Communities living on low lying islands and coral atolls are at the frontline of the ecosystem collapse. We can now estimate with some precision how many years these nations have left until they will be forced to relocate their population, culture, and history. The Republic of the Marshall Islands are a prime example of a nation state that has less than 50 years before they’ll lose their ability to inhabit the islands they’ve made their home since before the fall of Rome. 

That future-term loss does not mean we should turn our backs and no longer support the current needs of those communities. We have partnered with the Kwajalein Atoll Sustainability Lab to look at a variety of design challenges including health, housing and education.

Spring 2025 Challenge:
Develop a floating telehealth facility and medical drone delivery system.

The Brief: To utilize telehealth/telemedicine to extend the reach of hospitals, schools, NGO's and government institutions to communities with no infrastructure or health specialists. 

NB. Telehealth acceptance among office based doctors increased in the United States from 15% in 2019 to 86% in 2021.

2024 Doctors without Designers Beta Test
Last summer, VSee Telehealth Systems supported a student internship (Pacific Allies) coordinated amphibious telehealth demonstration in partnership with stakeholders from Kwajalein Atoll Government, Ebeye Hospital, RMI MoH, Hawaii National Guard, Marshallese Veterans' Alliance, Living Islands NGO, and others. 

Essentially, it was a Starling duct taped to the top of a Kwajalein ambulance boat. A Coast Guard Academy cadet conducted a mock health exam on Marshallese and Fijian military veterans - by taking directions from Ebeye Hospital Chief of Staff, VSee telehealth company CEO and the Kwajalein mayor - who all remained on land. 

Demonstration observed by partners in Hawaii, Oregon and Florida with no drop in audio or visual. 

2025 Doctors with Drones Beta Test
This year, our partners are working to replicate the work that UNICEF did in Tuvalu to deliver medicine by drones. They have identified a small drone that can carry a light cargo load (DJI Matrice 350) and are working to secure one with a higher payload, speed and range for next year Summer 2026. (E.g. Mightyfly)

Amphibious telehealth networks powered by drone delivery of medicine launched from autonomous floating pharmacies/drone recharge stations could ensure coastal populations are self-managing and minimizing the spread of diseases inland. 

A drone demonstration will happn this summer in Kwajalein in mid-July. 

Six Design Teams

1. Bingham, Hoover and Schiavo
2. Anderson AND Fratto
3. Bombardier and Wisinski
4. LaBuz and Jost
5. Khan, Deore and Frantzeskos
6. Mitchell and Templeton