DenseBreast-info.org Commemorates 10-Year Anniversary of FDA Breast Density Inform Consensus


Dense-Breast-Info.org: State Breast Density Notification Legislative Map

“…A national reporting standard is needed in order to ensure assure consistency from state to state, promote utilization of medically-sourced educational materials, and further research on personalized screening strategies,” said JoAnn Pushkin, executive director of DenseBreast-info.org.

DenseBreast-info.org (DB-I) commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the FDA’s National Mammography Quality Assurance Advisory Committee (NMQAAC) consensus opinion that patient breast density information should be included in both patient letters and medical reports. Federal legislation, led by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (CA) and passed in 2019, requires the FDA to ensure women receive such notification. While the FDA has proposed breast density reporting language, no timing has been set for when the final ruling will be published and implemented.

According to DB-I analysis, 38 states and DC currently require some level of density notification; however, the state laws differ significantly in depth and breadth. Six state laws only require a general notification about breast density be provided without actually telling the patient if she, herself, has dense breasts (CT, LA, MD, MO, NJ, TX). Additionally, of the 38 state laws, only about half mention that a discussion about supplemental screening is appropriate and not all mention breast density as an independent risk factor for the development of breast cancer. A single national reporting minimum would standardize information for all U.S. women.

“Every state that enacts its own ‘inform’ law adds a new version into the mix. Neighboring states may have very different notification requirements. This creates an inequity in actionable information a patient receives based on where she lives. A national reporting standard is needed in order to ensure consistency from state to state, promote utilization of medically-sourced educational materials, and further research on personalized screening strategies,” said JoAnn Pushkin, Executive Director of DenseBreast-info.org. Density reporting was added to the 2011 NMQAAC agenda at the written request of Pushkin who was also invited to testify at the meeting.

According to Dr. Wendie Berg, Professor of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Hospital, Department of Radiology and Chief Scientific Advisor, DenseBreast-info.org, “Every woman should be informed of the possible benefits and considerations in doing a test – in this case the realistic limitations of mammography in dense breasts. A single national reporting standard is needed which includes such key points, as:


  • Unambiguous notification as to whether or not the patient herself has dense breasts
  • High breast density does hide some cancers on a mammogram
  • High breast density does increase the risk of developing breast cancer
  • To increase cancer detection, other imaging tests, in addition to mammography, may be appropriate to consider.”

“I was proud that our bipartisan bill to ensure patients receive information about their breast density as part of their mammogram results passed in 2019. With the support of advocates and health organizations like DenseBreast-info, this legislation is now awaiting final implementation by the FDA. On the 10-year anniversary of FDA’s determination that patients should know more about breast density, I call on the agency to prioritize the release of these regulations so all women have the information they need to make their own health care decisions,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein.

DenseBreast-info.org is cited as the most up-to-date and comprehensive resource on the topic. This medically-sourced website is the collaborative effort of world-renowned breast imaging experts and medical reviewers, and features patient and provider educational tools including a CME/CE opportunity, Dense Breasts and Supplemental Screening.

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DenseBreast-info, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit supported by unrestricted educational grants and donations from: GE Healthcare, Bayer Healthcare, Hologic, Siemens Healthineers, Volpara Health, Beekley Medical, iCAD and CMR Naviscan.

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Common Data Models and OHDSI Tools Used in the COVID-Real Case Study, Upcoming Webinar Hosted by Xtalks


Study procedures and results will be explained, together with main challenges and lessons learned under the first approach to OHDSI-OMOP tools by the participating EU hospitals.

The future of real-world evidence (RWE) requires the use of common data models to streamline the analysis of electronic health records (EHR) in near real-time. The Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) data model is gaining global acceptance thanks to the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI, pronounced “Odyssey”) community, composed of more than 350 researchers with a coordinating center at Columbia University. Besides OMOP, OHDSI develops high-quality, open-source tools to analyze real-world data (RWD). In March 2020, these tools were quickly leveraged in an enormous effort to provide fast and reliable evidence to fight against COVID-19 using volunteer data partners.

In this webinar, featured speakers will explain “COVID-Real,” an OHDSI sub-study conducted in Spanish hospitals by TFS, a contract research organization (CRO) with large RWE experience, and IOMED, a technology company using OMOP and natural language processing (NLP) to extract free text information. Study procedures and results will be explained, together with main challenges and lessons learned under the first approach to OHDSI-OMOP tools by the participating EU hospitals.

Register for this webinar to hear expert speakers explain the great experience of engaging hospitals in global COVID-19 research and making them aware of the usefulness of the newest technologies to extract and analyze information in almost near-real time, which had been impossible only a few years ago.

Join Neus Valveny, PhD, Senior Director, Head of RWE at TFS HealthScience; and Gabriel Maeztu, MD, Co-Founder & CTO at IOMED, in a live webinar on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 10am EST (3pm GMT/UK).

For more information, or to register for this event, visit Future of Real-World Evidence: Common Data Models and OHDSI Tools Used in the COVID-Real Case Study.

ABOUT XTALKS

Xtalks, powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., is a leading provider of educational webinars to the global life science, food and medical device community. Every year, thousands of industry practitioners (from life science, food and medical device companies, private & academic research institutions, healthcare centers, etc.) turn to Xtalks for access to quality content. Xtalks helps Life Science professionals stay current with industry developments, trends and regulations. Xtalks webinars also provide perspectives on key issues from top industry thought leaders and service providers.

To learn more about Xtalks visit http://xtalks.com

For information about hosting a webinar visit http://xtalks.com/why-host-a-webinar/

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Nashville’s Phase2 Labs offers Neutralizing Antibody Test to Check Immune Response Against COVID-19


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“The availability of the Phase2 Lab NAb test to determine an individual’s immunity response to COVID-19 comes at a critical time in the pandemic, with many wondering what their immunity is and if it’s the right time for vaccination or booster shot,” said Steven Kress, Phase2 Labs CEO.

Blood Test Designed to Help Determine Next Steps on Vaccination or Booster

Phase2 Labs, which was the first in Tennessee to offer saliva-based PCR testing for COVID-19, announces the Phase2 Neutralizing Antibody (NAb) test, a new test designed to check a person’s immune response against COVID-19. This is the only FDA EUA approved test to determine whether a person has functional neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Other IgG/IgM antibody tests do not provide results on the functional neutralizing aspect of the antibodies specific to COVID-19. Phase2 Labs is one of only a small number of labs in the U.S. that are approved to conduct these tests.

The test determines a person’s risk of catching COVID-19 whether they have been vaccinated or had COVID-19 in the past. A very low or detectable level of neutralizing antibodies indicates the need to consider vaccination or booster. The blood test can be administered at Phase2 Labs, 5225 Harding Place in Nashville.

Phase2Labs notes the testing can be beneficial for:

  • Anyone who has been vaccinated or was previously infected if they believe they may be at higher risk of serious or fatal COVID-19
  • Those who live with or care for people at higher risk
  • Those who need to show lower risk of infection for any reason
  • Anyone considering vaccination or booster

“The availability of the Phase2 Lab NAb test to determine an individual’s immunity response to COVID-19 comes at a critical time in the pandemic,” said Steven Kress, Phase2 Labs CEO. “Given the recent CDC recommendation for certain individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccination booster shots at 6 months or more after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series, as well as approval of the vaccine for children ages 5-11, many are wondering what their immunity is and if it’s the right time for vaccination or booster shot.”

According to the most recent data from the state’s COVID-19 vaccine tracker, nearly 56% of Tennesseans have been received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the state.

About Phase2 Labs

Phase2 Labs is the nation’s premier clinical molecular laboratory dedicated to the diagnostic management of infectious disease, wound care, pharmacogenomics, and COVID-19. To manage these complex disease states, we integrate microbiologic, immunologic, and genomic testing into relevant clinical pathways. We support the full spectrum of clinical diagnostics, pharmacodynamic monitoring, and companion assay deployment for integrated delivery systems, accountable care organizations, payors, and pharmaceutical companies.

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Ancor Capital Partners Announces Care Options for Kids’ Acquisition of the Missing Peace Autism Therapy Center, LLC


Today, 1 in 54 children in the U.S. are impacted by Autism, many of whom also require other therapies. COFK’s stellar clinical and research acumen, together with other experts in Autism, will extend our pediatric therapy services to those challenged with a diagnosis of Autism.

OCI Holdings, LLC, dba Care Options for Kids (“COFK”), is pleased to announce the acquisition of The Missing Peace Autism Therapy Center, LLC, (“TMP”) based in Keller, Texas effective October 1, 2021. TMP’s Managing Partners and Founders, Beth Worman and Megan Haupert, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA, will continue to guide and lead TMP. TMP will partner with COFK to provide seamless coordinated clinical services to patients requiring both traditional therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis (“ABA”) autism services.

TMP is recognized in the DFW area as a leader of ABA clinic-based services, whose practice consistently produces significantly improved, efficient outcomes for its patients diagnosed with Autism and other behavior disorders. COFK is the largest provider of pediatric therapy in Texas and a recognized community-based in home Preferred Provider offering physical, occupational, speech communication, and PLAY Autism therapies utilizing full-time employed therapists. COFK has contributed a decade of independent clinical research experience and evidence-based results to the medical, insurance, and research communities. TMP and COFK will together continue their research endeavors offering evidence-based clinical outcomes.

COFK President and COO, Justin Valdata commented, “Today, 1 in 54 children in the U.S. are impacted by Autism, many of whom also require other therapies. COFK’s stellar clinical and research acumen, together with other experts in Autism, will extend our pediatric therapy services to those challenged with a diagnosis of Autism.” COFK and TMP will utilize the latest clinical techniques via parent involvement and trained therapists both in the homes of patients and in clinical settings, as appropriate for the patient’s diagnosis and tailored plans of care.

The Founders of TMP, Megan Haupert and Beth Worman jointly commented, “We and our employees are excited to be teamed with COFK. We look forward to expanding our Autism services with COFK for coordination of pediatric therapy care to patients throughout Texas.”

Michael J. Reiswig, Chairman and CEO of OCI Holdings, LLC noted, “Few organizations offer an array of complex pediatric therapies and fewer still offer them seamlessly and efficiently. We look forward to continuing our legacy of value-based clinical outcomes through coordinated care solutions while working closely with our extensive network of independent and hospital based Texas physicians with a collaborative goal to improve patients’ lives.”

About Ancor Capital Partners

Ancor Capital Partners, founded in 1994, is a Dallas-based private investment firm that invests in lower middle market companies. Ancor is focused on helping companies reach their next level of growth. Ancor’s experienced investment team has the acumen, expertise, and resources to invest wisely in existing successful companies through private equity buyouts. As a seasoned operating partner, Ancor works to operationally optimize businesses, maximize growth opportunities, and instill a lasting culture. With a proven track record of over 50 successful acquisitions to date, Ancor targets investments in the healthcare, industrials, consumer staples, and emerging industries. For more information, please visit: http://www.ancorcapital.com.

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New Ideal Option Report Confirms Widespread Meth Use in Montana


Ideal Option, a national leader in outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioids, alcohol, methamphetamine and other substances, opened its first Montana clinics in Billings and Missoula on March 1, 2016. Today, Ideal Option operates eight clinics in eight counties throughout Montana and has treated nearly 8,000 state residents with substance use disorder (SUD).

Due to the severe economic and emotional hardships imposed by the pandemic, substance use and overdose deaths have skyrocketed nationally, and Montana is no exception. According to the 2020 Annual Report from the Montana Department of Justice Forensic Science Division, there was a 117% increase in methamphetamine-related deaths from 2019 to 2020.

Yellowstone County accounted for 22% of all overdose deaths in 2020, the highest percentage in the state, followed by Cascade County (10%), Missoula County (9%) and Flathead County (9%), according to the 2020 Annual Report from the Montana State Medical Examiner’s Office.

In 2020, Ideal Option released its Annual Patient Outcomes Report derived from lab data collected from more than 2,100 Montana State Medicaid patients. The report confirms the increasingly widespread use of methamphetamine use in Montana with an average of 48% of newly enrolled patients testing positive for methamphetamine during 2020. In 2021, this trend has continued with about 50% of patients consistently testing positive for methamphetamine at enrollment.

“The good news is that although about half of all new patients seeking help with substance use disorder test positive for methamphetamine, many successfully progress to the maintenance stage of treatment during which positive test rates decline to 7% or less,” stated Tim Kilgallon, CEO of Ideal Option. “We are experienced with the intricacies of treating polysubstance use disorder, including methamphetamine, and we are prepared to continue serving the state of Montana to restore families and communities, especially in those counties that are struggling.”

Ideal Option has 8 clinics in Montana, located in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Cut Bank, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula.

With no waitlists and most forms of insurance accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, patients can typically get started on treatment for methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, alcohol or other substances within 1-3 business days.

Patients can make an appointment by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting http://www.idealoption.com.  

About Ideal Option 

Headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped nearly 50,000 patients through a network of over 70 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 10 states. With a mission to serve under-served communities, Ideal Option accepts all forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available. 

Ideal Option’s team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, OB/GYN, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, caseworkers, counselors, and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health, and reduced rates of recidivism. 

In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health, and nutrition support.

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Wendell O. Scott, MD, LLC named best independent medical expert provider by NJ Law Journal for third consecutive year – placed in Hall of Fame


We are so grateful for being voted “the best” as it is an affirmation of the service we provide by those we serve.” Wendell O. Scott, M.D., President and Founder of WOSMD.

Multi-specialty medical expert firm Wendell O. Scott, M.D., LLC Consulting (WOSMD) is pleased to announce that it has again been voted the winner of the Best Expert Witness Provider (Medical) category in the New Jersey Law Journal’s 2021 annual legal vendor survey. This is the third consecutive year WOSMD has been named a winner, and as a result, places WOSMD into the Law Journal’s Hall of Fame.

“Speaking on behalf of the associates and medical expert team at WOSMD, we are so grateful for being voted “the best” as it is an affirmation of the service we provide by those we serve,” said Wendell O. Scott, M.D., President and Founder of WOSMD. “Being named this year to the Hall of Fame is especially gratifying as it is a testament to the fact that the quality of work and the results we deliver is steadfast.”

The annual listing of “Best of” New Jersey Law Journal winners was developed to help lawyers identify the finest legal products and service providers and to showcase their top picks annually. The several dozen “Best of” categories provide an opportunity for legal professionals to cast their votes for companies critical to practicing law. The category highlights businesses that stand out among their competitors in providing lawyers with the essential products and services they require to successfully compete in today’s legal market.

Election into the New Jersey Law Journal’s Hall of Fame is accomplished by being named a winner in three of the last four years. WOSMD qualified by being named a winner each of the past three years, which is when they entered the survey: 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Wendell O. Scott, M.D. Consulting is a multi-specialty firm which provides a team of medical experts including board certified physicians and other health care providers who serve as medical experts to attorneys. WOSMD provides attorneys with detailed insight into the medical facts, strategic direction, tools and resources to present superior cases.

Dr. Scott has assisted not only attorneys, but insurance carriers, government agencies, and other entities for over 25 years. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a Certified Independent Medical Examiner. Dr. Scott has performed medical legal reviews, Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs), and testified at deposition and in court since 1991.

About WOSMD

Located in New Providence, NJ, Wendell O. Scott, MD Consulting (WOSMD) is a practice of multi-specialty medical experts covering 50+ disciplines. With top academic credentials and extensive clinical experience, medical experts provide objective opinions in medical legal matters. For more information or to request an expert, please visit http://www.wosmd.com or call (908) 830-9980.

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Active Combat Vet Awarded Star on the Las Vegas Walk of Fame For His Service to The Veteran Community on 11/11


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Eric Power has helped thousands of fellow vets plagued by PTSD, helping them to obtain their disability benefits and navigating post-military life.

Over the last decade, Eric Power has helped thousands of fellow vets plagued by PTSD, helping them to obtain their disability benefits and navigating post-military life. He was recently awarded a star on the Las Vegas Blvd. Walk of Fame (with the likes of authors, actors and other humanitarians) for his service to the veteran community and their families. The ceremony will take place at The Mandalay Bay Hotel (House of Blues) from 5pm-7pm on Veterans Day. See more info about the event HERE!

As the Founder and CEO of Veterans Disability Help, Eric knows the sacrifices and struggles of civilian veterans. As a mentor and a self-development student, he shares the keys to overcoming some of the greatest challenges in business and in life. Eric’s personal experience mixed with his professional approach has helped thousands of veterans across the country and offered solutions when other resources such as the VA have not.

Veterans Disability Help is leading the way for veterans regarding their VA Disability Benefits. They have served over 2,500 veterans since its incorporation in March of 2015 and have redirected over 2.1 MILLION dollars a month from the VA back to the veterans in VA Disability Benefits. Veterans Disability Help is a professional firm with a team of dedicated individuals that are here for the veterans and their families in need of VA disability assistance.

For More Information Visit: veterandisabilityhelp.com

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TailorMed Bolsters Leadership Team with Three Strategic Hires


TailorMed logo

“Our ability to attract this level of talent speaks to our innovative culture that’s focused on moving mountains for patients. Our TailorMed family will continue to grow with more top-tier talent as we advance our market leadership,” says Srulik Dvorsky, CEO and Co-Founder of TailorMed.

TailorMed, a leading financial navigation technology company that helps healthcare organizations and patients remove financial barriers to care, announced today new additions to its leadership team. The company appointed Naama Geva as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Vince King as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), and Noa Inbar-Hershkovits as Vice President of People.

Ms. Geva brings more than 10 years of financial leadership at high-growth startups. Prior to joining TailorMed, Ms. Geva served as CFO for four years at Deep Instinct, a global cyber security company that secured over $200 million in funding and has grown to over 250 employees. Ms. Geva will establish financial and business infrastructure to support the company’s rapid growth.

Mr. King has built a strong track record of growing healthcare technology companies over the past 20 years. Most recently, Mr. King served as Chief Commercial Officer for SCI Solutions (SCI), acquired by R1 RCM. At SCI, he led the company’s transformation to a Digital Patient Experience SaaS provider, resulting in new market expansion. His deep understanding of revenue cycle management, patient financial experience, and digital transformation will help accelerate TailorMed’s growth. Mr. King will oversee commercial functions including sales, marketing, and strategic partnerships to accelerate company growth.

Ms. Inbar-Hershkovits brings 15 years of global human resources (HR) experience in both fast-growing startups and corporate organizations. Ms. Inbar-Hershkovits held various HR leadership roles, most recently at Amazon and AlgoSec. In these positions, Ms. Inbar-Hershkovits supported company growth, organization, and workforce development, and served as a management consultant. Ms. Inbar-Hershkovits will lead all HR-related activities, including creating the necessary infrastructure and resources to help grow the organization.

Founded with a personal mission to help patients and the US healthcare industry tackle the financial challenges of care delivery, TailorMed is focused on ensuring all patients across all medical conditions can afford treatment. TailorMed’s best-in-class platform automates the entire process of identifying financially at-risk patients and matching and enrolling them in financial resources. For patients, the platform can help reduce out-of-pocket responsibility, eliminating downstream financial hardships and avoidance of care. For healthcare organizations, TailorMed shifts financial assistance from reactive matching or downstream collections to a proactive approach of addressing financial needs for more patients at the point of care.

“These are exciting times at TailorMed. Our new leadership adds to the momentum we’re gaining in the market,” says Srulik Dvorsky, CEO and Co-Founder of TailorMed. “Our ability to attract this level of talent speaks to our innovative culture that’s focused on moving mountains for patients. Our TailorMed team will continue to grow with more top-tier talent as we advance our market leadership.”

About TailorMed

TailorMed is a healthcare technology company founded to help patients and healthcare organizations remove financial barriers to care by making it easier for patients to afford the cost of treatment. TailorMed’s financial navigation platform is used by over 550 healthcare facilities nationwide including leading health systems, pharmacies, and clinics. Learn more at https://tailormed.co/.

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DrOwl Wins 8 Awards Including The Coveted Startup of the Year Silver Globee Award®


As an organization, we are driven to help patients access and share their health records to help improve outcomes, quality of care, and costs. Because we know that understanding your health can lead to better outcomes for everyone.

DrOwl, a HIPAA-compliant medical platform built on patented technology that empowers patients to access, understand, and share their medical histories, is pleased to announce it is a multi-award winner in the 2021 International Best in Business Globee® Awards. DrOwl was named a Silver Globee award winner for Startup of the Year, and also received awards in multiple additional categories.

“Winning these awards clearly demonstrates the need for a speedy adoption and the ability to share medical records on-demand from a patient perspective. We are proud that DrOwl’s free app which empowers people to better understand their health, has been named a multi-award winner in the Globee Awards”, said Arvind Raichur, CEO, and Co-Founder of DrOwl. “As an organization, we are driven to help patients access and share their health records to help improve outcomes, quality of care, and costs. Because we know that understanding your health can lead to better outcomes for everyone.”

The coveted annual International Best in Business Awards program recognizes and honors the world’s best in organizational performance, products and services, innovations, executives and management teams, women in business and the professions, case studies and successful deployments, public relations and marketing campaigns, product management, websites, blogs, white-papers, videos, advertisements, creativity, partner programs, and customer satisfaction programs from every major industry in the world. This annual awards program celebrates the individuals and teams who set industry benchmarks for excellence.

All organizations private or public, corporations, nonprofits, associations, vendors, and government organizations worldwide are eligible to enter.

Judges from around the world representing a wide spectrum of industry experts participated in the judging process.

See the complete list of 2021 winners here: https://globeeawards.com/international-business-awards/winners/

About the Globee Awards

Globee Awards are conferred in eleven programs and competition: the CEO World Awards®, the Consumer World Awards®, The Customer Sales & Service World Awards®, the Globee® International Best in Business Awards, the Golden Bridge Awards®, the Cyber Security Global Excellence Awards® and Security World Awards, the IT World Awards®, One Planet® American Best in Business Awards, the Globee® Employer Excellence Awards®, the Globee® Corporate Communications & Marketing World Awards, and the Women World Awards®. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind their success, the Globee Awards recognize outstanding achievements and performances in businesses worldwide. Learn more about the Globee Awards at https://globeeawards.com.

About DrOwl

DrOwl is a HIPAA-compliant platform used by both patients and providers to empower people to better understand their health. Healthcare records belong to the patient. Patients can access them for free on DrOwl and learn more about their health. Connect to thousands of medical providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, and receive a combined health report summary that can be shared with caregivers, providers, and family. One health record, infinite uses.

DrOwl uses interoperability and metadata to help providers improve care and reduce costs. The platform has interoperability with most EHR systems and requires minimal resources from providers and payers. Harness the power of AI to generate population health metadata from patients’ health records with the ability to look at patients by conditions, medications, and demographics, inside a powerful analytics dashboard that can help better understand patient populations. DrOwl helps providers meet Cures Act requirements, with one portal for the delivery of EHRs to patients.

DrOwl Media Contact:

Brooke Greenwald

Cornerstone Communications, LTD

brooke@cornerstonepr.net

Phone: 240-370-7036

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