Okyanos Heart Institute, whose mission it is to bring a new standard of care and better quality of life to patients with coronary artery disease using cardiac stem cell therapy, has announced that it is a gold sponsor of the International Stem Cell Society(STEMSO) Global Conference to be held at the Grand Lucayan Resort in Freeport, Grand Bahamas, February 19-22, 2014.

Bringing together the experts from these various disciplines to focus on the safest and most efficient ways to bring treatments to populations outside controlled studies is relevant and timely as well as vital in order to deliver responsible healthcare.

Dr. Howard Walpole, MD

The conference, titled “Bridging the Gap: Research to Point of Care,” brings together medical scientists and clinicians to discuss progress in the field of research and clinical protocols. The topics will include ethical considerations and regulatory panel discussions specifically focused on navigating the newly proposed Bahamas legislation.

“Many practitioners know very little about the topic of stem cell therapy because it has been a research topic and not a standard of care,” said Howard Walpole, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I. and chief medical officer for Okyanos Heart Institute. “However, with the most recent research, trials and clinical applications that are ongoing, the field is progressing. I believe there will be new treatments adopted for a number of diseases in the very near future. Bringing together the experts from these various disciplines to focus on the safest and most efficient ways to bring treatments to populations outside controlled studies is relevant and timely as well as vital in order to deliver responsible healthcare.”

“The Bahamas is a great place for a conference in February because of its proximity to the USA, and its modern medical infrastructure, airports, and excellent hospitality options,” said Douglas Hammond, president of STEMSO. “Additionally, the Bahamas’ newly proposed legislation that acknowledges both ‘stem cell research and therapies,’ makes this a logical choice. STEMSO’s conference will focus on understanding the Bahamas’ regulatory pathway and resulting new medical business investment opportunities in what we hope will provide treatment and healthcare “choices” for patients who suffer from chronic diseases.”

“Stem cell therapy is such a rapidly moving field and both the professional and public awareness of stem cell therapy is increasing exponentially,” said Leslie Miller, M.D., F.A.C.C. and Director of the University of South Florida (USF) Heart Institute, and Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “This conference will help to further educate the professionals and the public and talk about what we see in the very near future to move this field further.”

Other prominent speakers will include Paolo Macchiarini, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Regenerative Medicine at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm (Sweden) who, in 2008, performed the first adult stem cell grown trachea transplant as well as Mary Ann Chirba, J.D., D.Sc., M.P.H. of Boston College, an expert in health law issues at Harvard Medical School, Children’s Hospital of Boston, and Tufts Medical School.

About Okyanos Heart Institute: (Oh – key – AH – nos)
Based in Freeport, The Bahamas, Okyanos Heart Institute’s mission is to bring a new standard of care and a better quality of life to patients with coronary artery disease using cardiac stem cell therapy. Okyanos adheres to U.S. surgical center standards and is led by Chief Medical Officer Howard T. Walpole Jr., M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I. Okyanos Treatment utilizes a unique blend of stem and regenerative cells derived from one’s own adipose (fat) tissue. The cells, when placed into the heart via a minimally-invasive catheterization, stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. The treatment facilitates blood flow in the heart and supports intake and use of oxygen (as demonstrated in rigorous clinical trials such as the PRECISE trial). The literary name Okyanos (“Oceanos”) symbolizes flow. For more information, go to http://www.okyanos.com.

The International Stem Cell Society, STEMSO, is a member-based, international, non-profit 501(c) 6 trade association for the purpose of promoting the interests of the global, adult stem cell healthcare industry while linking patients and stakeholders with member medical organizations. STEMSO provides information, education, resources, advocacy and public awareness for the advancement of the adult stem cell industry. For more information, go to http://www.stemso.org.