Join this webinar to gain insights into an optimal DNase-I application that can be used as a standard dPCR treatment for AAVs and the best concentration of EDTA to allow the inactivation of DNase-I, while not inhibiting the dPCR reaction following the treatment.
Join Zoe Bowman, Research Associate, Teknova, for the live webinar on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 10am PDT (1pm EDT).
Xtalks, powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., is a leading provider of educational webinars to the global life science, food and medical device community. Every year, thousands of industry practitioners (from life science, food and medical device companies, private & academic research institutions, healthcare centers, etc.) turn to Xtalks for access to quality content. Xtalks helps Life Science professionals stay current with industry developments, trends and regulations. Xtalks webinars also provide perspectives on key issues from top industry thought leaders and service providers.
The Leading Home Care Franchise, BrightStar Care Ranks 117 on Franchise Times’ Prestigious Annual List
GURNEE, Ill., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — BrightStar Care, the nation’s leading home care and medical staffing franchise with more than 380 corporate and independently owned and operated agencies, was recognized as one of the top 400 franchise brands in the county on the Franchise Times Top 400 annual rankings list for 2023.
The Franchise Times Top 400 is an exclusive annual ranking of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales. The project is the result of a five-month research and reporting effort that leads to the most credible and objective franchise ranking available, said Franchise Times Editor-in-Chief Laura Michaels. The collection of systemwide sales data also provides useful insight into the franchise industry’s performance as the shakeout continues following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are truly honored to once again secure our position on this prestigious annual list of the nation’s top franchises, alongside numerous other esteemed franchise brands,” said Pete First, Chief Development Officer of BrightStar Care. “Our commitment to delivering the higher standard of care to our clients continues, with invaluable support from both our dedicated existing franchisees and enthusiastic newcomers, who collectively contribute to our continued expansion into new markets and territories.”
This year BrightStar Care has seen incredible growth with franchisees expanding the brand footprint into new territories across the United States. Over the last year, BrightStar Care has released groundbreaking data demonstrating the brand’s unmatched clinical outcomes and payer benefits as well as impactful industry studies that benefit and strengthen its entire franchise network. With these achievements, BrightStar Care is well-positioned to continue its accelerated growth trajectory and affirm its spot as a leader in the franchise and home care industries.
ABOUT THE FRANCHISE TIMES TOP 400:
The Franchise Times Top 400 is the only ranking by systemwide sales and units of the largest 500 U.S.-based franchise brands. Published in the October issue and available in a searchable database online, the Franchise Times Top 400 also analyzes industry sectors based on percentage change in sales growth, reports the 10 fastest-growing franchises by four different measures, and includes exclusive news stories about the biggest names in franchising. The rankings and full report, and the searchable online database, are available at www.franchisetimes.com/top-400-2023.
ABOUT BRIGHTSTAR CARE:
BrightStar Care is a national home care and medical staffing franchise headquartered in the Chicagoland area with more than 380 franchised and company-owned locations nationwide that provide medical and non-medical services to clients in their homes, as well as supplemental care staff to corporate clients. BrightStar Care operates under multiple separate revenue streams allowing franchisees uncapped earning potential. Over the last 20 years, Founder and CEO Shelly Sun has built BrightStar Care from a local business into a nationally recognized brand that generates more than $639 million system-wide using a franchise model built for infinite growth. In addition, BrightStar Care is the only national home care franchise to receive The Joint Commission’s Enterprise Champion for Quality award consecutively for more than a decade. Other prestigious BrightStar Care accolades include making the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list for 13 consecutive years, and continuously ranking on Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchise list and Franchise Times Top 400 list. For more information on BrightStar Care please visit http://www.brightstarfranchising.com.
symplr, a DAISY Foundation™ sponsor, co-produced the Moments that Matter videos with the foundation to showcase nursing excellence at AdventHealth Parker in Colorado, City of Hope in California, and WellStar North Fulton in Georgia.
“Five minutes can make a difference, but sometimes in a day, a nurse doesn’t have five minutes to just sit down with a patient or family,” said Susan Brown, Ph.D., RN, CENP, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at City of Hope. “Administrative tasks and documentation are the things that take the most time. And that time is usually not at the patient’s bedside.”
“Empowering the nursing workforce with time to change lives is critical” said Dr. Karlene Kerfoot, PhD, RN, FAAN, Chief Nursing Officer of symplr and a DAISY Foundation Board Member. “Our solutions are built with clinicians, for clinicians to reduce administrative tasks, allowing nurses to build trust with patients, enhance outcomes.”
symplr’s second annual Compass Survey found that 84% of respondents believe consolidating healthcare operations software with a single vendor could redirect 10% more time to clinical care, improving patient outcomes, clinician retention, and job satisfaction. Two-thirds of clinicians also indicated their current healthcare operations software provides a difficult user experience. The survey involved CHIME members and other senior healthcare IT leaders.
To learn more about symplr Workforce Solutions being showcased at ANCC- Magnet, visit symplr Nursing solutions.
About symplr symplr is a leader in enterprise healthcare operations software and services. For more than 30 years and with deployments in 9 of 10 U.S. hospitals, symplr has been committed to improving healthcare operations through its cloud-based solutions, driving better operations for better outcomes.
Our provider data management; workforce management; compliance, quality, and safety; and contract, supplier, and spend management solutions improve the efficiency and efficacy of healthcare operations, enabling caregivers to quickly handle administrative tasks so they have more time to do what they do best: provide high-quality patient care. Learn how at symplr.
About the DAISY Foundation The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. The compassionate care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired the creation of The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses, an evidenced-based means of providing nurse recognition wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers. The foundation partners with 6,200+ healthcare facilities and schools of nursing internationally and funds nursing research grants and evidence-based practice studies. Visit DaisyFoundation.org.
Media Contact
Madeleine Smith, Matter Health for symplr, 2528146671, [email protected]
Pappas OPT’s CEO, Michael Pappas, PT, DPT expressed great pride in Lauran Weil, stating, “We are immensely proud of Lauren for receiving the prestigious Team Leader of the Year Award. Her dedication to clinic growth and her unwavering commitment to excellence have been instrumental in our success.”
The Rhode Island-based physical therapy group has flourished under Weil’s leadership, experiencing EBITDA growth even during the pandemic, nearly doubling the clinic size, and increasing the number full-time clinical employees. In addition to clinic size and job opportunities, the clinic is experiencing double-digit increases in the number of new visits and number of new patients, demonstrating the power of the Core 4 (news impacts, impacts, intensity of visit, and cancel / no show rate) in outpatient clinics.
“Lauren embodies the values and spirit of both Pappas OPT and Confluent Health,” continued Pappas, “and we congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.”
Confluent Health’s CEO, Kristi Henderson, DNP, FAAN, also commended Weil’s outstanding leadership, saying, “Lauren Weil’s exceptional leadership, dedication to her team, and outstanding clinical skills exemplify the qualities we celebrate with the Team Leader of the Year Award. She sets a high standard for clinical excellence and embodies the spirit of Confluent Health’s mission to transform healthcare, Congratulations to Lauren on this remarkable achievement.”
Lauren Weil’s accomplishments and dedication to her profession make her a true role model within the healthcare industry. Confluent Health is honored to recognize her as the 2023 Team Leader of the Year.
About Pappas OPT Physical, Sports and Hand Therapy Pappas | OPT Physical, Sports and Hand Therapy (POPT) is a Rhode Island-based, private physical therapy practice group. As a proud member of the Confluent Health family, POPT positively impacts patients’ lives by delivering the best care and results through proven research, innovative treatments and technologies, and an approach that treats patients like family. For more information, visit pappasopt.com, or find them on Facebook at @pappaspt or @optphysicaltherapy.
About Confluent Health Confluent Health is a family of physical and occupational therapy companies. We are transforming healthcare by strengthening private practices, developing highly effective clinicians, innovating new services and technology to improve the quality of care for patients, and lowering costs via more effective treatment, workplace wellness, and injury prevention. For more information, visit goconfluent.com or find us on Facebook at @confluenthealth.
In August 2022, the U.S. Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to reduce the cost of prescription drugs borne by patients. While many individuals certainly benefited from the legislation, the 30 million Americans suffering from rare diseases seem to have been left on the wayside.3
Due to the act’s provision that allows certain FDA-approved drugs, including those targeting multiple diseases and small molecule medicines, to be eligible for price negotiation after just seven years, one can anticipate a sustained slowdown in drug development and innovation. This stagnation is expected to be especially acute in rare disease research, as the field relies extensively on experimentation with repurposed drugs and small-molecule medicine to achieve medical advancements.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., for example, halted its research on Stargadt treatment in October 2022, explicitly attributing the pause to the IRA.4 As Alnylam was basing its treatment on a drug that was approved to treat a different condition, the resulting cure would have been subject to price renegotiation.
Since its enactment, the IRA has sent shockwaves across the world. Given that the U.S. plays a prominent role in biopharmaceutical research, the abrupt restrictions imposed by the IRA present a major setback to the global battle against rare diseases.
New hurdles on the horizon for India and the Indian Diaspora
One country that is likely to bear the brunt of the deceleration in rare disease research is India, a long-standing partner of the U.S. in this field. With 70 to 96 millions living with rare diseases,5 many of which are unique to the Indian subcontinent, India has its hands full managing these conditions.
The Indian government has a great start in 2021 with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formulating and adopting a National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) that includes a one-time treatment subsidy of USD 61,000 per patient. The program initially promises to be accessible to 40% of the population and has since established over 11 diagnostic and treatment centers of excellence across the country.6
However, this program needs significant expansion to cover all 10,867 (and growing) known rare diseases and not just those small number of currently treatable rare diseases. The policy currently only covers persons afflicted by a subset of the 450 recognized rare diseases. The implementation of NPRD will also need to at least triple the number of centers of excellence to meet the needs of the entire rare disease population of India and provide more accessibility across the country including the rural population. As for the diagnostic and treatment centers, their impact is currently hampered by the absence of formal referral channels established between primary care, secondary care, and tertiary care centers, which hinders patient access.
“A national policy with funding is a great start but is insufficient to cover the treatment of many rare diseases as orphan drugs have to be imported into India,” says Dr. Harsha Rajasimha, founder and executive chairperson of IndoUSrare, a nonprofit centered on combating rare diseases through cross-border collaborations. “Furthermore, many known rare conditions in the U.S. such as ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or motor neuron disease (MND)), ultra rare indications caused by single gene mutations such as ADSSL1, DLG4, MNGIE, VCP, and SYNGAP, are not officially recognized by NPRD, thus leaving over 90% of the rare diseases on the fence. Thousands of rare diseases fall under the realm of genomics, precision medicine, patient registries, and clinical research. This is where IndoUSrare seeks to collaborate with the GoI, patient groups, and industry stakeholders to foster cross-border collaborations to accelerate research and clinical trials.” Says Dr. Rajasimha who has also pioneered an intelligent technology platform for efficient implementation of patient registries and clinical trials.
The call for more inclusive research and clinical trials
Considering the rare disease research slowdown in the U.S. and the growing concerns about these disorders in India, increased Indo-US collaboration, particularly in the context of clinical trials, can help mitigate consequences.
The U.S. conducts nearly half of the global clinical trials for rare diseases. However, these trials are not representative of the country’s ethnic makeup, underrepresenting many diasporas, Indian included. For example, despite India having one-third of all rare disease cases worldwide, only nine of the 202 trials registered in the U.S. were conducted there. Participation of the Indian diaspora in these trials is hardly better; in the 193 trials that did not take place in India, only 1% of participants were of Indian origin.7
This lack of representation in clinical trials is problematic because it raises questions about the applicability of the findings; different patient groups may respond differently to identical treatments. This is relevant for specific Indian demographics, as their long history of genetic isolation and unique cultural practices may shape the way they respond to treatments.
By failing to capture the ethnic diversity within the U.S., these non-representative clinical trials may not only lead to a misinterpretation of treatment effects on American rare disease patients but also impede India’s efforts due to the absence of Indian participants. Indeed, considering the additional costs associated with conducting clinical trials in India, Indian regulators have in the past waived the requirement for representative trials if the orphan treatment has already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consequently, Indian patients may at times receive treatments may be ineffective for them.
“Without a diverse base of study participants, researchers lack representative data on disease progression and research efficacy,” says Frank Sasinowski, MS, MPH, JD, Director at Hyman Phelps McNamara P.C., and Founding Board Member of IndoUSrare.
The need for more inclusive clinical trials is timely because it provides both the U.S. and India with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the rare diseases affecting both countries — even under the clamping effect of the IRA. Cross-border initiatives, such as those focused on research digitization, data sharing, and the creation of patient registries, can increase the participation of Indian patients as well as those from other groups in these trials.
Coming to a head in the Bridging RARE Summit 2023
Though the U.S. deserves to be congratulated on the 40th anniversary of the Orphan Drug Act of 1983, recent policy changes such as the IRA have stifled biopharmaceutical innovation in the field of rare diseases. This shift is poised to exacerbate India’s struggles in addressing these disorders as it endeavors to improve access to orphan drugs and advance rare disease research and treatment.
One way for both countries to alleviate the fallout resulting from the IRA is to invoke their trusted biopharmaceutical partnership. Collaborative research efforts can expedite the development of treatments, expand their accessibility to regions in pressing need, and pave the way for more inclusive clinical trials.
The intricacies of managing rare diseases, including challenges and potential solutions, will be explored in greater depth during the two-day Bridging RARE Summit 2023. Join the host, IndoUSrare, alongside representatives from the rare disease community, on October 29-30 in this culminating event.
The Summit planning committee has selected two legendary leaders to honor this year with the Abbey Meyers Khushi Bridging RARE Award in recognition of their dedicated lifetime of achievements to foster cross-border collaborations in the field of rare genetic and undiagnosed diseases. The two honorees this year are Dr. William A. Gahl, Senior Investigator at the National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, and Padmashri Dr. Ishwar Chander Verma, Senior Advisor at the Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi. “The U.S. and India possess complementary skillsets and resources in the context of researching and treating rare diseases,” says Dr. Verma upon accepting the award. “Collaboration is the way forward.”
“Dr. Abbey Meyers is a living legend who was instrumental in the enactment of the U.S. FDA Orphan Drug Act of 1983 which has had immense impact in the U.S. and kicked off a global crusade. By honoring these legends who have advanced research in rare and undiagnosed diseases, the Indo US Organization for Rare Diseases together with the Bridging RARE planning committee seeks their vast wisdom and guidance to carry forward the mission of catalyzing cross-border collaborations for patient-focused research and the next generation of affordable orphan drug development.” Says Rajasimha.
About the Bridging RARE Summit: The Bridging RARE Summit 2023 is organized by the Indo US Organization for Rare Diseases, a non-profit organization based in the Biohealth capital region and a platinum member of the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD). The main collaborating U.S. and Indian organizations for the 2023 Summit include George Mason University, Virginia BIO, BioHealth Capital Region Forum, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) India, Global Genes, EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, other collaborators and sponsors. For the full agenda, keynote speakers, Gala, Registration, and Sponsorship opportunities, visit https://bridgingrare.org.
About Indo US organization for rare diseases: IndoUSrare is a humanitarian nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity organization based in the United States. Founder and Executive Chairman Dr. Harsha Rajasimha, who lost a child to a rare disease in 2012, has been a rare disease advocate for more than 10 years. To address the unmet needs of diverse patients with rare diseases globally, the leadership team comprised of experienced professionals from research, advocacy, regulatory, and drug development seeks to build cross-border collaborations connecting stakeholders of rare diseases in low- and middle-income regions such as India, with their counterparts and clinical researchers in the United States to improve the diversity of clinical trial participants, accelerate research and development, and improve equitable access to life-saving therapies to diverse populations of rare disease patients. Visit https://indousrare.org.
References:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. “National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021.” Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, rarediseases.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/Content/1624967837_Final-NPRD-2021.pdf. Accessed 16 Sep. 2023.
Roberts, Alexis-Danielle, Roopma Wadhwa. “Orphan Drug Approval Laws.” National Library of Medicine, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572052/. Accessed 16 Sep. 2023.
Saltonstall, R.K., Peter L. (2023). The IRA needs changes to better support patients with rare diseases. [online] STAT. Available at: Accessed 9 Oct. 2023.
Scott, R. (2022). Alnylam Opts Against Phase III Trial for Vutrisiran in Stargardt Disease – Updated. [online] BioSpace. Available at: Accessed 9 Oct. 2023.
Salian, Priti. “What price a child’s life? India’s quest to make rare disease drugs affordable.” The Guardian, theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/15/what-price-a-childs-life-indias-quest-to-make-rare-disease-drugs-affordable. Accessed 16 Sep. 2023.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. “National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021.” Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, rarediseases.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/Content/1624967837_Final-NPRD-2021.pdf. Accessed 16 Sep. 2023.
Chakraborty, Monoswi et al. “Rare disease patients in India are rarely involved in international orphan drug trials.” PLOS Global Public Health, journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0000890. Accessed 16 Sep. 2023.
Media Contact
Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4619, [email protected], jotopr.com
Guests who indicated struggling with PTSD at baseline (average PCL-5 score = 43.04) showed a large reduction in self-reported PTSD symptoms one month after treatment (average PCL-5 score = 17.90). Evidence suggests that a 5-10 point change in the PCL-5 represents reliable change (not due to chance) and a 10-20 point change represents clinically significant change. The study’s clinically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms among these guests is sustained at the 12-month mark post-retreat.
MycoMeditations operates its Treasure Beach, Jamaica retreat center based on a contemporary psychotherapeutic model, with the majority of the team consisting of licensed therapists. Guests must first complete a thorough medical and psychiatric screening to determine suitability and desired treatment outcomes before being admitted to any MycoMeditations program.
The organization is the first non-research group to widely disseminate for analysis and discussion the results of its psilocybin-assisted therapy protocols leading to positive outcomes in the management of PTSD symptoms. MycoMeditations acknowledges this data is not intended to constitute either an academic study or a clinical trial in its controls, procedure, structure, or review process. Nevertheless, the data is expected to guide future research and to highlight the mental health benefits of psilocybin-assisted treatment for some people with PTSD.
“While clinical trial data are promising and benefit from rigorous controls, these trials can only accept a small subset of individuals and often exclude people that are a more accurate representation of the public at large,” said Justin Townsend, CEO of MycoMeditations. “For example, those who are experiencing multiple mental health conditions, traumatic brain injuries, cognitive issues, and physical health conditions are typically excluded from clinical research. Our data suggest that our psilocybin-assisted retreat model may produce lasting improvements in PTSD symptoms within a broader population at a comparable rate of success.”
MycoMeditations is committed to complete data transparency surrounding these important issues. MycoMeditations team members and therapists, including CEO Justin Townsend, are available for comment.
About MycoMeditations
MycoMeditations operates legal psilocybin-assisted retreats in Jamaica for individuals seeking both therapeutic outcomes and personal growth. As a world leader in the evolving fields of psychedelic therapy and wellness tourism, its success is driven by its commitment to providing safe, life-changing, and spiritually-affirming experiences to its clients in beautiful natural settings. Guided by expert facilitators and mental health professionals, the MycoMeditations team brings together diverse skill sets and a deep knowledge base to create professional and personalized retreats, all while investing in the local Jamaican community. Since 2014, MycoMeditations’ unique psilocybin-assisted retreat protocols have helped over two thousand clients by administering over six thousand doses of therapeutic psilocybin. For more information, please visit MycoMeditations.com.
Dr. Weitz is a triple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, allergy and immunology, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine. He and his wife, Dr. Lesley Loss (a board-certified dermatologist), own and operate Dermatology Associates of Rochester, a combined dermatology and plastic surgery practice, and previously owned Tat Erase (now Removery). Dr. Weitz leverages his expertise to provide world-class innovative and personalized solutions for skin health and wellness.
“My passion is to solve complex problems,” said Dr. Weitz. “As an early adopter, I enjoy working closely with companies commercializing new products destined to enhance patient experiences. I look forward to helping Removery lead the way for tattoo removal across the globe.”
Currently, he also serves as CEO and clinical director of Dermatology Associates of Rochester where his focus is development of the team and delivery of exceptional experiences.
Dr. William Kwan, who has served on Removery’s Clinical Advisory Board for the past 2 years, is now the board’s chair. Dr. Kwan is a board-certified dermatologist, actively practicing both medical and cosmetic dermatology in the Los Angeles Beverly Hills area.
Combining his sophisticated technology with the highest standards of patient care, Dr. Kwan is among the nation’s leading practitioners of laser skin procedures. As a professional and an educator, he’s called on his expertise to guide others in new developments in cosmeceuticals, selecting laser providers, treating skin conditions with lasers and more.
“With 25 years of experience in dermatology, I’ve seen how technology has improved and I’ve been honored to work with the Removery team to provide the most advanced tattoo removal option to customers,” said Dr. Kwan. “As the new chair of the Clinical Advisory Board, I look forward to continuing to innovate tattoo removal and provide the best care to everyone who walks through our doors.”
As a member of the Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Kwan is passionate about sharing his experience throughout the industry and helping further advancements for tattoo removals.
“Dr. Weitz and Dr. Kwan will help the executive team identify and execute opportunities to drive clinical excellence, enhance customer experience, deliver best of class training programs and optimize business performance,” said Jo Kelton, COO of Removery. “We are looking forward to continuing to evolve the clinical and medical sphere of tattoo removal and we are thankful for our outgoing chair member, Thomas Barrows, MD, for his time as the Chair of the Clinical Advisory Board of Removery. Dr Barrows will remain as a valued member of the Advisory Board.”
Removery’s research empowers tattoo removal specialists to deliver the safest, most effective, and most accessible laser tattoo removal procedures using the state-of-the-art PicoWay® laser system. Removery is home to the world’s first tattoo removal Clinical Advisory Board dedicated to the advancement of the industry and has performed over 1,000,000 treatments. Removery has locations in the United States, Canada and Australia.
For more information on Removery or to make an appointment, please visit removery.com and/or connect with them on Instagram (@removery) or Facebook (@removery).
About Removery
Removery, the world’s laser tattoo removal experts, was born from the partnership of North America’s four largest and most trusted tattoo removal brands. The tattoo removal specialists at Removery are highly trained in the most advanced laser tattoo removal equipment and procedures. Removery uses PicoWay® laser technology that makes our work as fast, effective and comfortable as possible. With PicoWay® technicians are able to reduce the number of treatment sessions and target any tattoo no matter the ink colors used or skin type. Removery is working to normalize tattoo removal and reduce the stigma of laser tattoo removal and fading. It is constantly expanding, to give more people access to services. Removery also partners with tattoo artists across the country to help guide customers through the removal process, especially if they are looking to make more space for a new tattoo or do a cover up. For more information, please visit removery.com and/or connect with them on Instagram (@removery) or Facebook (@removery).
Media Contact
Krista Tillman, Evolve PR and Marketing, 1 4802743486, [email protected]
APDA’s ParkinSex took home the following MM+M awards:
Titanium “Best in Show”
Gold; Best Use of Customer Experience Marketing Award
Gold; Best Use of Film or Video Award
“We could not be more proud of ParkinSex,” states Leslie A. Chambers, President & CEO, APDA. “We know that intimacy can play a significant role in quality of life, yet the challenges of Parkinson’s can often result in intimacy and connection getting left behind. We created ParkinSex to help people with PD rekindle that special connection and find new ways to revive intimacy, and to have it honored and celebrated in this way is so rewarding.” She adds “This project would not have been possible without the dedication and creativity of the Havas Health Plus team – we are so thankful for their commitment to ParkinSex.”
Parkinson’s has a high rate of sexual dysfunction which can cause partners to grow apart physically and emotionally. Symptoms like tremor, rigidity, and fatigue can reinforce this growing distance. To help provide nonclinical strategies for people living with Parkinson’s, APDA’s ParkinSex is a guide to intimacy meant to help people with Parkinson’s and their partners deepen their connections and improve sexual wellness, which has been linked to overall health and well-being. APDA’s ParkinSex is a kit that includes stimulating items and a book on how to put them into practice. Together, they specifically address the physical and emotional needs of people with Parkinson’s. A digital video booklet and downloadable PDF are also available at any time. Due to tremendous popularity, quantities of the ParkinSex kit (which is shipped to your home free of charge) are limited. When necessary, a waitlist is available.
“We have always known that ParkinSex is something special, but it is exciting and validating for it to win these awards,” states Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD, Chief Mission Officer, APDA. “As a movement disorders specialist, I know that sexual dysfunction can be difficult to bring up with a health care provider. When it is discussed, people will describe how they miss the intimate connection they used to have with their partner and explain how their PD has put a damper on their sex life. ParkinSex allows people to explore the topic in the comfort of their own home, on their own time, and get some practical ideas that will hopefully increase their quality of life.”
To learn more about APDA’s ParkinSex and the many resources and programs APDA provides, visit http://www.apdaparkinson.org.
About the American Parkinson Disease Association:
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is a nationwide grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to help the approximately one million people in the United States with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $252 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease. To join us in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through our network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, as well as their national Research Program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit http://www.apdaparkinson.org.
About Havas Health & You:
Havas Health & You unites Havas Life, Health4Brands (H4B), Lynx, Red Havas and Havas Health Plus, all wholly owned health and communications networks, with the consumer health businesses and practices of Havas Creative Group. The network’s approach is centered around Human Purpose and has the talent, tenacity, and technology that health companies, brands and people need to thrive in today’s world. For more information, go to http://www.HavasHealthandYou.com.
RPI earned placement on this year’s list by meeting several important criteria, including receiving positive feedback from its employees. As part of the assessment, Modern Healthcare conducted an extensive employee survey, allowing RPI workers the opportunity to share their experiences with the company firsthand. The results underscore RPI’s commitment to fostering a workplace where employees can not only thrive, but also enjoy their professional journey.
After achieving the 21st position for Healthcare Suppliers in the list of 150, RPI’s managing partner, Keith Wayland said, “We’re thrilled to be recognized in Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work 2023 list for the third year in a row.” He added, “While the move from 22nd to 21st may not seem substantial, it demonstrates our dedication to continuously improving our services to support medical centers, community hospitals, and integrated healthcare network systems across the country.”
Since 1999 RPI Consultants has been leading organizations, healthcare and beyond, through transformative ERP implementations and optimizations. For the past two decades, RPI has consistently supported the organizations that provide critical care to communities across the nation. Given the healthcare industry’s focus on enhancing patient outcomes, RPI takes pride in being recognized as a reliable ally in the healthcare sector.
About RPI Consultants RPI Consultants is an ERP implementation, optimization, and software firm with over 20 years of experience delivering best practices through technology, systems integration, and process redesign. As a premier Infor CloudSuite implementation partner, RPI prides itself on providing customers with the expertise and strategic thought leadership they need to be successful. For more information on RPI, visit http://www.rpic.com.
Preventing dental problems: Regular teeth cleaning allows dentists to identify early signs of potential dental issues such as cavities, gum disease, and oral infections. By detecting these problems at an early stage, they can be addressed promptly, preventing them from progressing into more severe and painful conditions. It’s a proactive approach that prevents future discomfort and costly treatments.
Thorough plaque and tartar removal: Despite our best efforts, some areas of the mouth are hard to reach with a toothbrush or floss. Over time, plaque buildup can harden into tartar, which cannot be removed through regular brushing alone. Professional teeth cleaning employs specialized tools and techniques to eliminate stubborn tartar, reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, reports the Paso Robles dentist.
Fresher breath: Persistent bad breath can be embarrassing and can often be a sign of underlying oral health issues. Regular teeth cleaning helps eliminate bacteria and plaque that cause bad breath. Teeth are also polished during the cleaning process, leaving them smooth and free from surface stains that may contribute to foul breath.
Brighter, whiter smile: Over time, our teeth can become stained or discolored due to various factors like coffee, tea, tobacco, or certain medications. Regular teeth cleaning helps remove these stains, revealing a brighter, whiter smile.
Maintaining overall health: Oral health is closely linked to your overall health. Several studies have shown a connection between gum disease and other health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, and even certain types of cancer. Regular teeth cleaning reduces the risk of gum disease, keeping your mouth healthy and potentially reducing the risk of other systemic health issues.
Personalized dental advice: During a teeth cleaning appointment, dental professionals not only clean the teeth but also provide personalized advice on how to improve an oral hygiene routine. “This advice,” reports the Paso Robles dentist, “guides you on proper brushing and flossing techniques and offers tips and advice on other practices that can keep your mouth healthy.”
Neglecting regular dental cleaning may lead to more complex dental problems, such as extensive tooth decay or periodontal disease. Treating these advanced conditions can be costly and time-consuming. Investing in regular teeth cleaning is the best way to avoid more expensive and invasive dental procedures down the line.
Dr. Lisa Lu Davis is a comprehensive, caring and conscientious clinician that Paso Robles depends on for the latest technologies and a relaxing and professional environment. Dr. Davis is the dentist patients see for general dentistry such as dental cleaning, fillings, and teeth whitening and advanced dental procedures including implant restorations, dental veneers, Six Month Smiles, dentures, crowns and bridges, root canals and creating healthy smiles.
Building partnerships with every patient to create ideal dental health through preventive care and patient education are foundations of Dr. Davis’s conscientious oral care practices. Using state-of-the-art technologies in all procedures adds to the reasons Dr. Davis is a dentist Paso Robles area families and individuals choose for dental health care.
