The Global Center for Health Innovation and Case Western Reserve University’s Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum announce “Exchanges,” an evening programming series to spark discovery, learning and discussion about the past, present and future of science and medicine. The first program, “It’s Electric,” will feature information about history of electric therapies from 18th century quackery to advancements in FES (functional electrical stimulation) to the future of neuromodulation.
“Understanding where we’ve been grants us the vision to see the future,” said Fred DeGrandis, chief administrative officer of the Global Center for Health Innovation. “Our joint programming with the Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum brings together their collection of stories and historical artifacts, with current insights and the latest innovations, to help us appreciate how far we’ve come. Together, we open the dialogue to address future innovation.”
“Exchanges” features a short, 15-minute talk by author, historian and TEDx speaker Brandy Schillace of the Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum, followed by a mini-panel of experts who will address today’s therapies and tomorrow’s possibilities. Exchanges will end with a public forum and roundtable discussion. Light refreshments will be served.
“It’s Electric,” will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Welcome Center at the Global Center for Health Innovation, (1 St. Clair Avenue, NE). This program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and registration is required.
William Sturgeon, an English physicist and inventor, identified electricity as, “science’s youngest daughter” in his 1838 book the Annals of Electricity, Magnetism & Chemistry. This new daughter captured imaginations and became the latest craze in healing.
“In the 18th century, electricity was thought to cure blindness, baldness and chase away other ailments,” Schillace said. “Ben Franklin experimented with electricity as a way to treat paralysis. This concept has traveled through time, and the use of functional electrical stimulation and neuromodulation are advancements that can be traced back to those early trials.”
“It’s Electric” will welcome Bob Kirsch, executive director of the Cleveland FES Center, who will join other expert panelists to share insights on research and therapy advancements.
“Exchanges” is sponsored by the Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum, Case Western Reserve and supported by the Cleveland Medical Library Association and Global Center for Health Innovation.
Registration for “Exchanges: It’s Electric” is available online.