From a Star Trek actor, to medical marijuana experts and a Boston Marathon bombing survivor, the SXSW panels devoted to medical tech aim to please more than industry insiders.
The SXSW tradition of having a "track" of panels devoted to health and medtech topics continues for the fifth year.
The medical and health panels will all take place at the JW Marriott on Congress Avenue, which will also host a health expo. Over 70 exhibitors will be hawking their products and services over the weekend, unlike last year when the expo took place during weekdays.
One of the biggest themes to emerge from the health panels is an emphasis on data and tech wearable. Both Garmin and Fitbit will be represented, two of the most popular makers of step-counters and smart watches that can track everything from your heart rate to sleep patterns.
Biotechnology and pharmaceutical start-ups should check out Bakul Patel, associate director for digital health at the Food and Drug Administration.
And Austin-based attendees may want to check out some of the panels featuring local speakers, such as Dell Medical School's dean of academics talking about how technology has changed the way medical schools teach physicians, and Patti Rogers, CEO of Austin-based Rallyhood, is discussing how technology can help mobilize friends and family to help people after a health scare.
About the Author
