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Alvaka Networks Provides Ransomware Q&As
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Angle Health Provides Insights on Covid-19 Booster Shots
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Anthem Blue Cross Increases Access to Whole Health Benefits in MA Plans
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Anthem Blue Cross in California has announced expanded access to health and wellness services offered through many of its 2022 Medicare Advantage plans. Members will be able to choose from a package of nine benefits, which include: Flex Card (for dental, vision, and hearing services); Healthy Groceries; In-Home Support; Assistive Devices; Health & Fitness Tracker; Healthy Meals; Personal Home Helper; Pest Control; and Transportation. The Essential Extras package will give members the ability to choose, at no extra cost, one or two benefits - depending on the plan - among the package of options. (David Pryor, MD, LA)
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Biospectal Honored with Fast Company's Innovation by Design Award
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Fast Company included Biospectal's OptiBP "software only" mobile blood pressure monitoring platform as one of only 29 winners out of 4000 applicants for its Innovation by Design in Health Award. (Eliott Jones, SV)
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Greg Buchert Spotlighted in Article on Vaccination Equity Initiative
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Greg Buchert, MD, as Chief Medical Officer of the California Health Medical Reserve Corps (CHMRC), is quoted in a recent Microsoft blog - Developing public-private partnerships to address health inequities, which discusses Microsoft's Vaccination Equity Initiative, currently focused on deploying COVID-19 vaccinations, comprised of a coalition of non-profits, including CHMRC, healthcare organizations, technology enablers, local public health, community-faith-based groups, and others.
Says Greg: "This pandemic has spotlighted the health inequalities that many communities experience every day. Critical components in the system did not have the capacity or the tools to ensure accurate and real time data exchange which slowed down the efforts to get vaccinations to the communities that needed it the most. The work that we are doing to bridge these gaps is rooted in the community-first approach with a lens of equity and inclusion. It is imperative that we engage with the trusted voices within the community to help guide our efforts, which will help address hesitancy as well as get more people vaccinated. Our focus is to have the greatest local impact through data sharing, collaboration and ensuring equity." (Greg Buchert, MD, OC)
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Choice in Aging to Present Annual Party + Online Discussions
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Choice in Aging will hold its annual Bedford Block Party on October 9, as both an in-person and virtual event. The evening will include food, drink, live music, and more. Plus an online auction will run from Oct. 5-12.
Meanwhile, recent episodes of "Dishing with Debbie" include:
>> Assisted Living and the 3 Cs: Compassion, Community, and Caring, with guest Lori Thames, Executive Director of TreVista Senior Living.
>> Self-Care Awareness, with guest Jacques Bernou, an acupuncturist, herbalist, and body worker with 30+ years of healing experience. (Debbie Toth, OAK)
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Cigna Expands Medicare Advantage Plans for Third Consecutive Year
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Cigna announced its third consecutive year of record geographic expansion in Medicare Advantage (including into three new states - Oregon, Washington and Connecticut) while maintaining affordability. Cigna now offers plans in 477 counties across 26 states and DC. Some benefits designed specifically for seniors include a Social Connection Program to combat the loneliness epidemic among older adults; affordable diabetes care; and incentives for well visits. In addition, Cigna will continue to offer meal delivery following a hospital discharge; transportation available in many plans to and from doctors' offices and pharmacies; and fitness benefits in most plans, including a home fitness kit and a fitness tracker. (Chris De Rosa, OC)
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Competitive Health Partners with eFamilyCare, Adding Caregiver Support
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Competitive Health is partnering with eFamilyCare in order to connect family caregivers to expert Care Advisers who coach them on caring for their chronically ill loved ones, which in turn helps reduce costs associated with unnecessary hospitalizations. CEO Kim Darling adds: "Our Companion Care product has always focused on care for seniors - however, by adding caregiver support through eFamilyCare we have created a holistic offering. We can now offer an end-to-end package which encompasses both the patient and the caregiver." Competitive Health is offering this caregiver benefit to employer groups and associations through its digital healthcare marketplace. (Kim Darling, OC)
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Chris Dyer, Remote Work Expert, Offering Services as Fractional Remote Executive
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Remote Workplace Culture guru Chris Dyer, in addition to being CEO of PeopleG2, is now helping corporate leaders transition their teams to working remotely - and more productively - for the longer term. To take the next step beyond the DIY lessons shared in Chris's and Kim Shepherd's new book, Remote Work, Chris is now available as a fractional member of a select number of Executive Teams. Contact him directly to learn more about how to optimize your company's flow while saving your budget. (Chris Dyer, ABL-Tech SGV)
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ECLAT Health Solutions Names Gabe Stein as CEO
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ECLAT Health Solutions, a leading provider of global and domestic revenue cycle management services, announced that Gabe Stein has been named its new Chief Executive Officer, to lead the payer business and also grow the provider practice. Gabe joins ECLAT with 20+ years of executive experience growing healthcare organizations and working to create innovative changes for companies seeking technology-enabled, SaaS solutions. Most recently, he was EVP of GeBBS Healthcare Solutions. (Gabe Stein, LA)
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El Camino Health to Grant $3.5M to Local Health Initiatives
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As El Camino Health (ECH) celebrates its 60th anniversary, it's using its Community Benefit Program to provide foundational support for local health initiatives by investing $3.5 million in grants and sponsorships in fiscal year 2022. Every three years, ECH collaborates with other local providers to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment, which most recently prioritized programs addressing healthcare access and delivery, diabetes and obesity, behavioral health, cognitive decline, domestic violence, oral health, and economic and housing stability. ECH approved funding for 44 programs to support in FY 2022, which include school districts, nonprofits, safety-net clinics, and community service agencies. (Cecile Currier, SV)
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Elemeno Health Featured in Numerous Media + Deemed a Top Deal by Independent Analyzer
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Elemeno Health and CEO Arup Roy-Burman, MD, are profiled in a recent India-West newspaper feature article - Indian American-led Health Tech Startup Offers 'Expert at Your Fingertips' to Address Nursing, COVID-19 Crises.
And, Arup is included in a recent ABC 7 News piece: UCSF nurses demand change amid nationwide shortage.
Also, Elemeno has been rated a top deal by KingsCrowd, which independently vets and analyzes startups across the entire online crowdfunding market and is used by 100,000+ investors. KingsCrowd places Elemeno among the most promising equity crowdfunding campaigns currently available for investment. Plus, the KingsCrowd podcast interviewed Arup, discussing what investors should look for in a startup founder.
Meanwhile, Elemeno has so far raised over $1 million in its StartEngine campaign. (Arup Roy-Burman, MD, OAK)
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Enovachem & Nubratori RX Report on Low-Dose Naltrexone & NSAID Warning
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In Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN), Enovachem reports that LDN provides an alternative in medical management of chronic pain disorders as a novel anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory. At the low dosage level, naltrexone exhibits paradoxical properties, including analgesia and anti-inflammatory actions, which have not been reported at larger dosages. At 1 through 5 mg, naltrexone paradoxically increases opioid signaling, contributing to pain relief.
And, in FDA says NSAIDS increase risk of heart attack, Nubratori RX and Enovachem share that the FDA is strengthening an existing label warning that NSAIDs increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke, especially at higher doses. (Robert Nickell, Pharm, OC)
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Hospice East Bay Presents Tree of Lights 2021
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Hospice East Bay will celebrate its 35th annual Tree of Lights in November and December, an opportunity for families and friends to honor their loved ones through the symbolism of light and the reading of names. Funds raised by these events help Hospice East Bay provide hospice and palliative care services to everyone in its communities, regardless of their ability to pay. They also help fund additional supportive services and programs, such as music therapy and children's grief programs, which are not covered by insurance. (Cindy Hatton, OAK)
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Kaiser Permanente Among Nation's Best for Stroke & Heart Failure Treatment
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For 2021, all 39 Kaiser Permanente (KP) hospitals were honored with the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. In addition, 22 KP hospitals received the AHA's Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The AHA annually recognizes hospitals across the nation that are committed to using the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines grounded in the latest scientific evidence. The goal is speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients and reducing hospital readmissions for heart failure patients. (Marcos Vasconcelos, OAK)
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King & Spalding Named a Firm of the Year by LMG Life Sciences
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LMG Life Sciences has named King & Spalding its 2021 Government Investigations Firm of the Year for the second consecutive year. These awards honor firms, individuals, and companies behind the most innovative and challenging life sciences work of the past year as identified from research it conducts through surveys and interviews with lawyers and clients, as well as public information. King & Spalding's Life Sciences and Healthcare industry team comprises 400+ lawyers across the firm's litigation, transactional, and regulatory teams who devote all or a substantial portion of their practice to serving clients in every segment of the Life Sciences and Healthcare sectors. (Marcia Augsburger, JD, SF)
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Life Adjustment Team Describes Assertive Community Treatment
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In What is Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)?, Cynthia Sampson, COO of Life Adjustment Team, explains that ACT is a kind of mental health care provided outside of a hospital or recovery facility for individuals who suffer from severe mental illnesses or addictions that prevent them from independently fulfilling everyday responsibilities and managing mental health symptoms. Individualized and highly specialized services from medical professionals are available to assist patients with all aspects of their lives 24/7/365. Treatment is provided in the patient's home or neighborhood, fostering a level of comfort that many psychologically ill individuals do not experience when they seek conventional inpatient treatment. (Cynthia Sampson, LA)
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LigoLab's TestDirectly Portal Now Supports SMART Health Cards
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LigoLab Information System announced that its TestDirectly Direct-to-Consumer Portal now supports SMART Health Cards, digital versions of clinical information that can be immediately and easily displayed via a QR code to prove that a patient has been vaccinated or tested negative for COVID-19. CEO Suren Avunjian said, "Now any patient with a TestDirectly account can access our platform and conveniently share his or her current health status to ensure a safe return back to work, school, travel, and other normal life activities." The SMART Health Card acts as a third-party verification tool that's not associated with any single organization, corporation, or government entity.
Also, LigoLab recently earned a "High Performer" badge from G2 in the LIMS category, representing high customer satisfaction scores. (Suren Avunjian, LA)
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Mazzetti CEO Lauded at Healthcare Design's HCD 10 Awards
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Walt Vernon, CEO of Mazzetti, has been named to Healthcare Design's HCD 10 Awards, in the Building Professional category. These awards recognize 10 outstanding individuals across 10 different categories. As an Electrical Engineer, Walt demonstrates his relentless drive to design "healthier, enduring" healthcare environments; however, his focus transcends the building: He is trying to help the industry de-carbonize and to show the world the public health imperative for doing so.
Meanwhile, read Walt's article, How do we make Healthcare's Response to Climate Change Socially Just? (Walt Vernon, JD, SF)
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Mission Hospice to Celebrate Virtual Fall Gala
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On the evening of October 9, Mission Hospice Auxiliary will present Diamonds & Denim Virtual Fall Gala, featuring stories, music, an auction (online auction begins Oct. 6), and more. Funds raised from this event stay in Mission's community, supporting care for patients not covered by insurance, or when insurance doesn't cover the actual costs of delivering quality care - which is often the case. (Dolores Miller, SF)
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Nelson Hardiman Quoted in CNBC Article on Vaccine Mandates + Announces Webinar
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"On Lok Day" Proclaimed in San Francisco
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September 16 was declared On Lok Day in San Francisco by Mayor London Breed, in celebration of On Lok's 50th anniversary. Also, San Francisco City Hall and the San Jose City Hall Rotunda were illuminated at sunset in On Lok's colors. (Grace Li, SF)
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OneLegacy-Funded Clinical Trial Completes Transplant Without Lifetime of Immunosuppressive Drugs
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A OneLegacy Foundation-funded clinical trial at UCLA Health announced its first two successful kidney transplants with the potential for no immunosuppressive drugs, a feat that will open the door for safer, more effective organ transplants for the 107,000+ Americans in need. The transplants were made possible by a $2 million research grant from OneLegacy and demonstrates the importance of cross-collaboration between Organ Procurement Organizations, transplant surgeons, and hospitals. (Tom Mone, LA)
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Savi Group Suggests Strategies for Finding & Retaining Healthcare Workers
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In Great Ways to Find & Retain Healthcare Workers, Savi Group discusses some tactics. They include: Reassessing your work environment and optimizing it for employee well-being; Connecting with existing staff members and asking them for feedback; Make sure to have a smooth and easy-to-use hiring process in place; It also helps to ensure that programs are in place to protect the mental wellbeing of workers while offering them the recognition they need to feel appreciated within your organization. (Sumit Mahendru, OC)
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Select Data Introduces SmartCare, Using AI to Identify Key Patient Data from Patient Referrals
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Select Data announced a breakthrough in improving coding accuracy and patient care planning: SmartCare, which leverages artificial intelligence to identify key diagnosis phrases immersed throughout large referral documents. By applying AI models that in seconds understand and summarize patient information important to home health admissions, SmartCare assists the full spectrum of the clinical team. Equipped with these insights, field staff have a more efficient approach to preparing for patient visits and completing patient documentation, while coders and clinical review staff have unprecedented functionality to a now highlighted and searchable referral document, providing efficiencies in workflow and driving better patient outcomes and more accurate reimbursement. (Ed Buckley, OC)
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