All posts by imreal

An Estimated 184,000 Children, Under the Age of 15, Sent to the Emergency Room for Toy-related Injuries in One Year, According to the CPSC


Prevent Blindness has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month.

“By taking a few cautionary steps to give gifts that are meaningful, safe and age-appropriate for children, you can help make sure that the holidays are festive and bright,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.

Last year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a report stating there were an estimated 251,700 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments. Forty-four percent of the estimated injuries were to the head and face area, the most commonly affected area of the body.

According to the CPSC, of the 251,700 estimated toy-related, emergency department-treated injuries, an estimated:

  • 184,000 (73 percent) happened to children younger than 15 years of age;
  • 174,300 (69 percent) occurred to children 12 years of age or younger;
  • 89,800 (36 percent) happened to children younger than 5 years of age


Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest non-profit eye health organization, has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness month, to help shoppers select the best gifts for children.

For those considering purchasing sports equipment, Prevent Blindness suggests that the proper sports eye protection also be included. Recommendations may be found at http://www.preventblindness.org/recommended-sports-eye-protectors.

Sunglasses with UV protection can be a helpful gift for adults and children. Only buy sunglasses that provide a clear statement about how much UV radiation is blocked. The label should clearly state the sunglasses block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays.

For all other gift ideas, Prevent Blindness recommends:

  • Ensure the toy is right for the child’s ability and age. Consider whether other smaller children may be in the home and may have access to the toy.
  • Avoid purchasing toys with sharp or rigid points, spikes, rods, or dangerous edges.
  • Buy toys that will withstand impact and not break into dangerous shards.
  • Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.
  • Read all warnings and instructions on the box.


“By taking a few cautionary steps to give gifts that are meaningful, safe and age-appropriate for children, you can help make sure that the holidays are festive and bright,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.

For more information on safe toys and gifts for children, please visit http://www.preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist or call Prevent Blindness at (800) 331-2020.

About Prevent Blindness

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at preventblindness.org or facebook.com/preventblindness.

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Dentist Dr. Tye Thompson Attends AAID Conference to Improve Dental Implant Care in Midland, TX


Dr. Tye Thompson, Dentist in Midland, TX at The Dental Studio of Midland

Midland, TX Dentist, Dr. Tye Thompson, Honored as Diplomate of the AAID

A dental implant really provides benefits to patients with missing teeth. They are able to chew, function and maintain a good smile aesthetic.

Respected dentist, Dr. Tye Thompson of The Dental Studio of Midland, attended the 68th Annual Conference of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). During this event he was also awarded as a Diplomate of the AAID and the American Board of Oral Implantology. Striving to offer the latest treatment options, he attended this conference and achieved Diplomate status in order to provide the most cutting-edge dental implant care to his Midland, TX patients. This year’s conference, titled “Synergy and Success,” was designed to foster the community of implant dentistry, optimize patient care and provide attendees with relationships that last beyond the conference. Dr. Thompson will use this experience to enhance the treatments he provides at The Dental Studio of Midland along with his colleagues, Drs. Jordon Green and Mallory Layman.

While at the conference, Dr. Thompson was honored as a Diplomate of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and the American Board of Oral Implantology. The certification process to gain this prestigious recognition is comprehensive and consists of a written and oral examination that covers all aspects of implant dentistry. To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Provide evidence of an active dental license
  • Have seven or more years of experience in the practice of implant dentistry
  • Have completed at least 75 implant cases
  • Successfully complete both the Part I and Part II examination within four years

The AAID conference focused on providing clinicians with industry leading dental implant continuing education. The conference took place in Las Vegas, NV and included staff education, hands-on learning, exhibitors as well as keynote speakers. The goal of “Synergy and Success” was to provide attending clinicians with:

  • The opportunity to learn from leading practitioners
  • Up to 20 hours of continuing education
  • Hands-on workshops and live surgery
  • Access to top technologies

Dr. Thompson is applying the skills and techniques learned at the conference to his dental implant treatments at The Dental Studio of Midland. A dental implant is a lifelike tooth replacement option that mimics the proper form and function of a natural tooth. “A dental implant provides the opportunity for a patient to be restored to normal aesthetic contour and function, just as they would by having a natural tooth,” says Dr. Thompson. “A dental implant really provides benefits to patients with missing teeth. They are able to chew, function and maintain a good smile aesthetic.”

The Dental Studio of Midland offers comprehensive dental implant care, from tooth extractions to bone grafting, implant placement using guided technology and restoration. Patients can also receive sedation dentistry for added comfort. Once the dental implant treatment is complete, patients can benefit from enhanced smile aesthetics, a boost in self-confidence, improved oral health and an improved diet. With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last patients for the rest of their lives.

Those interested in learning more about the dentists at The Dental Studio of Midland or who would like a consultation to discuss dental implants in Midland, TX are encouraged to connect with Drs. Thompson, Green, and Layman. To schedule an appointment, call 432-687-0629 or visit http://www.midlanddentalstudio.com.

About the Dentists

The Dental Studio of Midland offers comprehensive and caring dental care to patients in Midland, TX. Committed to serving custom care that patients truly need, Drs. Tye Thompson, Jordon Green, and Mallory Layman build relationships with each patient in order to understand their unique needs and goals. Both Drs. Thompson and Green completed dental training at the prestigious University of the Pacific and continue to expand their knowledge in dentistry by attending multiple continuing education courses. Dr. Layman brings her experience from the University of Texas to the team. The Dental Studio of Midland is equipped with advanced dental technology to provide patients with the highest standard of care. Drs. Thompson, Green, and Layman offer laser dentistry, Invisalign®, full mouth reconstruction, and sedation dentistry. The Dental Studio of Midland team is dedicated to providing the most efficient, least painful procedures for patients, and offer minimally invasive surgery whenever possible. To learn more about Drs. Thompson, Green, and Layman and the services offered at The Dental Studio of Midland, call 432-687-0629 or visit http://www.midlanddentalstudio.com.

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Financial Executives International Chicago Chapter to Host 9th Annual Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards


News Image

“FEI’s Chicago Chapter congratulates the 2019 award finalists for outstanding performance in their roles as financial executives,” said Maggie Martensen, President of FEI’s Chicago Chapter.

The Chicago Chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI) today announced that it will celebrate 20 finalists at its 9th Annual CFO of the Year® Awards. The networking and awards gala will be held on November 21, 2019, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. The event typically draws more than 800 guests from the Chicago business, academic, and non-profit communities. All interested parties, including members of the media, are encouraged to attend.

The CFO of the Year Awards honor senior-level financial leaders based in the seven-county Chicagoland region. These individuals have excelled within their organizations, demonstrating superior financial management and stewardship. A team of independent judges representing exceptional leadership in Chicago business and academia select each award recipient.

2019 Finalists

Mid-Size Private Company Category

  • D. Skip Behm, AArete, LLC
  • Brad Gavelek, Midwest Can Company
  • Ozan Kaya, ShopRunner, Inc.
  • Tanya Yakhnis, Tandem Management, Inc.


Large-Size Private Company Category

  • Donna Dreuth, Captive Resources, LLC
  • Mike Franz, Novaspect Holdings, Inc.
  • Christine Laurens, A.T. Kearney, Inc.
  • James Lawler, Kemper Sports Management, Inc.
  • Mike Magner, Ice Services LLC (d/b/a Ice Mobility)
  • Amy C. Shelly, The Options Clearing Corporation


Public Company Category

  • Paul Hoelscher, Horizon Therapeutics plc
  • Olivier Leonetti, Zebra Technologies
  • Carl Lukach, Univar Solutions
  • James J. McKinney, Kemper Corporation


Non-Profit Entity Category

  • Ron Blaustein, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
  • Lindy Loyet, Elevate Energy
  • John H. Nylen, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
  • Joe Onzick, County of Kane (Illinois)
  • Paige A. Rodgers, The Joint Commission
  • Eric Schwager, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center


“FEI’s Chicago Chapter congratulates the 2019 award finalists for outstanding performance in their roles as financial executives,” said Maggie Martensen, President of FEI’s Chicago Chapter. “It is an honor to recognize these extraordinary professionals who represent the finest within the finance profession through their exceptional talent and leadership. Celebrating the profession with this awards event is essential as it highlights and recognizes the superior financial talent right here in the Chicagoland region. These are the people who do it right. These are the people who do it best.”

FEI Chicago recognizes and thanks the official event sponsors whose support makes this endeavor possible: Aon, Associated Bank, KPMG, Sage Intacct, and Tatum. Additional information about the CFO of the Year Awards can be found on the event website: http://www.chicagocfo.org.

About FEI Chicago

FEI’s Chicago Chapter is the preeminent association for CFOs and other senior-level financial executives in the Chicagoland region, and part of an organization with nearly 10,000 members nationwide. In addition to the annual CFO of the Year® Awards, the Chicago Chapter hosts monthly programs with innovative programming and holds an annual educational forum at the Kellogg School of Management. To learn more about Financial Executives International or to join the Chicago Chapter, please visit http://www.financialexecutives.org.

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Dry Eye University Selects FocalPoint Holdings as its Official Consulting and Management Partner


Dry Eye University & FocalPoint Holdings

“We are proud to announce our partnership with FocalPoint Holdings and their FocalPoint Advisors subsidiary. Together we strive to redefine healthcare and set the precedence of ocular surface disease management.” – Patti Barkey, COE

Dry Eye University, the leader in educating practices about the ever-expanding disease management of ocular surface disease, today announced that FocalPoint Holdings, a privately-held investment and management firm specializing in healthcare and technology companies, has been selected as the preferred partner. FocalPoint Holdings and its subsidiaries will now offer Dry Eye University’s network of practices its specialized consulting,management, and technology services to complement each practice’s unique workflow while successfully implementing an ocular surface disease program.

Ophthalmology and optometry clinics understand the need to address this growing patient segment but do not have the time or internal resources to properly strategize and manage a prosperous Dry Eye clinic. Dry Eye University attendees will now be able to use FocalPoint Holdings team of highly-qualified consultants to efficiently launch their Dry Eye clinic by educating/training the staff, analyzing unique practice data to formulate optimal workflows, and continuously monitoring the clinic’s progress for sustained growth.

“Practices want to provide their patients with the latest in innovative treatments and technology, but do not have the time or resources to put together the proper plan to make implementing a new workflow and testing protocols effective.” said Dr. Anish Kapur, President of FocalPoint Holdings. “Our team of consultants, which consists of former practice administrators, operations managers, technicians and deployment specialists, will develop a customized program for your practice and provide the necessary boots on the ground to ensure a smooth transition for your staff.”

“Over the years, it has been our pleasure to host practices and share our custom approach to the management of this expanding disease segment. ” said Patti Barkey, Founder and Director of Dry Eye University. “As part of our continuing mission to provide our Dry Eye University attendees with the latest in Ocular Surface medicine, we are proud to announce our partnership with FocalPoint Holdings and their FocalPoint Advisors subsidiary. Together we strive to redefine healthcare and set the precedence of ocular surface disease management.”

About Dry Eye University-

Dry Eye University was founded on the idea that there was a missing link in the care for the millions of dry eye patients around the world. Dry eye disease (also known as ocular surface disease) is multifactorial in nature and this adds to some chaos when it comes to practice education and implementation. Dry Eye University provides education to industry partners, providers both in the ophthalmic and optometric space as well as the staff within those offices. Dry Eye University has had the pleasure of educating individuals across the world at the programs held each year. These practices have advanced the care needed to properly manage only a portion of the millions of patients seeking assistance. DEU recognizes the job is big and there is still a lot of work to do! Dry Eye University has also partnered with Dry Eye Access to provide a comprehensive, online educational resource for practices. Information on Dry Eye Access is available at http://www.dryeyeaccess.com Additional information about Dry Eye University is available at http://www.dryeyeuniversity.com

About FocalPoint Holdings-

FocalPoint Holdings is a privately held investment and management firm specializing in healthcare and technology companies. As an experienced partner to outstanding management teams, FocalPoint helps build durable companies with sustainable value, especially within the ophthalmic industry. With their team’s depth of knowledge in multiple industries, FocalPoint is the perfect partner for entrepreneurs and business executives looking to grow their business. Additional information about the company is available at https://linkedin.com/company/focalpointholdings and http://www.focalpointholdings.com

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Female-led team launches life changing medical bill management app designed to help patients understand, manage and pay all medical bills in one place.


Medical Bill Personal Finance App

Your Medical Bill Rescue App

“Rachel has formed a great team and now the app is ready to deliver what I hoped for when I helped her create the company two years ago. The app will significantly benefit patients and their health care providers by streamlining the medical billing process.” – Al Castino, former CFO of Autodesk

The RexPay team is excited to announce that November 14 marked the launch of the RexPay app, an all in one solution to help patients to understand, manage, and pay their medical bills. By working alongside healthcare providers to streamline and digitize the billing process, RexPay is the rescue app that patients and their doctors have been waiting for!

In 2016 Rachel Mertensmeyer, CEO and Co-founder of RexPay, experienced both a serious injury and the overwhelm of dealing with medical bills. After seeking a solution to aid her in navigating the system and failing to find a helpful tool, she conducted market research to determine whether this was a universal problem for Americans. After 200 patient interviews and in-depth market research, Rachel and the team uncovered that 80% of patients feel confused about their medical bills (Waystar 2018), and 36% of patients find it difficult to organize and track their medical bills and payments (Becker Hospital Review 2017). Rachel also found that healthcare costs ($3.3T in 2017) and out-of-pocket patient costs ($330BN in 2017) rise year over year, and she saw the need for a personal finance tool that puts patients first and addresses the pain points that they experience (CMS, 2019).

In order to tackle this problem, Rachel quickly gathered a group of passionate investors, programmers, specialists and advisors to develop what today is the powerhouse RexPay team, now based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Together, the team built the RexPay app, which is a solution to the issues plaguing patients. Duplicate bills and billing errors are a costly annoyance, and paper bills are hard to keep track of, especially in our digital world. The RexPay app allows patients to pay all medical bills in one place, track deductibles and out of pocket maximums, and keep bills organized by adding tags, notes, and reminders. These features increase patient visibility to their insurance information and help them stay on top of payments in order to avoid collections. The app also includes a chatbot maintained by the team’s billing specialists. In it, Rex comes to the rescue by answering questions about payments, savings accounts, and insurance.

RexPay receives guidance and expertise from advisory board members such as Mick Murray, former CFO of Blue Shield California, Randy Lipps, founder and CEO of Omnicell, Stephanie DiMarco, founder and former CEO of Advent Software, and Al Castino, former CFO at Autodesk and Peoplesoft. The team has also received recognition as a powerful game-changer in the digital startup world. RexPay has been a finalist in the Venture Madness Competition, the Arizona Innovation Challenge, the MIINT Impact Investing Competition (represented by UCLA Business School), and the Colorado Capital Conference. The company was also accepted into the Launchpad Digital Health Accelerator program, the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation incubator in Phoenix, and the Startup AZ Collective.

After raising $1.1MM in pre-seed funding, building a team of 19 passionate team members, and completing product development, RexPay is now live with early provider customers and the public. The team is ready to scale the product and excited to impact patients’ lives by providing a solution which is now ready to enable any patient in the U.S to understand, manage, and pay all their medical bills in one place.

The RexPay app is available for anyone to download in Google Play and the Apple App Store. The team invites you to join them as they rescue patients from medical bill mayhem. Follow their journey on social media, download the app, and reach out to them about ways to join the rescue mission on their website.

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Energage Makes Moves to Accelerate Growth in Fast-Growing HR Tech Market


“Energage has tapped into something that can unlock the potential of any company, of any size, in any industry. The opportunity for growth is tremendous, and Energage is positioned perfectly.”- Michael DiPiano, managing partner and co-founder of NewSpring Capital

On the heels of releasing its unified SaaS platform that provides organizations with core tools to reduce unwanted turnover and attract and retain the right talent for their business, Energage today announced leadership appointments that will continue positioning the company for rapid, strategic growth.

Momentum is growing as companies seek differentiators that help them compete in the tightest labor market in 50 years. Research shows that culture is that differentiator. Having developed technology over the past 13 years that allows organizations to easily align actions to the 15 Culture Drivers common across all Top Workplaces, Energage founder Doug Claffey has focused on building out the senior leadership team to ensure the right pieces are in place to capitalize on this opportunity.

As part of these broader organizational changes, Claffey is pleased to announce that he will now assume the role of Chief Strategy Officer and partner with new CEO Eric Rubino to focus and drive the Energage mission forward. “I am incredibly proud to have founded and led this company to exceed $20 million in revenue while staying true to our core purpose and becoming one of Philadelphia’s first Certified B Corporations,” said Claffey. “Now, however, is the time to shift focus. The HR tech market is ripe for growth, and our extensive domain expertise is a significant advantage.”

Eric Rubino brings to Energage decades of SaaS software experience and a wealth of leadership experience, including 12 years at SAP, where he was senior vice president and chief operating officer. During his tenure, Rubino played an integral role in building the infrastructure, management team, and support services for the entire SAP America region. While there, SAP America grew from approximately $5 million to more than $3 billion in total revenues.

Since early 2018, Claffey has promoted from within and recruited industry veterans with a track record of achieving aggressive growth objectives to support, execute and lead his and Rubino’s plans into 2020 and beyond. The Energage senior leadership team includes President and COO, Dan Kessler; Vice President of Human Resources, Lisa Sordilla; Chief Financial Officer, Mitch Codkind; Chief Product Officer, Rich Gallagher; Chief Commercial Officer, Tom Urie; and Vice President of Customer Success, Kimberly Gress.

Managing Partner and Co-founder of NewSpring Capital Michael DiPiano commented, “Energage has tapped into something that can unlock the potential of any company, of any size, in any industry. The opportunity for growth is tremendous, and Energage is positioned perfectly. Doug’s leadership combined with Eric’s experience and that of the broader senior leadership team will undoubtedly enable the company to scale quickly without any loss of momentum. All of us at NewSpring are excited to be part of this ride and look forward to providing continued support.”

“After my first meeting with Doug and the full Energage leadership team, I knew I wanted to be part of what’s happening here,” said Rubino, CEO of Energage. “Doug has created a company with purpose and made the right moves to position Energage well for fast-paced growth and market leadership. I’m excited to meld our experiences and work with this group of proven leaders to unlock the team’s full potential. I am confident we will far exceed our goals.”

About Energage

Energage, a Certified B Corporation, offers web-based solutions and advisory services that help organizations recruit and retain the right talent. Home of Top Workplaces research, Energage offers solutions that collect, understand and amplify the voice of the employee, enabling organizations to reduce unwanted turnover, lower recruiting costs and increase retention. Based on more than 13 years of culture research, advanced comparative analytics, and patented algorithms trained on more than 20 million employees at 60,000 companies, Energage has isolated the 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization. For more information, please visit energage.com.

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National Kidney Registry Improves Donor Lost Wage Reimbursement Program by Eliminating Income Restrictions


Inspired by President Trump’s recent Executive Order, the NKR has eliminated the $62,000 maximum income restriction for lost wage reimbursements and will now reimburse all qualified donors up to $1,500/ week in lost wages, for up to 4 weeks.

Today the National Kidney Registry (NKR) announced the elimination of all income restrictions on their Donor Shield Lost Wage Reimbursement program. Inspired by President Trump’s recent Executive Order, the NKR has eliminated the $62,000 maximum income restriction for lost wage reimbursements and will now reimburse all qualified donors up to $1,500/ week in lost wages, for up to 4 weeks. Additional Donor Shield protections include; travel and lodging reimbursement, coverage for uncovered complications, donation disability insurance, donation life insurance, legal support, and prioritization for a kidney should the donor need one in the future.

“We have been using Donor Shield for the past two years to protect every one of our living kidney donors. Many donors and their recipients are unaware of these protections and are relieved to find out about them. Donor Shield has removed significant barriers to living donation, allowing more people to give the gift of life.” Stated Dr. Matthew Cooper, Director of the Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute and the NKR Surgical Director.

Dr. Robert Redfield, Associate Director of Kidney Transplant University of Wisconsin, Madison, commented that, “it is great to see the barriers come down for living kidney donation. Not only is this how we will increase living kidney donation, but it is also making kidney donation easier for all and that is a true triumph.”

“As a kidney donor myself, I am excited to see many top transplant centers adopting Donor Shield protections for the brave donors who step forward,” said Garet Hil, Founder & CEO of the National Kidney Registry. “Donor Shield already covers all NKR donors and has been implemented at 15 transplant centers for direct donation transplants. Donor Shield now protects approximately 1,600 donors per year—which is 25% of all U.S. living kidney donors. Our goal is to reach 100% as soon as possible.”

About the National Kidney Registry

The National Kidney Registry (http://www.kidneyregistry.org) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save and improve the lives of people facing kidney failure by increasing the quality, speed, and number of living donor transplants while protecting all living donors.

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Business Benefits Group Consultant Accepted Into Health Rosetta Associate Advisor Program


jessica du bois employee benefits consultant

Jessica Du Bois

Jessica Du Bois, an employee benefits consultant at Business Benefits Group, was selected as one of 150 Benefits Advisors in the country to be accepted into the Health Rosetta Associate Advisor Program. She is the first benefits advisor in the Northern Virginia region with the Health Rosetta certification. Jessica’s acceptance into the program will provide her with access to experts and proven solutions to help companies effectively manage the cost and quality of their health plan.

Health Rosetta has become known as ‘The Blueprint’ for 21st century benefits, creating an outline for the best practices for designing and managing health plans. The program is represented by big names in the industry such as Tom Emerick, who is the former benefits purchaser of Walmart, and health and wellness innovators David Contorno and Al Lewis. The Advisor Program is for benefits consultants who commit to delivering 3-5 year strategies to employers, while vowing to be transparent in commission and with recommendations. The program has gained traction over the last few years because of their success in saving public and private employers 20% or more on their health plans through simple, practical, and proven approaches.

BBG would like to congratulate Jessica Du Bois for being recognized as one of the 150 benefits advisers to be accepted into the program. Jessica has exhibited continuous excellence at BBG, providing organizations and their employees with modern benefits packages that exceed standards. She also provides assistance to businesses when determining essential strategies, as well as suggestions for additional policy options when necessary. With her success in moving employers to self-funded health plans and commitment to transparent commission practices, BBG sees the Health Rosetta Advisor Program as the perfect opportunity for Jessica showcase her promise to work for employers, not insurers.

Speak to Jessica Du Bois or any of the other benefits consultants at BBG for more information about employee benefits or to receive a consultation for your company. BBG offers a variety of benefits such as health insurance packages, self-funded plans, open enrollment communications, and employee wellness programs, among other options. BBG can be contacted online at https://www.bbgbroker.com/ or toll-free by phone at (844) 201-3612. The firm is headquartered at 4069 Chain Bridge Road, Top Floor, Fairfax, VA 22030.

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Catalent Appoints Corporate Development and Science Leaders to Drive Growth and Innovation


Mike Grippo, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development at Catalent

Mike Grippo, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development at Catalent

Since our IPO in 2014, we have completed seven acquisitions and are expected to close the acquisition of an oral dose and biologics facility in Italy, from Bristol-Myers Squibb, before the end of the calendar year.

Catalent, the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, gene therapies, and consumer health products, today announced it has appointed Mike Grippo as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development. In this newly created role, Mr. Grippo will be responsible for identifying and evaluating organic and inorganic growth opportunities across Catalent that will drive long-term shareholder value. He will report to John Chiminski, Catalent’s Chair and CEO.

Mr. Grippo joined Catalent as Vice President of Corporate Development in 2016, and in his new role will oversee the strategy and corporate development functions of the company, as well as Catalent’s scientific team.

Alongside his appointment, Julien Meissonnier has been named as Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, and will report to Mr. Grippo. In this new role, Mr. Meissonnier will join the executive leadership team, leading Catalent’s new product development and technology innovation programs. He will also head up the company’s scientific community and customer advisory partnerships to help improve formulation and adoption of drug delivery technologies. Mr. Meissonnier will continue to co-chair the Catalent Applied Drug Delivery Institute to leverage emerging new therapeutic modalities.

“Since our IPO in 2014, we have completed seven acquisitions and are expected to close the acquisition of an oral dose and biologics facility in Italy, from Bristol-Myers Squibb, before the end of the calendar year,” commented John Chiminski. “The decisions to make strategic investments in areas such as biologics, gene therapy, and spray drying have been driven in large part by the work of our Corporate Development team, led by Mike Grippo in partnership with key leaders across the business.” He added, “During his long career with Catalent, Julien has been instrumental in driving excellence across the R&D community, notably through the launch of the Scientific Resource Center serving the business’s team of approximately 2,400 scientists and technicians. He will promote open innovation within the organization, and we welcome both to the executive leadership team.”

Prior to joining Catalent, Mr. Grippo was Vice President of Corporate Development for CR Bard. Prior to CR Bard, he held a similar leadership role with Hill-Rom Holdings. Earlier in his career he also held positions with SG Cowen and UBS Securities. Mr. Grippo holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and earned an MBA in Finance from New York University.

Before his appointment as Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Mr. Meissonnier previously held the position of Vice President, Science and Technology, and before that led Catalent’s European softgel R&D team. He holds an engineering degree in physico-chemistry from the ENSI in Caen, France.

About Catalent

Catalent is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, gene therapies, and consumer health products. With over 85 years serving the industry, Catalent has proven expertise in bringing more customer products to market faster, enhancing product performance and ensuring reliable clinical and commercial product supply. Catalent employs nearly 13,000 people, including approximately 2,400 scientists and technicians, at more than 35 facilities, and in fiscal year 2019 generated over $2.5 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey. For more information, visit http://www.catalent.com

More products. Better treatments. Reliably supplied.™

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San Jose, CA Dentist, Dr. Amir HagShenas, Improves Dental Implant Surgery with Carestream CT Technology


Dr. Amir HagShenas, Dentist in San Jose, CA

San Jose, CA Dentist, Dr. Amir HagShenas, Invests in Carestream CT Scanner

Once the treatment planning is complete with the help of the Carestream CT scanner, Dr. HagShenas can place the implants into the appropriate areas of the mouth for optimal results.

Experienced dentist, Dr. Amir HagShenas invests in new, leading-edge Carestream CT technology to improve the experience for patients seeking more permanent dentures solutions in San Jose, CA. The Carestream CT technology enhances the precision of placement with each dental implant. Plus, by using 3D imaging, Dr. HagShenas gains a greater understanding of the patient’s health, allowing him to create the best treatment plan for full arch dental implant cases.

Full arch dental implants are the most stable and long-term denture alternative utilizing four to six implants placed strategically into the jawbone. Once in place, a natural-looking, strong bridge of teeth is secured to the implant posts permanently. The result is a smile that looks and functions just like natural teeth. Patients can bite, chew, speak and smile confidently, knowing they no longer have to worry about what foods are prohibited or about their dentures falling out.

“If you are missing a number of teeth or all of your teeth, full arch dental implants may be a solution,” says Dr. HagShenas. “Dental implants are basically root replacements that get embedded into the jawbone and allow you to place teeth on top. Those teeth get locked into the dental implants, allowing you to have a very beautiful, natural smile.”

One of the first steps in the full arch dental implant process is to receive x-rays of the jaw and mouth. Dr. HagShenas uses Carestream CT technology at this stage in order to capture detailed digital images at a much higher quality than traditional x-rays. This technology exposes patients to far less radiation and can capture panoramic images in just seconds, meaning patients are rarely uncomfortable. These images offer this respected dentist an improved understanding of the patient’s jaw, allowing for more detailed treatment planning on the angle, position and depth in which each dental implant should be placed.

Once the treatment planning is complete with the help of the Carestream CT scanner, Dr. HagShenas can place the implants into the appropriate areas of the mouth for optimal results. This streamlined process makes the surgery quicker and safer for patients, leading them to receive a new smile, often the same day as surgery.

Those interested in learning more about the Carestream CT technology or permanent denture options in San Jose, CA are encouraged to call Dr. HagShenas and his team at Silicon Valley Smile Solutions. Appointments can be made by calling 408-377-5134 or by visiting the website at http://www.svsmilesolutions.com.

About the Practice

Silicon Valley Smile Solutions offers full-service dentistry in San Jose, CA. Dr. Amir HagShenas has been practicing dentistry for nearly 30 years. Dr. HagShenas received his doctorate in dental surgery degree from the University of Minnesota, where he has since been honored with the Irwin A. Epstein Award for Excellence in Endodontics, among other numerous accomplishments. Every year, Dr. HagShenas completes many hours of continuing education in implant and surgical dentistry, far above the requirements mandated by the Dental State Board of California. His motive: “I am committed to help my patients to receive the very best in dentistry.” Dr. HagShenas and his team at Silicon Valley Smile Solutions are dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest dental technologies in order to provide the highest quality of care for patients undergoing treatments like full arch dental implants. Skilled in numerous areas of dental treatments, Dr. HagShenas is particularly passionate about providing long-lasting, full arch dental implant treatments that are, in many cases, available in just one office visit. It is Dr. HagShenas’ goal to form lasting connections with every patient built on trust, partnership, and compassion. To learn more about Dr. HagShenas and the services offered at Silicon Valley Smile Solutions visit http://www.svsmilesolutions.com or call 408-377-5134 to schedule a consultation.

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