FDA's Bakul Patel took the stage at the WLSA Wireless Convergence Summit 2013 using an iRobot RP-VITA to speak with the audience on the status of FDA's mobile health application regulations. It was a gesture as symbolic as it was quasi-futuristic. Patel could have just as easily conferenced in using Skype or Facetime (but then again this is a health conference). Likewise, given the current stage of FDA's draft guidance on mobile medical apps, one has to wonder if there might be a more convenient way...or at least one that brings up fewer questions.

Cloud storage service Box is diving deeper into the healthcare space. Recently the company shared that it has added 10 new healthcare application partners to its platform to help respond to industry-specific challenges. In addition, to further gain acceptance by companies in this space, Box is sharing that it is now both HIPAA and HITECH compliant and is signing Business Associate Agreements with its customers.

Some time last month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) quietly filled its long-vacant Director of Healthcare Initiatives position, responding to a call made last September by its mHealth task force. The FCC’s appointee, Matthew Quinn, is no stranger to healthcare innovation. With a background in two previous government agencies and a number of large and small healthcare companies, Quinn brings a range of experience to the role. It’s recently been announced that one of his first duties will be to advise an HHS workgroup on mobile health regulation.

Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation’s Heart Health Mobile app has won the Department of Health and Human Services challenge, part of its Million Hearts initiative, intended to leverage clinical and community prevention strategies to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. The app is designed to help consumers assess their risk of heart attack or stroke and direct them to health screening locations in their community.

As the winner, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation will receive $100,000 to support the app's development and future versions.

A free, easy-to-use mobile application that helps people prevent heart disease is now available through iTunes. The app, created by the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation as part of a nationwide competition, was announced today by Farzad Mostashari, M.D., the national coordinator for health information technology, and Janet Wright, M.D., the executive director of the Million Hearts initiative.