The annual Paralyzed Veterans of America Healthcare Summit and Expo opened on Aug. 29 just outside of Washington, D.C. The event brings together physicians and other health care workers to learn the latest in therapies for spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis, according to a press release.
From left to right: Baligh Yehia, MD, deputy undersecretary for health at Community Care, Veterans Health Administration; Lana McKenize, associate executive director of medical services for Paralyzed Veterans of America; Sherman Gillums Jr., executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America; and Carl Blake, associate executive director of government relations for Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Source: Paralyzed Veterans of America
The expo also showcases products and services from companies representing advancements in mobility, assistive technology and medical quality of care for patients with spinal cord injury or diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Sherman Gillums Jr., executive director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, gave opening remarks on compassion in health care.
“How is empathy different from compassion? Unlike compassion, empathy isn’t about a desire to alleviate suffering,” Gillums said in a preview of his opening remarks provided by the organization. “It’s about something rarely, if ever, found outside the Department of Veterans Affairs, where military cultural competency is virtually non-existent. It requires a competitive edge. Your competitive edge is your ability to empathize and provide care with compassion.”
The event is scheduled for Aug. 29 through Aug. 31 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. For more information on the event, visit www.summitpva.org.
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