Jacksonville, Fla. – UNF MedNexus is launching a pilot program to help veterans in Flagler County monitor their fitness and wellness using a Fitbit wearable device. This virtual care program will assist in reaching health goals, increasing activity and reducing weight that could prevent future hospitalizations and other significant future complications.
“As we honor Veterans Day this week, we are proud to launch this health monitoring program for the Flagler County veterans community that will help those who have given so much in service to our country,” said Dr. Julie Merten, UNF MedNexus associate dean.
Health parameters will be continuously monitored including heart rate, activity level, nutritional status, sleep patterns and VO2max. Participants can easily see their health status on a custom app on their smartphone and daily emails will contain specific recommendations for health status improvement.
Dr. Shyam Paryani, a retired physician and current UNF Health Administration faculty member, leads this initiative. He has worked with student-athletes and older adults utilizing similar remote patient monitoring. The projects involved the use of various sensors to detect abnormalities in a person’s health.
An information session will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Flagler County Government Services Building at 1769 E. Moody Blvd. in Bunnell, Florida. The session will be hosted by Dr. Paryani. For more information on the program or to register for the information session, contact Dr. Paryani at s.paryani@unf.edu.
About University of North Florida
The University of North Florida is a nationally ranked university located on a beautiful 1,381-acre campus in Jacksonville surrounded by nature. Serving nearly 17,000 students, UNF features six colleges of distinction with innovative programs in high-demand fields. UNF students receive individualized attention from faculty and gain valuable real-world experience engaging with community partners. A top public university, UNF prepares students to make a difference in Florida and around the globe. Learn more at www.unf.edu.
