Joseph C. Kvedar, MD
Director, Partners Telemedicine
Partners Healthcare System, Inc

Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, a board certified dermatologist, is Founder and Director of Partners Telemedicine and Vice Chair of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. His primary responsibilities involve direction and management of the telemedicine program at Partners HealthCare System, a program that is recognized globally for excellence and leadership in telemedicine. In the current fiscal year, the department (comprised of 22 individuals, with an combined operating and capital budget of over $2.5 million and outside revenue exceeding $1 million) has been responsible for management of more than 1,200 teleconsultations in all specialties benefiting patients in more than 30 countries, coordination of more than 1,500 clinical and educational videoconferences and more than 175 multimedia productions. A steady stream of innovative research programs have emanated from Partners Telemedicine in the last 5 years, including novel approaches to lower extremity wound care, stroke management, post-operative care in the home, web-based specialty consultations, remote monitoring of patients with chronic diseases and remote echocardiography. Dr. Kvedar has played a leadership role in the AAD task force on telemedicine since 1998, with a focus on image management and guideline development. As chair of the task force subcommittee on image standards, he was appointed chair of DICOM working group 19. He was an author of the initial set of AAD telemedicine guidelines and participated in their revision during the summer of 2001.Dr. Kvedar also serves on the Board of the American Telemedicine Association, chairs the Board subcommittee on credentialing and privileging and is an active member of Board subcommittee on policy.