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.

StageBio and Alizée Pathology join forces to meet the growing demand for high-quality histopathology and medical device services in the preclinical services market


“The broad client base and services at StageBio, combined with the specialty expertise at Alizée, are a winning combination for our clients.” – Dr. Serge Rousselle, Co-Founder, Alizée Pathology

StageBio has merged with Alizée Pathology to form the leading provider of specialized histology, pathology, biomarker development, and archiving services for the biopharmaceutical, medical device and contract research industries. StageBio was recently created by the mergers of Histo-Scientific Research Laboratories (HSRL), Vet Path Services (VPS) and Tox Path Specialists (TPS), and now includes Alizée Pathology. StageBio is a portfolio company of Ampersand Capital Partners.

“Dr. Serge Rousselle, Dr. Joan Wicks and the Alizée staff bring unique histopathology capabilities to StageBio. These services enable us to offer the industry an even broader range of highly specialized histopathology and imaging services,” said Mr. Thomas Galati, StageBio CEO. “We have successfully merged HSRL, VPS and TPS, and are excited to add Alizée’s expertise to our growing list of offerings.”

Dr. Serge Rousselle, Co-Founder of Alizée Pathology, commented, “StageBio and Alizée have been working closely for years, and this union is a natural evolution of that relationship. The broad client base and services at StageBio, combined with the specialty expertise at Alizée, are a winning combination for our clients.” The merger adds laboratory space in Thurmont and Cumberland MD, as well as staff with experience in specialty medical devices and biomarkers/biologics that will complement the StageBio team based in Virginia, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Maryland. The combined company now employs 28 board-certified (ACVP) Veterinary Pathologists with a total employee base of over 150.

About StageBio

StageBio is the leading provider of GLP-compliant research and preclinical histology, pathology and specimen archiving services for the biopharmaceutical, medical device and contract research industries. We provide our customers with a fully integrated breadth of histopathology services, including tissue analysis, efficacy determination for new compounds and devices, toxicological evaluation of products subject to FDA approval, detailed pathology reporting for GLP studies, medical device pathology and immunohistochemistry. We operate numerous state-of-the-art sites in Virginia, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Maryland, with substantial continued investment in our facility and technology infrastructures to meet the growing demand for high-quality histopathology services. We are ideally positioned to deliver on our unified commitment to quality, scientific integrity and customer service excellence. Additional information about StageBio is available at http://www.stagebio.com.

About Alizée Pathology

Founded in 2010, Alizée Pathology is one of the leading preclinical medical device laboratories in North America. Founded and led by Drs. Serge Rousselle and Joan Wicks, Alizée provides GLP-compliant services in support of the development of novel devices and therapeutics. Alizée’s team is comprised of ACVP boarded Pathologists, PhDs, MDs and highly trained scientists who are focused on delivering clear, reproducible, and contextual results. Alizée services the following areas of preclinical medicine and science: bone repair, interventional medicine, oncology, inflammatory diseases, immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, surgical tools, pharmaceuticals and tissue phenotyping. Included among its staff are 4 board-certified (ACVP) Veterinary Pathologists, more than 20 highly trained histology technicians and scientists and a dedicated Quality Assurance (QA) unit. The entire team is committed to the highest quality work and excellent customer service. Additional information about Alizée is available at http://www.alizeepathology.com.

About Ampersand Capital Partners

Founded in 1988, Ampersand is a middle market private equity firm dedicated to growth-oriented investments in the healthcare sector. With offices in Boston, MA and Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ampersand leverages a unique blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive superior long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams. Ampersand has helped build numerous market-leading companies across each of its core healthcare sectors, including Brammer Bio, Confluent Medical, Genewiz, Genoptix, Talecris Biotherapeutics and Viracor-IBT Laboratories. Additional information about Ampersand is available at http://www.ampersandcapital.com.

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Into the Summit for Mental Health and Wellness 2019 – A Caving Expedition to Raise Funds to Support Canadian Veterans and their Families


The Third Annual Into the Summit for Mental Health and Wellness fundraising initiative is coming up this weekend. Organized by the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Foundation in partnership with Canmore Cave Tours, this year a team of volunteers, members of the military and caving experts will descent into Rat’s Nest Cave – to heighten awareness and raise funds for veterans and their families suffering for the devastating consequences of PTSD and other forms of mental illness.

On Sunday November 10, 2019, campaign participants will venture into the Rat’s Nest Cave – a wild, undeveloped cave under Grotto Mountain near Canmore, Alberta. Formally recognized as one of Canada’s Historic Places in 1987, the cave was once home to a rich variety of animal species. At over 4km long, Rat’s Nest is one of the longest caves in Canada. Exploring this cave involves climbing, crawling, sliding, wiggling and squeezing through water-worn passages past ancient cave formations and bones.

All of the 32 participants are raising funds to join this adventure. Proceeds will be used to fund non-clinical therapies for military veterans and their families. Over $125,000 was raised from the 2016 and 2017 campaigns – during which participants climbed to the summits of Mount Buller and Mount Farquhar in Kananaskis County. For further information, to register as a caver, or to donate to someone already registered, please visit:

https://www.canmorecavetours.com/into-the-summit

ABOUT THE PPCLI FOUNDATION

For more than 100 years, soldiers of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry have been serving Canadians with honour and distinction. The PPCLI Foundation was founded to ensure that legacy of our proud military history lives on in future generations. The Foundation serves the needs of the families of our fallen soldiers and veterans and their families, especially those who have suffered as a result of their service to Canada and Canadians.

ABOUT CANMORE CAVES

Canmore Cave Tours offers year-round, rain or shine, caving experiences in Rat’s Nest Cave – a wild, undeveloped cave under Grotto Mountain. Located near Banff and Canmore in the beautiful Canadian Rockies the cave is one of the longest caves in Canada. The company’s tours of the Rat’s Nest Cave include a mix of adventure, education, physical and psychological challenge, and just pure fun.

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Townsen Memorial Clinics Now Open in Houston and Humble


These convenient locations allow residents in both Humble and Houston to take advantage of Townsen Memorial’s high caliber physicians–including Dr. Clifton Thomas, MD who is regarded as “Houston’s most beloved bariatric surgeon”

Townsen Memorial Hospital, located just off of FM 1960 and I-69 in Humble at 1475 FM 1960 Bypass RD. E, celebrated the opening of two clinic locations in early September. The clinics provide area patients with access to a variety of services, including bariatrics, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, orthopedics, plastic surgery and more.

Townsen Memorial’s Humble Clinic is adjacent to the hospital in the Humble Medical Plaza, while the Houston location can be found just off of I-69 and 610 in Bellaire. These convenient locations allow residents in both Humble and Houston to take advantage of Townsen Memorial’s high caliber physicians–including Dr. Clifton Thomas, MD who is regarded as “Houston’s most beloved bariatric surgeon” as well as Dr. Mary Ann Spires, DC who was voted one of Houston’s Top Doctors. However, the clinics boast more than just highly-regarded doctors. The newly remodeled facilities include leading medical technologies and cutting-edge innovation in both patient treatment and care.

The newly established clinics offer consultations to new patients, as well as conservative treatments and surgical procedures ranging from Neurosurgery and Podiatry to Acid Reflux and GERD treatment. Townsen Memorial Clinics has recruited well-known names in medicine such as Dr. Mark Khorsandi, MD – one of the few surgeons in Texas trained in migraine, hand, and microsurgery; Dr. Ronald Buczek, DO who specializes in plastic surgery as well as hand surgery and microvascular surgery; and Dr. Paul Kobza, MD a well established shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist surgeon.

Delicate surgeries like spinal and neurosurgery are also within the scope of the medical talent at Townsen Memorial Clinics. Dr. Kenneth J.H. Lee, MD  specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgery as does Also on the Townsen Memorial Clinics staff is Dr. Teodulo Aves, MD  an anesthesiology specialist who has been practicing for more than 26 years and was previously the Chief of Neuro-Anesthesiology at Memorial Herman Hospital. Dr. Aves also specializes in pain management, founding an organization for spinal pain management. Other notable clinic doctors include Dr. ElFallal, Dr. Dushi Parameswaran, Dr. Gregory Vidovic and Dr. Darshan Anadu.

Though Townsen Memorial Clinics now present high-class medical care, the road to success for Townsen Memorial wasn’t easy. In the Fall of 2017, the devastation of Hurricane Harvey left Townsen Memorial Hospital (then known as Humble Surgical Hospital) under one and a half feet of water. After almost an entire year of renovations, Humble Surgical Hospital reopened as Townsen Memorial Hospital and Emergency Room with both new ownership and leadership, which allowed the facility a chance to integrate a new layout complete with the most up-to-date medical technology.

Currently, Townsen Memorial Clinic boasts two locations, along with the original Townsen Memorial Hospital. Townsen Memorial Clinic in Humble is located at 1485 FM 1960 Bypass Rd. E., Suite 260 Houston, TX 77338. To schedule a consultation, call 713-955-4601. Townsen Memorial Clinic in Houston is located at 4615 Southwest Freeway, Suite 850, Houston, TX 77027. To book an appointment, call (832) 767-2280. For more information, visit townsenclinic.com.

About Townsen Memorial

At Townsen Memorial Hospital, safe and effective patient care is of the utmost priority. From general surgery to helping patients manage pain, Townsen Memorial’s experienced physicians put patients first. Conveniently located in both Humble and Houston, the clinics ensure patients have quick and safe access to care and treatment, arrive to us safely and quickly, should you need emergent treatment. To learn more visit http://www.townsenclinic.com.

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Allegheny Health Network Unveils New Hempfield Neighborhood Hospital


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At AHN, we are committed to providing patients with more choices close to home for the high-quality health care resources they need and deserve.

Marking a significant milestone in health care for residents of Hempfield Township and the greater Westmoreland County region, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Highmark Health officials today unveiled the first of four new neighborhood hospitals being constructed across western Pennsylvania that will offer patients convenient access to high-quality health care services.

Located at 6321 Route 30 in Greensburg, AHN Hempfield—Neighborhood Hospital will be a fully licensed hospital that will provide 24/7 access to care. Staffed by board-certified physicians, nurses and other experienced health care professionals, the facility will include an emergency department and a 10-bed inpatient unit for observation and short-stay use. The attached medical office building will also house offices for a variety of primary and specialty care physician practices, including specialists in neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, cardiology, general and breast surgery, and women’s subspecialties.

AHN Hempfield is expected to officially open to patients in the coming weeks, pending licensing by the state.

“At AHN, we are committed to providing patients with more choices close to home for the high-quality health care resources they need and deserve,” said Cynthia Hundorfean, AHN President and CEO. “This beautiful new neighborhood hospital in Hempfield is another important step we have taken to fulfill that mission in Westmoreland County, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on those who live and work in this community.”

Among numerous patient-friendly design elements, AHN Hempfield features nursing stations uniquely configured to maximize sightlines and accessibility, allowing staff to easily monitor exam rooms and minimize response times. Advanced CT and X-ray procedure rooms will accommodate patients of any age, with adjacent observation rooms that keep families together during procedures. An onsite lab will expedite processes so that patients can more quickly obtain testing results.

The hospital will also be integrated into AHN’s EPIC electronic health record, allowing medical records to be accessed and shared seamlessly for effective care coordination.

“Patients at our neighborhood hospitals will be cared for with the same high level of clinical expertise and technological sophistication available in the emergency departments and inpatient observation units of every AHN hospital,” said Tom Campbell, MD, Chair, AHN Emergency Medicine. “And the quality of their care experience at these facilities will be second to none.”

AHN Hempfield and the network’s future neighborhood hospitals located in Brentwood, Harmar and McCandless are part of a joint venture partnership between AHN and Emerus – the nation’s leading developer and operator of neighborhood hospitals. For six consecutive years, Emerus has received the prestigious Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award, which recognizes the country’s best-performing health care organizations that have consistently achieved the top 95th percentile or above for exceptional patient experience.

“We could not have found a better organization to partner with in bringing our neighborhood hospital model to life for the people of western Pennsylvania,” said David Stillwell, Region President, Emerus. “It has been clear from day one how important AHN is to this region and how committed its leaders, clinicians and staff at every level are to the patient-centered and community-focused health care mission and values that we share.”

AHN Hempfield’s 80,000 square-foot structure will also house a community cancer center which is expected to open in early 2020. AHN Cancer Institute—Hempfield will join four other comprehensive community cancer centers that the network has opened across western Pennsylvania in 2019. The center will offer a range of clinical and support services, including diagnostic labs and imaging, medical oncology and infusion therapy, and radiation oncology, among other services for cancer patients.    

AHN Hempfield is one of a number of new facilities and programs AHN has launched in Westmoreland County over the past two years. The network’s outpatient center on Nature Park Road provides access to a comprehensive array of diagnostic, primary, and specialty services, as well as a state-of-the-art endoscopy center. The capacity of AHN’s Premier Medical Associates facility in Irwin was also recently expanded to include a new walk-in clinic for urgent care.

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About the Allegheny Health Network

Allegheny Health Network (http://www.AHN.org), a Highmark Health company, is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. Among the network’s 250 clinical locations are eight hospitals — Allegheny General Hospital, its flagship academic medical center in Pittsburgh; Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights, Pa.; Canonsburg Hospital in Canonsburg, Pa.; Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pa.; Jefferson Hospital in Jefferson Hills, Pa.; Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pa.; West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh; and Westfield Memorial Hospital in Westfield, NY. AHN also is home to a comprehensive research institute; Health + Wellness Pavilions; home- and community-based health services; and a group purchasing organization. The network employs 20,000 people and has more than 2,400 doctors on its medical staff. Established in 2013, AHN’s member hospitals share legacies of charitable care that date back more than 160 years.

About Emerus

Emerus is the nation’s first and largest operator of neighborhood hospitals. Emerus partners with leading health systems to provide excellence, empathy and innovation in health care delivery through a network of efficient, value-based neighborhood hospitals and acute care facilities. The Emerus network brings high-quality, patent-centric acute episodic and ambulatory clinical services to communities across a given market. This helps patients by positioning best-in-class provider services in the communities where they work, live and play. Emerus’ distinctive level of care earned the Guardian of Excellence Award for Superior Patient Experience in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. More information is available at http://www.emerus.com (http://www.emerus.com).

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Wavee Doubles Crowdfunding Campaign Goal, Raising More than $21,000 for the World’s Only Toothbrush Smart Speaker System


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Wavee is sure to be a hit, especially with millennials who can now fully enjoy their morning ritual with our smart speaker charging base that allows them to stream their favorite playlists in omni-directional sound.

Wavee, a three-speed sonic-wave toothbrush combined with smart speaker technology that delivers rich amplified sound, has doubled its goal – raising more than $21,000 just two days after launching on Kickstarter.

“We’re excited for the support we’ve seen from backers on Kickstarter, who will be the first to enjoy the versatility of Wavee while they go through the everyday routine of oral care,” said Wavee Co-founder and CEO Jonathan Semira. “Wavee is sure to be a hit, especially with millennials who can now fully enjoy their morning ritual with our smart speaker charging base that allows them to stream their favorite playlists in omni-directional sound.”

Wavee is a combination of separate devices that perform important functions within a person’s daily routine: an electric toothbrush that provides optimal teeth cleaning through a sonic wave movement brush head powered by a three-speed motor, along with an accompanying smart speaker that delivers rich, amplified sound allowing customers to curate their own content and entertainment, including their favorite music, podcasts, audiobooks and featuring Amazon Alexa compatibility.

The smart speaker, which is charged with one single USB-C Port connection, also powers the charging dock for the toothbrush. Wavee’s built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery lasts up to 25 days on a single charge, allowing for minimal charging time and portability for travel.

When it comes to dental hygiene, the Wavee brush head features soft bristles designed to clean germs, bacteria and remove plaque – while being gentle on the gums.

Wavee’s full line of features include:

  • An LED Light
  • A Removable Cleaning Sleeve
  • An Easy Wipe Top Surface
  • Inductive Charging
  • An IPX 5 – Water Resistant Speaker
  • Superior Voice Pick-Up
  • Amazon Alexa Compatibility through HSP
  • A Wall Mountable Feature
  • A two-minute timer with 30 second intervals for cleaning the four quadrants of the mouth
  • Three Brushing Modes – (Standard (41,000rpm), White (48,000rpm), Sensitive (33,000rpm)
  • Eight-Hour Playback
  • A 48,000 RPM Motor
  • Omnidirectional Sound
  • Bluetooth 5.0 Compatibility

Semira came up with the idea of Wavee by his own recognition that there was a void when it came to enjoying entertainment during his morning routine. He says Wavee allows everyone to maximize their time, which is commonly up to 60 minutes a day or more prepping for the day ahead.

“People typically use their weak phone speaker or have to worry about bringing a Bluetooth speaker in and out of the bathroom,” he said. “But with Wavee, they will never run into that problem again…whether at home or on the road. This opens up an entirely new and enhanced user experience, with Wavee providing the missing link to turn any common bathroom space into a secluded haven.”

As part of the brand’s goal to provide a ‘total’ oral care experience, Wavee will also offer supplementary products such as toothpaste, floss and teeth whitening strips, all of which are available through a subscription package with the Wavee product.

For more information and to purchase Wavee at an early-bird discount during crowdfunding, visit the Wavee Campaign Page on Kickstarter.

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RestorixHealth Puts Spotlight on American Diabetes Month with “Diabetic Foot Awareness” Campaign


Logo for Diabetic Foot Awareness

Diabetic Foot Awareness – A RestorixHealth Awareness Initiative

Up to 80 percent of all diabetic amputations are preventable.

During American Diabetes Month®, RestorixHealth is reminding people with diabetes that they are at a higher risk for non-healing foot wounds – and therefore amputations – than most Americans and that a wound healing center can provide guidance for prevention and treatment.

For most Americans, a blister or cut on the foot is a small inconvenience that a bandage and time will heal. But that’s not the case for the 29.1 million Americans who have diabetes. Some of the complications of diabetes make feet vulnerable to non-healing foot ulcers that can result in infections and even amputations. Sixty to seventy percent of people with diabetes have limited or no feeling in their feet—their early warning systems have been altered or completely shut down by nerve damage. RestorixHealth is encouraging consumers (especially those with diabetes) to perform daily foot checks and address any skin changes or red patches on the feet by calling their local wound healing center immediately for an evaluation. The company’s centers will educate, prevent and provide treatment when necessary.

“It’s much easier to treat a minor foot problem before it becomes serious,” says John C. Capotorto, M.D., endocrinologist, chief medical officer and founder of RestorixHealth. “Many of our centers’ patients have a diabetic foot ulcer. This type of non-healing wound is the leading cause of hospitalization and amputation for people with diabetes. A person with diabetes has impaired immunity and often reduced blood flow to the legs and feet. Both can hamper healing, cause infections and cause damage to underlying structures and bones. In some cases, the damage can lead to a toe, foot or leg amputation.”

The World Health Organization estimates that up to 80 percent of all diabetic amputations are preventable. RestorixHealth’s wound healing centers will provide the best treatment to help the wound heal. However, in order to prevent a foot ulcer from starting, it is vital that patients with diabetes check their feet daily and get regular foot care from their doctor.

According to the American Diabetes Association, one adult is diagnosed in the United States every 19 seconds. That’s 1.7 million more people each year at risk for non-healing wounds and other complications. What’s more, one in four people who have diabetes today are undiagnosed and don’t know they’re at risk.

RestorixHealth utilizes evidence-based best practices and advanced therapies to develop individualized treatment plans for faster healing so patients can return to their daily lives and enjoy what they care about most.

For more information, visit http://www.RestorixHealth.com

About RestorixHealth

RestorixHealth, a leading wound care management company, develops and manages centers of excellence for amputation prevention, wound management and hyperbaric medicine. Forging strong relationships with their partners, RestorixHealth provides high quality, cost-efficient solutions to wound care that offer patients advanced treatment therapies along with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Founded by physicians in 1997 to treat the growing incidence of non-healing wounds, RestorixHealth’s centers utilize a quality- and data-driven approach to consistently achieve high treatment success rates, resulting in a dramatic improvement in patient quality of life. The company currently manages comprehensive centers throughout the United States in partnership with hospitals and health care facilities. For more information, visit http://www.RestorixHealth.com.

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Fitzgerald Realty Group Negotiates Major Acquisition for Frederick Health


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“This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Frederick Health to acquire an institutional class asset in the rapidly growing north end of Frederick,” said Seamus Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President of Fitzgerald Realty Group.

With a 387,000± square foot office building, 1,600 parking spaces and 20,000± square foot warehouse, the property is one of the most significant to change hands in Frederick County in many years.

The State Farm campus on Monocacy Boulevard in Frederick will soon to be buzzing with activity again thanks to Fitzgerald Realty Group’s assistance in helping Frederick Health acquire the site.

The site was valued at $38 million in January of 2018. It just closed at $48 per square foot or around $18 million, representing real value for the health care provider.

The newly named Frederick Health Village will allow Frederick Health to move its call center, home health care services and hospice, among other administrative offices to the site plus plan for further expansion in the future.

Frederick Heath Hospital will not be moving from its location in downtown Frederick, but will gain some “breathing room” with the relocation of those units. Next year, the hospital plans to expand its cardiac catheterization lab and upgrade both the ER and intensive care unit.

“This is a win-win for Frederick Health and the greater Frederick community,” said Jim Fitzgerald, Founder & President of Fitzgerald Realty Group who was directly involved in the negotiations. “Not only was this a smart business decision, it gives Frederick Health the opportunity to expand and refine its services to meet the growing health care needs of the local community far into the future,” he added.

“This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Frederick Health to acquire an institutional class asset in the rapidly growing north end of Frederick,” said Seamus Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President of Fitzgerald Realty Group.

About Fitzgerald Realty Group, Inc.: Fitzgerald Realty Group is a long established, family-owned commercial realty firm with strong roots in Frederick County. It has a stellar track record and deep experience in commercial sales and leasing, real estate consulting, land brokerage and development, and tenant representation.

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Osage Advisors Sells Specialty Manufacturing and Janitorial Businesses


Osage Advisors, a boutique M&A firm serving the needs of exiting business owners, is pleased to announce the successful completion of two recent transactions: Heritage Healthcare Services was acquired by 4M Building Solutions and Standard-Knapp, Inc. was acquired by EoL Packaging Experts, a division of A+F Automation + Fördertechnik and portfolio company of Swiss investment firm, CGS Management AG.

Heritage Healthcare Services, based in Cranston, Rhode Island, provides housekeeping and laundry services to a range of residential healthcare facilities. By acquiring Heritage, 4M Building Solutions, commercial janitorial services company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, adds the Northeast to its national footprint.

Connecticut-based Standard-Knapp was founded in 1890 and manufactures end-of-line packaging machines with a focus on the food and beverage industry. The acquisition will allow EoL Packaging Experts, located in Kirchlengern, Germany, to expand its product portfolio in the U.S. and European markets.

CGS Management AG is an investment firm based in Pfäffikon, Switzerland that builds medium-sized companies into international groups and expanding their business. Since 1999, CGS funds have invested in platform companies in Europe’s German-speaking countries and completed add-on acquisitions worldwide.

Osage Advisors is a trusted advisor to owners of privately held companies who are planning or ready to sell their business to the right buyer. Osage’s clients operate in diverse industries and have annual revenue of $5 million-$100 million. The firm has closed domestic and cross-border deals with privately held companies, private equity firms, and public companies.

Certain Members of Osage Advisors are Registered Representatives of and conduct securities transactions through StillPoint Capital, LLC, Tampa, FL. Osage and StillPoint are not affiliated.

Contact:

Keith Dee, President

Osage Advisors

860-767-3273

kdee@osageadvisors.com

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Homeless Veteran Rescue Program Takes Off Running…and Rolling


Mobile Veteran Outreach launches with the aid of Veteran’s service dog bringing life saving services, this Veterans Day.

Gold Coast Veterans Foundation’s new Mobile Veteran Outreach (MVO) program has moved into full-time operation just in time for Veterans Day on November 11. This program was launched part-time 6 months ago and in this short period, 17 homeless veterans have been placed in housing, are on track to get into housing, or have been rescued from life threatening conditions. A recent fundraising golf tournament raised enough funds to move this program to full time for the remainder of 2019 but more funds are urgently needed to sustain this full time into 2020.

The MVO program is led by Army veteran Rafael Stoneman and his enormous service dog Leo, who either make direct contact with homeless veterans or get referral calls from law enforcement and county mental health services. A formerly homeless veteran himself (now with a degree in psychology and addiction counseling), Stoneman and Leo have the ability to get the most difficult, high-risk homeless veterans engaged into a conversation, and begin participating in a range of life-saving services. A 4 Wheel Drive “off-road” vehicle was donated at the golf event by the state’s largest oil and natural gas producer, California Resources Corporation.

This will now allow the MVO team to reach the many homeless “encampments” in the Santa Clara river bed, the beaches, the hills, and other areas not accessible by road.

“Mobile Veteran Outreach started saving lives immediately, even during the test phase, and now we know that we have a model that works. We are serving an unmet need in the community. The only questions are how many more homeless veterans can we save and how quickly can we do that?” said GCVF Chairman Dennis Murphy. “Rafael and Leo are able to connect with these high-risk veterans, and quickly provide the right help. They bring back people who were written off as not able to be saved.” Murphy added, “We have raised about half of what we need to sustain this full time through 2020 but we need to raise another $30,000 now to achieve this end.”

About Mobile Veteran Outreach – MVO brings comprehensive help, services, & support directly to homeless military veterans living on the streets, in vehicles, or with limited mobility. Services begin with direct intervention to prevent or reverse homelessness, followed by 1-on-1 personalized help with navigating/expediting VA and other benefits, licensed financial coaching, emotional wellness & peer counseling, veteran-focused job training & employment resources. All services are free of charge. More info at http://www.veteransconnection.vet (805) 482-6550

About Gold Coast Veterans Foundation – The largest non-profit serving veterans in Ventura County, serving 3,000 veterans each year. GCVF provides a “one-stop” resource center connecting veterans with benefits and comprehensive care for on-track, off-track, homeless, & at-risk veterans. Nine core in-house programs intervene to disrupt the root causes of suffering, homelessness and poor life outcomes. These include mobile veteran outreach & engagement, case management, health care, medical equipment, job skills training & placement, workforce development, shelter/housing services, counseling, wellness. All services free of charge. http://www.gcvf.org (805) 482-6550.

Email: Veterans@GCVF.org

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The Entire Team of Dentists at Runion Dental Group Are Now Certified to Offer BOTOX® Cosmetic Dentistry in Hilliard and Gahanna, OH


The Dentists of Runion Dental Group, Serving Hilliard and Gahanna, OH

The Dentists of Runion Dental Group Receive Certification to Offer BOTOX® to Hilliard and Gahanna, OH

The team of doctors takes a multi-disciplinary approach to dental care in order to offer every patient the right care for their smile.

The team of dentists at Runion Dental Group, Drs. Jon Runion, Jessica Runion and JD Hill, recently received advanced certification by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) for BOTOX® and dermal fillers. Patients seeking cosmetic dentistry in Hilliard, OH can now receive BOTOX and dermal filler treatment from this highly trained and certified team of doctors, for both cosmetic enhancement and treatment of temporomandibular joint disrorder, or TMJ disorder. By expanding their cosmetic dentistry services to include facial esthetics, Runion Dental Group can better uphold their practice objectives, which focus on comprehensive health care and the overall wellbeing of each patient.

BOTOX and dermal fillers are a form of facial esthetic treatment that can be used both cosmetically and to improve oral function. Esthetically, these treatments can be injected into areas of the face where fine lines and wrinkles are present. The injections help smooth out the skin, reducing the visibility of wrinkles and lines. BOTOX can also be used for functional treatment in cases of TMJ disorder by injecting the temporomandibular joint, helping it relax and preventing it from being overworked. This can offer patients relief from chronic jaw pain and help them restore proper function of their jaw.

The AAFE offers facial esthetics and cosmetic dentistry training courses for physicians, dentists and medical professionals all over the country. The course completed by the dentists at Runion Dental Group was held in St. Petersburg, FL. The two-day certification process started with 32 hours of training to provide extensive didactic training, including lectures on anatomy, biochemistry and how everything works at the cellular level. Trained by plastic surgeons, dentists and dermatologists, the doctors even participated in hands-on learning with volunteer patients. The trainings were performed on patients with instructors present to guide and direct each doctor.

Runion Dental Group offers patients BOTOX and dermal fillers to treat fine lines and wrinkles, as well as orofacial pain, headaches, and TMJ disorder. In addition, the practice features comprehensive dental care ranging from cosmetic dentistry to family dentistry and advanced dental implant treatments. The team of doctors takes a multi-disciplinary approach to dental care in order to offer every patient the right care for their smile.

Patients interested in learning more about the cosmetic dentistry treatments available, or who are in need of BOTOX or dermal fillers, can schedule an appointment at Runion Dental Group at either of their two convenient locations in Gahanna and Hilliard, OH. To schedule a consultation, call 614-775-1300 or by visit the website at http://www.runiondentalgroup.com.

About the Dentists

The Runion Dental Group offers a comprehensive wellness approach in the Columbus, OH area. With two state-of-the-art practices in Gahanna and Hilliard, OH, Drs. Jon Runion, Jessica Runion, and JD Hill utilize the latest in advanced dental technology to provide patients with the best possible care. This team is passionate about the symbiotic relationship between oral health and overall health. As a result, the Runion Dental Group dentists provide patients with a comprehensive wellness overview whether they are visiting for general, restorative, periodontal, or cosmetic dentistry services. Plus, their Hilliard, OH facility is equipped with a wellness center. To learn more about the Runion Dental Group, visit http://www.runiondentalgroup.com or call 614-775-1300.

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