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Connected Communities, Connected Care

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

9:40 AM - 10:20 AM ET

Location: Expo Hall (Exhibit Hall / Level 1)

Moderator(s)

Liz Coyne (she/her/hers)

Editor-in-Chief
Fierce Network

Panelist(s)

Michael D. Soileau (he/him/his)

CEO
LFT Fiber
Lafayette, Louisiana, United States
Tracy Doaks (she/her/hers)

President and CEO
MCNC
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
Alex Glazebrook (he/him/his)

Vice President, Business Operations
OATS, New York, United States

Smart communities rely on strong fiber infrastructure to exapand acess to telehealth -- particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas where medical services are limited. Fiber delivers the high-capacity, low-latency connectivity required for virtual appointments, remote monitoring, and real-time data sharing between patients and providers. This session highlights how fiber-enabled telehealth reduces barriers to care and improves community health outcomes. Attendees will learn practical insights, real examples, and partnership approaches for advancing connected care within their smart community.