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.

Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer to Host Fundamental Two-Day Workshop Focused on Cytokines in Cancer Immunotherapy


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“Because cytokines control many aspects of immune cell biology, we see a resurgent interest in developing these agents either alone or in combination with immune checkpoint modulators for anti-cancer therapy,” said SITC President Mario Sznol, MD.

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) will host a new workshop Oct. 12–13, 2020, in New York, which will focus on providing a deeper understanding of cytokines in immune cell proliferation, differentiation, and function, as they pertain to tumor immunobiology and cancer immunotherapy approaches.

The SITC Cytokines in Cancer Immunotherapy Workshop is intended for basic, translational and clinical researchers with a vested interest in the topic of cytokine immunology and the impact of cytokines in cancer immunotherapy. The program is organized by prominent members of the immuno-oncology community, including Susan M. Kaech, PhD, from Salk Institute, Anne O’Garra, PhD, from The Francis Crick Institute and Aaron Ring, MD, PhD, from Yale University, the workshop will feature oral presentations by leading experts in the field, including keynotes by Warren J. Leonard, MD, from National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute and Harriett Kluger, MD, from Yale University.

“Because cytokines control many aspects of immune cell biology, we see a resurgent interest in developing these agents either alone or in combination with immune checkpoint modulators for anti-cancer therapy,” said SITC President Mario Sznol, MD. “However, there is a great deal we don’t yet know about optimal application of the many different cytokines in the clinic, for example how cytokines interact with each other or with agents such as the PD-1/PD-L1 antagonists. We plan to cover current knowledge in this conference and identify potential areas of research that will lead to rational clinical development. The conference will also provide opportunities for young investigators to present their research and to interact with leading senior investigators in the field.”

The workshop will aim to foster renewed exchange and research on the promising topic of cytokines and their interactions in cancer development and therapy, lead to further research and provide a solid scientific foundation for future clinical interventions to modulate anti-tumor immunity with combinations of cytokines and other immunotherapies.

The program will also provide an intimate opportunity for attendees to discuss their work with experts in the field, develop collaborations and learn about novel studies of cytokines. Abstract submissions are being accepted through Sept. 1, 2020, from young investigators working with cytokines in their research, including several oral abstract presentation opportunities. These presentations will be judged on scientific merit, and the top presenter from each category will receive a research funding award. Abstract submitters not selected for oral presentation will have the opportunity to present their research as a poster.

The SITC Cytokines in Cancer Immunotherapy Workshop will take place on Oct. 12–13, 2020, at the Millennium Times Square New York hotel. Registration rates, criteria for abstract submissions and program schedule are available on SITC Cancer Immunotherapy CONNECT.

About SITC

Established in 1984, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is a nonprofit organization of medical professionals dedicated to improving cancer patient outcomes by advancing the development, science and application of cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology. SITC is comprised of influential basic and translational scientists, practitioners, health care professionals, government leaders and industry professionals around the globe. Through educational initiatives that foster scientific exchange and collaboration among leaders in the field, SITC aims to one day make the word “cure” a reality for cancer patients everywhere. Learn more about SITC, our educational offerings and other resources at http://www.sitcancer.org and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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Financial Poise™ Announces “The Impact of Communicable Diseases, Including Coronavirus, on the Workplace” a New Webinar Premiering April 28 at 1:00 PM CST


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Join this panel of experts as they explore how to deal with communicable disease-related issues within the workplace

When it comes to dealing with communicable disease-related issues within the workplace, planning is everything. What kinds of things might an employer do to lessen the impact of a communicable disease disaster on their business? Join this panel of experts as they explore these topics: (1) FFCRA-eligibility, hardship waivers, benefits required; (2) Increased employer medical screening, testing & temperature taking; (3) Managing remote work, how to assess eligibility for remote work (job descriptions, accommodations, electronic access); (4) Workplace communication–HIPAA, privacy, etc.

To learn more and register, click here.

The webinar will be available on-demand after its premiere. As with every Financial Poise Webinar, it will be an engaging and plain English conversation designed to entertain as it teaches.

About Financial Poise –

Financial Poise has one mission: to provide reliable plain English business, financial and legal education to investors, private business owners and executives, and their respective trusted advisors. Financial Poise content is created by seasoned, respected experts who are invited to join our Faculty only after being recommended by current Faculty Members. Our editorial staff then works to make sure all content is easily digestible. Financial Poise is a meritocracy; nobody can “buy” their way into the Financial Poise Faculty. Start learning today at https://www.financialpoise.com/

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Willingway Announces the Opening of a New Adolescent Program


Summit BHC (“Summit” or “the Company”), a leading provider of addiction treatment and behavioral health services, and Willingway, an alcohol and drug addiction treatment center located in Statesboro, Georgia, announce the opening of The Pines, a residential treatment center specifically designed for adolescents. The new unit is accepting patients as of April 21, 2020.

The Pines at Willingway offers a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program that includes detoxification, residential treatment, and partial hospitalization services for adolescents. Based on the time-proven philosophies of traditional 12-step programs and the decades of successful treatment through the adult program at Willingway, this approach to addiction recovery provides adolescents with a robust framework to achieve sobriety that will continue as long-term recovery after discharge.

Housed in a newly opened 20-bed unit on the Willingway campus, The Pines is a private campus that includes walking trails, a small pond, and an indoor pool for recreation. As a treatment program for teens ages 14-18, The Pines will work with clients who have chemical dependency or drug use that has severely affected significant areas of their life–family, school, and social relationships. Clients receive 24/7 care and are supported by a team of credentialed recovery professionals.

“The opening of The Pines allows us to reach the adolescent community, a group that is often overlooked in addiction treatment,” stated Cherie D. Tolley, CEO of Willingway. “We will be able to provide these young adults with the guidance and recovery tools they’ll need to live a sober life.”

The Pines at Willingway will accept most major insurance programs while also offering self-pay options.

About Willingway

For more than 45 years, Willingway’s mission has been to deliver the highest quality of addiction treatment to patients and their families with dignity, compassion, and respect in order to restore the lives of those impacted by alcohol and drug abuse. As a nationally-recognized, privately owned alcohol and drug addiction treatment program, we practice evidence-based medicine to promote a continuing recovery program so that patients may enjoy a life of sobriety and success.

About Summit BHC

Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, and founded in June of 2013, Summit was established to develop and operate a network of leading addiction treatment and behavioral health centers throughout the country. The company’s sole focus is on the provision and management of specialty chemical dependency and addiction disorder services within a flexible and dynamic continuum of care. The leadership team at Summit is comprised of senior executives with decades of combined experience in the behavioral healthcare industry at the national level. The company currently owns and operates 19 freestanding addiction treatment centers nationwide.

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Mike Smit Joins Galileo as Chief Commercial Officer


Simply put, Galileo is changing the way healthcare is being delivered in America. The combination of 24/7 access to high quality, multi-specialty physicians as well as significantly lowering the cost of healthcare for members, employers, and health plans is a game-changer.

Galileo, a transformative, digital-first medical service that offers individuals direct access to national clinical expertise when and where they need it, announced today the hiring of Mike Smit as their Chief Commercial Officer.

As Chief Commercial Officer, Mike will oversee the company’s sales and commercialization of their large employer and health plan segment for their digital product. Galileo continues to expand its presence as the demand for advanced primary care and 24/7 access to quality physicians increases. Galileo’s offering is specifically needed in today’s current healthcare environment where healthcare at home is a necessity.

Smit brings to Galileo a deep understanding of the employer, payer, and broker/consultant landscapes. Most recently he was a senior vice president at Rally Health where he held roles leading health plan expansion, pricing and performance guarantees, and most recently overseeing employer sales and account management. Prior to Rally, Mike spent six years at UnitedHealthcare in National Account sales and ten years at Hewitt Associates as an actuary and consultant for Fortune 500 employers.

“We’re excited to have someone with Mike’s depth and breadth of experience join our team” said Tom X. Lee, Founder and CEO of Galileo. “In a short period of time, Galileo has already gained national momentum as a leader in digital innovation, and Mike will be a tremendous asset as we further commercialize our products and manage our rapid growth.”

“Simply put, Galileo is changing the way healthcare is being delivered in America. The combination of 24/7 access to high quality, multi-specialty physicians as well as significantly lowering the cost of healthcare for members, employers, and health plans is a game-changer,” said Smit.

About Galileo

Galileo is building the future of healthcare—today. Using innovative mobile technology and human-centered design, we improve the quality and affordability of medical care for all—including the most remote, complex and underserved. The organization was founded by Thomas Lee MD, a general internist trained at some of the top medical institutions across the country. He later went on to create Epocrates (the first and largest digital mobile app used by physicians) and One Medical (the largest tech-enabled primary care group in the US).

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Plastic Surgeon Creates Podcast, Forever FAB, to Help Heal in Good Times and in Times of Stress


Plastic surgeon, Dr. Shirley Madhere, creates podcast on fashion, wellness, and holistic beauty.

Podcasts offer episodic series of the spoken word. Conveniently, they are portable, streaming, diverse, and often free. They are becoming increasingly popular, with Apple alone hosting over “500,00 podcasts and over 18 million episodes” (source: https://www.podcastinsights.com/podcast-statistics/).

The global pandemic has resulted in more people seeking information and entertainment in various forms. Podcasts have seen increased subscribers since more people are tuning in while staying home.

The Forever FAB podcast was created as an expression of one plastic surgeon’s creativity.

Dr. Shirley Madhere, Founder of the Holistic Plastic Surgery philosophy, believed in the audio medium to help create more awareness around the need for a holistic approach in age management through plastic surgery and around the inter-connectedness of beauty, fashion and wellness. The podcast is dedicated, therefore, to Fashion, the Art of living well (or wellness), and Beauty, giving the podcast its capitalized acronym, F.A.B.

The Forever FAB podcast features various types of episodes, including guest interviews and product and experiential reviews (Fifteen Minutes of FAB). Most recently, Dr. Madhere created Prepped and Masked: How to Honor Your Temple in Good Times and in Times of Stress, a four-part mini-series to address health and wellness during the Covid-19 pandemic. The podcast has been live since March 2019 and is currently featured on numerous platforms, including Apple podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean, Podbay, Chartable, Podtail,

Podparadise, Castbox, and iHeart Radio.

“Now, more than ever, it is essential for us all to understand that oneness is critical to our survival and success as humanity. From my perspective, having seen a disconnect between wellness and beauty, I created the Forever FAB podcast to emphasize that these seemingly distinct entities and industries all live along the same spectrum of holistic health. Similarly, fashion, too, is related to beauty; I consider it an aspect that is an inherent part of my well-being. My podcast creates a space where collaboration and possibility among these fields are in dialogue to help together make the world a more beautiful place.”

Holistic Plastic Surgery is a philosophy created by Dr. Shirley Madhere to manifest that external appearance is a reflection of inner health. To help express that holism and diversity of her interests outside of her surgical practice, she launched the Forever FAB podcast as a creative outlet and as an homage to some of her passions. The podcast’s format includes a variety of episodes, including interviews with industry experts in fashion, media, medicine, and beauty; product and wellness experiential reviews on “Fifteen Minutes of FAB;” educational series on plastic surgery and wellness topics; and the mini-series, “Prepped and Masked: How to Honor Your Temple in Good Times and in Times of Stress.” Dr. Madhere has a NYC-based plastic surgery practice. However, in this time of social distancing, she remains committed to providing additional platforms for communication, education, beauty, health, and healing through her blog on ElementsandGraces.com, telemedicine, and the online e-consultation platform, Click-Lift.com.

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Lamborghini Austin improves sanitation standards for shoppers’ health


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Exotic sports car shoppers can still find the vehicle of their choice at Lamborghini Austin. During this time, Lamborghini Austin has improved its sanitation standards to make sure that its showroom is disinfected and a safe place for shoppers to be.

The Lamborghini Austin showroom is now regularly cleaned with hospital grade disinfectants to help stop the spread of bacteria. The vehicles and commonly used surfaces inside the showroom are cleaned every day to help guests and staff stay healthy.

Inside the Lamborghini Austin showroom, the staff and guests are advised to follow the CDC guidelines of social distancing. Visitors inside the showroom are asked to keep six feet apart from other guests and staff. The professionals of Lamborghini Austin are also instructed on personal hygiene standards and cleaning procedures to improve the cleanliness of the dealership.

Drivers who are having their Lamborghini vehicle serviced at Lamborghini Austin can have their vehicles delivered if they so choose. New Lamborghini vehicles can also be delivered when the shopper requests it. Client visits can be arranged over the phone or online at the Lamborghini Austin website. Guests can also stop by the dealership at will to speak with a member of the staff to schedule a demonstration of the latest Lamborghini vehicles.

Interested parties can learn more about the new changes at Lamborghini Austin by visiting the specific web page on the dealership website: lamborghiniaustin.com. For shoppers who would like to learn more about the available vehicles or ask any questions about Lamborghini Austin can call the dealership at 833-331-0322 or visit the showroom located at 4108 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78756.

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Burlington Medical Answers the Governor’s Call for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


PPE Includes: Face Masks, Face Shields, Splatter Glasses and More

There has been a PPE Crisis During this Pandemic

Virginia has only been receiving 50% to 7.7% of the personal protective equipment it requests from FEMA

Across the country, there is an extreme shortage of essential equipment for healthcare providers to protect themselves from COVID-19. Virginia has only been receiving 50% to 7.7% of the personal protective equipment (PPE) it requests from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).

As Governor Northam told the Virginia Mercury, “While we appreciate what we’ve received from the national stockpile, it isn’t close to enough. Virginia’s health care providers and first responders deserve basic protection, equipment, and supplies. We need more, period.”

Burlington Medical, Virginia’s sole manufacturer of personal protection equipment for radiation, reached out to Governor Northam and volunteered to convert all of its available production capacity to face masks, face shields, isolation gowns, as well as sourcing protective eyewear. While many businesses across the country have responded similarly to the pandemic, Burlington Medical is particularly well suited for the job.

“Right here in our Newport News VA headquarters, we have equipment and teams of artisans to design, cut, assemble and sew complex radiation vests and apparel,” Stephanie Phillips, senior product manager and former registered nurse, attested. “We also have supply chain experts on hand. We’re not just producing face masks and isolation gowns, we’re using our craftsmanship and resources to make the highest quality PPE in its class.”

PPE production has been in effect for weeks at the company. They are now accepting orders for tri-layer facemasks (the equivalent of three-ply surgical masks), polypropylene isolation gowns, high-strength face shields, and protective eyewear.

Due to the extreme scarcity of PPE, Burlington Medical will limit most of its sales of critical items to Virginia hospitals and healthcare facilities. Protective eyewear is available nationwide. Eventually, it plans to broaden its sales of PPE to neighboring states.

“Healthcare providers have always been on the frontlines of public health, and protecting them has always been our company mission. Before it was only radiation, today there’s also COVID-19. We’re proud to help keep providers safer during this difficult and dangerous time,” said Stephanie Phillips.

For more information about Burlington Medical’s PPE initiative, contact:

Stephanie Phillips

1-757-968-5849

stephanie.phillips@burmed.com

About Burlington Medical:

Burlington Medical engineers the highest quality and lightest weight lead aprons in the industry. We are experts in the health and safety concerns of providers working in a radiation environment. From our in-person fitting services to our industry-best lead times and cost-saving product options, we deliver superior outcomes with greater budget efficiency to all of our customers.

https://burmed.com

(800) 221-3466 / (757) 888-8994

3 Elmhurst Street, Newport News, VA 23603

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rHEALTH Attains ISO 13485 Certification and Announces Facilities Expansion


Together, these new developments give us significant capability to meet our global commercial demands.

rHEALTH LLC, a Diagnose Yourself, AnywhereTM company, today announced that it has received ISO 13485:2016 certification for the design and development, production and distribution, and servicing of in vitro diagnostic devices (IVD), kits, reagents, analyzers, and software. Concurrently, it announced expansion to a 22,000 square feet facility in Bedford, MA, which was inspected during the certification process and will support its commercial operations.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world’s largest developer of quality standards. The ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management Standard for Medical Devices is the accepted standard for the design and manufacture of medical devices. The certification is performed by an external Notified Body which performs a two-staged multiple day comprehensive quality system audit to ensure quality and safety standards are met.

The audit was performed at the rHEALTH’s new state-of-art diagnostics facility which was designed and engineered to meet the exacting standards of the Company’s IVD products. The facility includes the latest infrastructure for a high-performing operation, including a full BL2 laboratory, clean hoods, energy efficient systems, electrostatic discharge safe manufacturing areas, laser safety dark rooms, backup power, and additional square footage for expansion.

Eugene Chan, MD, Chairman and CEO of rHEALTH commented: “Together, these new developments give us significant capability to meet our global commercial demands. The certification attests to the high bar of quality and safety our company must meet on a daily basis. The facility supports the rigorous nature of our work. These reflect our organizational culture which has embraced accuracy and reproducibility as being paramount to any diagnostic test.”

About rHEALTH®

rHEALTH is a company focused on the development and commercialization of its Diagnose Yourself, AnywhereTM technology. rHEALTH’s innovations consists of the rHEALTH diagnostic platform, which enables diverse laboratory test classes in a single small volume blood sample intended as a point-of-care solution, the SKYE Sensor, a wireless wearable providing comprehensive real-time vitals monitoring and CHAS, a user-friendly mobile application. For more information, visit http://www.rhealth.com.

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The National Infertility Association Urges Governors to Consider Access to Infertility Treatments


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COVID-19 has taken away so much, let’s not let it take away the dream of family.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association has submitted a letter to the National Governors Association giving voice to the millions of Americans who are struggling to build a family and who have been negatively affected by state restrictions placed on health care services due to COVID-19.

“Together with the medical experts in their states, Governors have the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of those struggling to build family. COVID-19 has taken away so much, let’s not let it take away the dream of family,” said Barbara Collura, President /CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. “We all could use a little hope now, and we hope that the Governors will act on our request and help more people build their families soon.”

In the letter, Collura states, “We want to ensure that infertility treatments are not classified any differently than other medically necessary treatments, as states consider when and where to lift restrictions on health care services.”

The American Medical Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the World Health Organization all recognize infertility as a disease. The goal of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) – of which in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the leading practice – is to help people with the disease of infertility build their families. These medically necessary treatments may be a patient’s only pathway to having a child, and such treatments are often time sensitive.

One in eight individuals or couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. Infertility cuts across socioeconomic levels, and all racial, ethnic and religious lines.

About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association: Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. One in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age has trouble conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to these women and men, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. For more information, visit http://www.RESOLVE.org.

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Patagonia Health Featured in KLAS COVID-19 Technology Guide


In this time of crisis, our development team worked quickly to implement the COVID-19 Screening Assessment. We feel honored to be highlighted in such a prestigious report, such as KLAS during these unprecedented times.

KLAS Research recently highlighted Patagonia Health, a developer of Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) software for Public and Behavioral Health, in their COVID-19 Technology and Services Solutions Guide. Patagonia Health rapidly developed a COVID-19 Risk Assessment and Public Health Decision Making Tool within their software, which led to their inclusion in the KLAS Insight Report. The report is a quick guide for healthcare organizations to choose a trusted technology partner who can act fast to support them during these unprecedented times.

Public Health professionals, Patagonia Health’s primary customer base, are on the front lines combating this virus. Local Public Health agencies are tasked with identifying cases of COVID-19 and working with government officials on how to advise the community on precautionary measures. Patagonia Health’s risk assessment and decision-making tool responded to this urgent need by developing a screening tool that automatically categorizes an individual’s risk of infection. Similar to screening tools developed during previous public health emergencies, such as the Ebola outbreak, the COVID-19 Risk Assessment tool follows CDC guidelines exactly.

“In this time of crisis, our development team worked quickly to implement the COVID-19 Screening Assessment for Patagonia Health’s users,” says Ashok Mathur, Co-Founder and CEO, Patagonia Health, “We understand the importance of combating this pandemic as we work with public health professionals each day. We feel honored to be highlighted in such a prestigious report, such as KLAS during these unprecedented times.”

Additionally, Patagonia Health worked with LabCorp to facilitate the distribution of COVID-19 test kits. Users who have the LabCorp bi-directional lab interface can order COVID-19 test kits directly through Patagonia Health EHR. COVID-19 ICD10 diagnostic and CPT codes are updated and available to users in the interface. The assessment tool is now available free of charge to all Patagonia Health EHR users.

To read the entire KLAS report, please visit https://patagoniahealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/KLAS-report-covid-19-technology-and-services-solutions-guide-brief-LP.pdf

About Patagonia Health, Inc.

Patagonia Health, Inc. is a healthcare software supplier with a cloud and apps-based software solution that is designed specifically for Public and Behavioral Health agencies. The solution includes an integrated, federally-certified, Electronic Health Record (EHR), Practice Management (PM) and Billing software. The company’s mission is to solve two major barriers to EHR adoption − usability and cost − and address customers’ number one problem: billing. Patagonia Health’s highly-intelligent solution is extremely easy to use and provides timely data for organizations to improve workflow, streamline operations and take their organizations to the next level. For more information, visit https://patagoniahealth.com.

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