CHICAGO (PRWEB)
February 04, 2020

Impact Advisors, a leading provider of clinical, revenue cycle and information technology services to the healthcare industry, announced today that it has been named No. 1 Best in KLAS in HIT Implementation Leadership (Large) in the 2020 Best in KLAS: Software and Services report. This recognition makes it the 13th consecutive year the firm has been recognized as Best in KLAS, with awards in a variety of services.

“At Impact Advisors, our primary mission is to empower our clients by providing a broad range of services and solutions with exceptional quality and value,” said Peter Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of Impact Advisors. “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by KLAS, as it represents the collective voice of our clients. We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support.”

The Best in KLAS designation is reserved for vendor solutions that lead those software and services market segments that have the broadest operational and clinical impact on healthcare organizations. These vendors earn the title of Best in KLAS – a recognition of their outstanding efforts to help healthcare professionals deliver better patient care. During the preparation of the annual Best in KLAS report, KLAS reviews more than 30,000 interviews conducted with health systems and payers that year.

The Best in KLAS HIT Implementation Leadership (Large) designation is reserved for vendors that provide outstanding efforts to help healthcare organizations deliver quality patient care. Impact Advisors scored a 93.9 in this category.

“Clinical and revenue cycle implementation projects are still a large part of our business and are services our clients continue to need expertise for,” said Andy Smith, President and Co-Founder of Impact Advisors. “It is our goal to partner with clients to understand their current environment and business objectives, define tangible project outcomes, and execute to meet those outcomes. This recognition is validation that we are living up to those expectations.”

“Providers and payers demand better performance, usability, and interoperability from their vendor partners every year. Best in KLAS winners set the standard of excellence in their market segment,” KLAS President Adam Gale said. “Earning a Best in KLAS award should both excite and humble the recipients. It serves as a signal to providers that they should expect only the best from the winning vendors.”

Impact Advisors will attend the Best in KLAS Awards Ceremony on March 9 in Orlando where they will be honored for their excellence.

About Impact Advisors

Impact Advisors is a nationally recognized healthcare consulting firm that is solving some of the toughest challenges in the industry by delivering strategic advisory, technology implementation and performance improvement services. Our comprehensive suite of digital health, clinical optimization and revenue cycle services spans the lifecycle of our clients’ needs. Our experienced team has a powerful combination of clinical, revenue, operations, consulting and IT experience. The firm has earned a number of prestigious industry and workplace awards, including Best in KLAS® for 13 consecutive years, Healthcare Informatics HCI 100, Crain’s Chicago Business Fast Fifty, as well as “best place to work” awards from: Modern Healthcare, Consulting Magazine, Becker’s Hospital Review and Achievers. For more information about Impact Advisors, visit http://www.impact-advisors.com.

About KLAS

KLAS is a data-driven company on a mission to improve the world’s healthcare by enabling provider and payer voices to be heard and counted. Working with thousands of healthcare professionals, KLAS collects insights on software, services and medical equipment to deliver reports, trending data and statistical overviews. KLAS data is accurate, honest and impartial. The research directly reflects the voice of healthcare professionals and acts as a catalyst for improving vendor performance. To learn more about KLAS and the insights we provide, visit KLASresearch.com.

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TORONTO (PRWEB)
February 04, 2020

BenchSci, which uses machine learning to identify and resolve preclinical research inefficiencies in drug discovery, announced today it has raised $22 million in Series B financing, launched its new AI-Assisted Reagent Selection product, and expanded its contract with Novartis in a market worth more than $10.2 billion per year in life science R&D cost-saving opportunities.

F-Prime Capital led the round, with participation from Northleaf Capital Partners and existing investors including Gradient Ventures, Inovia Capital, Golden Ventures, and Real Ventures. BenchSci will use the funds to further develop its suite of products that increase the speed and quality of life-saving research by empowering scientists to run more successful experiments, which are the lifeblood of pharmaceutical R&D. As part of the deal, Shervin Ghaemmaghami, Senior Vice President of F-Prime, will join the board of directors.

“BenchSci has assembled an incredibly talented team at the intersection of machine learning and biomedical research. They’re having a real impact at some of the world’s leading pharma companies. We’re thrilled to lead the round and excited by the path ahead,” says Ghaemmaghami.

BenchSci leverages machine learning to target inefficiencies and unnecessary spend in preclinical research. Approximately half of preclinical research is irreproducible, draining $28.2 billion of R&D spend in the US alone each year, with reagents and reference materials accounting for over 36%.(1) This presents life science companies with a $10.2 billion per year opportunity for savings on reagents alone.

BenchSci’s machine learning unlocks this opportunity by evaluating published experiments to identify which reagents will work for which experiments. BenchSci’s first product, AI-Assisted Antibody Selection, focused only on antibodies, one of the most common research reagents. The company’s new AI-Assisted Reagent Selection product expands to other important reagents, including antibodies, recombinant proteins, RNAi, CRISPR, cell lines, and more.

“The pharmaceutical industry is facing a productivity crisis. R&D costs per drug keep rising while revenue is stagnant. Without major change, this crisis will affect everyone. Low or negative returns will reduce investment in new drugs,” says Liran Belenzon, BenchSci CEO and co-founder. “Artificial intelligence promises to reverse the trend. But most AI in drug discovery is unproven. BenchSci’s products, on the other hand, have immediate, quantifiable impact.”

Since commercializing its AI-Assisted Antibody Selection product 18 months ago, BenchSci has proven to decrease costs and accelerate research in 15 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies and more than 3,600 academic labs. As one of the earliest pharmaceutical companies to benefit from AI-Assisted Antibody Selection, Novartis will also be the first BenchSci customer to deploy the new AI-Assisted Reagent Selection product.

To date, BenchSci has raised $45 million. Its Series B follows a successful Series A led by Inovia Capital, with participation from Gradient Ventures, Google’s AI fund. BenchSci is F-Prime Capital’s first tech investment in Canada, as was Gradient’s Series A investment.

ABOUT BENCHSCI

BenchSci exponentially increases the speed and quality of life-saving research by empowering scientists with the world’s most advanced biomedical artificial intelligence to run more successful experiments. Backed by Google’s AI fund, Gradient Ventures, BenchSci uses machine learning to diagnose pharmaceutical R&D health from hidden patterns in procurement data. Customers receive a report on failure rates, productivity, and redundancy by department, therapeutic area, geography, and cost center. They can then address inefficiencies by deploying BenchSci’s AI-Assisted Reagent Selection, which empowers scientists to select the best reagents and design criteria for their experiments. Thereafter, post-deployment reports confirm impact and ROI. A turnkey application of AI with immediate, quantifiable impact, BenchSci now optimizes reagent procurement and experimental success in 15 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies and over 3,600 leading academic centers globally. Learn more at http://www.benchsci.com.

ABOUT F-PRIME CAPITAL

F-Prime Capital is a global venture capital firm investing in life sciences, healthcare, and technology. Since 1969, F-Prime has worked closely with entrepreneurs and academics to create innovative solutions to some of the world’s most significant challenges in healthcare and technology. For more information, please visit http://www.fprimecapital.com.

rkohl@fprimecapital.com

REFERENCES

1. Freedman LP, Cockburn IM, Simcoe TS (2015) The Economics of Reproducibility in Preclinical Research. PLoS Biol 13(6): e1002165. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002165

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Bethany and Alan bring a combined 50 years of experience to OP and will contribute to this exciting time as we strive to innovate healthcare.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. (PRWEB)
February 04, 2020

Office Practicum, a leading provider of pediatric-specific EHR, practice management, and revenue cycle management solutions, welcomed two healthcare industry veterans to its executive team. Bethany Williams, Senior Vice President of Product, and Alan Horton, Chief Technology Officer, will be responsible for creating products and quality solutions that focus on both a child’s physical and mental health.

Greg Anderson, founder of Office Practicum and Chairman of the Board, will move from his day- to-day position as CTO and focus his attention on key client relationships and product innovation.

“I am eager to round out the executive team, which will enable OP to continue equipping current and future clients with groundbreaking solutions that address all aspects of a child’s health,” said Kraig Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Office Practicum. “Bethany and Alan bring a combined 50 years of experience to OP and will contribute to this exciting time as we strive to innovate healthcare.”

A seasoned healthcare IT executive, Williams is a results-oriented avid intrapreneur, product and business developer, and healthcare strategist. She is known for her insightful and unique abilities to build products and considerably expand market share. By working as a catalyst for change in organizations, Williams sparks new direction and positive change.

Prior to joining OP, Williams served as VP of Product Strategy at Wayster, formerly ZirMed. Before that, she worked with PWC, Perot Systems, IDX Systems Corporation, and Sharp Healthcare. Williams served on the Board of Directors for the North Texas American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) for five years and is a member of the Women Leading Business (WBL) national leadership organization.

“It’s an honor to be working with an amazing team of professionals who are dedicated to helping independent pediatricians thrive,” Williams shared. “This is going to be an incredible journey as we move towards treating not only a child’s physical needs, but behavioral and emotional ones as well.”

Alan Horton is a proven technology leader and strategic visionary who is known for cultivating high-performing teams, crystallizing ideas into action plans, and developing innovative SaaS-based products for healthcare and financial services markets. In addition, he holds a U.S. patent for using big data technologies for healthcare master data management.

Horton’s previous leadership experience includes his role as CTO of GSI Health, a population health management SaaS company, where he provided the vision and leadership for their technology platform and engineering teams. Throughout his career, Horton has served at several other high-tech companies, including Frontline Technologies, Health Market Science, and Shared Medical Systems.

“I am passionate about improving people’s lives by making it easier for healthcare professionals to serve their patients, and turning ideas into true business results,” Horton said. “I am excited to work with the talented team at Office Practicum as we continue to focus on the success of our employees, pediatric practices, and vendor partners.”

About Office Practicum:

Office Practicum is a leading provider of pediatric-specific solutions. Our EHR, PM system, and revenue cycle management services help pediatric practices improve clinical and financial outcomes. For more information, visit http://www.officepracticum.com.

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HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (PRWEB)
February 04, 2020

Last week, the third annual WEEDCon cannabis conference, sponsored by Greenstone Distribution, came to a close after two days of education, networking, music and well, cannabis.

Cannabis, currently legal in some form in 29 states, including California, is swiftly becoming appreciated for its medicinal attributes for nausea, insomnia, seizures and even cancer. These and other medical uses for cannabis have spurred a rush by celebrities and corporations to market and brand legal CBD and cannabis products. “Cannabis affects people in different ways” says WEEDCon Founder, John Williams. “People need to learn the best type of cannabis for their bodies and how they would prefer to ingest that cannabis – smoking, eating or drinking – that’s what WEEDCon is all about – education.”

WEEDCon guests enjoyed music with Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, three time Grammy winner Wyclef Jean and Little Feat guitarist Fred Tackett. Also on the agenda was the 2019 WEEDCon Buyers Cup, with celebrity judge David Crosby, giving awards for excellence in cannabis products. Among the winners in the increasingly popular cannabis drinks category were Manzanita Naturals, Space Gems, California Dreamin’ and The Good Stuff Tonics.

Manzanita Naturals, whose mission is to provide the highest-quality cannabis-infused beverages, offers a wide range of premium cannabis products. At this years WEEDCon Buyers Cup, Manzanita naturals won Best Indica Drink with their Qwik ZZZ’s Kushberry Indica 100mg drink, they won Best Hybrid Drink for their Kwik Ease Pineapple Express 100mg THC beverage and Manzanita Naturals also won Best Overall TCH Drink for their flagship line of small batch, all-natural, 10mg craft beverages, The Fizz Grape Sparkling Water.

California Dreamin makes cannabis-infused drinks for the recreational consumer made of only sparkling water, fruit juice, and cannabis, won Best Sativa Drink for their Pomegranate Sparkling Juice and Best Ratio Drink (THC and CBD) for their Lemon Sparkling Water.

Space Gems is another cutting edge cannabis company placing second for their Space Gem’s cannabis infused Passion Fruit Gem Guice. Space Gem products are made with ice water hash, a specific technique to separate THC trichomes to isolate the resin in cannabis. Using micro screens, ice and water, you strain out resin glands. Ice water separation is a cleaner method that doesn’t involve other solvents and allows for a more refined hash.

Other winners in the drinks category included The Good Stuff Tonics a for their cannabis infused Hibiscus Strawberry Lemonade. The next WEEDCon is WEEDCon West in Hollywood in June. Visit http://www.weedconproductions.com.

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RESTON, Va. (PRWEB)
February 04, 2020

The Naderi Center for Plastic Surgery & Dermatology recently closed the doors at its old Herndon, VA office and opened an ultra-luxury high tech facility in Reston, VA on January 27, 2020. The practice’s convenient new location within the Reston Hospital campus will provide safety and privacy within a fully equipped cosmetic surgery center and medical spa.

According to facial plastic surgeon and founder of The Naderi Center, Shervin Naderi, MD, FACS, moving the practice from Herndon to Reston will provide patients with even better access to specialized and advanced surgical care inside the new state-of-the-art facility. Other benefits include easy access to Metro transportation, free parking, valet parking at a nominal cost and a convenient location on the hospital campus with plenty of accommodations and eateries nearby. Being on an HCA Hospital campus also provides extra unparalleled safety.

With two locations, one in Chevy Chase, MD, and the new office in Reston, VA, Dr. Naderi and his team will be able to better serve both local and out-of-town patients. Dr. Naderi says that he’s always been focused on providing exceptional service for patients and ensures that their needs are put first. He emphasized, “We never double book or rush patients through an appointment. I want patients to be treated like my own family, with the same care, respect, and attention to detail I’d give them.”

Dr. Naderi and his fellow surgeons at The Naderi Center, Erica Anderson, MD, and Jessica Kulak, MD, form a unique team of cosmetic surgeons, each focusing on one particular area of plastic surgery. According to Dr. Naderi, this is intentional and he believes that “specialization matters.” He believes that this highly specialized form of care is the best way to minimize risks and to produce superior results for patients. Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, a board-certified dermatologist, completes the ultra-specialized team of “beauty makers” at The Naderi Center who are looking for non-surgical skin treatment options.

Dr. Jessica Kulak is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who focuses on the face, neck, and eyelids. She’s been called an “aging face specialist,” as she is capable of rejuvenating the face with a variety of surgical and minimally invasive techniques. Facelifts, neck lifts, brow lifts, eyelid surgery, and fat transfer are some of the surgeries she performs on a regular basis. Non-invasive procedures she offers include injectables, chemical peels, and laser treatments.

Dr. Erica Anderson is a board-certified plastic surgeon focused on plastic surgeries of the breasts, body, and butt. Dr. Anderson’s areas of expertise include breast augmentation, tummy tuck, Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), body lift surgeries, liposuction, and vaginal rejuvenation and breast reconstruction. Patients also rely on Dr. Anderson’s skill with minimally invasive injections for natural-looking volume and lift in the breasts and buttocks.

Founder of The Naderi Center, Dr. Shervin Naderi is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon known throughout the country for his skill in rhinoplasty and injectable treatments. Probably the only surgeons in the United States to focus on just one surgery, Dr. Naderi has international acclaim for the results he is able to produce for his patients from this challenging procedure.

The Naderi Center’s new Reston office is located at 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavillion II, Suite 551, Reston, VA 20190. For more information, contact 703-481-0002 or visit http://www.nadericenter.com.

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LANCASTER and DUBOIS, Pa. (PRWEB)
February 04, 2020

Lancaster and DuBois have been selected as the first enrollment areas in Pennsylvania for Nightingale College’s accredited blended-distance BSN Program, with the inaugural cohorts commenced in the Spring 2020 semester.

“Nightingale College is excited to be working with the great people of Pennsylvania to develop more nurses for communities in need,” said Blake Halladay, Senior Manager of Partnerships at Nightingale College.

Pennsylvania has a healthy supply and is projected to have a surplus of nurses. An estimated 27,000 new nursing positions are anticipated to be posted between now and 2030, according to RegisteredNursing.org. These positions are expected to be filled by Pennsylvania nursing school graduates. Despite the surplus of nurses, the Keystone State, however, still experiences nurse staffing shortages, especially in smaller, less-populated cities.

A scarier reality emerges as the shortage in smaller cities affects the quality of bedside patient care. Nurses are finding bedside care less appealing because of the “real-world challenges” inherent to the role and are increasingly moving away from the day-to-day patient care responsibilities (Pennsylvania’s Nursing Crisis). The staffing shortage has led to concerns surrounding patient safety and care as well as the wellbeing of nurses as work demands continue to rise.

Nightingale College recognizes the positive impact locally trained nurses have on their communities. When education is not readily available or nursing schools limit the number of accepted applicants, qualified hopefuls are placed on waitlists while some decide to relocate or travel long distances to attend nursing school. Through partnerships with local health care facilities, Nightingale College not only assists in providing nursing education that is relevant to local population’s prevalent health issues but also, through its blended-distance pre-licensure BSN Program, promotes the development of homegrown registered nurses who serve their community after graduating. Furthermore, the College is able to adjust its enrollment size to meet the need of the specific community.

“The local Pennsylvania health care organizations that have partnered with the College to deliver experiential learning for future nurses have proven to be true leaders in improving the health and wellness of the communities they serve,” said Halladay. “By partnering together, we will be more effective at alleviating the nursing shortage felt most keenly in rural areas across the state.”

The College’s CCNE-accredited BSN Program uses a blended-distance delivery model that eliminates the restrictions of traditional brick-and-mortar institutions. With no campus, learners in the academic program work through online modules, completing assignments and exams. Learners then attend experiential learning activities in person to practice hands-on the skills and concepts learned in the curriculum at local health care partners’ facilities.

The BSN Program is now enrolling learners for Summer 2020 semester. To learn more, visit nightingale.edu/bsn.

ABOUT NIGHTINGALE COLLEGE

Nightingale College, headquartered in Salt Lake City, creates access to nursing programs with its fully accredited blended-distance education associate and bachelor’s degree nursing programs, and the graduate online degree program in nursing education. Supporting the growing need for nurses and providing strategies to combat the nursing shortage, the College’s academic programs work to not only develop but also maintain a steady supply of homegrown nurses, with the help of local health care systems. Nightingale College emphasizes preparing future nurses who are confident, competent, and compassionate. Since its establishment in 2010 in Ogden, Utah, the College has graduated more than 800 learners and is currently operating in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. To learn more about Nightingale College, its mission, and programs, visit nightingale.edu.

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