Bayer Spotlighted for Its Transformation in Industry Journal
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A recent Biospace article - Legendary Bayer is Reinventing its Story with Cell and Gene Therapy - describes how Bayer has, over the past few years, transformed its pipeline by acquiring multiple cell and gene therapy companies to create new opportunities, allowing the company to provide life-saving and life-altering therapies to patients with different disease types. As part of its evolution, Bayer has taken a different approach with its recent acquisitions. The companies are brought under the Bayer umbrella, but they operate independently, at arm's length. This approach aims to let companies maintain that sense of independence to foment entrepreneurial and scientific cultures. (Rama Penta, SV)
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Greg Buchert, MD, Featured on "Medicaid Matters" Podcast
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Greg Buchert, MD, is interviewed in a recent episode of the Medicaid Matters podcast, hosted by Vik Bakhru, MD, in which Greg declares that the future of Medicaid is all about "empowering people to take care of their own health." A big part of the shift requires technology. Greg says, "We've done a pretty good job of moving from hospital to outpatient services. But I think the next big move is moving from outpatient services to home." And an even bigger part requires cultural competency. "If you've got a product that has to rely on a culturally adapted child in order to influence what happens, that's not as good as something that makes sense to an individual that they can use for themselves," Greg says. (Greg Buchert, MD, OC)
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Choice in Aging Talks with Community Leaders in Video Series
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Recent episodes of Choice in Aging (CiA)'s "Dishing with Debbie" video series include:
>> Guest Andy Imparato, a disabled lawyer who is Executive Director of Disability Rights California, a $41 million statewide legal services organization.
>> Guest Lori Thames, CiA's VP of Operations, discusses her new role and CiA's programs.
>> Guest Kristin Connelly, CEO of the East Bay Leadership Council, and Executive Director of the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, discusses an initiative to match business leaders with board opportunities in local nonprofits.
>> Guest Dr. Victor Baker, CiA's Chair of the Board of Directors, discusses Black History Month and the significant contributions of African Americans to our shared experiences. (Debbie Toth, OAK)
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Cigna Shares Insights on Successful Leaders; Gen Z in the Workforce; & Purpose-Driven Companies
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In The Skills and Traits of Successful Leaders in 2022, Cigna spoke with its own corporation leaders on bringing empathy to the way we work, embracing technology, leading with resilience, and more.
AND, in How Generation Z Will Impact the Future of Work, Cigna notes that this generation, which makes up 32% of the global population, and is driving the Great Resignation, cares about diversity, equity, inclusion, meaningful work, financial security, technology, mentorship, stress management, and more.
ALSO, in Purpose-Driven Organizations More Likely to Have Engaged, Committed Employees, Cigna's Chief HR Officer shares some ways organizations can help encourage a purpose-driven culture. (Chris De Rosa, OC)
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HHS Distributes New Monoclonal Antibody That Works Against Omicron; & Another $560M in Provider Relief Fund Payments
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Recent news from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) includes:
>> The federal government has purchased 600,000 treatment courses of a new monoclonal antibody treatment that data shows works against the Omicron variant. Manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co., HHS will make the treatment, Bebtelovimab, available to states free of charge.
>> HHS made $560+ million in Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 General Distribution payments to 4,100+ providers across the country last week. As such, nearly $11.5 billion in PRF Phase 4 payments has now been distributed to 78,000+ providers in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and five territories. This is in addition to HRSA's distribution of American Rescue Plan Rural payments totaling nearly $7.5 billion in funding to 44,000+ providers since November 2021. (Bonnie Preston, SF)
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El Camino Health Offers Lessons in Resilience & Spotlighted in Article on New Covid Pill
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In the recent HealthLeaders article - Lessons in Resilience Key to Staff Shortages, Future Covid Variants - El Camino Health (ECH) shares some of the key lessons that the organization has learned so far during the pandemic, including improving communication between leadership and frontline workers; leveraging technology; and seeking creative partnerships.
ALSO, in New COVID pill has local roots: First clinical trial patient enrolled at El Camino, the Los Altos Town Crier visits with ECH's Taft Center for Clinical Research to learn about its work on the infusion that led to the development of Paxlovid, the COVID-19 anti-viral pill from Pfizer. ECH was the first in the world to enroll a patient in Phase 1B of the clinical trial. (Cecile Currier, SV)
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Elemeno Health Teams with OSF to Pilot POC Communication & Training Innovation
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Elemeno Health and OSF HealthCare, a large health system in Illinois, are partnering on a pilot using a customizable, just-in-time best practices app for nurses. Elemeno's mobile-friendly platform allows for real-time updates on changes in practice, implementation of new treatments, products, even specific notifications based on information learned during team huddles. Elemeno will be piloted in several specific OSF departments, including at Saint Francis Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center in Peoria, with a goal of full implementation within hospitals and clinics. (Arup Roy-Burman, MD, OAK)
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Hospice of Santa Cruz County Honored in HEALTHCAREfirst Awards
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For the third consecutive year, caregivers have recognized Hospice of Santa Cruz County (HSCC) for excellence in hospice care in the Hospice Honors 2021 awards from HEALTHCAREfirst. HSCC scored higher than the average of all hospices in California and nationally in the survey in 22 of 24 quality indicators. Hospice Honors acknowledges high performing agencies by analyzing performance of Hospice CAHPS quality measures. (Cathy Conway, SV)
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HumanGood and Living Care Retirement Community Complete Affiliation
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HumanGood, California's largest non-profit provider of senior housing and services, and Living Care Retirement Community, a non-profit retirement community in Yakima, WA announced that the Washington Department of Social and Health Services has approved their affiliation. This marks the final regulatory step of their affiliation process, and as a result the two organizations are united as HumanGood. (Tara McGuinness, OAK)
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Illumination Foundation Announces March 27 & April 19 Events + Shares Its Community Impact
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On April 19, Illumination Foundation (IF) will present its 2022 consortium Together We Can - Solutions to Address Equity (previously scheduled for February 3), at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The event will bring together speakers and panelists from governmental agencies, non-profits, for-profits, healthcare providers, private foundations, and educational institutions to drive solution-driven conversations around inequity and inequality in housing, healthcare, workforce, and education.
AND, on March 27, Chef's Table benefiting Illumination Foundation: Uplifting Others Together 2022 will take place, an evening full of delicious cuisine, auction items, and more, in the Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom.
MEANWHILE, IF's Inside the Impact Report shares that, in 2021, IF served 4,362 clients, providing shelter, health care, counseling, connections to social services, housing, and hope. (Paul Leon, OC)
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Kaiser Permanente, State of California Reach Agreement to Cover More People
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The state of California recently announced a new 5-year state contract which will allow Kaiser Permanente (KP) to provide Medi-Cal coverage to more people, improve quality for a broader number of beneficiaries including those covered by other plans, increase the stability and quality of care of the safety net system, and provide additional value beyond these benefits. Through this joint agreement, KP and the state will develop sustainable approaches to increase participation in Medi-Cal and improve the program in a variety of ways. KP is also committed to the Department of Health Care Services CalAIM initiative, a multiyear initiative to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of the Medi-Cal population by providing enhanced care management and community supports in alignment with other Medi-Cal managed care plans.
MEANWHILE, KP has been recognized for the 16th consecutive year by the Human Rights Campaign, with the highest possible score on its 2022 Corporate Equality Index and named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. (Marcos Vasconcelos, OAK)
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King & Spalding to Present Health Law & Policy Forum on March 21
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King & Spalding will host its 31st Annual Health Law & Policy Forum on March 21, in Atlanta, GA, a one-day conference focusing on the foremost legal and political developments impacting the healthcare industry. The keynote speaker will be columnist George F. Will from The Washington Post, who will talk about current political trends and the role of the healthcare industry in shaping them. Attendees will also hear from leading practitioners about current policy and regulatory enforcement updates and the special considerations healthcare providers face in pandemics. (Marcia Augsburger, JD, SF)
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KMD Architects Converts Center into Adult Rehab Facility
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LigoLab Reports on Integrated Reporting in Pathology + Specimen-Tracking & Medical Lab Management Software
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MedWand Lauded in Gadget Flow Product Review
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The recent Gadget Flow product review - MedWand medical device makes it easier for doctors to diagnose patients remotely - describes the many benefits of the MedWand device. In regards to the article, MedWand CEO Bob Rose said on LinkedIn: "In addition to its IR Thermometer, ECG, Digital Stethoscope and Pulse Oximeter, MedWand also has a 4K camera on board that will have optional add-ons to enable a pro-otoscope performance mode, measurement of skin anomalies, tongue depressor, doctor controlled illumination, and an optional UV wound scope attachment. The entire device weighs 6 ounces. Glucometer, Spirometer, BP Cuff, and BMI weight scale are separate devices but seamlessly integrate into our app via Bluetooth with no pairing required and all under the direct, real-time control of the remotely located healthcare provider, anywhere, anytime. And while we were at it, we added a cloud based AI platform for any FDA approved AI engine and seamless integration into every major EMR system. FDA approval expected soon followed immediately by a revolution in the application of Virtual Care and Health Equity worldwide." (Bob Rose, OC)
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Nelson Hardiman Provides Guidelines for Establishing Worksite Covid Testing
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In Priority Guidelines FAQs: Establishing Worksite Covid Testing, Nelson Hardiman (NH) discusses the following questions: How do we get started with implementing testing protocols? How should employee Covid-19 records, regarding vaccinations or infections, be stored? Does my business need laboratory CLIA Certification for OTC rapid tests? Can a group health plan cover testing costs? Must employees be compensated for time devoted to testing? How often should employees be tested? and more.
MEANWHILE, NH Managing Partner Harry Nelson was interviewed in two recent episodes of The 5th Element's "Leaders Who Care" Podcast: America's #1 Healthcare Lawyer and Teacher, Peacemaker, Prime Minister and Hall of Famer. (Harry Nelson, JD, LA)
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Pharmco CEO to Address National Athletic Trainers Association Conference
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Royal Ambulance Chosen for "Workplace From Meta" Feature
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In Royal Ambulance doubles down on connection and community to support workplace culture amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, Royal Ambulance talks about its recent collaboration with Workplace from Meta. After reviewing thousands of accounts for standout engagement on their platform, Workplace reached out to Royal Ambulance to be featured in their report: "The 2021 Frontline Barometer" on their blog "Deskless not Voiceless." The companies created a Hollywood-caliber short film to compliment the findings of the research [watch the 3:27-minute video at the article link above]. The piece features real Royal team members and highlights the human connection between patients, team members, and leadership. "We've adopted a new primary customer philosophy," says Steve Grau, CEO of Royal. "Our team members are our number one customer - full stop. Without them we can't provide the services that our patients and hospital partners need." (Steve Grau, SV)
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Satellite Healthcare Opens Denver Regional Office & Enters Southeast U.S.
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Satellite Healthcare has opened a new regional office outside of downtown Denver, CO, providing the provider of kidney dialysis and related patient services with regional support for strategic growth, business development, business integration, ancillary services and legal and compliance functions.
AND, Satellite has entered into an agreement that will expand its presence and provision of in-center and home dialysis care to the Southeast region of the U.S. with a majority ownership investment in three dialysis centers in Georgia and one in South Carolina. In doing so, the company will be collaborating with the existing nine physician partners of New Renality, based in Franklin, TN. (Jeff Goffman, SV, & Bernadette Vincent, OAK)
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SAVI Group Explores Blockchain Technology & Digital Healthcare
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In Blockchain Technology & The Future of Healthcare, SAVI Group reports that thanks to its high level of accuracy and security, blockchain technology could help healthcare organizations safely share, store, and access data between multiple parties. Some of these tasks include: Helping facilitate transactions and payments in real-time; Verifying identities and permissions; Transferring data between different parties and providing access; and Recording data in a way that distributes power evenly and tracking it accurately.
AND, in The Exciting Future of Digital Healthcare, Savi Group looks at some promising digital healthcare trends, including innovations in remote care; technology for mental health; and increased access to personal data. (Sumit Mahendru, OC)
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Select Data CEO Featured in Industry Journal; Also Explains How OASIS Drives Agency Performance
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Select Data CEO Ed Buckley is profiled in Home Health Care News' "Voices," in which he discusses the challenges and opportunities for implementing machine learning and predictive analytics, as well as the degree to which the home-based care industry is prepared in adopting and utilizing AI. Ed concludes with his prediction that in 2022, for the home-based care industry, it will be the year of driving clinical outcomes with lower staff availability. AI may become one of the most important recruitment and retention tools since the advent of the field device.
MEANWHILE, Select Data is offering a White Paper download - How The OASIS Drives Agency Performance, noting that successful home health agencies understand that improving the quality of each OASIS has downstream effects that improve all aspects of their business, from patient outcomes to correct reimbursement. Select Data shares how accurate OASIS Review directly impacts your Star Ratings; Functional Impairment Scores; Publicly Reported Outcomes; Risk Scores for Medicare Advantage Plans; and Value-Based Purchasing Programs. (Ed Buckley, OC)
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Wipfli Provides HIPAA Business Associate Compliance Checklist + Announces Upcoming Events & Acquisitions
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In HIPAA business associates: How healthcare providers manage the risk, Wipfli acknowledges that business associates play an integral role within every healthcare organization, ranging from housekeeping to complex and integrated services, such as supporting electronic medical records. But how do you know whether your business associates are taking the proper precautions to safeguard your patients' protected health information? Wipfli provides a HIPAA business associate compliance checklist.
AND, upcoming Wipfli events include a webinar on March 14 - Understanding skilled nursing facilities consolidated billing, and the Wipfli Rural Health Clinic Conference - Virtual on April 5-7.
MEANWHILE, Wipfli announced that the teams from Solve100 and Waypoint have joined the firm, bringing a combined 25 years of broad capabilities in data analytics and application development. (Jeff Johnson, John Dao & Steve Rousso, OAK)
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