The problem of people delaying going to the dentist because they are too busy is huge and it’s dramatically impacting the health of our country and in turn driving up medical costs, said Dave Drap, Virtudent’s Chief Growth Officer.

SEATTLE and BOSTON (PRWEB)
December 06, 2019

Virtudent, Inc. (http://www.virtudent.com), the leading provider of teledentistry services for employers, today announced the expansion of its operations to Washington. Starting last month, the company began deploying its high-quality, preventive dental services at workplaces in Seattle and the surrounding areas, with newly appointed Vice President, General Manager, Jonathan Kong, overseeing operations.

Virtudent brings diagnostic and preventive services typically performed at a dentist’s office, including a complete oral health exam, cleaning and X-rays, to the patient’s workplace using a proprietary dental system that easily sets up in a conference room or company wellness center. Virtudent’s experienced, degreed dental hygienists and dentists in Washington are all licensed in the state and receive rigorous training in Virtudent’s proprietary solution and patient care techniques. Washington dentists review all Virtudent patient cases, assessments and X-rays and advisors from top dental schools including University of Pennsylvania Dental School, Columbia Dental School, Boston University Dental School, and Tufts Dental School provide clinical oversight to the program.

Working in partnership with health insurers, the company currently operates at workplaces throughout most of New England, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas for companies such as Dunkin’ Brands, Microsoft and Wayfair.

“The problem of people delaying going to the dentist because they are too busy is huge and it’s dramatically impacting the health of our country and in turn driving up medical costs,” said Dave Drap, Virtudent’s Chief Growth Officer. “Our mission every day is to help improve the health of the population so we are rapidly expanding to reach as many people as we can. We are excited to be serving our first west coast market and welcome our first customers and patients there, where the response has already been tremendous.”

Leading the west coast expansion is Washington resident, Jonathan Kong, a business executive with over 13 years of experience in client service, business development and corporate finance working with Fortune 500 companies, healthcare organizations, foundations and NGOs. He joins Virtudent from Convoy, Inc. where he oversaw a portfolio of Convoy’s largest and most strategic enterprise accounts. Before Convoy, Kong had a 10+ year career in management consulting that started at PwC and eventually led to Camber Collective, where he helped build one of the leading strategy consulting firms focused on the social impact space. He graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Business Administration.

“Having worked in the Seattle tech and start-up scene where many of us work long hours, I have seen first-hand how difficult it can be for people, including myself, to get to the dentist,” said Kong. “I am looking forward to growing our team and bringing high quality preventive oral health services to Washington employers via our innovative and convenient delivery model.”

For more information, go to http://www.virtudent.com.

About Virtudent

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Boston, Virtudent is a teledentistry practice committed to improving overall health and well-being by providing easy access to high-quality, prevention-focused dental care in the workplace. Through partnerships with hundreds of top employers, including Dunkin’ Brands, Microsoft and Wayfair, they have saved their clients tens of thousands of employee work hours. Their business model brings together experienced dentists, highly-trained hygienists and a proprietary portable dental system in a convenient setting to address often overlooked oral health. For more information, visit http://www.virtudent.com.

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Students receive check for AT&T scholarship funds.

This scholarship from AT&T has taken a financial weight off my shoulders.

SALT LAKE CITY (PRWEB)
December 06, 2019

In a ceremony where words like “commitment,” “bravery” and “gratitude” were used frequently, six students in Salt Lake Community College’s (SLCC) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program—Maria Mazzel Delgado, Jake Fisher, Justine Hanscom, Hevelyn Cidade Klegues, Mark Rodgers and Chelise Schaefer—were awarded the AT&T Public Safety Hero Scholarship to support their first responder training.

Four scholarship recipients are graduating from SLCC’s EMT program this month and two are prepared to begin the 13-week program in January.

“This scholarship from AT&T has taken a financial weight off my shoulders,” said scholarship recipient Jake Fisher. “It means the world to me. I know that it will help me, and my fellow students reach our educational and professional goals.”

Nearly 200 SLCC EMT students complete this certification each year and graduates of this program are currently working in hospitals, fire departments, ambulance companies, and a wide variety of other public service-oriented careers.

“Salt Lake Community College’s EMT program is designed to give students access to knowledge, skills and hands-on experience at the highest level,” said Gary Cox, Interim Dean of the School of Applied Technology and Professional Development. “These scholarships help students overcome financial barriers to allow them to concentrate on their learning, training and experience and really focus on finding meaningful careers, helping people in need, keeping our communities safe and saving lives.”

“AT&T is committed to education, to building connected communities and to keeping people safe by supporting our first responders,” said Tara Thue, President, AT&T Utah. “We are honored to partner with SLCC in its efforts to provide education and career opportunities for dedicated students who are willing to be on the front lines as first responders.”

About Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake Community College is Utah’s largest two-year higher education institution. The college is Utah’s leading provider of workforce development programs and the largest supplier of transfer students to the state’s four-year institutions. SLCC is also a top 10 college nationally for total associate degrees awarded and the leading provider of applied technology courses in Salt Lake County.

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T

AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. The company’s signature philanthropic initiative, AT&T Aspire, drives innovation in education to promote student success in school and beyond. With a financial commitment of $550 million since 2008, AT&T is leveraging technology, relationships and social innovation to help all students make their biggest dreams a reality.

Media Contacts:

Suzanne Trantow

AT&T Corporate Communications

suzanne.trantow@att.com

720.236.2056

Joy Tlou

SLCC, Director of Public Relations

joy.tlou@slcc.edu

801.792.6067

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Dr. Kaliq Chang

Various risk factors for degenerative disc disease can’t be changed, including getting older and having a family history of the condition. But other risk factors are modifiable, such as obesity; heavy lifting or physical work; smoking; back injury; and sports participation.

WEST ORANGE, N.J. (PRWEB)
December 06, 2019

It would be logical to assume that degenerative disc disease – one of the most common spine problems in older adults – is actually a disease. However, this progression of changes in spinal discs due to injury, wear and tear, and aging isn’t a disease at all, but a sometimes-preventable condition that can lead to chronic pain, according to Kaliq Chang, MD, of Atlantic Spine Center.

“To understand degenerative disc disease, it’s helpful to understand the spine’s anatomy,” Dr. Chang says. Spinal discs sit between bony vertebrae, enabling us to bend and flex as well as cushioning much of the stress of day-to-day movement on our spines. Gradual changes in any area of the back or neck from degenerative disc disease – often dubbed the “degenerative cascade” – can lead to lost fluid in the discs, torn outer layers, or the growth of nerve fibers.

“All of these changes can result in chronic pain,” explains Dr. Chang, an interventional pain management specialist. “Additionally, other spine problems can occur as disc deterioration continues, including bone spurs, herniated discs and spinal stenosis. When this deterioration is severe, your range of motion can become limited. Knowing symptoms and getting an accurate diagnosis is important to help slow or stop the damage.”

Causes of degenerative disc disease

Various risk factors for degenerative disc disease can’t be changed, including getting older and having a family history of the condition, Dr. Chang notes. But other risk factors are modifiable, such as obesity; heavy lifting or physical work; smoking; back injury; and sports participation.

Quickly identifying the condition can rely on knowing its symptoms, which include pain in the low back, buttocks, thighs or neck; pain that worsens when sitting, bending, lifting or twisting; pain that feels better when walking, changing positions or lying down; periods of severe pain that improves after days or even months; and numbness, weakness or tingling in the legs.

“The chance of developing degenerative disc disease – or a severe case of it – is certainly heightened in those who don’t practice healthy lifestyle measures, such as smoking or gaining excessive weight,” Dr. Chang explains. “Clearly, we can’t eliminate all our risk factors for the condition, but proactively protecting our spine is possible by controlling the risk factors we can.”

Preventing degenerative disc disease

What can you do to help prevent degenerative disc disease? Dr. Chang says these measures include:

• Drinking water: Consuming plenty of water can help keep discs strong and pliable, also helping you avoid weight gain that could tax your spine.
• Eating right: Healthy foods such as leafy green veggies, whole grain pastas and breads, fish, nuts and dairy products all help nourish the bones, including spinal vertebrae supporting discs.
• Scheduling physical activity: Regular exercise contributes to blood and nutrient flow to back muscles, which support the spine and discs. As a bonus, exercise triggers the release of pain-soothing chemicals known as endorphins.

“Treatment options for degenerative disc disease are typically conservative, combining tactics such as physical therapy or steroid injections,” Dr. Chang says. “If these techniques don’t work and pain remains severe, or bowel or bladder function is affected, then surgery may be required for some patients. Talk to your doctor to come up with a plan that best suits your needs.”

Atlantic Spine Center is a nationally recognized leader for endoscopic spine surgery with several locations in NJ and NYC. http://www.atlanticspinecenter.com, http://www.atlanticspinecenter.nyc

Kaliq Chang, MD, is an interventional pain management specialist, double board-certified in interventional pain management and anesthesiology, at Atlantic Spine Center.

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“We are fortunate to have so many great providers shaping our local healthcare sector,” Joe Zwiebel, publisher, Hartford Business Journal, said.

HARTFORD, Conn. (PRWEB)
December 06, 2019

Connecticut is home to a growing healthcare industry that is consistently recognized for its innovations and excellence in patient care. On December 12th, Hartford Business Journal will recognize eight individuals and organizations who are upholding that standard of excellence at the Health Care Heroes Awards at the Hartford Marriott.

“We are fortunate to have so many great providers shaping our local healthcare sector,” Joe Zwiebel, publisher, Hartford Business Journal, said. “This year’s honorees exemplify what it means to be a hero in the healthcare industry, and we are delighted to recognize their achievements.”

The 2019 Health Care Heroes honorees are:

• Advancement in Healthcare-Innovation: Dr. John Pelegano, Chief of Pediatrics, Hospital for Special Care
• Advancements in Healthcare-Prevention: UConn Health’s Connecticut EMS Statewide Opioid Reporting Directive
• Community Service-Advocacy/Policy: Patricia Baker, President & CEO, Connecticut Health Foundation
• Corporate Achievement-Innovation: Hartford Hospital’s Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation or ECMO Team, led by Dr. Jason Gluck
• Healthcare Staff: Katie Joly, Program Manager, Gaylord Sports Association, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
• Nurse: Shawnna Scirpo, Nursing Director, The Hospital of Central Connecticut Emergency Department
• Physician: Dr. Daniel Gerardi, Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center/Trinity Health
• Volunteer: Brad Cole, Executive Director/All-Hazards Psychological Trauma Responder, K9 First Responders

In addition to recognizing the above honorees, the event will feature a keynote address by Gary Mendell, Founder & CEO, Shatterproof. Mendell founded Shatterproof, a national nonprofit dedicated to combatting addiction, after losing his own son to addiction.

The 2019 Health Care Heroes Awards are presented by Hartford Business Journal. Trinity Health of New England, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Comcast Business are presenting sponsors for the event. Hartford HealthCare and The Next Street are event sponsors. Event partners included Hartford Marriott, Rider Productions, J. Fiereck Photography and Co-Communications.

To purchase tickets for the event, visit https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/.

About Hartford Business Journal

Hartford Business Journal is the only audited, subscription-based business publication in Connecticut. Whether it’s market trends, the latest merger news or an update on state government, this award-winning publication is the “must-read” for area business leaders. Hartford Business Journal has a total readership of 31,000 affluent and education business decision makers in the 61 towns that make up Metro Hartford. For more information, please visit https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/ or call 860.236.9998.

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