Peter Killcommons, MD - Weebly - Blog

Technology’s Role in Disaster Relief

12/13/2021

Dr. Peter (Pete) Killcommons, CEO of Medweb, implements telemedicine services at hospitals and medical centers, particularly in underserved areas. As the technology Medweb used transitioned from non-Internet-connected cell phones to smartphones, Dr. Peter Killcommons partnered with many companies to help install more effective, inexpensive, and resilient equipment, like mobile cell phone towers, to isolated areas and sites of natural disasters. Both companies and nonprofits use current technologies to provide improved disaster relief.

One trend in emergency response technology is taking advantage of the widespread use of smartphones. Governments (both federal and state) and nonprofits use smartphone apps to convey and collect information about natural disasters. Affected individuals can receive information about shelter locations and changing weather conditions. The same individuals can also inform emergency response personnel of their conditions formally through the aforementioned apps, or informally through social media.

Technology helps first responders by giving them detailed information about affected areas quickly, so they can concentrate their resources where they're needed most. One example is the increased accuracy of mapping software. This software aids humanitarian efforts by showing the locations of camps for survivors, so emergency personnel can reach them quickly. Drones can also deliver supplies before people arrive, and to places not yet safe for large-scale efforts.

EAA - Cultivating the Next Generation of Aviators

12/2/2021

The inventor of a web-based radiology viewer, Dr. Peter “Pete” Killcommons is the founder and CEO of medical technology firm Medweb, headquartered in San Francisco. Dr. Peter Killcommons is a volunteer pilot for disaster response and affiliated with the National Institute of Urban Search and Rescue, Alameda Flying Club, American Owners and Pilots Association, and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).

EAA encompasses members engaged in a broad range of aviation pursuits, including recreational piloting, the restoration of vintage airplanes, and home aircraft building. One of the organization’s latest programs for youth aviation is AeroEducate. The program is web-based and for youth 5 to 18.

The program includes an array of turnkey and simplified aviation-related activities for EAA chapters and teachers and can be used in locations such as EAA chapter hangers and classrooms. Elements of AeroEducate include a badging program, career pathways, classroom activities, and a youth aviation activities database. The teaching activities under development for AeroEducate are free of charge and readily modifiable to current curricula. Development of the initiative is planned to progress through mid-2021.

Digitized Healthcare Gains Traction

11/30/2020

Peter Killcommons is the CEO of Medweb and earned his medical degree from New York Medical College. Throughout his career, Peter "Pete" Killcommons has been a major advocate for telemedicine and digitized healthcare, including for mental health, and has visited Japan to study the world leaders in the industry.

Digitized healthcare involves using digital technology, such as computers and smart devices, to provide patients with medical advice, assessments, and treatment.

Thanks to subsets of telemedicine such as mHealth, which refers to using mobile devices to access practitioners, more people are getting mental health treatment. This approach allows people to access services without having to see someone in person. More importantly, it enables people to get healthcare when they need it, in an on-demand fashion. Not having to make an appointment or transport themselves to the doctor can be a lifesaver for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Digitized healthcare is also a major improvement when it comes to keeping medical records, and syncing information across various health networks. With the ability to upload test results, reports, and more to a digital platform, different medical professionals can access a patient’s entire record. This is going to reduced human error and make sure that a patient's records are more readily available whenever they are needed.

IVeH Aids in Creation of the Kosovo College of Surgeons

11/10/2020

An expert in the field of telemedicine and teleradiology, Peter “Pete” Killcommons has served as the chief executive officer for San Francisco-based MedWeb since 1992. In addition to leading the company’s telemedicine, radiology, and disaster response divisions, Peter Killcommons is a member of the board of directors with the International Virtual Electronic Hospital.

Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the International Virtual e-Hospital (IVeH) Foundation was created with the mission of building a public health care system in developing countries. Currently, the foundation relies on a team of volunteers working to establish a regional telemedicine network and virtual education network in the Balkans. Through the “Initiate, Build, Operate, and Transfer (IBOT)” strategy, the IVeH created a successful telemedicine program in Kosovo, and recently created the Kosovo College of Surgeons.

Collaborating with local health authorities and surgical organizations, the IVeH created the College of Surgeons with the intention of unifying all practicing surgeons, including those in private practice, in public hospitals, and in academic hospitals, and raising the standard of surgical care across the country.

ATA 2020 Hosted Virtually and Recordings Now Available

11/3/2020

The chief executive officer of Medweb in San Francisco, Peter “Pete” Killcommons, MD, has undertaken numerous medical mission trips, including traveling to Cabo Verde, Africa, to further telemedicine use there. Dr. Peter Killcommons is a member of professional organizations such as the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).

Founded to advance telehealth, ATA wants every person to receive necessary healthcare and believes that telemedicine and virtual care play a critical role in that process. Each year, the association hosts its annual conference to bring together professionals from around the world to dialogue about its mission.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ATA hosted its 2020 meeting, scheduled for June 22-26, through a virtual platform. Those interested in learning more about ATA 2020 can obtain access to the conference recordings for a year following the event through the association's website.

Titled “Moving at the Speed of Innovation: Accelerating Telehealth Adoption,” ATA 2020 covered topics such as how to improve the healthcare system in preparation for future health crises and innovation on virtual healthcare from an employer's perspective. To listen to these and other recordings, visit www.americantelemed.org.

Power from the Sun - Three Types of Solar Cells

10/26/2020

As the chief executive officer of Medweb since 1992, Peter (Pete) Killcommons invented a process of viewing radiology results through the Internet. Peter Killcommons has several outside interests, such as the uses of photovoltaic or solar cells.

The process of converting photons from sunlight into electricity was pioneered in 1954 by Bell Laboratories. Over the years the technology has matured, with photovoltaic solar power now meeting a growing portion of the nation’s electricity needs. The devices can be classified into three types, depending on the materials from which they are made:

- Silicon. Most solar power installations use this element. The efficiency of silicon-based cells is matched by their cost-effectiveness, and they are massively deployed on rooftops or freestanding energy racks.

- Thin-film. Also in frequent use are thin sheets of semiconductor material, such as gallium diselenide. In layers only millionths of meters thick, thin-film technology is highly portable - for instance, it can provide power from a soldier’s backpack. Manufacturing these panels requires less energy than other methods and is easily scalable.

- III-V. This designation refers to the elements these panels consist of, Group III (indium or gallium) and Group V (arsenic and antimony). Offsetting their steep manufacturing costs is greater efficiency - the percentage of solar energy that is turned into usable electricity. They are most suitable for unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites, which need maximum energy in relation to weight.

Scientists and engineers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are working on solar cells powered by organic and hybrid organic-inorganic materials. They are also striving to make the technology more durable and to integrate more easily with other energy sources.

Telemedicine Is a Viable Health Care Solution in Africa

10/19/2020

MEDWEB chief executive officer Dr. Peter “Pete” Killcommons has traveled throughout the world to promote the benefits of telemedicine and other medical technologies. Dr. Peter Killcommons has previously toured the West African island nation Cape Verde to support the country’s telemedicine infrastructure.

Cape Verde first introduced telemedicine services to its health care system in 2012. As a result, Cape Verdeans have enjoyed facilitated access to specialized treatment. Telemedicine services have also improved the ability of medical students and health care providers to engage in distance learning. The success of telemedicine in Cape Verde has a high potential for replication throughout the African continent.

By 2025, nearly 90 percent of Africans are expected to have access to smart devices and an Internet connection. Since this is all that is needed to receive telemedicine services, telemedicine can greatly expand health care access for millions of people in rural or remote areas. Telemedicine also improves the entire health care experience, as medical providers can more easily check in with patients who may otherwise face logistical obstacles to attending appointments.

APOA Launches Online Skills Review for Pilots

10/9/2020

As the CEO of Medweb, which he founded in 1992, Dr. Peter "Pete" Killcommons is responsible for running its emergency response, telemedicine, and radiology operations. Dr. Peter Killcommons is also a member of the American Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), which works to improve piloting standards across the country.

The association has begun a series of webinars designed to help pilots develop and maintain their skills during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has grounded many flights across the country. The series, which launched on April 16, is hosted by AOPA You Can Fly member Keith West, alongside senior director of flight training Pablo Maurelia and flight training education senior director Chris Moser.

Each installment of the webinar series focuses on how pilots can enhance their flight skills while at home, with this including the use of flight simulators. Each episode also encourages AOPA members to ask questions regarding topics that interest them most, while also highlighting how to build confidence when using radio communications.

Undergraduate Research Goes Online at Hawaii’s Chaminade University

10/1/2020

An expert in remote-access radiology, Peter “Pete” Killcommons heads Medweb in San Francisco, California. One of Peter Killcommons’ service commitments is membership in the alumni association of Chaminade University, a Catholic institution in Honolulu, Hawaii.

With a student body of around 1,100, Chaminade operates over 25 programs for undergraduates and graduates. The emphasis on staying indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the school to convert its Undergraduate Summer Research Institute to digital-only access.

The annual event gives participants 10 weeks to research topics and meet with professors to learn about methodology. At the end of the sessions, students turn in their theses and present their findings to the group. They receive a $2,000 stipend.

The program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average. At least one semester must be left in their schedule, and Hawaiian natives are encouraged to submit applications. Preference is given to students in areas such as data science, chemistry, biochemistry, and biology.

Medweb’s HTK Enables Dermatological Telemedicine Practice

12/30/2019

San Francisco-based MD Dr. Peter “Pete” Killcommons graduated cum laude from City College of New York before attending New York Medical College. Focused on telemedicine and its ability to rapidly improve access to quality care, Dr. Peter Killcommons is the CEO of Medweb, a company that makes telemedicine equipment. One of Medweb’s products for dermatologists is the Handheld Telemedicine Kit (HTK).

Medweb’s HTK is a lightweight bag about the size of an ordinary laptop bag featuring several devices including a multi-scope exam camera, handheld USB ultrasound probe, digital EKG, tablet, otoscope, and Bluetooth stethoscope. It equips dermatologists and general practitioners with the most advanced offerings in LED light sources, wireless data transfer, high-resolution imaging, and digital displays, empowering them with the tools to provide care to patients in remote locations or those who are incarcerated.

The HTK combines a computer-based patient assessment system with a simple user interface enabling easy capturing of digital images. The devices are wifi, 3G, and 4G enabled for quick transmission of data to a dermatological specialist for real time screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Besides dermatologists, the HTK can also help nurses and community workers consulting patients in the field, allowing them to quickly reach out to specialists for guidance on complex cases. It is also a must-have for EMTs, firefighters, police officers, and other first responders as it makes on-site treatment possible, limiting the need for emergency ambulatory trips.