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Health

Roswell Park Spinoff Company Advances Toward New Clinical Trial for Brain Cancer Immunotherapy SurVaxM

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SurVaxM, an immunotherapy developed at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

SurVaxM, an immunotherapy developed at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

None of the FDA-approved immunotherapies are an option for patients with glioblastoma, and the approved treatment options we do have for patients with the disease remain quite limited both in number and in effectiveness.


BUFFALO, N.Y. (PRWEB)

The inventors of a new and unique cancer immunotherapy developed at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center have announced a major step forward with that therapy, known as SurVaxM. MimiVax LLC principals Robert Fenstermaker, MD, and Michael Ciesielski, PhD, have announced that the company, spun off from Roswell Park in 2012, has entered into a China-exclusive licensing agreement for SurVaxM with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co. Ltd., based in Shanghai, China.

Under the terms of the agreement, Fosun Pharma and MimiVax will work to develop and commercialize SurVaxM for patients in the U.S. and specified territories in China. A $10 million upfront payment made to MimiVax will enable and partially fund the upcoming pivotal clinical trials in both the U.S. and China. MimiVax is eligible to receive an additional $28 million in developmental milestones and $110 million in sales milestones.

SurVaxM, which MimiVax is developing based on technology licensed from Roswell Park, is an immunotherapy designed to stimulate the immune system to kill tumor cells that contain survivin, a protein that helps cancer cells to resist conventional treatments. The drug, which is manufactured in the United States, has been studied most extensively in patients with glioblastoma, an aggressive and hard-to-treat brain cancer, but the drug’s target, survivin, is also present in many other types of cancer, including multiple myeloma, neuroendocrine, medulloblastoma, melanoma, kidney and breast tumors.

Based upon positive results from initial phase I and phase II studies, the team expects to advance to large, multicenter randomized phase II trials in the coming year both in China and in the U.S. A single-arm phase II study in 63 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma last year demonstrated significantly longer survival time for patients treated with SurVaxM, with 93.5% alive a year after diagnosis, compared to expected 65% survival based on historical studies.

“Immunotherapies are changing the way we treat many cancers, but none of the FDA-approved immunotherapies are an option for patients with glioblastoma, and the approved treatment options we do have for patients with the disease remain quite limited both in number and in effectiveness,” says Dr. Fenstermaker, who is Chair of Neurosurgery at Roswell Park and Chief Medical Officer of MimiVax.

“We’re grateful to Fosun Pharma for recognizing the promise that SurVaxM holds, and eagerly look forward to working with our partners both in the United States and China to get these additional clinical studies underway,” adds Dr. Ciesielski, who is Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Roswell Park and Chief Executive Officer of MimiVax.

Drs. Ciesielski and Fenstermaker gratefully acknowledge donations to Roswell Park in support of their research at critical early stages.

“We’re so grateful for the community’s generous and enthusiastic support of this work,” adds Dr. Fenstermaker. “The initial laboratory investigations that paved the way to where we are now would not have been possible without individual donors who contributed to fundraising efforts like The Ride For Roswell.”

This release is also available on the Roswell Park website: https://www.roswellpark.org/newsroom/201911-roswell-park-spinoff-company-advances-toward-new-clinical-trial-brain-cancer

About MimiVax LLC

MimiVax LLC is a NY based private, clinical-stage biotechnology company formed in 2012 to develop and commercialize its lead candidate SurVaxM and pipeline immunotherapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases. For more information visit http://www.mimivax.com.

About Roswell Park

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at http://www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.

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Lifestyle: Self Help

On National Rural Health Day, University of Maryland Extension Reports a High-Impact Year Related to Farm Stress Management Education

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University of Maryland Extension is promoting rural health through farm stress management workshops across Maryland.

As educators, our goals are to raise awareness and build educational resources for communities struggling with mental and behavioral health problems.


COLLEGE PARK, Md. (PRWEB)

In early 2018, national reports from USDA, private industry and farm organizations began talking about another “farm crisis.” USDA Economic Research Service forecasted a decrease in farm income that would be the lowest level in nominal terms since 2006. Weather, prices and international trade have created a volatile, unprofitable and uncertain time for production agriculture. It became clear that this was an issue in the northeast, including Maryland. As a response, UMD Extension (UME) agents initiated partnerships and programs including a dedicated farm stress management website, a farm vitality forum bringing together multiple agencies to discuss rural mental health and collaboration, and most recently partnered with the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts to provide four farm stress management workshops around the state targeting farmers and service providers.

During UME winter agriculture production meetings 517 attendees representing 22 of Maryland’s 24 counties were surveyed regarding their stress level. Of those attending, 62% were farmers, and 20% were landowners. Using a scale from 1 to 10, attendees were asked to rate their level of stress in the past month. Forty-two percent rated their stress level as 6 or more; 26% rated their stress level as an 8, 9 or 10. When asked to rate their current level of stress, 43% rated their stress as slightly, or much higher than the last year. And when asked what factors contributed most to their stress, 91% said finances and 90% said regulations.

In January 2019, UME funded five educators to attend the Farm Stress Management Summit hosted by Michigan State University. The educators were trained to facilitate “Communicating with Farmers under Stress,” “Weathering the Storm in Agriculture: How to Cultivate a Productive Mindset,” and completed eight hours of Mental Health First Aid training. Using the information and skills gained, UME conducted four meetings around the state targeting farmers and service providers. These sessions were attended by 82 participants and received positive feedback with requests for additional resources and training.

“As educators, our goals are to raise awareness and build educational resources for communities struggling with mental and behavioral health problems,” explains Shannon Dill, Principal Agent for UME. “There is a social stigma associated with mental health. We aim to break that down by encouraging conversation and connections, with the ultimate goal of increased well-being, profitability, and business sustainability for Maryland farm families.”

With respect to the impact of stress on our bodies, 86% said they gained “a lot” or “quite a bit” from the workshop. In terms of resources to refer people to for help, 82% of attendees said they gained “a lot” or “quite a bit.” On the topic of identifying signs and symptoms of stress, 79% said they learned “a lot” or “quite a bit.”

Several participants also recorded direct quotes on various aspects of the training, ranging from praise, “I have a better understanding of the physiological effects of stress and how that triggers the emotional response,” to suggestions for the future, “I would encourage you to collaborate with the health insurance extension program, because lack of health insurance that covers mental health care is a big barrier to getting professional help.”

“We are energized by the resources we’ve been able to offer in 2019, and are encouraged by a lot of the direct feedback we’ve received from participants,” said Dill. “Looking towards the future, we are committed to supplementing what we’ve already laid in place to ensure our farmers and farm families have the resources to stay physically and mentally healthy.”

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health and fitness

Terra Wellington’s Winter Wellness Guide

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NEW YORK (PRWEB)

As the winter season settles in and the busy holidays ramp up, taking care of yourself might move to the back burner. If you have a packed schedule this time of year, it’s easy to think less and less about your own health. Whether it’s watching what you eat or getting enough rest, wintertime has its own healthy living challenges. To give you some winter wellness tips, we have some easy tips for navigating this new season.

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/Rx7BQXa7cdc

Telemedicine Can Help Your Family:

Staying well during the busy holiday and winter season includes hand washing on a regular basis. Also, a preventive tactic is to not touch your face. Both of these winter wellness behaviors are some of the simplest ways you can reduce the transmission of germs.

For hand washing, this means cleaning all surfaces of your hands for 20 seconds. You can practice washing your hands with your children so they know how to do it.

But if you or someone in your family does get sick, telemedicine can be helpful for things like the cold, flu, ear infections and other ailments.

For example, Hooray Health’s WellCall, a telemedicine service, is available 24/7, every day of the year. For $9.95 a month, you get access to board-certified doctors via phone or video in minutes. And the program is affordable and focuses on wellness. Members also have access to a discount prescription program, which can save you an average of 60 percent at your local pharmacy. And this is also great for that holiday travel because you can access a doctor right away from wherever you are. Currently (as of November 2019), you can also get two months free when you sign up for the year.

Self Care Matters For Staying Well:

According to the Mayo Clinic, stress can make you feel more tired, give you muscle tension, and cause headaches. It can also cause sleep problems.

But it’s important to set aside your own personal time, away from the busy holiday season, to wind down. Yoga, meditation, or massage can help with your winter wellness. Getting 8 hours of sleep at night is also helpful.

Now, if you do get sick with cough and congestion this time of year, you can feel stressed about losing a day of work or squeezing in holiday activities. So, again, look to take care of yourself.

Symptom relief medicine can give your body a break from the cough and congestion to help you power through your day. You could look to Robitussin’s new 12 Hour Tablets. You take one, convenient dose, of the extended release formula and receive 12 hours of symptom relieve from your cough and congestion. Of course, consult your doctor depending on your symptoms. But self care is really important, and it starts with taking care of your health.

Keep Moving During The Winter:

It’s really important to keep your body moving during the winter. You can change up your fitness routine and do new things to keep you motivated. Maybe it’s taking up yoga, going to the gym more often, downloading a fitness app and working out at home.

You should also consider taking a walk outdoors during the day to get the sunshine’s bright light for your body’s health. And winter sports are also an option, like skiing.

Now, for winter personal care, you do want to reduce your body’s wetness to help you stay warm. And to help you not get cold from your sweat, you can look for Ban’s Purely Gentle Roll On Antiperspirant Deodorant. This glides on clear and cuts down on underarm wetness for 24 hours. It’s also non-irritating and gentle on your skin. And it has a unique formula that actually breaks down the sweat so that you don’t have odor.

About YourUpdateTV:

YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content, produced by award-winning video communications firm, D S Simon Media (http://www.dssimon.com). It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology.

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Industry: Healthcare

Inovaare Supports Compliance Innovation Through ICE Sponsorship

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CUPERTINO, Calif. (PRWEB)

Inovaare Corporation, a leading healthcare compliance solution provider, today announced its sponsorship of the Industry Collaboration Effort (ICE) 2019 Annual Conference in San Francisco, California on December 9 and 10, 2019.

As a Silver Sponsor, Inovaare demonstrates its commitment to advancing innovation within the healthcare regulatory industry. Its automated, centralized solutions support health plans, physician organizations and industry administrators to achieve continuous compliance efficiently.

At this year’s annual ICE conference, senior-level managers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid will speak on topics such as best practices for appeals and grievances, updated legislative and regulatory briefings, credentialing, and delegated entity oversight.

“Inovaare is proud to be a Silver Sponsor of the ICE 2019 Annual Conference and we look forward to advancing compliance solutions with other healthcare industry leaders,” said Pravat Rout, CEO at Inovaare. “We applaud ICE’s contributions to establish efficiency and standardization within this important community.”

Collaboration is Key

The ICE Annual Conference is a premier healthcare industry event to hear directly from federal and state regulators regarding up-to-the-minute topics as well as collaborate with industry thought leaders to share innovative compliance strategies. All ICE 2019 attendees are encouraged to stop by Inovaare’s booth and explore how its automated compliance solutions achieve real compliance in real time. To find out more about this event and to register, click here.

“This conference is a must for healthcare industry leadership, frontline managers and staff, alike,” said Michael Myers, ICE Board President and Director of Agency Relations. “Whether your role is general administration, medical and pharmacy, network management, product development and sales, government, regulatory, legal or public relations, you will find this conference rich in content and contacts.”

About Inovaare Corporation

Inovaare transforms complex compliance processes by designing configurable solutions so healthcare organizations can collect real-time data across internal and external departments, creating one compliance management system. Inovaare’s comprehensive suite of HIPAA-compliant software solutions features best-practice regulatory processes to help healthcare organizations efficiently meet their unique business requirements, sustain audit readiness, reduce non-compliance risks and lower overall operating costs.

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Health: Psychology

Centria Autism Announces New Chief Clinical Officer

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Braden Josephson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Chief Clinical Officer, Centria Autism

“I’ve long held a passion for treating children and their families to help them improve their functioning and increase their wellbeing. I’m excited to bring that passion to the Centria team.”


FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (PRWEB)

Dr. Braden Josephson joins Centria Autism as its Chief Clinical Officer (CCO). Dr. Josephson will be charged with engaging and overseeing the Centria clinical staff by championing quality, fostering clinical effectiveness and advancing a culture of excellence in all aspects of the design, development, and delivery of clinical services.

Prior to joining the Centria team, Dr. Josephson was the President/Chief Clinical Officer of City Pro Group, an early intervention and preschool program that provided ABA and related services to children in New York City and surrounding areas. Dr. Josephson also founded and oversaw clinical care for Applied Behavioral Interventions (ABI) an affiliate organization that provides insurance-based services for older children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in New York and Rhode Island.

Dr. Josephson has specialized in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities for over 25 years. He holds a doctorate in Psychology from Hofstra University in clinical and school psychology and is a licensed psychologist and behavior analyst in both New York and Rhode Island. He is also licensed in Connecticut as a behavior analyst and holds the doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D).

His professional interests include early detection, diagnosis and evaluation of autism, and developing parent engagement strategies to improve service delivery and achieve optimal outcomes.

“Commitment to clinical excellence is our top priority,” said Scott Barry, CEO of Centria Healthcare. “We conducted a nationwide search to find the very best candidate – a person who not only has the leadership, clinical excellence, and education requirements, but also has the fervor for ABA that we do here at Centria Autism. Dr. Josephson is that person and I couldn’t be happier to have him at the clinical helm.”

Dr. Josephson has sat on various advisory boards including the BRIC Advisory Board that seeks to build resilience in children, families, infants and toddlers for early childhood infant and parent mental health at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. He was also a member of the New York City Early Intervention Coordinating Council. He has presented at several conferences, given a multitude of invited presentations, guest lectures, parent workshops, and provider trainings.

“I’ve long held a passion for treating children and their families to help them improve their functioning and increase their wellbeing,” said Dr. Josephson. “I’m excited to bring that passion to the Centria team.”

Quick Facts


  • 1 in 59 children have autism

  • Centria Autism helps parents of children with autism navigate through the complex system of insurance, care and just knowing that they are not alone.

  • Centria operates in 11 states, over 3,500 experienced and trained staff and provides services for thousands of children.

About Centria Autism:

Centria Autism, an operating division of Centria Healthcare, is a leading national provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism and their families. With its national headquarters in Michigan, and more than 3,500 clinical staff working in 11 states, Centria’s Optimal Outcomes approach combines child-centered, evidence-based ABA with best practices to help children with ASD have the best developmental experience possible and acquire the skills to live independently and succeed in the world on their own terms.

For more information, please visit http://www.centriaautism.com

Media Contact

Lisa Croff

O- 248.364.4494

C- 248.378.7540

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Health

Digital Care Leader Omada Health Opens Office in Atlanta

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SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB)

Omada Health today announced the launch of the company’s first East Coast office in Atlanta, Georgia. Working directly with local organizations including the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Invest Atlanta, the Atlanta University Center Consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Georgia Research Alliance, Omada will continue to expand presence in the city into 2020. The company will collaborate with these stakeholders to identify and hire local talent across multiple teams, while joining the city’s thriving, growing digital health ecosystem.

“Opening an Atlanta office brings us closer to our customers, and given the crisis of diabetes across the region, brings us closer to more people we can support,” said company CEO and Co-Founder Sean Duffy. “Before we ever wrote a line of code at Omada, we traveled to Georgia to meet individuals struggling with type 2 diabetes risk and learn how we could improve their experience and condition. We’re honored to now have a physical presence in Atlanta. Working with these organizations enables us to connect directly to qualified, talented groups of workers that we are eager to welcome to the Omada family. I’m excited for Omada Health to be a foundational part of the city’s digital health community for years to come.”

Omada will be hiring Atlanta-based employees across a range of teams, with an initial focus on customer and participant support, engineering, and commercial positions. The company will hold a hiring event in early December. Applicants interested in Atlanta-based positions should apply through the Omada Career Page, and will be contacted with details regarding the event. Omada plans for significant further expansion throughout 2020.

“We are excited to welcome Omada to the thriving digital health sector in Atlanta,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “This industry is one of the fastest-growing in Georgia, and this region boasts some of the top tech talent in the country, making this location a perfect fit. I am confident that Omada will find great success as they locate in Atlanta, and I’m grateful for their investment in our state.”

“Anchored by organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Cancer Society and Emory Healthcare, Atlanta has grown to become a global center for health care,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “We are proud Omada has selected Atlanta for its East Coast office. With Atlanta’s attractive pool of skilled IT talent, and a welcoming and diverse business community, Omada will have everything it needs to thrive here.”

“Omada Health is a welcome addition to Atlanta’s thriving healthcare and health technology ecosystem,” said Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “By selecting our region for their new East Coast office, Omada helps us continue to strengthen our reputation as the global health leader with the talent, technology infrastructure and business-friendly environment to support the growth of companies in this sector.”

Omada considered over 25 major metropolitan areas for its office expansion. “When it came to offering a diverse and talented workforce, high concentration of universities, proximity to global health organizations, and availability of high quality office space, Atlanta was a clear winner,” said Omada’s William Dougherty, VP of IT, Security, and Facilities. To facilitate its expansion to Atlanta, Omada engaged the services commercial real estate firm Transwestern, which assisted in the search for acceptable office space and introductions to the Atlanta community. “Transwestern was invaluable in helping Omada assess its options, and the business leaders in Atlanta could not have been more welcoming. ”

About Omada Health:

Omada is a digital care program that empowers people to achieve their health goals through sustainable lifestyle change. Working primarily through health plans, employers, and integrated health systems, the company delivers personalized interventions for individuals at risk for, or dealing with, type 2 diabetes and hypertension, as well as anxiety and depression. Combining data-powered human coaching, connected devices, a proprietary technology platform, and curriculum tailored to an individual’s specific conditions and circumstances, Omada has enrolled more than 250,000 participants to date. Omada partners include Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota, and other leading health plans. For additional information, please visit http://www.omadahealth.com.

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health and fitness

Exchange Physical Therapy Group & Liberty Humane Raise $100,000 for NJ’s 1st Mobile/Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Program

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Physical Therapy Group in Jersey City raises $100,000.00 for local animal shelter

As a board member for Liberty Humane, I was able to see what a profoundly positive impact the low cost spay/neuter program we launched last year had on the residents of Jersey City & Hoboken” said Jaclyn Fulop, owner of Exchange Physical Therapy Group


JERSEY CITY, N.J. (PRWEB)

Exchange Physical Therapy Group teamed up with Liberty Humane Society and raised over $100,000 for the non-profit animal shelter to further expand New Jersey’s first low-cost spay and neuter program that will serve Hudson County.

Exchange Physical Therapy Group with locations in Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken, hosted their second major fundraiser at Harborside JC last week, and through ticket sales and corporate donations raised $100,000 to maintain the service through the end of 2020. The November fundraiser is in addition to the $130,000 raised in 2018 to purchase the vehicle and provide for up front costs to operate.

“When we learned about this situation and that a solution was within reach, we immediately knew we had to help,” said Jaclyn Fulop, owner of Exchange Physical Therapy Group. “As a board member for Liberty Humane I was able to see what a profoundly positive impact the low cost spay/neuter program we launched last year had on the residents of Jersey City and Hoboken. We were able to save hundreds of animals lives by purchasing the spay/neuter truck and provided 1502 surgeries, our goal this year is to provide 2,000 surgeries for people in need.”

“I cannot emphasize enough how important this program is in moving our community forward and reducing the number of pets on the streets and in shelters ,” said Irene Borngraeber, Executive Director of Liberty Humane Society. “Of the 6.5 Million companion animals who enter shelters each year only 10% of them are spayed or neutered. That puts enormous stress on our shelter system. Jaclyn’s commitment to making affordable spay/neuter accessible to all moves us significantly closer to a time when every local companion animal has a home.”

For more information on the program please visit https://www.libertyhumane.org/. Eligible pet owners would pay $10 to spay or neuter their dog or cat.

“We are really excited to work with Liberty Humane Society on this project as we know that it can make an important and lasting impact not only for the animals, but the pet owners as well,” said Jaclyn Fulop. “After my dog Chloe passed this October I am going to continue to work hard and fundraise in her memory, as she was truly the inspiration behind this program.”

Liberty Humane in partnership with Exchange Physical Therapy Group will continue to raise funds for this program over the next year. Donations can be made here.

About Exchange Physical Therapy Group Exchange Physical Therapy Group is the premier outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic with three locations in physical therapy Jersey City, physical therapy Hoboken and physical therapy Weehawken NJ. Our physical therapists provide one-on-one, personalized treatment plans to our patients with a team-oriented approach. We have unparalleled experience with subspecialties in post-surgical rehab, sport specific rehabilitation, pediatric therapy and women’s health. We strive to enhance all of our patients’ quality of life.

About Liberty Humane Society Liberty Humane Society (LHS) is the only non-profit animal shelter and control facility in Hudson County, NJ. LHS believes that every shelter pet deserves a second chance at finding a loving home. With the help of hundreds of active volunteers, LHS staff is dedicated to facilitating the best possible outcomes for the animals in residence at the shelter, and to increasing the availability of preventative public services for the community as a whole. The Wellness Clinic provides low-cost health care to help keep local pets in their homes, and LHS adoption counselors place more than one thousand animals in homes each year.

For more information, please contact Irene Borngraeber, Executive Director, Liberty Humane Society at (201) 547-4147 or irene@libertyhumane.org. ##

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Industry: Healthcare

Hammes Company expands Advisory Services capabilities through strategic partnership with DCCS Consulting

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Together, Hammes and DCCS offer a compelling and comprehensive range of advisory services.


MILWAUKEE (PRWEB)

Hammes Company, the nation’s leading healthcare developer as ranked by Modern Healthcare’s Construction and Design Survey, has formed a strategic partnership with DCCS Consulting aimed at providing health systems with the most comprehensive scope of integrated consulting services focused on operations, finance, strategy and real estate development.

Through the partnership, Hammes Company and DCCS bring deep healthcare consulting expertise working with health system leadership teams on financial and operational improvements, guiding major capital projects and executing on real estate strategy–all growing areas of focus as systems merge and expand. Both firms employ seasoned healthcare executives focused on solving complex, system-level challenges.

“Operational transformation and clinical excellence have long been pivotal to Hammes Company’s unique integrated service model, including pioneering ‘hospitals without beds,’ freestanding EDs and other innovative healthcare delivery concepts,” said Rex Holloway, partner and national practice leader of Hammes Company’s Advisory Services division. “Likewise, DCCS has a long track record of advising and partnering with health systems, highly regarded for its operational and clinical expertise. Together, Hammes and DCCS offer a compelling and comprehensive range of advisory services.”

“Having collaborated with Hammes Company on several strategic projects, we are excited to formalize this partnership as our combined expertise is a true differentiator that will benefit our healthcare system clients,” added Dave Capone, DCCS president and founder.

Hammes Company’s Advisory Services offering has expanded under the leadership of Rex Holloway, who has led the firm’s advisory services practice since 2014 and was appointed partner in 2017. For more than 30 years, Rex has provided strategy leadership and consulting for leading healthcare systems nationwide.

Dave Capone founded DCCS Consulting in 2010 and has 30 years of healthcare leadership and consulting experience with an emphasis on hospital financial and operational turnarounds. He served as CFO and held other leadership roles for national healthcare systems.

About Hammes Company

Hammes Company has been ranked as a leading healthcare facility developer for 21 years by Modern Healthcare’s Construction and Design Survey. Hammes has managed in excess of 57 million square feet of complex new, expansion, renovation, replacement, ambulatory care and acute care projects with a value of more than $23 billion for hospitals and health systems nationwide. The company has extensive experience managing the planning, financing, development, construction, leasing and management of non-acute and acute healthcare facilities. Hammes has helped many of the nation’s leading healthcare organizations plan, implement and manage facility strategies and solutions for more than a quarter of a century. The company delivers measurable results that help healthcare providers grow while meeting the unique health and wellness needs of their communities. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Hammes provides services through a network of regional offices strategically located across the United States. http://www.hammesco.com

About DCCS Consulting, Inc.

DCCS provides transformational advisory and consulting services that enables its healthcare clients to achieve sustainable peak performance in the areas of quality of care, service line development, expense management, operational improvement, and leadership support. A full-service consulting company, DCCS is supported by a deep national network of senior level consultants and strategic service partners that provide cost effective, realistic solutions, with a focus on high margin returns. For more information, visit http://www.dccsconsulting.com.

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Health

National Guardian Life Insurance Company and Insurance Capital Group launch strategic partnership

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BrightBenefits will offer both employer and employee paid dental and vision insurance and will look to expand the product offerings as the company grows.


MADISON, Wis. (PRWEB)

A new strategic partnership was launched by National Guardian Life Insurance Company (“NGL”), a Madison-based life insurer with a rich heritage dating back to 1909 and assets of over $5 billion, and New York-based Insurance Capital Group (“ICG”), the leading strategic investor in the mutual insurance industry.

NGL and ICG, through its Federal Life Group, Inc. (“Federal Life”) affiliate, have jointly developed and launched a national dental and vision insurance business called BrightBenefits, which will be led by insurance industry veteran Danny Bentley. BrightBenefits policies will be issued by Commercial Travelers Insurance Company, an A.M. Best A- (Excellent) rated affiliate of NGL, in which Federal Life will make a significant equity investment, subject to receiving regulatory approval.

“This new strategic partnership with ICG allows NGL to diversify its investments into new markets without losing its focus on being a leading provider of preneed insurance for customers nationwide. ICG brings exceptional talent and additional capital to this partnership that will allow growth in new and exciting ways,” said Knut A. Olson, NGL President & CEO.

“We are honored to have been selected by NGL as its strategic partner and we are extremely excited about the launch of BrightBenefits and the broader strategic partnership with NGL. We are confident that BrightBenefits, led by its talented management team, will develop into one of the nation’s leading vision and dental platforms,” said Matt Popoli, founder and CEO of Insurance Capital Group and Director of Federal Life.

“Our goal for BrightBenefits is to be a trusted partner and leading provider of employee benefits products and services that help employers and their employees protect their families,” said Danny Bentley, President of BrightBenefits. BrightBenefits will offer both employer and employee paid dental and vision insurance and will look to expand the product offerings as the company grows.

Bentley is a leader in fostering innovation, driving organizational change and delivering profitable growth. Bentley most recently served as President of Davis Vision, the nation’s third largest vision insurer with approximately 22 million members.

Bentley began his career at Protective Life where he created and pioneered the voluntary, ancillary benefits products industry by introducing the nation’s first voluntary dental product. He later joined A.G. Edwards Investment Banking, serving as a Managing Director and Head of the firm’s Insurance Practice before rejoining the insurance industry.

The closing of the investment by Federal Life is subject to certain regulatory approvals, including the approval by the New York Department of Financial Services and the Wisconsin Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Foley & Lardner LLP are serving as legal counsel, and Grace Global Capital LLC as financial advisor to NGL. Purrington Moody and Debevoise & Plimpton are serving as legal counsel, and Insurex, LLC as financial advisor to ICG and Federal Life.

About National Guardian Life Insurance Company and Commercial Travelers

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. NGL is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best. Information about NGL can be found at http://www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

Commercial Travelers Life Insurance Company (CT) has been providing insurance coverage since 1883. CT is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best and became a wholly-owned, stock subsidiary of NGL in 2017.

About Insurance Capital Group

Insurance Capital Group is a holding company which acquires and makes investments in insurance businesses across targeted sectors with a focus on sponsored demutualizations and other complex conversion transactions. Our objective is to create long term shareholder value as measured by growth in tangible book value through the ownership and oversight of our partner companies. For more information about us, visit http://www.insurancecap.com.

About Federal Life Group, Inc.

Federal Life Group, Inc. (OTCMKTS: FLFG) is the parent of Federal Life Insurance Company (“FLIC”), an independently operated provider of quality life insurance and annuity products, incorporated in 1899. FLIC is headquartered in Riverwoods, Illinois, a suburb approximately thirty miles north of Chicago. FLIC is proud of its longstanding tradition of financial strength and stability and serves over 28,000 policyholders. For more information, go to http://www.federallife.com.

NGL reported $4.1 billion in consolidated liabilities for 2018. Financials current as of 12/31/18. Ratings current as of 02/21/19.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

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health and fitness

Dematic Named Best and Brightest in Wellness

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At Dematic, our employees are the foundation of our organization.


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (PRWEB)

Intralogistics innovator Dematic has been named Best and Brightest in Wellness® for 2019 by the National Association for Business Resources.

The Best and Brightest in Wellness Award recognizes and celebrates excellence in health awareness by highlighting organizations that promote a culture of wellness — organizations like Dematic that plan and implement efforts to allow their employees and the community to become a healthier place to live and work.

“At Dematic, our employees are the foundation of our organization,” said Michele Longo, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Dematic. “By investing in wellness programs, we are keeping that foundation strong. When people feel good about themselves, it is reflected in their lives and their work. We’re honored to receive this award as a recognition of our programs.”

The programs (known collectively as Optimize Your Wellness) promote a sustainable culture of well-being with engaging resources and services to assist individuals in developing effective, long-term healthy behaviors. This includes encouraging improved physical activity, healthy nutrition and positive lifestyle choices.

Programs available to U.S. employees include:

  • Fitness reimbursement

  • Fitness centers and group classes

  • Nutrition consultants

  • Immunizations

  • Wellness challenges

  • Financial planning services


Dematic has a variety of open positions throughout the US in fields ranging from engineering to finance. Interested candidates can view open positions at Dematic.com/Careers.

About Dematic

Dematic is an intralogistics innovator that designs, builds and supports intelligent, automated solutions for manufacturing, warehouse and distribution environments for customers that are powering the future of commerce. With engineering centers, manufacturing facilities and service centers located in more than 25 countries, Dematic’s global network of 7,000 employees have helped achieve more than 6,000 worldwide customer installations for some of the world’s leading brands. Headquartered in Atlanta, Dematic is a member of KION Group, a global leader in industrial trucks, supply chain solutions and related services, and a leading provider of warehouse automation.

About NABR

The National Association for Business Resources (NABR), connects, educates, and empowers businesses across the country through focused programs, groundbreaking studies, and field-leading support. The NABR, established in 1996, fosters a collaborative environment in which companies and leaders learn best practices, trends, and vital information benefiting the company and its employees well beyond the finances. Through the Best and Brightest programs, the National Association for Business Resources provides specialized business services, education and resources for businesses throughout the United States. For more information, visit https://thebestandbrightest.com/.

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