All posts by imreal

Business: Executives

Matt Fossey Named CEO of Invoke Tax Partners

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Matt Fossey

Invoke is in the unique position to operate in the national marketplace as a true independently owned and operated SALT practice. This agility allows us to focus solely on our client’s needs rather than satisfying outside sources.


DALLAS (PRWEB)

Invoke Tax Partners, a State and Local Tax firm, has named Matt Fossey as Chief Executive Officer. Matt is a prominent fixture in the industry and brings more than 16 years of experience providing strategic leadership anchored in integrity and ingenuity.

“Matt was the clear choice to take operations to the next level. Not only is he well-respected amongst his peers, he also portrays a kindred entrepreneurial spirit in all of his dealings,” said Mark Boozer, Founding Partner/Chairman of Invoke Tax Partners. “Matt is the type of leader who can steer Invoke to transcend its capabilities and continually ensure its exponential growth.”

Early in his career, Matt joined a newly minted national tax firm as its first Managing Consultant. He went on to acquire ownership and serve as a Senior Executive during two private equity holds. His personal trajectory provided unique experience with business development, sales strategy, technology development, and multimillion-dollar P&L management. Matt managed hundreds of employees throughout North America and provided key executive leadership to increase the firm’s valuation from $11 million to $150 million.

“Matt brings a multitude of experience and expertise to Invoke having spent his entire career in the State and Local Tax industry,” said Jerrod Raymond, Founding Partner of Invoke Tax Partners. “When we sat down to talk about an opportunity to build a firm with a great culture, the latest technology, and a structured sales path to take to market, I knew Matt would be a perfect fit.”

Since partnering with Invoke, Matt has focused on building the right foundation to support a sustainable growth and delivery model. With three major pillars in mind – consistency, clarity, and discipline – Matt has instilled a transparent and collaborative environment that prides itself on both internal and external engagement.

“I am honored to lead such an excellent group of tax professionals as we bring a new vision of State and Local Tax solutions to life in 2020,” said Matt Fossey, CEO. “Invoke is in the unique position to operate in the national marketplace as a true independently owned and operated SALT practice. This agility allows us to focus solely on our client’s needs rather than satisfying outside sources.”

About Invoke Tax Partners – Invoke Tax Partners delivers state and local tax solutions to corporations across the nation. Committed to tried-and-true methodologies and equipped with modern technology, our tax experts create a meaningful partnership to invoke impactful results your firm deserves.

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Health

WellSprings Home Care Wins 2020 Best of Home Care Award

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This award, along with our 5 star rating, reinforces our commitment to continue providing the highest quality care for our clients


EXTON, Pa. (PRWEB)

WellSprings Home Care is proud to announce they have been selected as one of 2020’s Best of Home Care Award Winners by SeniorAdvisor.com, the largest ratings and reviews site for senior care and services in North America.

SeniorAdvisor.com is in the 7th year of hosting the Best of Senior Living Awards. SeniorAdvisor.com’s Best of 2020 Award winner represents the best of the best of in-home care, assisted living, and other senior living providers, based on the online reviews written by seniors and their families. The exclusive designation honors the top 2-3% of senior care providers across the United States and Canada.

To qualify for inclusion in the Best of 2020 Awards, care providers must have maintained an average overall rating of at least 4.5 stars while receiving five or more new reviews between November 17, 2018 and October 18, 2019. WellSprings Home Care maintains a 5-Star rating.

“On behalf of the entire WellSprings Home Care team, we are honored to be recognized by SeniorAdvisor.com’s 2020 Best of Home Care Award Winners,” says Justin Currie, founder and owner of WellSprings Home Care. “This award, along with our 5 star rating, reinforces our commitment to continue providing the highest quality care for our clients, and growing our team of experienced, compassionate caregivers.”

“As SeniorAdvisor.com’s ‘Best of Senior Living’ awards enters its 7th year of honoring the top family rated communities and care providers, we are proud to say that the bar has been raised. In order to ensure only the best communities and care providers win, we decided to make the criteria harder than ever this award season and over 610 senior living and home care providers rose to the occasion. Each year we are increasingly impressed with the quality of winners and look forward to spreading the word about these award-winning organizations,” says a representative for SeniorAdvisor.com.

About WellSprings Home Care

Located in Exton, PA, WellSprings Home Care is one of the top-rated home care agencies and winner of the Best of 2020 Award on SeniorAdvisor.com. Serving Chester, Montgomery and Delaware Counties, WellSprings Home Care offers a range of quality care services ranging from live-in senior care, 24-hour care, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Specialty Care, and more. WellSprings Home Care helps seniors maintain their independence, ensure their safety and enhance their quality of life. For more information, visit http://www.wellspringshomecare.com or call 610.463.0880.

About SeniorAdvisor.com

SeniorAdvisor.com is the largest consumer rating and review site for senior living communities and home care providers across the United States and Canada with over 240,000 trusted, published reviews. The innovative website provides easy access to the information families need when making senior care decisions, and features reviews and advice from community residents and their loved ones. For more information, please visit http://www.SeniorAdvisor.com.

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Health

According to Dr. Kaixuan Liu, Founder and Medical Director with Atlantic Spine Center, In Spinal Surgery, Lasers More Hype Than Hope

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Dr. Kaixuan Liu

When it comes to battling chronic back pain and the spinal disorders that cause it, lasers are not surgeons’ most common – or effective — tool.


WEST ORANGE, N.J. (PRWEB)

For Luke Skywalker, a laser sword proved the weapon-of-choice in his fight against the “Empire” in Star Wars, but, when it comes to battling chronic back pain and the spinal disorders that cause it, lasers are not surgeons’ most common – or effective — tool, according to world-renowned spinal surgeon Kaixuan Liu MD, PhD.

“As far as laser spine surgery being some kind of magical procedure that brings instant pain relief, there is no such thing, despite the ballyhoo on the Internet suggesting it’s a minimally-invasive – or even nonsurgical – approach for treating herniated and ruptured spinal discs or spinal stenosis,” says Dr. Liu. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in performing endoscopic spine surgery and serves as medical director of the Atlantic Spine Center, based in New York and New Jersey.

Unlike described “laser surgery,” endoscopic surgery is a proven, minimally invasive procedure that allows the surgeon to work on the spine through a small tubular system or through micro-incisions (incisions about the size of a quarter), with the aid of an inserted endoscopic camera. The camera provides full visualization of the surgical field.

“Endoscopic procedures have revolutionized treatment of neck and back pain. Clinical experience and study show they minimize blood loss, speed recovery, involve less pain, provide long-term relief and improve a patient’s overall quality of life,” says Dr. Liu.

“Because of the magnification that the endoscope provides, an experienced surgeon can use a laser safely during endoscopic surgery to remove scar tissue, adhesions and small, boney growths or to coagulate areas of bleeding.”

“But the laser’s application is confined to cases in which the cause of the patient’s pain is clearly diagnosed and localized. It is not at all useful for repairing and removing major disc herniations (disc ablation), eliminating large bone spurs or stabilizing the spine,” he adds.

Other experts concur. In a report published in a September 2019 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, scientists indicate that “available clinical studies do not show a notable advantage” for laser use in conventional spine surgery and add that the “purported” benefits of lasers, including “reduced inflammation and degeneration,” are “not supported by preclinical research.”

Lasers create a concentrated source of heat that can readily slice through tissue and structures, thereby helping surgeons remove soft tissue or disc material that may be compressing a nerve and causing pain.

However, “the spine comprises a complex system of nerves, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and bone that run its length. For that reason, the surgeon must be absolutely precise in the laser’s use. A spillover of heat can easily damage nearby nerves and other areas of the spine, which is why a low-energy laser – the Holmium YAG laser – is the one most frequently used in spine surgery,” says Dr. Liu.

“A laser is only a tool in the spine surgeon’s arsenal. It is not absolutely essential for ensuring an effective spinal decompression procedure. Many other instruments, oftentimes more appropriate, are available, such as burrs, cutters and graspers.”

Admittedly, the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved laser use for percutaneous disc decompression (PLDD) – a minimally-invasive, nonsurgical, outpatient procedure to treat sciatica caused by milder forms of disc herniation. Sciatica occurs when a herniated disc in the lower back presses on a nerve, resulting in chronic pain and numbness in the lower back and legs. In PLDD, an optic fiber is inserted through a needle that has been guided by X-ray or computed tomography to the ruptured disc. Then, laser energy is sent through the fiber to ablate a small volume of tissue and ease pressure on the nerve.

But, according to Dr. Liu, most spinal experts agree that PLDD is primarily performed in cases that are likely able to resolve on their own without further treatment or in patients who want to avoid immediate surgery and engage in “watchful waiting,” understanding that surgery may be required later to provide long-term relief.

“The takeaway here for patients is that, despite the marketing hype, the usefulness of lasers in actual spinal surgery, except under specific, controlled circumstances, remains undocumented by evidence-based data,” Dr. Liu says. He advises that individuals with spinal problems or chronic back pain consult with credentialed, board-certified spine surgeons or neurosurgeons to carefully weigh their options.

Atlantic Spine Center is a nationally recognized leader for endoscopic spine surgery with several locations in NJ and NYC. http://www.atlanticspinecenter.com, http://www.atlanticspinecenter.nyc

Kaixuan Liu, MD, is a board-certified physician who is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive spine surgery at Atlantic Spine Center.

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Technology: Computer

Skuid Hires New CRO to Lead Global Sales Expansion; Former CEO of SpringCM appointed to Skuid board

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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (PRWEB)

Skuid, the revolutionary UX customization toolkit, today announced it has hired Rob Consoli as its chief revenue officer. Consoli will spearhead all global revenue generation activities, including field sales, inside sales and pre-sales engineering, to accelerate Skuid’s next stage of growth. Additionally, Skuid welcomes software veteran Dan Dal Degan as the new executive chairman of its board of directors.

Consoli joins from OpenText, where he led the Americas for the company’s Business Network division. Prior to OpenText, he was CRO of Liaison Technologies (acquired by OpenText for $310 million), and held sales leadership positions with I.D. Systems, Visiprise (acquired by SAP) and Jacada ahead of its IPO.

“With an ever-growing shortage of developers industry-wide and the need for a seamless user experience across disparate applications, Skuid is in high demand in the market today,” said Consoli. “I am delighted to join such an innovative company with an outstanding culture, dedicated employees and hundreds of raving customers. I look forward to working with Skuid leadership to accelerate our growth in the months and years to come.”

Dal Degan brings with him more than three decades of software sales and leadership experience, most recently, as the CEO of SpringCM, which was acquired by DocuSign in 2018 for $270 million. Dal Degan played an instrumental role in SpringCM’s acquisition by helping to fast-track the company’s revenue, customer and employee base. Dal Degan also serves on the Board of Directors of SalesHood, a leading mobile sales enablement platform company; the Board of Directors of Polsource, a boutique, global systems integrator; and served on the Board of Directors of Samanage, a top IT service management company (acquired by SolarWinds in 2019).

“We are thrilled to welcome Rob Consoli and Dan Dal Degan to the Skuid team,” said Ken McElrath, CEO of Skuid. “Rob’s extensive experience in sales leadership for high-growth companies will be a tremendous asset as we build upon skyrocketing growth in 2019, while Dan’s depth of knowledge in scaling innovative software brands is an exciting addition to our board of directors.”

About Skuid

Off-the-shelf applications rarely match the unique workflows, processes and roles of your people, which kills software adoption and engagement. Until now, user experience customization has cost far too much money and time. Skuid provides a fundamentally new model for creating digital experiences with little to no code required, combining Adaptive Data™, Adaptive Logic™, and Adaptive UI™ into a revolutionary Adaptive DX™ toolkit. Nearly 1000 customers across more than 30 countries use Skuid to create custom digital experiences that dramatically increase adoption and engagement up to 10 times faster.

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Technology: Electronics

Leading Animatronic Dinosaur Company, Billings Productions, to Open New HQ, Manufacturing Center in Allen, Texas

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Billings Productions’ future manufacturing facility in Allen, Texas. (Courtesy of Allen Economic Development Corporation.)

“Animatronic dinosaur manufacturing is about as creative an industry as we could hope to attract – and it highlights the diversity of businesses that call the City of Allen home,” said Dan Bowman, executive director of the AEDC.


ALLEN, Texas (PRWEB)

Billings Productions, Inc., North America’s leading provider of life-size animatronic dinosaurs, will open a new 50,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing center in Allen, Texas, in 2020. The modern facility is designed to become a leading attraction in the Dallas metro, as Billings Productions continues to design and fabricate extinct creatures and construct exhibits for zoos, museums and theme parks.

Billings Productions broke ground on its new headquarters in late-2019 and will move its team of 40 expert craftspeople and 350 life-size dinosaur and giant bug animatronics to the new location, slated to open by late-2020. The build-to-suit facility, designed by Alliance Architects and represented by Partners National Real Estate Group, will have space for community events and offer tours showcasing how the life-like dinosaurs and bugs are made.

“We made the right choice coming to Allen” said Lauren Billings, Billings Productions’ vice president of operations. “Community support has been phenomenal, from Allen Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) to the architects and everyone in between. We are excited to continue our growth in the place where we began as a small business.”

Dan Bowman, executive director of the AEDC, noted: “We are thrilled that a home-grown Allen business has chosen to expand in our community. Animatronic dinosaur manufacturing is about as creative an industry as we could hope to attract – and it highlights the diversity of businesses that call the City of Allen home.”

Billings’ artists sculpt and mold the models for these impressive creatures, engineers design the structures and a production team brings them to life – a mashup of art and modern manufacturing. The art does not cease at initial production, either, as teams both repair and redesign the creatures in rotation.

While Billings’ previous facility offered generous space to produce these lifelike creatures, the new, community-oriented headquarters offers a sleek design, engaging signage, a large events space, gift shop and parking to accommodate visiting students and dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages.

Since starting the company in an old airplane hangar in 2003 and moving to its most recent location in 2012, Billings Productions has grown to become a world leader in design and development and the only manufacturer of fully assembled dinosaurs, bugs and primal predators in the U.S.

“We want to involve the community in our business by showing them what we do – so that they too can feel like they have a hand in our success,” said Billings Productions’ Founder Sandra Billings. “We’re thrilled to be able to do so in the City of Allen, where we’ve grown tremendously.”

The company’s ongoing educational mission spurs public interest in scientific fields including paleontology, biology and geology. Sandra Billings noted: “We want to show visitors that recreating animal creatures is just one creative application of a vast STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) space. The Dinosaur Company is an exhilarating way to witness that firsthand.”

Near the new Billings headquarters is the city’s scenic mixed-use center, Watters Creek. The resort-style, mixed-use development, located on the southwest corner of U.S. 75 and Bethany Drive, sits on 52 acres and incorporates a creek-side village green, interactive public art, a variety of retail options, restaurants, office space and residential lofts.

The Billings expansion underscores an encouraging growth trend for the Dallas suburb, which saw its workforce and business roster expand throughout the 2010s. In fact, the city has completed $500 million in new commercial projects in the past two years. To accommodate the growth – for a population of some 105,000 residents – the city has backed ample retail development and has 9 million square feet of Class A office space planned.

Allen, whose population is predicted to reach 117,000 by 2023, has become a recognized business destination catalyzed, in part, by a technology and telecommunications corridor – including companies such as NETSCOUT, GIACT, TriTech Software, and next-gen data centers for AT&T and Cisco, among others.

About Billings Productions, Inc.

Billings Productions is a world leader in the design and development of animatronic exhibits for zoos, museums and theme parks. The company was founded by Larry and Sandra Billings in September 2003 at a warehouse in Larry’s hometown of McKinney, Texas. With Larry’s passing in 2007, Sandra now runs the company from a “creature workshop” in the city of Allen. Billings is among a handful of companies in the world that produce life-like, life-size animatronic dinosaurs and giant animatronic bugs for traveling and permanent exhibits. Billings also provides customized design and build services for a wide range of static and animatronic wildlife pieces. Billings’ animatronic exhibits are extremely popular and offer opportunities for educational messaging centered on wildlife conservation and the science of robotics. Through realistic, fun and entertaining exhibits, it is the company’s hope that people of all ages will come to appreciate the prehistoric past and its lessons for our planet’s future. For more information visit: http://www.billingsproductions.com/.

About the Allen Economic Development Corporation

The Allen Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is funded through a citywide half-cent sales tax and charged with facilitating company relocations and assisting the expansion of existing businesses, which creates jobs and generates additional tax revenue to the community. Today, Allen’s total ad valorem tax base exceeds $8.5 billion. The AEDC was instrumental in bringing over $500 million in projects to completion in the past two years, including the relocations of NETSCOUT Systems, a leading provider in business service assurance, BossFight Entertainment, a world-class independent game development studio, and the expansion of WatchGuard Inc., the leading provider of mobile video solutions for law enforcement. For more information, visit http://www.AllenEDC.com.

health and fitness

Kim Baker Foods Expands Distribution of Pro-Chi™ into Whole Foods Market; Builds on Product’s Momentum with Consumers

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Pro-Chi™ Lentil Crunch

“We are thrilled to work with Whole Foods and broaden our reach to connect with healthy-minded individuals looking for new innovative plant-based products,”


RICHMOND, Va. (PRWEB)

Kim Baker Foods expands the distribution of its flagship product Pro-Chi™ Lentil Crunch to Whole Foods Market. Pro-Chi™ is a healthy plant-based snack and protein topper that adds texture, flavor and nutrition to other foods such as salads, smoothie bowls, pasta, yogurt, baked goods, and more. The product uses organic, sprouted lentils to maximize nutrient bio-availability and roasts them to create delicious crunch.  Pro-Chi is gluten/grain-free with 7 grams of protein per serving and is available in three flavors in both single serve and 4 oz. packages.

Pro-Chi will be available in its first Whole Foods location this week with the grand opening of Whole Foods Market’s new West Broad Street location in Richmond, Virginia on January 30, 2020. This expansion builds on the company’s continued momentum and creates an opportunity to reach a broader set of customers.

“We are thrilled to work with Whole Foods and are grateful for the chance to further connect with healthy-minded individuals looking for new innovative plant-based products,” said Kim Baker, founder of Kim Baker Foods. “Pro-Chi represents the ways that food can energize our lives and is a celebration of our vitality.”  

Founder Kim Baker studied at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York and was featured on the TODAY show for her cookbook “Working It in the Kitchen: Food for the Workweek”. 

Kim Baker Foods (http://www.kimbakerfoods.com) provides products and services to inspire healthy living and nourish positivity. Pro-Chi is a unique plant-protein snack that makes clean eating fun and accessible. Pro-Chi is sold nationwide on the company’s website and at select retail locations. Since its founding in 2004, the company has used its passion for food to support various charities and organizations including Feedmore and Cycle for Survival, among others.

Visit the company on Instagram and Facebook at @kimbakerfoods and @prochiplantenergy.

#kimbakerfoods #ilovelentils #feedyourchi

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Industry: Healthcare

Tunnell Consulting Establishes New Presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts

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The Cambridge Innovation Center is the perfect spot for Tunnell’s expansion.


KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (PRWEB)

Tunnell Consulting, an organization dedicated to solving complex problems for life sciences companies and government agencies, announced that the firm has established a presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts, one of the largest life sciences hubs in the country. Tunnell’s Cambridge office will be in the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), at One Broadway in the heart of Kendall Square. The CIC is a vibrant, collaborative workspace for startups, entrepreneurs and the region’s most rapidly-growing innovators.

“It is vitally important for Tunnell to have a physical presence in the country’s most important life sciences hubs,” said Maryann Gallivan, President and CEO of Tunnell Consulting. “Our King of Prussia, Pennsylvania headquarters means we are an active member of Pennsylvania’s thriving life sciences community. However, as we continue to grow as a company, it is important for us to expand our presence to other areas of innovation. The Cambridge Innovation Center is the perfect spot for Tunnell’s expansion. The facility is filled with biopharmaceutical leaders and startups working on fascinating next-generation projects and rapidly-growing companies like Tunnell, and we look forward to being an active member of the CIC community.”

Approximately half of the CIC’s tenants are life science and biotech companies at various stages of growth, from startups to global corporations. “CIC is very excited to welcome Tunnell Consulting to CIC Cambridge,” said Corey Wade, Senior Relationship Manager. “Given their expertise in the life sciences, they will be a great addition to the CIC ecosystem.”

Tunnell’s thought leaders offer decades of direct industry experience and expert guidance to some of the world’s most influential pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences companies, government agencies and other innovators in the industry. Three of Tunnell’s consultants will work out of the Cambridge office, including Maryann Gallivan, President and CEO; and Principals Bill Connell and Scott Myers.

About Tunnell Consulting

Founded in 1962 and serving many of the world’s leading life sciences firms, government agencies and emerging startups, Tunnell Consulting, Inc. integrates strategic, technical, process, quality, regulatory and organizational skills to design and implement sustainable solutions that exactly meet client needs. With deep industry knowledge, extensive scientific credentials, and superior measurable results, we consistently boost the operating performance of each unique client we serve. To learn more, visit us online at http://www.tunnellconsulting.com.

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Health

Leading Independent Pharmacy Buying Group Provides Member Access to the World’s Most Competitive Pharmacist Formulated CBD Product Line and Price Structure

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After months of comparing and analyzing processes, systems, and the overall integrity of the products offered, Zova was far and away the best option for bringing a broad spectrum, hemp-sourced, THC-free CBD options and deals to our members.


DEARBORN, Mich. (PRWEB)

The Association of Affiliated Pharmacies and Apothecaries (AAPA), the nation’s fastest growing independent pharmacy buying group, announced its partnership with Zova™, one of the world’s most trusted providers of THC-free (0.00% non-detectable), hemp-sourced CBD products, to build the AAPA CBD AdvantEdge™ program. The program provides immediate and exclusive CBD product access to AAPA member pharmacies at wholesale acquisition costs (WAC) that are on average 50 percent lower than any other competitive offering on the market today. In addition, the CBD products distributed through the program are backed by the AAPA AdvantEdge™ CBD Purity & Safety Guarantee.

AAPA and Zova™ teamed up to offer independent pharmacy members products based on hundreds of years of cumulative experience in hemp “seed to table” practices used by certified farms, non-GMO sources, and cGMP grade facilities. The AAPA AdvantEdge™ CBD Purity & Safety Guarantee lets pharmacists know where their products are coming from and exactly what ingredients are in them. Every product has a QR code that links to the product’s third-party lab’s certificate of analysis.

“AAPA studied the CBD industry looking for a company that aligned with our mission to continue providing members with pathways to success,” Gerry Crocker, CEO at AAPA. “After months of comparing and analyzing processes, systems, and the overall integrity of the products offered, Zova was far and away the best option for bringing a broad spectrum, hemp-sourced, THC-free CBD options and deals to our members.”

“At Zova, we make pharmacists and their patients our top priority,” says Ed Saleh, CEO at Zova. “Because our executive team consists of pharmacists with years of experience, specialized in meeting patients’ needs, we understand the challenges healthcare professionals face. So, we created a CBD product line that can assist pharmacists in serving their patients.”

The broad-spectrum CBD product line is made in the USA and includes sublingual tinctures in multiple concentrations and flavors as well as topical salves, gel capsules, gummies, moisturizers, and pet-focused options. AAPA also has developed a starter kit for pharmacies new to CBD product lines.

“Staying on the forefront of this industry allows our member base to reinvent business models and better serve their patient’s ever-changing needs,” added Crocker. “Bringing the CBD line to our members has the potential to increase profit margins by 100 percent. Being able to offer deeper savings on CBD products strengthens the member pharmacy’s standings within the community and helps to drive their business success.”

Learn more about the AAPA CBD AdvantEdge™ program at http://www.aaparx.com.

About the AAPA

Built by pharmacists for independent pharmacies in 1996, the Association of Affiliated Pharmacies and Apothecaries (AAPA) helps independent pharmacy owners proactively gain better control over profitability and growth through access to the industry’s deepest, most aggressive brand and generic drug discount offerings; business insights into more profitable opportunities outside the normal pharmacy niche; and advocacy services that safeguard the pharmacy’s role and success throughout the care continuum. The organization’s nonprofit arm will continue to provide leadership on legislative issues and other community causes and maintain active student chapters. Learn more at http://www.aaparx.com.

About Zova™

Zova™ was founded by a team of pharmacists who wanted to create a product line that made pharmacies and patients their top priority. Part of a multitude of partnerships across North and South America, and with hundreds of years of cumulative experience in hemp “seed to table” production, including farms and cGMP grade facilities, Zova uses non-GMO seeds while working hand-in-hand with organic farms to ensure the highest seed quality from inception to product creation.

Zova’s approach allows them to provide access to high-quality, innovative hemp products using core values of Integrity, Innovation, Persistence & Compassion. These values help the company stay on task in utilizing innovations that focus on the tenets of natural science. To find out more about Zova, visit http://www.zovacbd.com.

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Health

Santa Clara Family Health Plan Announces its Plan to Open a Community Resource Center in East San Jose

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“As Santa Clara County’s local Medi-Cal managed care plan, we are excited to work with the community to develop the CRC into a valued resource for health, wellbeing, and collaboration in East San José,” said Christine M. Tomcala, Chief Executive Officer of SCFHP.


SAN JOSE, Calif. (PRWEB)

Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP) announced its plan to open a Community Resource Center (CRC) to provide the residents of East San Jose with local access to SCFHP services. The CRC will be open to the entire community and will offer convenient in-person customer service, enrollment assistance, health education classes, and case management, provided in the main languages spoken by Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Along with providing health care navigation resources, the CRC will be developed as an inclusive space for Community Based Organizations and local safety net agencies working to address the social determinants of health. The CRC will be an affordable and conveniently located alternative for organizations to host workshops, conduct classes, or provide trainings that will help SCFHP members and local residents.

“As Santa Clara County’s local Medi-Cal managed care plan, we are excited to work with the community to develop the CRC into a valued resource for health, wellbeing, and collaboration in East San Jose,” said Christine M. Tomcala, Chief Executive Officer of SCFHP.

The CRC will be located in the Capitol Square Mall at North Capitol Avenue and McKee Road. The official name of the CRC will be the Santa Clara Family Health Plan Blanca Alvarado Community Resource Center, in honor of Blanca Alvarado’s distinguished history of service to the community.

“We are honored to name the CRC after Blanca Alvarado, who through community leadership and public service has dedicated her life to advocating for social justice and human rights. Blanca Alvarado embodies the spirit of care that is central to SCFHP’s mission and to our vision for the CRC,” said Ms. Tomcala.

Currently, over 87,500 SCFHP members live in East San Jose. The location of the CRC will greatly reduce critical barriers for members and local residents seeking assistance – transportation and time. By providing convenient access to services that promote healthy and active lifestyles, the East San Jose CRC will support visitors in becoming advocates for their own health and wellbeing and that of their families.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2020, with the opening of the Blanca Alvarado Community Resource Center targeted for mid-2020.

About Santa Clara Family Health Plan

SCFHP is a local, community-based health plan dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the residents of Santa Clara County. Working in partnership with providers and community organizations, we serve our neighbors through our Medi-Cal and Cal MediConnect (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) health insurance plans. SCFHP began offering coverage in 1997 and is now proud to provide services to over 239,000 residents of Santa Clara County. Through devotion to outstanding service and care for the community, SCFHP is committed to providing quality, affordable health insurance to the underserved in Santa Clara County’s diverse population. For more information, visit http://www.scfhp.com.

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Health

PNEUMOSIL®, the new pneumococcal vaccine, achieves WHO prequalification, a key step toward improving access and affordability

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PNEUMOSIL® brings forward a more affordable option that can make a pneumococcal vaccine accessible and free up country and donor funds for other health priorities.


PUNE, India and SEATTLE (PRWEB)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified PNEUMOSIL®, a vaccine against a leading cause of deadly childhood pneumonia—the pneumococcus bacterium. This is a major step toward improving pneumococcal conjugate vaccine affordability and enabling sustainable access for children and families in low- and middle-income countries.

The vaccine was developed through a collaboration between Serum Institute of India, Pvt., Ltd. (SIIPL) and PATH with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It is expected to protect children on par with other pneumococcal conjugate vaccines at a price that is more affordable for low- and middle-income countries.

Representatives from the Serum Institute of India, Pvt., Ltd. and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will speak about the development and WHO prequalification of PNEUMOSIL® at the first-ever Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia on January 29-31, 2020.

The announcement of this prequalification is an important milestone toward alleviating one of the biggest barriers that countries face in sustainably accessing pneumococcal conjugate vaccines—price. WHO prequalification allows PNEUMOSIL® to be procured by the United Nations agencies and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “PNEUMOSIL® can be manufactured at high volume with current capacity at 100 million doses per annum, which will be augmented to over 150 million doses per annum in two to three years. It will be made available at a target Gavi price of around US$2 per dose, which is roughly 30% less than the current Gavi price for these kinds of vaccines,” says Dr. Rajeev Dhere, executive director of SIIPL.

“The vaccine provides an alternate vaccine for low- and middle-income countries to ensure lifesaving access to pneumococcal disease prevention over the long term,” explains Dr. Mark Alderson, director of PATH’s pneumococcal vaccine project.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are difficult for many countries to afford without considerable donor financial support but have helped significantly reduce pneumococcal deaths and illness where introduced. And though donor support has been key in helping to increase country access, implementing and sustaining pneumococcal vaccine programs continues to be difficult for many countries. PNEUMOSIL® brings forward a more affordable option that can make a pneumococcal vaccine accessible and free up country and donor funds for other health priorities.

“There has been unprecedented demand for the pneumococcal vaccine from Gavi-supported countries,” says Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “Within the last decade, we have supported the vaccination of 185 million children against this leading killer of children—but there is still work to be done. This new vaccine gives us more options in the fight to ensure no child dies from this preventable and treatable disease.”

“Vaccines are one of the best investments we can make to give every child a healthy start at life and build stronger communities and economies,” said Dr. Keith Klugman, director of the pneumonia team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “As pneumonia continues to be the leading cause of death for young children worldwide, we welcome this new vaccine that will allow for more children to be protected from this debilitating disease.”

In addition to pneumonia, the pneumococcus bacterium causes other serious, life-threatening diseases like meningitis and sepsis. It is estimated to cause nearly 400,000 deaths in children under five years of age each year worldwide.

PNEUMOSIL® covers the types of the bacterium most likely to cause serious illness in low- and middle-income countries and is manufactured in the most efficient way possible. This reduces costs while preserving quality.

“Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are among the most complex vaccines to manufacture. As a vaccine developed and produced in India that will benefit the world, PNEUMOSIL®’s WHO prequalification is a landmark achievement,” adds Mr. Neeraj Jain, PATH country director in India.

A recent PATH-sponsored Phase 3 clinical study of PNEUMOSIL® in infants in The Gambia was conducted prior to WHO prequalification at the MRC Unit in The Gambia—part of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine—and provided the pivotal results for the data package required for WHO prequalification. The vaccine met all primary and secondary endpoints in the study, with key findings showing the vaccine to have an acceptable safety profile and to generate a protective immune response similar to a WHO-prequalified comparator pneumococcal vaccine without interfering with other routine childhood immunizations. These results were presented at the 2019 European Symposium on Pediatric Infectious Diseases and a study manuscript is in preparation for peer-reviewed publication. Other study collaborators included FHI Clinical and the WHO Reference Laboratory for Pneumococcal Serology at the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London.

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Additional resources for media: Fact sheet: pneumococcal disease, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, and PNEUMOSIL®

About Serum Institute of India, Pvt., Ltd.

Serum Institute of India, Pvt., Ltd. (SIIPL), based in Pune, India, today is the largest manufacturer of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP) and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccines and supplies its products to United Nations agencies and more than 160 countries. SIIPL’s MenAfriVac® meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine, which was specifically developed for sub-Saharan Africa, is acknowledged as a remarkable success by the vaccine community. It is a policy and commitment of SIIPL to make new vaccines available at affordable prices to the children of the developing world. http://www.seruminstitute.com.

About PATH

PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide. http://www.path.org

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