Saint Mary’s Regional Health System Hosts USTTI Delegation to Share Telemedicine Expertise

Saint Mary’s Regional Health System recently welcomed an international delegation from the United States Telecommunication Training Institute (USTTI) to explore the role of telemedicine and share best practices on implementing digital health programs.

Representatives from USTTI, hailing from countries including Ethiopia, Cambodia and Uganda, visited Saint Mary’s as part of a multi-day training initiative. The visit provided these professionals with insights on utilizing telemedicine to enhance healthcare delivery in their home countries. During the event, participants engaged in a Q&A session with Saint Mary’s hospital and clinic leadership, focusing on strategies for launching and managing telemedicine programs.

Following the discussion, the delegation toured Saint Mary’s facilities, where they witnessed firsthand the integration of telemedicine in day-to-day patient care, including the hospital’s telemedicine alliance with Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH). Through this alliance, neonatologists at ACH provide immediate consultations to Saint Mary’s physicians, offer educational support and help implement best practices. The alliance also allows for telemedicine-based training to enhance neonatal care, ensuring that the babies at Saint Mary’s receive the best possible treatment. Participants were able to see how this technology is used to provide real-time neonatal consultations and support for complex cases.

The visit concluded with a lunch and a mock stroke event, allowing participants to witness the life-saving potential of telemedicine during emergency scenarios. This demonstration emphasized how telemedicine helps speed up stroke diagnosis and treatment in rural areas like the Arkansas River Valley by connecting emergency room teams with neurologists for rapid, real-time consultations.

“We are honored to share our experiences with these global leaders and to contribute to the advancement of telemedicine in their countries,” said Casey Willis, Saint Mary’s CEO.

“By showcasing how telemedicine has enhanced our stroke care, we hope to inspire similar innovations worldwide.”