BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (PRWEB)
February 10, 2020

American Family Care (AFC), the nation’s leading provider of urgent care, occupational medicine and accessible primary care is aggressively expanding its healthcare network across New England. The first phase includes the acquisition of 18 clinics that will create the AFC New England division of the fast-growing healthcare system.

AFC’s Founder and CEO, Dr. Bruce Irwin, pioneered the urgent care concept nearly 40 years ago. “This acquisition is the first step in our strategy to bring unprecedented medical coverage to New England,” Irwin explains. “Whether operating corporately owned clinics, supporting a local entrepreneur through our franchising model, or by partnering with local hospital systems, our team is actively looking at a wide array of opportunities to grow our presence throughout New England.”

American Family Care stands out from other urgent care centers by offering a consistent, state of the art treatment across a broad range of services, including primary care. AFC medical providers treat and diagnose illnesses like the flu or a cold, injuries and accidents, including broken bones, and help patients manage a variety of health conditions ranging from arthritis to diabetes to high blood pressure. AFC also offers pre-employment physicals, drug screening and treatment of work-related injuries.    

The aggressive New England expansion plan is the latest chapter in AFC’s stupendous growth over a very short time. “We have nearly tripled the size of our healthcare network, we’ve grown from 28 clinics to more than 225 clinics in less than eight years,” says Randy Johansen, President of AFC. “We have the resources to give entrepreneurs the horsepower to succeed in this business. Our model is mapped out for success and we are passionate about providing the quality of medical care AFC patients have grown to expect when they visit one of our clinics.”

Veteran AFC master developers Jim Brennan and Tom Kelly will oversee AFC’s operations in the Northeast. Brennan has been a key figure in AFC’s growth over the last ten years. His territory encompasses 22 clinics in Massachusetts and Maine with another six more in various stages of development. “AFC has provided me with all of the resources needed to acquire, develop and expand rapidly,” explains Brennan. “AFC’s growth in the Northeast is a testament to the critical role that urgent care medicine plays in our healthcare system today. I look forward to identifying new opportunities throughout the region and expanding our reach to provide more individuals, families and business with access to our services. ”

AFC’s aggressive expansion will also equate to many new jobs across New England. AFC multi-unit franchisee Tom Kelly has opened seven urgent care clinics in Connecticut over the last seven years. “Each one of our AFC clinics is deep rooted in the community it serves. We not only provide a one stop shop for medical care, but we are providing jobs to people who live in the area, people who want to help grow the community and want to see their neighbors succeed,” says Kelly.    

AFC is on track to expand its footprint to 500 locations within the next five years. The company’s executive team is dedicated to committing unlimited time, funding and resources to reach that goal.

More information about business opportunities with American Family Care can be found on AFC’s national website.

About American Family Care:

Founded by Dr. Bruce Irwin with a single location in 1982, American Family Care has pioneered the concept of convenient, patient-centric healthcare. Today, with more than 200 clinics and 600 in-network physicians caring for nearly 3 million patients a year, AFC is the nation’s leading provider of urgent care, accessible primary care, and occupational medicine. Ranked by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., AFC’s stated mission is to provide the best healthcare possible, in a kind and caring environment, while respecting the rights of all patients, in an economical manner, at times and locations convenient to the patient. For more information, visit http://www.AmericanFamilyCare.com.

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OncoMyx Therapeutics is an ASU spinout company founded on the myxoma virus (MYXV) platform.

It was great to work with the Skysong Innovations team on this licensing, because they understand not just the patent portfolio but what an inventor and entrepreneur needs to spin out a company and reach the next level.

PHOENIX (PRWEB)
February 10, 2020

OncoMyx Therapeutics, an Arizona State University (ASU) spinout and privately-held oncolytic immunotherapy company founded on the myxoma virus (MYXV) platform, has finalized a licensing agreement with Skysong Innovations, ASU’s technology transfer organization.

OncoMyx is developing oncolytic immunotherapies to treat cancer, based on the work of Grant McFadden, the director of the Biodesign Institute’s Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy at ASU. McFadden’s team has designed an oncolytic virus to specifically kill cancer cells without harming normal cells.

“Professor McFadden and his collaborators have developed a robust oncolytic virus technology, supported by preclinical and clinical research, that we believe could be a new pillar of cancer care,” said Steve Potts, co-founder and CEO of OncoMyx. “Completing this licensing agreement is an important milestone for advancing this technology into new potentially life-saving treatments for cancer. It was great to work with the Skysong Innovations team on this licensing, because they understand not just the patent portfolio but what an inventor and entrepreneur needs to spin out a company and reach the next level.”

In June 2019, OncoMyx completed a $25 million Series A financing, one of the year’s largest venture investments in Arizona and the most money ever raised by an ASU spinout in its initial funding round. The company is using the proceeds to advance the development of its MYXV platform to the stage when it can begin human clinical trials.

“OncoMyx has the potential to become the best-in-class oncolytic virus approach for treating a wide range of cancers,” said Augie Cheng, CEO of Skysong Innovations. “The company has tremendous IP, experienced leadership, and funding commensurate with the technology’s promise. They are a true shining star in the Arizona biotech startup scene.”

Overall, companies launched to develop ASU’s intellectual property are boosting the state’s economy. To date, ASU researchers and other entrepreneurs have started more than 140 new companies, which together have attracted almost a billion dollars in outside investments. An independent economic impact analysis completed last year found that, from 2016-2019, Arizona’s economy gained a cumulative $575 million in gross state product, $52 million in state and local tax revenues, and 5,842 job-years (equivalent to one person having a job for one full year) as a result of Skysong Innovations’ venture development activities. The cumulative economic impact of these new companies is projected to reach $1.16 billion by the end of 2022.

About Arizona State University

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. Learn more: http://www.asu.edu

About OncoMyx Therapeutics

OncoMyx Therapeutics, a startup launched from Arizona State University (ASU), develops oncolytic immunotherapies based on the myxoma virus (MYXV) platform to orchestrate an immune response and treat cancer. Successful immuno-oncology (IO) cancer treatment generally requires combination therapy, and oncolytic viruses (OVs) have emerged as a safe and effective IO complement. The company’s MYXV platform, spun out from ASU, is poised to be a best-in-class OV approach, and the top OV team has assembled around MYXV to create important new therapeutic options for cancer patients. For more information, please visit http://www.oncomyx.com.

About Skysong Innovations

Skysong Innovations works with ASU researchers to protect and commercialize the intellectual property they create, promoting the ASU research enterprise and enhancing the community ASU serves. Among universities without a medical school, the Milken Institute ranked ASU as sixth best for tech transfer, and in 2018, ASU made the National Academy of Inventors and IP Owners Association’s top ten list for U.S. Patents issued. In addition, ASU is consistently among the top performing large universities in annual surveys by the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) for invention disclosures, venture formation, and deal making per $10 million in research expenditures. Skysong Innovations has helped launch more than 140 new spinout companies from ASU, which together have attracted almost a billion dollars in outside investments. Learn more: https://www.skysonginnovations.com/

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KENNEBUNK, Maine (PRWEB)
February 05, 2020

Rare disease is anything but rare. As many as 7,000 rare diseases affect 400 million people globally. The vast majority are not well understood, and less than 5% have approved treatments. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), through its Rare As One Project, has committed $450,000 to help CLOVES Syndrome Community build capacity, expedite research and drive progress for people with CLOVES, a relatively unknown disease.

“No one is more committed to finding cures for rare diseases than the patients and families of those affected by these disorders,” said Priscilla Chan, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of CZI. “We are proud to support patient-led organizations as they pursue diagnoses, information, and treatment options in partnership with researchers and clinicians.”

Kristen Davis, Executive Director of CLOVES Syndrome Community, can speak firsthand to this commitment. “People with rare diseases and patient advocates are critical to understanding the day-to-day experience of living with a rare disease,” said Davis. “I have learned if the path you need doesn’t exist, create one.”

Davis launched CLOVES Syndrome Community in 2009 after her daughter was appropriately — and finally — diagnosed with CLOVES, which stands for Congenital Lipomatous Overgrowth, Vascular Malformations, Epidermal Nevi & Scoliosis/Spinal Issues/Seizures. CLOVES Syndrome is a congenital disease caused by a somatic genetic mutation in a gene called PIK3CA. Symptoms vary widely amongst patients but include vascular, skin, spinal, and bone abnormalities and overgrowth. Currently, there is no cure.

PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS) is an umbrella term for rare syndromes characterized by malformations and tissue overgrowth caused by somatic mutations in the PIK3CA gene. Funding from CZI’s Rare As One Project will allow CLOVES Syndrome Community to launch a Collaborative Research Network, which will include people with CLOVES/PROS and their caregivers, physicians, scientists, and researchers, to work jointly on understanding the PIK3CA pathway in these diseases.

“What started as a group of the first 30 individuals to be diagnosed with CLOVES Syndrome has grown into a worldwide community of stakeholders, all working to expand opportunities for an improved quality of life for people with CLOVES and other PROS conditions. This grant will allow us to reach even more people struggling for information and options and connect them with resources that could save their life,” said Davis. “We are grateful for the opportunity provided by CZI’s Rare as One Project and are excited about the impact of this grant on our community and all rare diseases. Together we are better.”

About CLOVES Syndrome Community

CLOVES Syndrome Community supports, educates, empowers and improves the lives of those affected by CLOVES Syndrome. We believe that when patients and their families are informed and supported, they are better equipped to handle their own medical, emotional, and physical needs. CLOVES Syndrome Community does this by cultivating a thriving patient community, convening medical conferences, publishing books for children, and funding medical research. We also bring families together for Betsy’s Camp, an annual opportunity for community, connection, relaxation and fun. More information can be found at http://www.clovessyndrome.org/

About the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Founded by Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg in 2015, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) is a new kind of philanthropy that’s leveraging technology to help solve some of the world’s toughest challenges — from eradicating disease, to improving education, to reforming the criminal justice system. Across three core Initiative focus areas of Science, Education, and Justice & Opportunity, we’re pairing engineering with grant-making, impact investing, and policy and advocacy work to help build an inclusive, just and healthy future for everyone. For more information, please visit https://chanzuckerberg.com/.

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BOSTON (PRWEB)
February 05, 2020

Bay State Physical Therapy, Massachusetts’ leading provider of physical therapy services, is pleased to announce its partnership with Merrimack Valley Physical Therapy (“MVPT”). The partnership provides critical access into Southern New Hampshire and continues to expand Bay State Physical Therapy’s partnership network throughout the Northeast.

Merrimack Valley Physical Therapy has been serving Southern New Hampshire since 1983 and has developed an excellent reputation for its clinical quality and patient experience. The Company has locations in Bedford, Manchester, Nashua, and Londonderry and is poised for additional expansion. As part of the partnership, longtime owners David and Nancy Robator will be transitioning out of daily activities, and current COO Kevin Pozzi will become Managing Partner of MVPT.

“We have a tremendous amount of respect for the MVPT organization and could not be happier to be partnering. Dave and Nancy’s character and compassion for their patients and team are truly unique, and we are honored to be working with Kevin to build upon the foundation they’ve established,” said Dr. Steve Windwer, founder and CEO of Bay State Physical Therapy. “The alignment of our cultures and values made this a special partnership opportunity, and we could not be more excited to bring the MVPT and Bay State families together,” said Windwer.

David Robator added, “For the past few years, we’ve felt that a partnership may be able to provide our team and patients with greater resources, but we couldn’t find a partner that shared our same mission and values. Today, I’m confident that Bay State is the perfect match. Our team and patients are like family, and we know that Bay State feels the same way and will continue to hold true to our practice mission. The future is bright for MVPT and we’re certain that Bay State will not only be a good partner, but that Kevin and Bay State continue to unlock MVPT’s potential.”

The partnership with MVPT reflects Bay State PT’s continued desire to enhance access and better serve its patients and partners. Since its inception, Bay State Physical Therapy has prioritized the outcomes and experiences of its patients and will continue to invest in developing New England’s clinical leader in physical therapy.

To learn more about partnering or transitioning with Bay State Physical Therapy, visit http://www.baystatept.com or contact Brady Hill, VP of Corporate Development, at bhill@baystatept.com

About Bay State Physical Therapy:

Headquartered just outside of Boston, MA, Bay State Physical Therapy is a leading provider of physical therapy and chiropractic services throughout New England. Bay State PT’s mission is to be devoted to the health and wellbeing of our patients by offering exceptional, innovative rehabilitation services, to restore each individual’s maximal function with integrity and compassion. Bay State PT supports its partners and affiliates by investing in the resources, operating expertise, and systems to allow therapists to focus on the patient and the provision of clinical care.

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MILBANK, S.D. (PRWEB)
February 06, 2020

Wapiti Medical Staffing, a leading healthcare staffing agency, has been awarded the Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for the sixth consecutive year. Best of Staffing Awards are given to staffing agencies based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients (i.e., Wapiti partner facilities) and talent (i.e., Wapiti providers). This also marks the second consecutive year Wapiti has achieved Diamond status in each category. Diamond Award winners have won the Best of Staffing Award at least 5 years in a row, consistently earning industry-leading satisfaction scores.

“Wapiti has always scored well. That speaks volumes to the character of this group,” states Wapiti CEO Troy Kastrup. “Our client score has increased 40% in the last two years, which is impressive knowing we have always ranked in the top 2% of staffing companies. Great people making a great team, providing a great experience for our many communities and patients.”

Client Results

Wapiti received a Net Promoter® Score of 71.4% from clients, with 77.6% of clients giving Wapiti a 9 or 10 out of 10 satisfaction score (significantly higher than the industry’s average of 24%).

Best of Staffing winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality. On average, clients of winning agencies are 2.2 times more likely to be completely satisfied.

Talent Results

Wapiti received a Net Promoter® Score of 72.8% from Wapiti providers, with 80.2% of providers giving Wapiti a 9 or 10 out of 10 satisfaction score (significantly higher than the industry’s average of 45%).

Candidates who have been placed by winning agencies are 1.7 times more likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies.    

About Wapiti Medical Staffing

Wapiti Medical Staffing provides healthcare staffing solutions to medical facilities throughout the United States, with an emphasis on the Midwestern states of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The company provides a range of professional services and staff, including ER, hospitalist, clinic, urgent care and anesthesia coverage. Wapiti Medical Staffing is based in Milbank, SD, with additional offices in Huron and Rapid City, SD; Cedar Falls, IA; and Salt Lake City, UT.

About Best of Staffing

ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on ClearlyRated.com – an online business directory that helps buyers of professional services find service leaders and vet prospective firms – based exclusively on validated client and talent ratings and testimonials.

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AUSTIN, Texas (PRWEB)
February 09, 2020

“We have been thoroughly analyzing more than 20 hospital solutions, it has been tough because we have been searching for the best-integrated solution that can help us with our continuous excellent patient care,” said Ahmed Bagedo, newly-minted Chief Financial and Administration Officer at Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital. “Between all of these international companies, we have chosen Ecaresoft because of their solution Cirrus, it is true-cloud, fully integrated financial and clinical solution, along with the business intelligence suite.”

Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital has provided the best medical care for its community in Jeddah for more than 30 years, it has around 300 beds, 9 operating rooms, and 33 specialties. This health center is well renowned in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its patient care and experience as one of the best in the region; constantly being the hospital of choice by the community of Jeddah. As it was proved in the National Competition for the Prevention of Blood Infections Associated with Central Catheters, here they won first place toward the objective of reducing infection rates, supporting public and private hospitals in joining the national electronic monitoring program, and demonstrating and emphasising health practices in reducing this type of infection.

Up until now, Dr. Erfan & Bagedo has been working with a customized in-house on-premise system, meaning it is not cloud-based and customized to the needs they had when first built. Therefore, the technology which it is powered by is starting to display a technology gap that can slow down the hospital operation and doesn’t fulfill completely their current needs; a shift to a market-proved system like Cirrus is essential. With it they will work on-cloud which integrates our ERP, HIS, RCM, and EHR for a full control of their operation. All this will work along with our business intelligence suite, Estela, which helps in better decision-making based solely on data.

With Cirrus, Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital is expecting an increase in revenue, better control of their operation as a whole, more financial visibility, and a more efficient work environment. Most of all Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital is working towards a fully integrated operation to provide the best patient care possible.

“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital as our client in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” adds Adrian Pina, Co-CEO of Ecaresoft. “Our relationship with Dr. Erfan & Bagedo Hospital is valuable as we look to provide them with the most advanced technology and to support their continued growth and digital transformation.”

Ecaresoft is based in the US, all regulations and certifications for its customers are up to par with international standards. It has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, its focus is constantly on improving their system for the best user-experience they can provide.

With this evolution, they will be sure to continue with their development and modernization of their services, physicians, specialists, staff, and medical equipment. By working with Cirrus they will not only provide better patient care, but they are also up to par with providing their associates and suppliers with better management of their transactions.

About Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital

Founded in 1981 by Sheik Ahmad Bagedo and Dr. Mohamed Erfan, it was established as a psychiatry and neurology clinics. They have always been committed to providing the highest quality Comprehensive Healthcare Service that fulfills the National and International Standards of patient safety goals and meeting the community’s needs and expectations. It is also one of the biggest and most recognized hospitals in Jeddah in particular & in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

About Ecaresoft and Cirrus

At Ecaresoft Inc, we build software products that are up-to-standard with current technology: easy to use, cloud-based, and fast to deploy. Our mission is to democratize technology in the healthcare industry and make our solutions available to all. Our headquarters are in Austin, Texas.

Cirrus is a cloud-based solution that helps hospitals run in a more efficient way. It covers everything from patient admissions, to inventory management, to medical records, to billing. Cirrus is divided into four main modules: Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), Electronic Health Record (EHR), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Hospital Information System (HIS).

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