Capital District Times

WHERE: Steinmetz Park 2437 Lenox Rd Schenectady, NY 12308 

WHAT: Mayor Gary McCarthy will discuss the status of the Smart City deployment with the progress of the city’s Homes and Community Renewal Grant of $2.6 million CDBG-CV dollars which is being used to expand Schenectady’s footprint of wireless access to sections of low and moderate income areas of the community providing public internet in these areas which was deemed so important during our recent COVID pandemic.

In addition, also funded by these grant dollars, Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy will speak about the partnership with AION Biosystems and the “Stay Well” program, a groundbreaking remote patient monitoring program to mitigate infection, reduce hospital readmissions, and support immune compromised residents. The program will be initially focused on supporting persons over 65, anyone recuperating from major surgery or joint replacement, undergoing chemotherapy, or who have had cancer. Ellis Medicine will be launching first, providing the iTempShield device and monitoring system to oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. This low-profile, skin-applied device will monitor patients’ body temperature continuously for 60 days. If the participant’s temperature rises above a set threshold, their clinical team will be contacted.

“I applaud the mayor and his team for launching this innovative program, which will allow us to get ahead of harmful infections and sepsis and potentially save lives,” said Sam Barend, CEO, AION Biosystems. “The initiative stands to not only improve patient outcomes and quality of life, but it will also drive economic benefits by reducing costly re-admissions and adding new revenue sources to bolster the healthcare system. It’s a true win-win for both patients and providers.”

The third program of the grant is a community information portal which utilizes the public Wi-Fi with help from the Daily Gazette. A brand new website, “Your Schenectady” (https://yourschenectady.news/), will enable participants to sign up for the program. The Daily Gazette Holding Company is excited to add Smart City News, the developer of Your Schenectady, to its diverse group of companies to help with the “Stay Well” Program. “It is a privilege to use our experience and expertise to help connect all Schenectadians and share important information regarding healthcare, education, arts & entertainment and government news through the Your Schenectady website.” 

Marlene McTigue, Director of Digital Strategy- Your Schenectady 

Original source can be found here.