It’s hard enough to get access to the medicine you need… even under the best of circumstances. You gotta ask your doctor to fill the prescription, gotta get to the pharmacy, wait in line, and have a ride home. 

Now imagine how much harder the whole errand is when the only way to get to the pharmacy… is by boat. That’s the challenge facing folks who live on Smith Island, which sits 10 miles off the coast of Crisfield in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Maryland recently received federal funds for a pilot project to get drones able to make medical deliveries. For details, we’re joined by John Slaughter, director of the University of Maryland’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Research and Operations Center.

Links:
Governor Moore Announces $1.7 Million in Federal Funding for Eastern Shore Drone Pilot Program to Improve Access to Health Care Resources
UMD to Develop Drone-Delivery Program for Patients on Rural Island

It’s hard enough to get access to the medicine you need… even under the best of circumstances. You gotta ask your doctor to fill the prescription, gotta get to the pharmacy, wait in line, and have a ride home. 
Now imagine how much harder the whole errand is when the only way to get to the pharmacy… is by boat. That’s the challenge facing folks who live on Smith Island, which sits 10 miles off the coast of Crisfield in the Chesapeake Bay. 
Maryland recently received federal funds for a pilot project to get drones able to make medical deliveries. For details, we’re joined by <a href="https://aero.umd.edu/clark/staff/1737/John-Slaughter">John Slaughter</a>, director of the <a href="https://uroc.umd.edu/">University of Maryland’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Research and Operations Center</a>.
Links: <a href="https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-announces-dollar17-million-in-federal-funding-for-eastern-shore-drone-pilot-program-to-improve-access-to-hea.aspx">Governor Moore Announces $1.7 Million in Federal Funding for Eastern Shore Drone Pilot Program to Improve Access to Health Care Resources</a> <a href="https://today.umd.edu/umd-to-develop-drone-delivery-program-for-patients-on-rural-island">UMD to Develop Drone-Delivery Program for Patients on Rural Island</a>

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org" target="_blank">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

On The Record

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

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