AOL, Penn Health System team up on Web site

The University of Pennsylvania Health System has been named the exclusive health care provider for a new medical information Web site available to America Online members. The project represents a collaboration with the AOL Digital City Philadelphia on-line service, part of the 14-city Digital City network which provides local news, sports, traffic and entertainment information. The new site, which is located on AOL at keyword "Penn Health," provides approximately 300,000 Digital City Philadelphia members with a range of medical information and services. Kathryn Hillegass, multimedia communications coordinator for the Health System, said Digital City Philadelphia officials approached the University this summer because they "wanted to partner with the premiere health system in the area." She noted that the University not only provided content information for the site but also helped in its development. The site took two months to develop and is designed to be "interactive, educational and entertaining," according to Hillegass. Digital City General Manager Jim Riesenbach said the site was designed to provide "relevant health, fitness and nutrition content with a local angle for AOL members in the Philadelphia area." He added that he hopes the site will be "not just a reference source but something people will want to come back to." The site features chat sessions with University physicians. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hillegass said there was a recent session where a doctor from the cancer center answered questions. Another feature allows Digital City Philadelphia members to search for doctors affiliated with the Health System by specialty or location, and to make appointments on line. The site also includes an interactive slide tour, daily health tips and information on chronic conditions, educational seminars, support groups and special events. Riesenbach said Digital City selected the Health System as its partner because of its "tremendous credibility and resources." "Having access to relevant healthcare information is vitally important for everyone," he said. "We couldn't be more pleased than to have a first-rate provider such as the University of Pennsylvania providing that service." Health System Chief Executive Officer William Kelley said he believes the partnership with Digital City Philadelphia will also be beneficial for the University. "This relationship helps the University of Pennsylvania Health System to maintain a committed connection with the on-line community both locally and globally," Kelley said.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.