Dr. Toree Malasanos

I have made a commitment to stop drawing inside the lines. Even during my 17 years at the University of Florida, I found new and innovative ways to reach under-served communities, fun ways to help patients understand their health and smarter ways for doctors to connect with their patients. For 14 years, I directed a telemedicine program during which we were able to reduce hospital days by 88%, enough to convince Florida Medicaid officials to grant a waiver to pay for select telemedicine services. I got a chance to write, direct the animations and lead a team of IT developers in the creation of health education programs for kids. I managed the contract negotiation, budget and clinical services for the multiyear project. I co-founded the UF Pediatric Lipid Clinic. Initially established for children with hereditary high cholesterol, it has evolved into a clinic population of obese children with Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. I have now merged my interest in technology and the need for a better approach to the health consequences of childhood obesity by developing an interactive, individualized lifestyle modification program for children. Kiwee brings an innovative mobile and web based lifestyle management program for overweight children to the marketplace. I have worked to expand on the projects I developed at the University and bring them to the marketplace. I have helped two other centers to replicate my telemedicine program and currently working with two international sites to do the same. I have helped turn around struggling retail and service centers locally by improving management strategies. I have advised in the development of health technologies such as 3D imaging, micro-probe sensors to help focus the technologies on real health issues. Finding creative solutions to common problems is my specialty.