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.

OpenClinica Bolsters Decentralized Clinical Trials Toolkit


“At OpenClinica, we have long been committed to helping sites and sponsors improve patient participation, engagement and diversity in clinical trials,” said Ben Baumann, OpenClinica Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer. “Clinical trials can easily integrate OpenClinica Consent with our family of patient engagement and DCT solutions to provide an end-to-end patient journey or use it as a standalone tool.”

In May 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released new draft guidance to advance decentralized clinical trials. The draft guidance expands on the 2020 agency recommendations and is intended to “increase the breadth and diversity of participants in clinical trials and improve accessibility for those with rare diseases or mobility challenges.”

Bauman recently wrote a blog about five of the reasons electronic informed consent for clinical trials (eICF) matters to patients and clinical trial researchers. To read Baumann’s blog, click here

For more information about OpenClinica’s eConsent tool, see:

https://www.openclinica.com/solutions/econsent/

To start a free trial, visit:

https://www.openclinica.com/request-a-free-trial/

ABOUT OPENCLINICA

OpenClinica accelerates clinical trials by automating data acquisition through its software-as-a-service platform. Offering a secure bridge between healthcare and research, OpenClinica is trusted by the world’s foremost life science companies, academic institutions, and government entities and has been used in more than 10,000 studies involving over five million patients. OpenClinica is proud to support hundreds of small, midsize and large research organizations spanning biotech, pharma, medical device manufacturing and contract research organizations. For more information, visit us at www.openclinica.com

Media Contact

Mary Lou McCoy, OpenClinica, 1 6033069906, [email protected], www.OpenClinica.com

SOURCE OpenClinica

Wartburg Adds Sage Stream Interactive Live Stream Music Entertainment to Enhance Resident Experience


Founder Anthony Cirillo, a long-time professional musician and health care professional, says: “Social isolation is of epidemic proportions in the U.S. as recently called attention to by Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy who released an advisory calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness. Studies have shown that in some respects isolation has worsened post-pandemic.”

By utilizing chat-based technology, Sage Stream can take requests from viewers, provide shout-out to communities, call out special events and overall engage in a fun, interactive experience with clients.

Says Wartburg’s President and CEO, David J. Gentner: “We piloted Sage Stream earlier in the year and our staff reported back that it was an affordable and valuable resource that residents looked forward to each week. In a tech and gadget-filled world, staff like the simplicity and ease of use of Sage Stream, which saves them hours of activity planning time. I personally like the idea of song requests as it harkens back to a time when you could actually call a radio station and make requests!”

Sage Stream is endorsed by the National Association of Activity Professionals in the U.S. and Music for Dementia in the U.K. With additional mentors from the Lieber Institute for Brain Development and the Institute for Music and Neurological Function, Sage Stream produces programs to maximize brain health.

About Wartburg

Wartburg, located in Westchester County, NY, offers integrated, comprehensive senior residential and healthcare services. Unlike conventional retirement communities, Wartburg provides a wide range of services to both residents living on their beautiful 34-acre campus and people in their own homes. From independent, assisted living and award-winning nursing home care to inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, home care and adult day care services, their continuing care approach has earned them a trusted reputation. Wartburg also provides caregiver support at every stage with an array of options to find the level of care that considers the whole family. Wartburg was named one of the “Best Nursing Homes in New York State” by U.S. News & World Report for the seventh consecutive year in 2022.

About Sage Stream / Anthony Cirillo

Anthony Cirillo is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Professionals who helped create the patient experience movement in hospitals with his seminal article, “The Chief Experience Officer.” A health, aging and caregiving expert, he is also president of The Aging Experience and a board member of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function as well as a member of the Nationwide Financial / National Council on Aging Health and Wellness Roundtable and the Bank of America Elder Care Policy Roundtable. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives with a master’s from the University of Pennsylvania, he consults and speaks on healthcare issues globally.

Media Contact

Anthony Cirillo, Sage Stream, 1 7044534284, [email protected], https://sagestream.live/

SOURCE Sage Stream

AHN Opens New Precision Medicine and Developmental Therapeutics Cancer Clinic at AGH


The clinic is based at the AHN Cancer Institute at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh’s North Side and offers both in-person and telemedicine appointments to patients.

Because every cancer patient has unique characteristics and preferences, a unique genetic profile, and because cancer is a dynamic, heterogeneous disease, precision therapies are considered the next frontier of cancer treatment. Precision oncology focuses on matching the most effective and tailored cancer therapies to the individual cancer patient, based on the patient’s unique profile, as well as genetic information from the cancer’s molecular signatures.

In support of the rapidly growing field of precision oncology, new types of therapies — such as target-based therapies, aimed at specific cancer genes and proteins — must also be developed to supplement more conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

“It’s an exciting time to join Allegheny Health Network’s Cancer Institute as we embrace new discoveries and apply innovative therapies to treat the most challenging cancer cases,” said Dr. Lopez-Chavez. “From the latest technologies in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and cellular therapies, to the use of novel clinical algorithms and empowerment programs to guide and support patient care, the Precision Medicine and Developmental Therapeutics Clinic will provide cancer patients with access to treatments and interventions that are most likely to increase their chances of recovery.”

Dr. Lopez-Chavez is a medical oncologist certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, specializing in precision cancer medicine for patients with metastatic solid tumors whose cancer has progressed despite initial treatment or are seeking novel treatment options. Before joining AHNCI, he was a Medical Director and Global Head of Oncology Development Innovation at Genentech-Roche, one of the largest life sciences companies in the world and the worldwide leader in the development of innovative cancer medicines.

As director of the Precision Medicine and Developmental Therapeutics Clinic, Dr. Lopez-Chavez will lead an innovative program that offers cancer patients access to clinical research trials and novel technologies aimed at maximizing cancer recovery and improving their overall well-being.

Over the last two decades, Dr. Lopez-Chavez has collaborated with hundreds of physicians and scientists from all over the world to develop safer, more effective treatments for cancer. Many of his efforts have resulted in new FDA-approved treatments, allowing cancer patients to live significantly longer lives.

“The Precision Medicine and Developmental Therapeutics Clinic at AHN’s Cancer Institute was developed with the goal of providing patients with access to critical treatment options and interventions for their disease, which historically hasn’t always been an option in cancer care,” said David Bartlett, MD, Chair of the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute. “As a world-renowned expert in oncology, precision medicine, and precision health, Dr. Lopez-Chavez is a tremendous asset to the AHN Cancer Institute as we continue to strive to find the best treatment options for our patients.”

Dr. Lopez-Chavez has held positions at several top cancer centers in the United States, including the National Cancer Center in Bethesda, Maryland; the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health rand Sciences University; the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami; and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he was named one of the top five oncologists for exceptional customer service.

Telemedicine and in-office visits are available for cancer patients who are seeking the care of AHN clinicians. Call (412) NURSE 4 U (412-687-7348) and a cancer nurse will answer your questions, schedule an appointment, and provide support. Patients can also submit an AHN Cancer Institute Second Opinion Request Form.

Media Contact
Emily Beatty, Allegheny Health Network, 5136789620, [email protected]

SOURCE Allegheny Health Network

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Donates $300,000 to Junior Achievement of Arizona


Junior Achievement (JA) is filling a critical gap for today’s students who receive limited real-world experience in school, particularly when it comes to money management and career readiness. The nonprofit provides this important personal finance curriculum to kindergarten through high school aged students using a volunteer-led delivery model executed through partnerships with 400 schools, nearly 3,200 educators and more than 8,000 volunteers throughout Arizona.

As a former Junior Achievement alum, Renee Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, knows firsthand how important JA’s programs are for students.

“Students learn about basic financial concepts and engage in a hands-on experience at JA BizTown,” said Renee Parsons, co-founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “There they learn what it takes to manage a business, pay their bills and balance a checkbook. These are valuable skills that prepare students for a successful future as entrepreneurs, business owners and employees.”

JA’s programs seek to narrow income gaps and provide a pathway to the most vulnerable students in hopes of a brighter, more successful and more just future for all. The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation donation will help fund over 2,500 low income students with K-12 financial literacy and workforce readiness programming. Additionally, it will support 1,078 students with JA BizTown programming for two consecutive years.

“Financial literacy is not something most kids are learning at home or in school,” said Bob Parsons, co-founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Junior Achievement is delivering this important piece of education in an easy to learn way, preparing kids to succeed as adults.”

JA’s programs help narrow the income gap and provide pathways for Arizona’s most vulnerable students to overcome inequities. Junior Achievement’s programs are working and it’s evident in some of its recent statistics:

  • 90% of alumni report being confident in money management.
  • 85% of alumni say that JA played an important role in fostering a belief they could achieve their goals.
  • 45% of the businesses started by alumni employ more than 20 people, compared to approximately 12% of U.S. small businesses.
  • 60% of Hispanic alumni, 52% of African American alumni and 51% of Caucasian alumni have started one or more businesses during their careers.

About The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture, and nourish people during what is often the darkest time of their lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country’s most vulnerable populations, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. The Foundation’s giving is driven by the core belief that all people – regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity – deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media or visit TBRPF.org to learn more about partner organizations and the important work being done in the community.

About Junior Achievement of Arizona
Junior Achievement of Arizona (JA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that equips Arizona students to succeed in work and life by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to manage their money, plan for their future, and make smart academic, career and economic choices. Since 1957, JA has taught kids, kindergarten through high school, about financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. The organization’s hands-on, age-appropriate programs are delivered by more than 8,000 corporate and community volunteers. Despite educational obstacles during the pandemic, JA reached approximately 170,000 students in the 2022-2023 school year. Follow @JAArizona on social media or visit jaaz.org/resources for more free online educational tools.

Media Contact

Lindsay Hansen, LDH Consulting, 1 4802056195, [email protected], www.jaaz.org

SOURCE The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation