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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (PRWEB)
November 05, 2021

NCPDP announced its 2021 Educational Summit on Value Based Arrangements (VBA) for Prescription Medications, a virtual event to be held from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST on November 15 and 16, 2021. VBAs for Prescription Medications are largely untapped opportunities to realize improved patient experiences, health outcomes and cost saving benefits of value-based care, providing a path to reimagine reimbursement, and to track, monitor, and measure the critical juncture between diagnosis and patient health outcomes. NCPDP’s 2021 Educational Summit will present an engaging and informative overview of VBAs, with a variety of healthcare industry stakeholders sharing their knowledge, experiences and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of VBAs, as well as standards currently available to support them.

Each day of NCPDP’s Educational Summit will begin with a Roundtable Discussion led by Sloane Salzburg, Vice President of the Council for Affordable Health Coverage, followed by in-depth presentations. On Monday, November 15th, government and payer panelists will discuss drivers of VBAs. The Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday, November 16th, will focus on provider, pharmacy, and vendor perspectives. The final session of the Educational Summit will recap current industry standards that support VBAs and a summary of new transactions or standards that NCPDP may pursue in conjunction with its strategic goals for VBAs. The Program Moderator will be Kim Diehl-Boyd, VP, Industry Relations and Government Affairs, CoverMyMeds.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Sloane Salzburg, Vice President, Council for Affordable Health Coverage – Sloane specializes in health policies related to Medicare Part D, medication adherence, drug pricing, precision medicine and general health reform as well as third party alliance building and coalition management. Within CAHC, Sloane serves as Executive Director of the Campaign for Transformative Therapies, which is targeted at developing and advocating for policies that encourage value-based payment arrangements for gene therapies. She also serves as Vice President of Horizon Government Affairs, a DC-based health policy consulting firm.
• John M. Coster, Director, Division of Pharmacy at the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, CMS – John M. Coster is Director of the Division of Pharmacy at the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, which is a component of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. He is responsible for policy and operational issues relating to the Medicaid pharmacy program and the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP). He holds a MPS and Ph.D. in health policy from the University of Maryland Graduate School in Baltimore and a B.S in Pharmacy from St John’s University in New York. Prior to joining CMS, he has held senior government affairs executive positions with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), and Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access.
• Peter W. McCauley Sr., MD, CPE, Medical Officer, Cigna HealthCare – In his current role as Medical Officer for Cigna Health Care, Peter W. McCauley Sr, MD has national responsibility for Cigna’s over 400 value based relationships. This includes over 250 Cigna Collaborative Accountable Care (ACO) arrangements serving over 3 million Cigna customers across the United States. Dr. McCauley and his teams work directly with large physician groups and hospital systems to build and maintain relationships which insure that Cigna clients receive the highest quality healthcare services at the most reasonable cost. Dr. McCauley continues to practice Pediatrics at the Clinic in Altgeld on Chicago’s far south side where he has served as a volunteer for over 23 years.
• Tony Rodgers, MSPH, Chief Executive Officer, VBCare – Tony Rodgers is an experienced healthcare executive who has held executive positions in both the public and private sectors, including with federal and state agencies, private health plans, and hospital systems. His past executive experience includes CMS Deputy Administrator, Center for Strategic Planning (CSP), where he oversaw CMS Medicare demonstrations and CMS community health database. While at CMS he also collaborated on many of CMS’s Innovation Center Alternative Payment Models and delivery system reform initiatives. He is currently Chief Executive Officer, VBCare Network LLC and ABC Network LLC, which are value-based provider networks serving Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries in Arizona.
• Ben Shirley, CPHQ, Director, Performance Measurement, Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) – Ben Shirley serves as the Director of Performance Measurement at the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA). He draws on a health policy background and several years’ experience in quality measurement to provide PQA with expertise in several phases of the measure development process including specification, analysis, endorsement, and maintenance. He plays a key role in executing PQA’s pharmacy measure strategy, including directing measure-specific technical expert panels and developing pilot projects that integrate innovative metrics into pharmacy-payer value-based contracts. Prior to joining the PQA team, Ben worked as an Insurance and Value-Based Care Analyst at IMPAQ Health, where he supported CMS-funded hospital and health plan quality measure development contracts in the domains of care coordination and patient safety.
• Nate Gosse, Vice President, Product Strategy, Ontada | McKesson Corporation – Nate Gosse is the vice president of product strategy for Ontada. He leads portfolio and partner strategy with the goal of driving growth and customer success for specialty provider technology as well as oncology insights and expert services. Nate joined McKesson in 2011 and most recently served as vice president of product strategy for the Specialty Provider Solutions business. Previously, Nate was a consultant for McKinsey and Company, and a biomedical researcher at the University of California, San Francisco. Nate has driven adoption of value-based arrangements – for commercial and government programs – in specialty care through multiple channels: launching provider technology and reporting tools, establishing collaborative payer-provider clinical pathways programs, and leading partner relationships to bridge meaningful clinical data between provider and payer intermediaries.
• Justin Heiser, PharmD, Executive Vice President of Pharmacy Operations, Thrifty White Pharmacy – Justin Heiser, PharmD is the Executive Vice President of Pharmacy Operations at Thrifty White Pharmacy. Since joining the 100 store employee owned pharmacy chain in 2007 he has held several roles with the company focused on strategy, business development, strategic partnerships as well as the development of proprietary technology that integrates data-driven value-based care programs into pharmacy workflow.
• Heather Gibson, Associate Director, Performance Measurement, Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) – Heather Gibson serves as the Associate Director of Performance Measurement for the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA), providing expertise in several phases of the measure development process. She supports PQA in executing its pharmacy measure strategy, including directing technical expert panels and providing input on pilot projects that integrate innovative metrics into pharmacy-payer value-based contracts. Heather also played a key role in a recent PQA-led summit series, which convened multi-stakeholder thought leaders to identify and prioritize pharmacy measure concepts that would be suitable for use in payer-pharmacy value-based payment arrangements. Heather previously worked at HSAG as a Health Services Researcher, where she supported CMS-funded health plan quality measure development in the domain of patient safety.
• J.W. Hill, MBAHCM, CNED, Executive Vice President & GM, NCPDP – John oversees and is responsible for all day-to-day business of the organization and leads the executive management team in achieving financial goals and operational performance; and provides strategic support to NCPDP’s President & CEO. He is driving NCPDP’s Three Year Plan goal on VBA: NCPDP shall be recognized for ensuring that value-based models of healthcare can achieve the goal of enhanced patient health outcomes.

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians can earn Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) hours from the ACPE.

NCPDP’s Educational Summit is open to members and nonmembers. Register by Sunday, November 14th, to take advantage of the extended Early Bird rate of $475. To register for NCPDP’s 2021 Educational Summit on Value-Based Arrangements for Prescription Medications, visit https://ncpdp.org/Educational-Summit.aspx.

About NCPDP

Founded in 1977, NCPDP is a not-for-profit, ANSI-accredited, Standards Development Organization with more than 1,500 members representing virtually every sector of the pharmacy services industry. Our diverse membership provides leadership and healthcare business solutions through education and standards, created using the consensus building process. NCPDP has been named in federal legislation, including HIPAA, MMA, and HITECH. NCPDP members have created standards such as the Telecommunication Standard and Batch Standard, the SCRIPT Standard for ePrescribing, the Manufacturers Rebate Standard and more to improve communication within the pharmacy industry. Our data products include dataQ®, a robust database of information on more than 80,000 pharmacies, resQ™, an industry pharmacy credentialing resource, and HCIdea®, an innovative prescriber database that provides continually updated information on more than 2.5 million prescribers. NCPDP’s RxReconn® is a legislative tracking product for real-time monitoring of pharmacy-related state and national legislative and regulatory activity. For more information about NCPDP Standards, Data Services, Products, Educational Programs and Work Group meetings, go online at http://www.ncpdp.org or call 480.477.1000.

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Adding the extensive talent and experience of John Moore and Jon Henes is an important achievement for our foundation that we believe will contribute greatly to our long-term success,” said CEO of CaringKind, Eleonora Tornatore. “On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to welcome them to the foundation

NEW YORK (PRWEB)
November 05, 2021

CaringKind, New York City’s leading expert on Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving, is thrilled to announce the appointment of two new board members, John A. Moore and Jon Henes, to its board of Directors, effective immediately.

“Adding the extensive talent and experience of John Moore and Jon Henes is an important achievement for our foundation that we believe will contribute greatly to our long-term success,” said CEO of CaringKind, Eleonora Tornatore. “On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to welcome them to the foundation and look forward to benefiting from their knowledge and expertise.”

About John A. Moore: John A. Moore is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Atria Senior Living, Inc., a national seniors housing operator with its support center in Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Moore has served on the board of Atria and its predecessor’s boards since 1999, and as Chief Executive Officer for Atria and its predecessor since 2003. He was elected as Atria’s Chairman of the Board in 2012. He is currently a member of the board of Argentum, LRAA (Louisville Regional Airport Authority), LHCC (Louisville Healthcare CEO Council) and The Parklands.

About Jon Henes: Jon Henes is one of the country’s leading restructuring and corporate governance advisors. Jon has successfully guided numerous publicly traded and privately held companies through transformative restructuring transactions. Jon is a trusted advisor to boards of directors and senior managers regarding fiduciary duties and corporate governance issues in highly complex and “bet the company” situations. Jon has advised companies in a multitude of sectors, including retail, technology, automotive, energy, industrials, printing, media, radio broadcasting, television, healthcare. airlines and publishing.

For more information visit http://www.caringkindnyc.org or visit them on social media at CaringKindNYC on Instagram, and https://www.facebook.com/caringkindnyc/

About CaringKind

CaringKind is New York City’s leading expert on Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving. With over 40 years of experience, CaringKind works directly with their community partners to develop the information, tools, and training to support individuals and families affected by dementia. They offer a CaringKind Helpline (646) 744-2900 run by professional staff; individual and family counseling sessions with licensed social workers; a vast network of support groups; education seminars and training programs; early-stage services and a wanderer’s safety program. They believe in the power of caregiving and seek a world where everyone dealing with dementia has the support they need when they need it.

PRESS CONTACT:     

Lindsey von Busch, Rubenstein PR, 732.284.9089, LvonBusch@rubensteinpr.com

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LAUREL, Md. (PRWEB)
November 05, 2021

Nutrition is one of Maryland University of Integrative Health’s (MUIH) most robust programs. As an accredited graduate University, it is one of just a few in the country that is completely dedicated to integrative health. The University currently offers a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, Master of Science in Nutrition & Integrative Health, Post-Master’s Certificate in Nutrition & Integrative Health, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Culinary Health and Healing, among other programs.

Since 1974, Maryland University of Integrative Health has made it their mission to educate, heal, support, and collaborate in a manner that extends far beyond classroom doors. In their on-campus and telehealth Natural Care Center and community outreach settings, MUIH provides compassionate and affordable healthcare from student interns and professional practitioners.

“Amy Riolo brings a wealth of nutritional expertise as an award-winning, best-selling author and chef,” said Marc Levin, President, and CEO of MUIH. “We’re excited to partner with her to share the vision of MUIH with the wider community.”

Amy Riolo has written several award-winning and diabetes-friendly cookbooks which focus on both living and eating with pleasure and health in mind in order to promote optimal health. Like MUIH, both her cooking and writing draw from traditional wisdom and contemporary science. In her partnership with the University, she will join MUIH’s distinctive community of scholars, researchers, practitioners, and advocates to promote whole person, relationship-centered healthcare and nutrition.

“As someone who has personally transformed a life-threatening illness through integrative medicine, it is both a pleasure and an honor to collaborate with Maryland University of Integrative Health, a leader in the global transformation of health and wellness, which acknowledges the wisdom of the body and nature as a teacher, and focus on the interconnection of mind, body, and spirit,” said, Amy Riolo.

About Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH)

Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) is a leading academic institution focused on the study and practice of integrative health and wellness and one of the few universities in the U.S. dedicated solely to such practices. Deeply rooted in a holistic philosophy, its model for integrative health and wellness is grounded in whole-person, relationship-centered, evidence-informed care.

Since 1974, MUIH has been a values-driven community educating practitioners and professionals to become future health and wellness leaders through transformative programs grounded in traditional wisdom and contemporary science. MUIH has more than 20 progressive graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines, offered on-campus and online.

In the on-campus Natural Care Center and community outreach settings, MUIH provides compassionate and affordable healthcare from student interns and professional practitioners, which delivers more than 20,000 clinical treatments and consultations each year.

For more information visit http://www.muih.edu.

About Amy Riolo

As an award-winning, best-selling author, chef, television personality, and educator, Amy Riolo is one of the world’s foremost authorities on culinary culture. She is known for sharing history, culture, and nutrition through global cuisine as well as simplifying recipes for the home cook. A graduate of Cornell University, Amy is a food historian, culinary anthropologist, and Mediterranean lifestyle ambassador who makes frequent appearances on numerous television and radio programs both in the United States and abroad. In 2019 she launched her private label collection of premium Italian imported culinary ingredients called Amy Riolo Selections which includes an extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and pesto sauce from award-winning artisan companies in Italy.

For more information on Amy Riolo and MUIH, please visit amyriolo.com or http://www.muih.edu or to schedule media interviews, presentations, or events, please contact: aarnold@muih.edu.

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Jennifer Wong, PA-C

A device called a Wood’s lamp is sometimes used to further examine any skin patches whose depth might be concerning. But the vast majority of melasma patches are harmless, though dismaying to live with.

ASTORIA, N.Y. (PRWEB)
November 05, 2021

It’s been dubbed the “mask of pregnancy,” but melasma’s patchy brown, tan or blue-gray skin discoloration doesn’t just occur in expectant mothers. Fortunately, a variety of treatments can minimize this often-embarrassing condition, according to Jennifer Wong, PA-C, of Advanced Dermatology P.C.

About 90% of people with melasma are women between the ages of 20 and 50, and this skin spotting – typically appearing on the nose, cheeks or jawline – is more common during the hormone-fueled months of pregnancy, says Wong, a physician assistant with comprehensive experience in medical and cosmetic dermatology for all ages.

But sun exposure and genetics are also leading contributors to melasma, which the American Academy of Dermatology estimates affects about 6 million women in the United States.

“Diagnosing melasma isn’t difficult, with a health care provider often able to pinpoint its presence just by looking at your skin,” Wong explains. “A device called a Wood’s lamp is sometimes used to further examine any skin patches whose depth might be concerning. But the vast majority of melasma patches are harmless, though dismaying to live with.”

Treatment options

It may be encouraging to know that melasma can sometimes fade on its own, given time and patience. But waiting it out might be a good approach, Wong notes, when the condition’s trigger has been identified and will soon end, such as pregnancy, oral contraceptive use or excessive time in the sun.

Aside from that, you may wish to take a more aggressive treatment path, with both at-home and in-office options available, Wong says. Melasma treatments can include:

• 
      Hydroquinone: This medication, which is available in cream, lotion, gel or liquid forms, lightens the skin. Over-the-counter versions can be found, but your doctor can prescribe stronger concentrations if needed.
•     Corticosteroids and tretinoin: When added to hydroquinone, these medications can enhance skin-lightening effects. Some products are called a “triple cream” because they include all three ingredients.
•     Other topical medications: Skin-lighteners such as azelaic acid or kojic acid work by encouraging cell turnover to rid the skin of unsightly marks and promoting healthy new skin cell development.
•     In-office procedures: Topical medications are usually the first line of treatment, but if they don’t do the trick, your doctor can try in-office procedures such as a chemical peel, microdermabrasion or dermabrasion. These treatments slough off the top layers of the skin, where melasma occurs.

No matter what treatment you try, results likely won’t be instantaneous, Wong cautions.

“It simply takes time for stubborn pigmented cells to turn over,” she says. “And whatever you do, don’t think you can scrub them off at home. This can actually worsen melasma by irritating the skin and leading to more pigment production.”

Prevention is key

Unfortunately, melasma isn’t necessarily gone forever once skin patches lighten. Wong says the condition can easily return, requiring both vigilance and persistence to keep at bay.

Prevention, then, is the watchword for melasma management. Wong recommends these prevention approaches:

•     Sunscreen use: Yes, everyone should use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when out in the sunshine. But this habit is even more important for those with melasma, for whom a main risk factor is sun exposure.
•     Hats: “A wide-brim hat can do wonders to keep the worst of the sun’s rays off your face,” Wong says.
•     Gentle skin care: Don’t use facial cleansers that sting, burn or irritate, since they can make melasma worse.

Bio: Jennifer M. Wong, PA-C Physician Assistant. Ms. Wong has comprehensive experience in medical and cosmetic dermatology for all ages.

Advanced Dermatology P.C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery (New York & New Jersey) is one of the leading dermatology centers in the nation, offering highly experienced physicians in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology as well as plastic surgery and state-of-the-art medical technologies. http://www.advanceddermatologypc.com

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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine updated guidelines to increase the recommended age for egg donors to 21–34 as SGF expands the egg donor program to Norfolk, VA.

“The wider age range — which previously recommended egg donors be between ages 21–32 — allows more interested egg donors the opportunity to apply for compensated donation to help fulfill the dreams of parenthood for individuals and couples faced with infertility.”

NORFOLK, VA (PRWEB)
November 05, 2021

Based on updated guidance from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), egg donors between the ages of 21–34 are now eligible for egg donation at participating Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) offices, including its latest expansion with SGF Jones Institute in Norfolk, Virginia.

“The wider age range — which previously recommended egg donors be between ages 21–32 — allows more interested egg donors the opportunity to apply for compensated donation to help fulfill the dreams of parenthood for individuals and couples faced with infertility,” explains Eric A. Widra, M.D., SGF Chief Medical Officer.

SGF is home to the largest fresh-cycle egg donor program in the country. Thanks to the generosity of egg donors, more than 10,000 SGF patients have become parents. SGF generously compensates egg donors at various points throughout the prescreening and donation process for their time, effort, and commitment, not for their actual oocytes/eggs. First-time SGF egg donors can receive up to $7,000 and repeat egg donors can receive up to $8,000.

Under SGF’s stringent screening requirements, any prospective egg donor between the ages of 21–34 who is healthy and has knowledge of their family history may be considered for egg donation. A short online application with a prompt reply identifies if a candidate is pre-qualified to become an egg donor at SGF. Once pre-qualified, all egg donor candidates must complete a comprehensive personal and family medical history questionnaire.

SGF is one of only a few centers in the nation that selects and prescreens its own egg donors prior to making them available on their donor registry. SGF recruits and medically, psychologically, and genetically prescreens all prospective, ready-to-cycle egg donors prior to listing them on the SGF donor registry. Much more commonly, fertility centers rely on an agency to select donors, which adds significantly to the cost passed on to the donor egg recipient, also known as the intended parent.

SGF Jones Institute offers patients access to the most advanced fertility care across the Hampton Roads region. The office is conveniently located at 601 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507, on the Eastern Virginia Medical Center Main Campus minutes away from the U.S. 58 Midtown Tunnel and EVMC/Fort Norfolk Station.

To learn more about becoming an egg donor at SGF — including eligibility requirements, the donation process, compensation, and egg donation FAQS — visit Become an Egg Donor, or complete your initial egg donor application.

About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)

SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 100,000 babies born and 5,000+ 5-star patient reviews. With 43 locations, including new locations in Colorado and Norfolk, VA, as well as throughout CO, FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, SGF offers patients virtual physician consults, delivers individualized care, accepts most insurance plans, and makes treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including 100% refund guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. SGF is among the founding partner practices of US Fertility, the largest physician-owned, physician-led partnership of top-tier fertility practices in the U.S. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.

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Angela Jefferson, Chief Program Officer, Partnership with Children

Angela Jefferson has been a dynamic leader at PWC, exemplifying our commitments to supporting our staff, to building an antiracist organization, and to promoting health and education equity in New York City. — Margaret Crotty, PWC CEO

NEW YORK (PRWEB)
November 05, 2021

Angela Jefferson has been named Chief Program Officer at Partnership with Children (PWC), the 110-year-old nonprofit whose pioneering social work and community school programs support the mental health and wellness of New York City school children and their families. With over 20 years of experience supporting families and communities, most recently as PWC’s Vice President of Programs, Jefferson oversees all of the organization’s trauma-informed counseling services and school-based programs for over 30,000 students across the five boroughs of New York City.

“Angela is an excellent clinician, a strategic thinker and a compassionate manager. She has been a dynamic leader at Partnership with Children, exemplifying our commitments to supporting our staff, to building an antiracist organization, and to promoting health and education equity in New York City,” said Margaret Crotty, CEO of PWC.

Jefferson brings to the position the deep expertise of a clinical supervisor, and the broad experience of a social work advocate among community-based organizations, schools, and health care agencies in New York. Over the course of her career she has consistently worked for communities that are disproportionately challenged by financial insecurity, systemic racism and disparities in mental health support.

“I am proud to be part of PWC’s outstanding team of social workers, clinical supervisors and community school staff. It will take all of us in collaborating with our school partners to support our students as we emerge from the pandemic,” Jefferson said.

“We are so fortunate to have Angela’s leadership, as supporting young people’s mental health and ensuring our schools are safe and supportive are among the city’s most critical challenges,” Crotty said. “She embodies the highest level of professional excellence.”

Jefferson joined PWC in early 2018 as Clinical Director and became Vice President of Programs two years ago.

Previously, she was Director of Family Support Services for the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone. Prior to that, she was Director of Social Work at DREAM, a sports-based youth development organization and charter school serving over 2,500 youth a year in East Harlem, the South Bronx, and Newark. Earlier, she was a social work supervisor and pediatric social worker at New York Methodist Hospital.

Jefferson holds a Master of Social Work from New York University as well as Post-Master’s training at New York University and the Ackerman Institute for the Family. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baruch College.

Partnership with Children (PWC) For over 100 years, Partnership with Children (PWC) has supported New York City children. Today it reaches over 30,000 students in all five boroughs with school-based programs rooted in a trauma-informed approach, a steadfast commitment to antiracism, and expertise in children’s social-emotional wellbeing.

PWC is a major service provider in New York City’s community school initiative, and one of the city’s foremost providers of school-based mental health services. Its full-time, credentialed social workers provide social-emotional learning programs, trauma-informed counseling, and mental health services —so students can learn and thrive. In 19 community schools, PWC’s specialized teams integrate academics, health, social services, youth development, and community engagement. In 2020, PWC acquired the Center for Arts Education (CAE) in order to increase its portfolio of services to enhance social-emotional learning and social justice initiatives in New York City schools.

http://www.partnershipwithchildren.org

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