COVID-19

Discover Labs Provides Fast Diagnostic Testing for Patients Nationwide with Ernesto Lizardi

 
 
Ernesto Lizardi, the Vice President of Clinical Laboratories Operations & Senior R&D Molecular Scientist for Discover Labs located in Austin, TX joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Ernesto Lizardi discuss the following:
Tell us about Discover Labs and how the company started.
What services does Discover Labs offer?
How long does it take to get test results?
I heard you and the team at Discover provided instrumental testing services to many organizations during the course of the pandemic. Could you give me some highlights?
Where can clinicians, doctors and nursing homes get more information?
Ernesto Lizardi was born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico. He graduated from Wayland Baptist University with his bachelor’s in molecular biology with a minor in Chemistry while playing baseball throughout the course of his bachelor's as a First Team All American Catcher and third in the nation in batting average. Later he attended Texas Tech University Health and Science Center and graduated with an Applied Master of Sciences in Molecular Pathology.
After receiving his education, Ernesto Lizardi started working as a Molecular Validation Specialist developing, validating, and implementing new Laboratory Developed Tests for different laboratories to expand their test menus while reducing their cost per test. In January 2020, Ernesto started researching SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) as a possibility for a new test to be implemented in the labs and since then Ernesto has developed, validated, and implemented over eight different SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Assays while also being part of two different Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) submissions.
Now Ernesto Lizardi works at Discover labs helping with the day-to-day clinical testing, new test development, and compliance with CLIA/CAP regulations. Ernesto is currently working on a Laboratory Developed Test for a Respiratory Pathogen Panel with over 33 different targets that will be implemented before the next respiratory season to provide the tools necessary for the physicians to make an accurate diagnosis.
 
 
Website: https://discover-labs.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DiscoverLabs

White Coat Influencers: How Primary Care Doctors are Combatting Vaccine Hesitancy Amid Surging Delta Variant

 
 
Dr. Ben Kornitzer, M.D., the Chief Medical and Quality Officer for agilon health, an organization that champions the roles of independent physician practices joins eHealth Radio and the Covid-19 Information and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Ben Kornitzer discuss the following:
To start off, can you tell us about your background?
How have doctors been influential in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout?  What is a “White Coat Influencer?”
We know that the U.S. reached its goal of vaccinating 70% of U.S. adults. Can you share your thoughts on the significance of this milestone?
What about “hard to reach” folks? Maybe those who are elderly or technologically challenged. How can doctors best promote vaccine acceptance to this demographic?
What is the Roll Up Our Sleeves campaign?
Dr. Ben Kornitzer, M.D., is the Chief Medical and Quality Officer for agilon health. He has clinical and operational experience leading a diverse range of medical enterprises, including community-based practices, ACOs, IPAs, and integrated ambulatory networks. He served as Chief Medical Officer of the Mount Sinai Health Network for six years, where he oversaw one of the premier academic delivery networks in the country as the system developed robust population health tools, quality programs, care coordination resources, and invested in practice transformation.
In addition to his clinical and operational roles, Dr. Kornitzer previously served as a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company, where he worked with U.S and foreign governments, hospital systems, and pharmaceutical companies. He earned his medical degree with AOA honors from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed his residency at Harvard Medical School/ Massachusetts General Hospital.
Website: agilonhealth.com
Social Media Links: Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/agilonhealth Twitter: @agilonhealth

Going the Extra Mile: Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians Launches Vaccine "Delivery Service" to Provide Shots to Homebound Patients

 
 
Shawn Amer, Clinical Program Director at Central Ohio Primary Care with more than 70 practices serving over 400,000 patients and the largest independent primary care group in the country joins eHealth Radio and the Health Care and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Shawn Amer discuss the following:
I understand that during the vaccine rollout, Central Ohio Primary Care launched a vaccine “delivery service” to vaccinate homebound patients. Can you tell us more about this initiative? Why did COPC launch this program?
What are some of the hurdles you have encountered in vaccinating home-bound seniors? What success have you seen through this program?
How has this program been meaningful to you and your team at Central Ohio Primary Care? Is there a patient experience that was particularly memorable?
I understand that COPC has launched other initiatives for senior patients during the pandemic to make healthcare more accessible. Can you tell us more about these efforts?
What are the benefits to Senior Access? Who is eligible for the program?
Shawn Amer joined Central Ohio Primary Care as Clinical Program Director in 2019. A graduate of Ohio State University, Shawn has held various directorial and management positions at healthcare organizations throughout the Midwest. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shawn was a driving force in the creation of COPC’s vaccine “delivery service,” a new program that has been successful in vaccinating Columbus’ most vulnerable population: home-bound seniors.
 
 
Website: https://www.copcp.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/CentralOhioPrimaryCare Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/central-ohio-primary-care-physicians

The Future of Keeping Your Hands & Home Clean Without Harmful Chemicals

 
 
David Weaver, the CEO of Aphex BioCleanse Systems, a sanitization solutions company focused on the development and distribution of non-toxic and water-based sanitization and disinfection products trademarked as Hy-IQ® Water joins eHealth Radio and the COVID-19 Information and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest David Weaver discuss the following:
How has cleaning and sanitization changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Your company has created a cleaning substance called Hy-IQ Water. What is that and what does it do?
Why is Hy-IQ water better than alcohol-based hand sanitizers? Is it more effective?
What kind of studies have you done on Hy-IQ Water to make sure it works?
What would you say to someone who says that you need alcohol to kill germs?
SUMMARY: You don't need alcohol or chlorine to keep clean -- Hy-IQ Water is safer for humans AND the environment
Aphex BioCleanse Systems CEO David Weaver holds over 40 years of experience in engineering and design and is responsible for the creation of much of Aphex’s proprietary formulas. Previously, he spent over two decades as an optical engineer for Eastman Kodak, where he earned a name for himself by streamlining the company’s technology and operations, training its team around the world and innovating for the photography industry.
Following his role with Eastman Kodak, Weaver went on to found his own digital camera company, where he led the company to sell over $100 million within the first year through his innovations. He also helped Motorola launch the first-ever camera phone.
At Aphex, Weaver has spearheaded the creation of seven unique sanitization products that all use hydrogen-based cleaning technology to help keep people, places, pets, and products free of pathogens and our environment safe.
 
Website: https://aphexus.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/AphexBioCleanseSystemsTwitter: twitter.com/AphexSystems

Community is Key: The final push for herd immunity

 
 
Alexis Hunter, Community Liaison for Wilmington Health, a physician-owned primary care and multi-specialty medical practice serving Wilmington and the Southeastern North Carolina area joins eHealth Radio and the COVID-19, Health Care and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Alexis Hunter discuss the following:
What current trends are we seeing with vaccinations across the U.S.?
What has changed over the past six months that the vaccine has been available?
How are rural/lower-income areas effected?
Has one demographic been more hesitant than another?
How are you continuing to get the word out in your community?
Alexis joined Wilmington Health, one of the largest independent, multi-specialty practices in North Carolina, in April 2020. Recruited as the first dedicated outreach employee for the organization, she focuses on building relationships with organizations and individuals in southeastern North Carolina. Alexis dedicates herself to Wilmington Health’s vision of aspiring to be the most trusted partner in healthcare, transforming the delivery system, and continually developing collaborative and innovative solutions that demonstrate quality, reduce the cost of care, and improve the patient experience.
Before joining Wilmington Health, she worked in administration for a private mental health practice. She works closely with area employers to ensure employees have access to expert healthcare. She also collaborates with outside providers, so that patients in the community have access to the providers that can best suit their healthcare needs.
 
 
Website: wilmingtonhealth.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/wilmingtonhealth  Instagram: @wilmhealth LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wilmington-health-associates

Vaccine Equity and the Race Towards Herd Immunity

 
 
Dr. Linda Odenigbo, a Pediatrician at PriMED Physicians in Dayton Ohio joins eHealth Radio and the Health Care and Health News Channels. Throughout the vaccine rollout, Dr. Odenigbo and other Black colleagues have been actively working with the Black community in Dayton, specifically Dayton's Nigerian population to increase vaccine confidence.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Linda Odenigbo discuss the following:
Throughout the vaccine rollout, primary care physicians have been working hard to increase vaccine confidence, especially among people of color. Can you tell us about some of the concerns surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines that you have heard from patients?
I know that you and other Black physicians at PriMED did a lot of outreach work to increase vaccine confidence, specifically within the Black community in Dayton. What were some of the ways that you and your colleagues engaged with the community?
Of all of the phone calls and conversations you have had with patients, is there any one that sticks out the most?
What trends have you been seeing most recently with vaccine hesitancy?
President Joe Biden recently announced his plan to get 70% of Americans at least partially vaccinated by July 4. Do you feel positive about us reaching that goal?
Linda Odenigbo, MD, is a Pediatrician at PriMED Physicians in Dayton, Ohio. A graduate of University of Ilorin Medical School, Dr. Odenigbo trained and practiced internal medicine in Nigeria until 1991. She completed her Pediatric residency at Harlem Hospital New York and later worked at CHIC clinic, a federally funded health care center in Decatur, Illinois, before finally joining PriMED pediatrics in 2000. Dr. Odenigbo’s special interests include childhood allergic conditions, as well as female adolescent health issues.
 
 
Website: primedphysicians.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PrimedPhysicians

Joint Pain Exacerbated During COVID-19 Pandemic

 
 
Dr. Richard Berger, M.D., a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush and assistant professor at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago again joins eHealth Radio and the Orthopedic & Health News Channels. The pioneer of a minimally invasive technique, Dr. Berger was the first in the world to perform outpatient hip and knee replacement surgery and has done over 12,000 surgeries -- more than any other surgeon.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Richard Berger discuss the following:
As an orthopedic surgeon, what trends have you been seeing with your patients during the pandemic?
What can be done to offset joint pain? For listeners who are working from home and moving less …what recommendations do you have?
​I know that the pandemic has also led to patients putting off medical treatment or postponing surgeries, such as joint replacement. Can you tell us more about this?
What message do you have to people who are delaying their care?
For patients who are still putting off surgery, what would you say to them to ease their concerns? Why is now the time to get surgery?
Richard Berger, M.D., is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush and assistant professor at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago. He pioneered a minimally invasive hip and knee replacement that allows for a quicker and less painful recovery than traditional joint replacement. He also was the first in the world to perform outpatient hip and knee replacement surgery and has done over 12,000 surgeries -- more than any other surgeon. Patients come from all the world to have surgery from Dr. Berger, and they include elite athletes, politicians and celebrities.
 
Website: https://outpatienthipandknee.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/DrRichardBerger  Instagram: instagram.com/drrichardberger  Twitter: @DrRichBerger 

Servicon, elevating the cleaning industry by provide healthy environments

 
 
Laurie Sewell, President and CEO of Servicon, a leading environmental, custodial and maintenance company located in Southern California joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Laurie Sewell discuss the following:
Tell us about Servicon and its mission.
How has Servicon as an EVS leader helped in the fight against COVID?
How does Servicon prepare its custodian technicians to do their jobs optimally and in the best interests of society?
How is Servicon a critical partner in healthcare?
How does Servicon help hospitals?
What are Servicon’s top priorities for the next 12 months?
Laurie Sewell is President and CEO of Servicon, a provider of exemplary custodial, environmental, and maintenance services for complex facilities.
Servicon partners with Fortune 500 companies in the healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, commercial real estate, municipal and entertainment industries. Their purpose is to elevate the industry and provide healthy environments for people to thrive.
Considered a disrupter in an industry steeped in tradition, Sewell is shifting the focus from conventional concepts of custodial services to those that are driving wellness, sustainability, new analytics and employee engagement with innovative technologies and training.
At the helm of a diverse workforce of over 1,800 employees, Sewell is passionate about the concept that profit should be achieved through the focus on talent development at all levels of an organization.
Sewell has held positions on international, advisory and editorial boards in her industry. She was also a stakeholder in the development of the GS-42 Green Seal standard. She holds a MA in Organizational Behavior and operates her business under the belief that “it is always about the people.”
Servicon’s five decades of success is due to the alignment of their unique corporate culture with their strategy. They have succeeded in doing well by doing the right thing for all people involved.
 
 
Website: www.servicon.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/ServiconSystemsCAJanitorial Twitter: twitter.com/Servicon

Meet KleenWraps and Learn Why PPE is Here to Stay

 
 
Russell Silver-Fagan, CEO of KleenWraps, a consumer consumer personal protective equipment company designing, producing, and marketing a growing suite of products that meet the ever-changing PPE needs of the time joins eHealth Radio and the COVID and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Russell Silver-Fagan discuss the following:
What are antimicrobial agents?
What's wrong with gloves?
How will COVID-19 change us?
How did you think of the product in 2014?
What are some added benefits about KleenWraps we may not know about?
KleenWraps began by offering antimicrobial grip barriers (“wraps”) to provide sustainable alternatives to disposable gloves and has grown into the first consumer-PPE brand. Our wraps are made with neoprene for unlimited re-usability and machine-washability and silicone dotting for traction on any surface, and are treated with antimicrobial agents to reduce germ transfer. With these features, our wraps distance users from suspicious/frequently-touched surfaces, providing peace of mind in shared spaces.
 
 
Website: www.kleenwraps.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/kleenwraps  Instagram: instagram.com/kleenwraps  Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/kleenwraps  Twitter: twitter.com/KleenWraps

How the pandemic has accelerated innovation in healthcare: A conversation with Karly Rowe from Experian Health

 
 
Karly Rowe, Vice President of Patient Access, Identity & Care Management Product for Experian Health that works with more than 3,200 hospitals and 10,000 other healthcare organizations representing 500,000 plus providers to provide data-driven solutions that support revenue cycle management, identity management, patient engagement and care management joins eHealth Radio and the Health Care and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Karly Rowe discuss the following:
Can you tell us about Experian Health and your role within the company?
Any discussion of healthcare today is framed by the COVID-19 pandemic. From your business, your line of sight, what has the pandemic put in the spotlight?
In the early days of the pandemic, some of our healthcare organizations estimated 1,800 duplicate records were being created every 24 hours, so it is a fair bet that the numbers are even greater now as people flock to schedule vaccines. How does the growing volume of patient traffic challenge our healthcare systems?
How would a shift to standardized medical records, possibly even a universal patient ID number, help healthcare systems and health outcomes?
What direction is the industry headed and what pain points are you solving for as you look to the future?
Summary: While approximately 25% of patients used patient portals prior to COVID-19, more than 235 million adults will likely interact with a patient portal or telehealth service for the first time. This new interaction sparks opportunity – an opportunity for patients to think differently about the role they are taking/playing in managing their health and an opportunity for healthcare organizations to think about how to build on and advance this newly formed relationship.
Karly Rowe is responsible for the Patient Access, Identity, and Care Management product portfolios at Experian Health. Leveraging her diverse background across credit, retail, and healthcare, Karly is responsible for finding new ways to leverage Experian’s data and analytical capabilities to develop new, innovative solutions for the healthcare industry.
Karly holds a Masters of Business Administration from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management and Retail Management from Syracuse University. She resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband and two sons.
 
 
Website: experian.com/healthcare
Social Media Links: Twitter: twitter.com/Experian_Health Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/experian