 2, at the Varsity Theater in Chapel Hill. Organized by IntraHealth International, the event is free and open to the public.

This TEDxChapelHill event will focus on the role technology plays in the modern era of global health.  UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp will open the event with a presentation on innovation and entrepreneurship at the university level. Other presenters include Robert Malkin of Duke University, Josh Nesbit of Medic Mobile, Jon Gosier of Appfrica and Ushahidi, Jonathan Kuniholm of Open Prosthetics, and Dr. Radhika Chigurupati of Sana. "It's great to have a TEDx event in Chapel Hill because it gives us all an opportunity to focus on innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Thorp. “University communities are full of people with great ideas."

IntraHealth was authorized by TEDx to create TEDxChapelHill in the fall of 2010, and hosted the first-ever TEDxChapelHill event last September.

“IntraHealth’s philosophy that sharing ideas can generate innovative solutions fits perfectly with the spirit of TEDx,” said Rebecca Kohler, vice president for strategic communications and development at IntraHealth. “We are particularly enthusiastic about bringing luminaries in the business of technology for health—from the Triangle and beyond—together to talk about technology and its potential impact in the field of global health.”

The TEDxChapelHill event will include the use of interactive technologies, as well as the West African-inspired music of “Diali Cissokho & Kairaba!”

TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences, TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, and is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. At TEDx events, a screening of TEDTalks videos—or a combination of live presenters and TEDTalks videos—sparks deep conversation and connections. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis.

IntraHealth International is a global health non-profit who champions the critical role of health workers. For over 30 years, in more than 90 countries, IntraHealth has empowered health workers to better serve communities in need. IntraHealth fosters local solutions to health care challenges by improving health worker performance, strengthening health systems, harnessing technology, and leveraging partnerships. The nonprofit receives funding and support from the US Agency for International Development, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, private foundations, corporations, and individuals.

Contact: Laura Hoemeke
IntraHealth International
+1 919-360-7799

Heather LaGarde
IntraHealth International
+1 919-259-9765