Dear Friends,
As I write this, I am currently on an economic mission to India and Vietnam with businesses and government officials in an effort to encourage more international trade and commerce in Montgomery County.
This visit to India will enable the County to tap into one of the globe's fastest-growing life sciences sectors in Hyderabad, which has gained the nickname of “Genome Valley.” I have signed two agreements that will help companies expand their operations to the U.S. through Montgomery County. Next week, the County’s delegation will be in Vietnam talking with leaders in another fast-growing economy.
The County is working aggressively to create the Institute for Health Computing in North Bethesda, along with our partners at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP), the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS). This innovative research facility will transform life sciences research, thereby leading to life-saving advancements in medicine and health care across the globe.
The potential of this research facility is exciting and will attract new talent and businesses to the County. Montgomery County already is one of the top five life-science clusters in the nation, and the Institute for Health Computing is expected to make the County even more enticing to the academic and business communities.
By combining the expertise of the two Maryland universities with the diverse medical data held by UMMS, the Institute for Health Computing will help further accelerate the identification of new advances in medical research. The specific focus will be on finding solutions to the problem of healthcare disparities, which have gripped our County, our State and the entire nation for decades.
When the County’s partnership with these eminent academic research organizations was announced, UMMS CEO Mohan Suntha noted that this institute could make Montgomery County the “Silicon Valley” of healthcare computing. Dr. Suntha was signaling the game-changing impact this innovative research facility will have on healthcare and medicine, with the County positioned to be at the forefront of this endeavor.
Watch this week’s video to learn more about this exciting initiative. Imagine the North Bethesda area around Pike & Rose bustling with new businesses and activities created by the establishment of the Institute for Health Computing—all in an effort to develop life-changing medical solutions. This is just the beginning. There is more to come, so stay tuned.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
