Speakers & Faculty

Jonathan D. Linkous, MPA, FATA

Chief Executive Officer, PATH

Jon Linkous is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on the use of telecommunications technology to provide health care services. He has lectured and written extensively on healthcare modernization, public policy affecting health technology, emerging applications and market trends in the U.S. and around the world. He has been called upon to advise the federal government and a variety of national and international companies, health systems and investment firms. Author of many published articles and contributor to numerous books, he is a sought-after speaker on trends and emerging issues related to healthcare and telecommunications. He has been frequently interviewed by a variety of national, regional and trade press including: New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, NBC News, CNN, etc.

Currently, Jon is CEO of Linkous Health where he serves as a senior advisor and Board member to organizations in the healthcare and technology space in the United States, Middle East and Asia where he provides leadership, strategic advice, and business assessments regarding telemedicine, telehealth, artificial intelligence, automated healthcare and related areas.

Under his 24 years of leadership as the founding Chief Executive Officer of the American Telemedicine Association, the association grew to be the foremost international resource and advocacy organization promoting the use of advanced remote medical technologies with 10,000 individual and 500 organizational members throughout the world. Through these efforts he is widely credited with helping to transform the delivery of healthcare.

In the private sector he has served as a senior consultant to seven major telecommunications companies managing external relations and stakeholder relations. He led efforts that made significant changes to improve consumer access to wireless 911 services and broadband telecommunications to rural healthcare institutions by the Federal Communications Commission.

As a national leader in aging services Jon was a member of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations while serving as the Executive Director of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Prior to this Jon served as the Deputy Director of the National Association of Regional Councils and Director of development Programs with the Appalachian Regional Commission.

His lifelong interest in telecommunications and technology started with his time in public television and radio in Columbus, Ohio working both behind and in front of the camera as well as on air in radio. His recent series of videocasts “This Month in Telemedicine” became a widely viewed source of news and information about the field.

One of Jon’s passions is using technology to deliver health services to the poor and those most in need. He established the Human Touch Award at ATA, that was given to an individual or organization that employs telemedicine to help meet the needs of the poor. Past awardees include Jennifer Lopez and Carlos Santana.

Mr. Linkous holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the School of Government and Public Affairs at the American University in Washington, D.C with additional postgraduate work at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Public Executive Institute at the University of Texas in in Austin, Texas. ×

Alison Nelson

Senior Vice President for Optum Technology, Optum

Bio coming soon