Category Archives: Health

What is new in the field of Health. Trending topics, and cutting edge research in the are of Health. Press Releases that give us updates on Health.

Emler Swim School Launches World’s Most Interactive Streaming Swim Lessons For Kids


Emler@Home™ is the perfect fit for our family. This self-paced curriculum allowed us to take advantage of top-notch instructors and life skills, all from the comfort of our own backyard.

Emler Swim School, an award-winning school with 45 years of history training tens of thousands of expert teachers and teaching millions of swim lessons, is excited to unveil Emler@Home™, the world’s most interactive online swim curriculum for children ages 6 months to 10 years old. With Emler@Home™, Emler’s master instructors help parents create a safe and fun environment for children to learn how to swim at home or in a local pool.

Emler@Home™ includes easy-to-use instructional videos once parents sign up but is much more than that. The innovative service also features private one-on-one training and weekly video calls with a superstar Emler Master Trainer. Emler@Home™ families will also be able to join a private Facebook group for parents in the program, so they can connect, share tips and enjoy the benefits of an online community with Emler master teachers and other parents with the same age children at the same swim levels.

Every aspect of the program has been carefully thought out, including celebrations, to make the experience fun and create a bonding opportunity for families. Kids will receive a ribbon, stickers and a downloadable Certificate of Achievement for completing each level.

The program has already been focus group tested, with superb results.

“Emler@Home™ is the perfect fit for our family. This self-paced curriculum allowed us to take advantage of top-notch instructors and life skills, all from the comfort of our own backyard,” said Ashley M., mother of a two-year-old swimmer. “It was so rewarding to spend quality time with our daughter while we watched her progress with every lesson. We enjoyed the one-on-one interaction with our coach and loved how straightforward the applications and technology were. We understand the attention to detail and quick feedback we received are the very tools that could one day save our daughter’s life.”

Emler@Home™ is the brainchild of Emler CEO Greg Laird and Vilma Dayoub, Director of Curriculum Development and Training.

“We felt we had to do something innovative if we wanted to continue to serve our families the Emler way and to do our part to stem the increasing cases of accidental child drownings. Vilma is a recognized international expert on water safety and aquatic education of children under the age of 10,” said Laird. “And this new service allows us to partner with parents to extend the benefit of her expertise and relentless devotion to safety beyond our facility walls to families who may not be able to visit an Emler pool regularly or do not live near an Emler school. I am very proud of the many people who worked hard to make Emler@Home™ a reality and will continue to do so to enhance the experience.”

Drownings are a leading cause of accidental death of children ages 1 to 14, reports the CDC. Emler’s mission is to help all children learn to be safer in and around the water to prevent accidental deaths, and Emler@Home™ marks a significant milestone in advancing that effort. For more information about Emler@Home™, visit https://emlerswimschool.com/emlerathome/

Emler operates 28 year-round swim schools in the United States. For more information about Emler Swim School locations, visit https://emlerswimschool.com/

About Emler Swim School

In 1975, Emler Swim School was founded on two principles, that every child should experience a fun lesson that causes him or her to fall in love with the water, and that every parent should receive a guarantee that his or her child will learn to swim. Emler utilizes a proven, ever-evolving curriculum, a quality staff that undergoes thorough training and – above all – a passion to nurture children in a healthy, safe and fun environment. With more than 20 different classes and levels, the award-winning swim school is proud to meet the need of every swimmer with the same “Emler Sure,” 100 percent guarantee. For more information on each location, visit emlerswimschool.com.

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Fluidigm Hosts Infectious Disease and Oncology Virtual Summit, July 7, 2020, 6:00am-12:00pm PT


Fluidigm Hosts Infectious Disease and Oncology Virtual Summit, July 7, 2020, 6:00am-12:00pm PT

Fluidigm, an industry-leading biotechnology tools provider with a vision to improve life through comprehensive health insight, is bringing together hundreds of industry leaders, collaborators, research scientists and medical and academic professionals from around the world. Fluidigm, whose technologies are integral to supporting current progress in cancer, immunology and infectious disease research, has also developed new tools for SARS-CoV-2 detection and diagnostics.

The Fluidigm® Infectious Disease and Oncology Virtual Summit is a half-day event highlighting 10 renowned speakers presenting their latest findings in infectious disease, oncology and immuno-oncology research. Join the event to hear from the lineup of exceptional speakers and take part in the unveiling of a new Fluidigm product focused on improving flow and mass cytometry workflows.

This virtual event will include exciting new instrument and reagent products in booths and introduction sessions in meeting rooms, providing the ability to ask valuable questions and encounter thought-provoking discussions in an interactive environment. In addition to new cytometry solutions, attendees can learn about the novel AccuLift™ Laser Capture Microdissection System and discover Fluidigm’s high-throughput microfluidics-based solutions for viral detection.

Produced on LabRoots’ robust platform, this interactive environment with an exhibit hall, auditorium, meeting room and networking lounge allows attendees to connect seamlessly across all desktop and mobile devices.

For more information or to register for the event, click here.

About Fluidigm

At Fluidigm, we empower our customers to reveal meaningful insights in health and disease, identify actionable markers to inform life decisions and accelerate the development of more effective therapies. Fluidigm develops, manufactures, and markets research products for life science analytical and preparatory systems for use in mass cytometry, high-throughput genomics and single-cell genomics applications. We sell to leading academic institutions, clinical research laboratories, and pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology companies worldwide.

About LabRoots

LabRoots is the leading scientific social networking website, and primary source for scientific trending news and premier educational virtual events and webinars and more. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, LabRoots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Founded in 2008, LabRoots emphasizes digital innovation in scientific collaboration and learning. Offering more than articles and webcasts that go beyond the mundane and explore the latest discoveries in the world of science, LabRoots users can stay atop their field by gaining continuing education credits from a wide range of topics through their participation in the webinars and virtual events.

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Compliancy Group creates guidance for COVID-19 apps to achieve HIPAA compliance


Compliancy Group HIPAA Compliance

Compliancy Group

“With the increase in demand for HIPAA compliant apps and software, especially in relation to COVID-19 apps, Compliancy Group saw the need to provide guidance for developers. We believe that taking the concern of compliance out of the equation will greatly improve access to healthcare apps.”

Compliancy Group has developed HIPAA guidance for software developers for developers creating COVID-19 apps. As COVID-19 apps access protected health information (PHI) to function, they are considered business associates under the HIPAA regulation.

Before it is permitted for business associates to create, maintain, store, receive, or transmit PHI, they must first achieve HIPAA compliance. This is why Compliancy Group has developed HIPAA guidance specifically for COVID-19 software developers.

HIPAA compliance for COVID-19 apps requires app developers to ensure the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of PHI is maintained through HIPAA safeguards. Compliancy Group provides all of the resources necessary to enable COVID-19 apps to Achieve, Illustrate, and MaintainTM their HIPAA compliance through our proprietary HIPAA software, the Guard.

Compliancy Group provides clients with guided support to clear up the complexities of HIPAA law. Working with Compliancy Group allows COVID-19 software developers to be confident in their HIPAA compliance program, giving them peace of mind that the leader in HIPAA compliance has them covered.

Compliancy Group Resources:

Downloadable Content:

Free HIPAA Compliance Checklist

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy

Other:

Privacy and Contact Tracing Apps

Free HIPAA Training

HIPAA News

About Compliancy Group:

HIPAA should be simple. That’s why Compliancy Group is the only HIPAA software with expert Compliance Coaches holding your hand to simplify compliance. Built by auditors, Compliancy Group gives you confidence in your compliance plan to reduce risk, increase patient loyalty, and profitability of your organization.

Why Compliancy Group?

HIPAA Audit Support, no client has ever failed an audit!

Total Compliance Solution

HIPAA Seal of Compliance Verification

Dedicated Compliance Coaches

Visit https://www.compliancy-group.com or call 855.854.4722 to learn how simple compliance can be.

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U.S. Dermatology Partners is pleased to welcome Board Certified Dermatologist Amanda Champlain, MD to their Carrollton office July 7th


Dr. Amanda Champlain

Amanda Champlain, MD

“With the addition of Dr. Amanda Champlain, we are excited to offer our patients a resource for scar treatment and treatment for birthmarks. Dr. Champlain will be an asset to our patients and to the greater North Dallas area,” said Lisa Pruett.

U.S. Dermatology Partners is excited to welcome Board-Certified Dermatologist and Fellowship-Trained Laser and Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgeon Dr. Amanda Champlain to its Carrollton office.

Originally from Oklahoma, Dr. Champlain earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Oklahoma and her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Subsequently, she completed an internship at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, a Clinical Research Fellowship in the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University, and dermatology residency training at Loyola University in Chicago. She was then selected for the Harvard Laser and Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Wellman Center for Photomedicine in Boston, where she trained with world-renowned experts in the fields of laser surgery and aesthetic dermatology.

Dr. Champlain specializes in the use of lasers and energy-based devices, facial rejuvenation, and body contouring. In addition to cosmetic dermatology, her clinical interests include scars, birthmarks, hair loss, acne and rosacea, melasma and other pigmentary disorders, sun-damaged skin, and skin tumors. She is passionate about providing science-based, evidence-backed skincare, and treatment plans for her patients.

Dr. Champlain has been extensively involved in clinical and basic science research throughout her medical training. She has served as a sub-investigator for numerous clinical trials with pharmaceutical companies to research novel medical therapies. She has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and textbook chapters and has presented her work at national dermatology and aesthetic meetings. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).

Dr. Champlain and her husband have moved to Dallas to be closer to family while raising their two young daughters. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and tennis.

Dr. Champlain will be joining Dr. Mark Ray, Dr. Jon Pruett, Dr. Lisa Guidry Pruett, Dr. Juliet Gibson, and Dr. Howard Steinman. The team has been dedicated to providing personalized care with clinically proven treatments including general, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology as well as Mohs Surgery for over 30 years. The practice proudly serves Carrollton and the surrounding neighborhoods including Plano, Lewisville, Frisco, The Colony, Allen, Addison, and Dallas.

“With the addition of Dr. Amanda Champlain, we are excited to offer our patients a resource for scar treatment and treatment for birthmarks. Dr. Champlain will be an asset to our patients and to the greater North Dallas area,” said Lisa Pruett.

For more information or to schedule a new appointment, please contact the office at 972-492-7900.

About U.S. Dermatology Partners

As one of the largest physician-owned dermatology practices in the country, U.S. Dermatology Partners’ patients not only have access to general medical, surgical, and cosmetic skin treatments through its coordinated care network but also benefit from the practice’s strong dermatology subspecialty thought leaders and medical advisory board. To be the best partner to its patients, U.S. Dermatology Partners is fervently focused on providing the highest level of patient-first care, and its team, therefore, includes recognized national leaders in areas such as clinical research, psoriasis, and Mohs Surgery. To learn more, visit usdermatologypartners.com.

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Executive Medicine of Texas Announces New Autoimmune Disease Program


Learn more at: https://www.emtexas.com/services/auto-immune-program/

Many autoimmune diseases cause joint paint or swelling.

“The goal,” Dr. Gaman says, “is to listen to the patient, gather all the right information through extensive testing, and then develop a plan to help them live a healthier and longer life.”

The National Institutes of Health reports that as much as 7% of the American population is suffering from some sort of autoimmune disease, equal to about 23.5 million Americans. They also report that the prevalence of such diseases continues to rise.

Executive Medicine of Texas, a company that’s renowned for their half-day executive physicals and all-inclusive concierge packages, knows first-hand how much damage an untreated autoimmune condition can do. “Autoimmune diseases are notorious for causing chronic inflammation. We know that this inflammation can lead to heart disease, cancer, and a number of other serious health complications,” says Walter Gaman, MD. “That’s why we have to get these patients diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Dr. Gaman, one of the founders of the practice, knows first hand how complicated these conditions can be, as he has dealt with his own diagnosis of celiac disease for almost two decades. “I was diagnosed long before patients were being screened so regularly for the disease. Sometimes we study conditions because we want to, and sometimes it’s because we have to. Mine started as the latter, but now I study and treat autoimmune disease because I know I can make a difference in the lives of these patients.”

Lyme disease, another common autoimmune condition, accounts for much of the rise in this category of illness. The Center for Disease Control reported that there are approximately 329,000 new cases per year in the United States. Mark Anderson, MD said, “When our CEO came down with neuro lyme disease a few years back, it certainly got our attention. Subsequently, we began to see more patients with lyme-like symptoms, many of which tested positive. While not all have long term affects from this disease, many do. That’s why proper management is so important.”

Celiac and lyme disease are not the only illnesses that fall into this category, there are over 80 conditions that belong to the autoimmune family. Since symptoms can be wide-spread and often mimic other conditions, patients are often misdiagnosed prior to finding the correct diagnosis and form of treatment.

The Autoimmune Concierge Program at Executive Medicine starts with a half-day exam with over one hundred different lab values, some of which are specific for these types of conditions. Because autoimmune disease can cause a host of other health problems, the patients are also screened for cardiac and autonomic nervous system abnormalities. “The goal,” Dr. Gaman says, “is to listen to the patient, gather all the right information through extensive testing, and then develop a plan to help them live a healthier and longer life. Part of that plan will be to significantly reduce inflammation and repairing damage when possible.”

About:Executive Medicine of Texas is a luxury medical practice that focuses on preventative and proactive medicine. Their clients come from all over the globe and include individuals, as well as many corporate clients. Located in Southlake, Texas, half-way between Dallas and Fort Worth, many patients fly in to DFW airport or one of the many private airports within the area. You can obtain a FREE copy of their award-winning book Age to Perfection: How to Thrive to 100, Happy, Healthy, and Wise by clicking HERE.

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Painless Dental Care Means Better Dental Health, Reports Paso Robles Dentist


dentist Paso Robles

Discuss your options with your dentist before a procedure so that you will arrive fully prepared for your appointment.

Fear of pain is one of the leading reasons people stay away from the dentist. Paso Robles dentist, Dr. Lisa Lu Davis, who offers painless dental care, said, “There are a number of medications available these days to make patients more relaxed and comfortable, encouraging them to take better care of their teeth.”

The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that the medications available for painless dental care include a range of safe treatments from simple relaxation to a deep sleep, depending on the type of procedure.

“Neglecting regular dental care can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss,” said Davis. “Poor oral health effects our overall health as well. We are very happy to offer patients the support they need to encourage them to take care of their oral health.”

The the type of medication available depends on the procedure and other important factors such as the patient’s age, overall health, allergies and level of anxiety. “Discuss your options with your dentist before a procedure so that you will arrive fully prepared for your appointment,” said Davis.

The choices for sedation are:

  • Minimal sedation during which the patient is awake, but feeling calm
  • Moderate when the patient is awake but not fully aware
  • Deep sedation when the patient is awake but with minimal consciousness
  • General anesthesia when the patient is completely unconscious

Each of these levels of sedation reduce anxiety and help numb the patient to pain during the procedure. Obviously, certain levels of sedation are more appropriate for certain procedures —general anesthesia, for example, is much more appropriate for oral surgery than it would be for fillings.

How the sedation is administered also depends on the level of sedation:

  • “Laughing gas,” – nitrous oxide – is administered through a breathing mask and the patient will likely be fully functional following the procedure, including able to drive.
  • Oral sedation is administered through a pill and patients are groggy, often falling asleep during the procedure.
  • IV sedation is administered through an IV drip and takes effect almost immediately.

Pain relief after a procedure is sometimes necessary. Medicine used to relieve pain can range from aspirin to a prescription for a pain-relieving narcotic. Just as the level of sedation depends on the procedure, so does the type of pain medication.

The Paso Robles dentist encourages everyone to feel free to ask their dentist as many questions as needed. The topics to cover with your dentist before scheduling a procedure during which you will be sedated include:

  • Information about what happens during the procedure, including about how long it will take.
  • What to expect after the procedure in terms of care such as brushing, flossing, rinsing, eating and drinking, care of stitches
  • Which sedation level is the most appropriate for you and the procedure
  • What to expect during sedation
  • What to expect when recovering from sedation
  • Will you need someone to drive you home? Will you need someone to help once you get home?
  • What kind of pain relief care is appropriate during recovery and where the office should call in any prescription

The ADA reports that dentists treat millions of patients safely every year, and both the ADA and Dr. Davis encourage patients to take an active role in their oral health. Working with your dentist, the two of you can create a visit that is as safe and comfortable as possible.

Lisa Lu Davis DMD has provided personalized dental care to thousands of families and uses state-of-the-art technologies in all procedures. These new technologies allow Dr. Davis to detect dental concerns at early stages, treat dental issues with precision, and provide stunning and customized restorations.

Lisa Lu Davis, DMD, Inc

2120 Golden Hill Road, Suite 103

Paso Robles, CA 93446

(805) 238-6777

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Bainbridge Health Is Harnessing Medication Utilization Data to Conserve Waste and Manage The Supply of Critical Care Drugs Used to Treat COVID-19 Patients


News Image

Having access to this data in a digestible way is vital to making operational decisions, especially in times of uncertainty like this.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Bainbridge Health has been closely monitoring network data to identify trends in the utilization of neuromuscular blockers, vasoactive agents, and sedatives. Through the analysis of smart infusion pump data and drug preparation data, the company has been assisting its network hospitals in surfacing drug waste and determining optimal formulations of medications required to treat COVID-19 positive patients.

In a recent webinar, the company’s Chief Clinical Officer, Sean O’Neill, PharmD presented benchmarking data from Bainbridge Health’s network of hospitals, highlighting trends in infusion pump data from health systems in both COVID-19 hot spots and lesser-impacted areas. The goal of the webinar was to show usage patterns of these critical care medications at the peak of the pandemic to help inform future supply needs. Given that several of the drugs have gone on shortage, Dr. O’Neill also suggested optimal formulations of these critical care medications based on network data that supports the ability to conserve the most waste.

“Infusion data is a great source of truth for medication administration. It provides an understanding of how much drug is actually being administered to patients, which can inform decisions about how much medication to purchase and which formulations to make them in,” said Sean O’Neill, PharmD. “Having access to this data in a digestible way is vital to making operational decisions, especially in times of uncertainty like this.”

Today, as the number of cases continues to climb and health systems prepare for a resurgence, Bainbridge Health remains committed to sharing trends from its network to help hospitals effectively prepare inventory. As information continues to evolve, Bainbridge Health will continue to share usage patterns to help inform formulation decisions. To sign up for the webinar series, click here.

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House Call Medicine Leads the Way for Post-Pandemic Healthcare World, says Dr. Michael Farzam of House Call Doctor Los Angeles


Dr. Michael Farzam of House Call Doctor Los Angeles

House call medicine is proving to be especially beneficial in our current world where such measures as social distancing remain necessary.

A June 4 article on Forbes reports on how the COVID-19 pandemic may be spurring innovation in the medical and healthcare fields. The article discusses what the new normal might look like and how flexibility and open-mindedness will be a top priority among leaders and citizens alike when it comes to unfamiliar types of rules and regulations. The article notes that the pandemic is an opportunity for innovation and increased accessibility in the healthcare industry. Dr. Michael Farzam of House Call Doctor Los Angeles says that despite the devastating damage the novel coronavirus is causing nationally and worldwide, it’s also providing many private and public entities with the opportunity to reassess their traditional business models, with an emphasis on creative yet more practical solutions that may have been previously overlooked. For the healthcare sector, Dr. Farzam says house call medicine is proving to be especially beneficial in our current world where such measures as social distancing remain necessary.

Dr. Farzam says that house call medicine combines the best of the old and new when it comes to medical care. While home visits from physicians might seem outdated, the truth is that the only reason it faded away in the 20th century was due to the technological advancement of medical instruments. The Los Angeles-based doctor explains that as a result of this improved medical equipment, the tools doctors relieve on became too large to be carried from home to home, thus resulting in the modern doctor’s office now. However, as technology has advanced further, much like our phones and computers, medical instruments have since miniaturized and become mobile. Dr. Farzam says that much of the same medical care offered in a doctor’s office can easily be brought directly to patients’ homes once again.

Dr. Farzam adds that house call medicine provides many advantages over the typical visit to a medical office, most notably the fact that receiving care from the comfort of one’s home from a 24 hour doctor ensures individuals are safely isolated from other ill patients gathered together in a traditional waiting room. In addition to lessening the amount of time an individual is potentially exposed to other ailments, house call medicine allows for more personalized care and attention. Dr. Farzam says that, while most patients only visit with an actual physician for about 20 minutes, he’s able to spend closer to 45 minutes with his patients. As the doctor states, this gives him more time to make an educated diagnosis that considers many more factors than can be discussed in a 20-minute window.

Readers interested in learning more about board-certified physician Dr. Michael Farzam and House Call Doctor Los Angeles can call (310) 849-7991 or visit https://www.housecalldoctorla.com.

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Dangers of Sharing a Toothbrush Highlight Need for Superb Dental Hygiene, says A-Z Dental Care


A leading dental office based in West Covina, California.

To maintain a good standard of oral health, patients should only use their own toothbrush.

A June 2 article on News Medical reports on the dangers of toothbrush sharing and whether it’s safe to do so. The short answer: a definitive “no” – even among family members. The article points out that brushing can cause small cuts along the gums that have the potential to contaminate brush bristles with blood, and that doesn’t even take into consideration the sheer amount of bacteria that inhabit the human mouth. Essentially, anyone sharing their toothbrush with another person is also sharing a wealth of microorganisms as well as potentially-contaminated bodily fluids. Los Angeles County-based A-Z Dental Care agrees, saying that to maintain a good standard of oral health, patients should only use their own toothbrush.

A-Z Dental Care says that toothbrushing is a prime aspect of oral health. In fact, it should be done about thirty minutes after each meal for the best effect. The wait may seem counterintuitive or even inconvenient, but brushing right after eating might actually do a small amount of harm. The dental center says that by waiting, there’s enough time for tooth enamel to reharden, and the chances of damaging tooth enamel fall dramatically – so long as the brushing action isn’t too harsh. In the meantime, rinsing with water after eating is a great way to get rid of any excess food particles.

A-Z Dental Care says that additional points on toothbrushing from the article also ring true: don’t store a toothbrush horizontally as this can make it hard for water to drain and refrain from placing a toothbrush in an enclosed space as this allows for a bacteria prone environment. As a bonus tip, waiting another 30 minutes or so after brushing to rinse allows the beneficial properties of toothpaste to work their magic, including the absorption of fluoride into tooth enamel. Of course, any excess toothpaste should be immediately spat out once brushing is complete.

The West Covina dental center says that in addition to toothbrushing, there are other good habits to incorporate into one’s daily dental hygiene routine. Flossing goes hand in hand with brushing as it enables the user to reach areas in between teeth that are otherwise hard or impossible to touch with a brush. Unlike a toothbrush though, no form of floss should be reused. Moreover, the center notes that mouth wash can also help reach spots that are inaccessible to a toothbrush while simultaneously acting as a general debriding agent to limit the presence of bacteria in the mouth.

A-Z Dental Care says that as one final piece of advice, don’t discount the benefit that routine preventive care with an outstanding dentist can provide. Routine preventive measures such as filling and cleaning are also essential.

Interested readers can learn more about A-Z Dental Care by visiting their website at https://www.atozdentalcare.com/ or by calling (626) 314-6908.

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Melwood Board Names Chief of Staff & General Counsel, Larysa Kautz, as Interim President & CEO


Melwood Logo

“It’s an honor to lead our dedicated staff during this transition. I will ensure we remain focused on our mission to serve our participants, employees, and federal customers as we continue to be nimble, pivoting our operations during these unprecedented times, so we don’t miss a beat,” said Kautz.

The Board of Directors of Melwood is pleased to announce the appointment of Larysa Kautz as Interim President & CEO effective July 1, 2020, following Cari DeSantis’ departure for her planned retirement. Kautz has served on Melwood’s C-Suite since 2014 and is one of Melwood’s most senior and seasoned leaders.

“Larysa has a deep understanding of every facet of Melwood’s operations. She has already made important contributions to the success of Melwood during her tenure, including leading our AbilityOne public policy and advocacy efforts. The Board is confident that she will successfully lead our organization during this time of transition, together with our newly elected Board Chair, Don Hathway,” said Steve Martin, Chair of the Melwood Board of Directors.

Kautz, who holds more than 17 years of corporate and nonprofit experience, brings a broad range of skills acquired through her leadership positions with a variety of tax-exempt organizations. After receiving her law degrees from Yale (JD) and Georgetown (LLM), she focused her career on affordable housing development, venture philanthropy, and advising national and international nonprofits. As the mother of a child on the autism spectrum, she is passionate about Melwood’s mission of inclusion.

“It’s an honor to have Melwood’s Board place its trust in me to lead our dedicated staff and volunteers during this transition. I will ensure we remain focused on our mission to serve Melwood’s most important stakeholders – our participants, employees and federal customers. We have been forward-looking and innovative in analyzing and adapting to the critical changes to the environment in which we operate. We will continue to be nimble in pivoting our operations during these unprecedented times, so we don’t miss a beat,” said Kautz upon accepting the Interim President & CEO position.

Kautz currently serves on the Virginia DBVI State Rehabilitation Council and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board. She has previously volunteered as a consultant for President Obama’s Office of White House Counsel and Virginia Governor Northam’s Transition Team on the Policy Council on Workforce Development. She was named one of the 2017 Leading Women in Maryland by The Daily Record, has been honored by the Association of Corporate Counsel with the 2019 In-House Innovator Award, and is an alumna of the Arlington Leadership Center for Excellence.

Kautz will be leading the $110M nonprofit until the Board of Directors concludes the formal search process for a permanent President & CEO.

About Melwood

Melwood is one of the largest employers of people of differing abilities in the country, employing more than 1,600 workers – nearly 1,000 of whom are people of differing abilities. Melwood offers job placement, job training, life skills for independence, and support services to more than 2,500 people each year in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Melwood also provides employment and support services to veterans and active-duty military members who have experienced service-related trauma or injury. For more information, visit http://www.Melwood.org.

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