Health News

Phoenix-based organization works to get individuals facing long-term illnesses and medical conditions off the streets and into long-term housing

 
 
Liz Agboola, president and CEO of Senior Placement Services, an assistance program in Phoenix that provides housing resources for vulnerable veterans, elderly and homeless who are unable to live independently due to long-term illnesses and medical conditions joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Senior Care Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Liz Agboola discuss the following:
Tell us a bit about Senior Placement Services and what the process is like when you are working to help someone.
Does Senior Placement Services charge for the assessment and guidance given?
What motivated you to go into this line of work?
I understand you are also the CEO of Moses Behavioral Care, a group of community-based mental health facilities offering 24-hour, long-term care for the SMI (serious mental illness) population…what drove you to build your own facilities?
Additionally, you are a board member at Dignity Health and Valleywise Health Foundation. What projects are you working on there?
 
 
Liz Agboola is CEO of Moses Behavioral Care (MBC), a group of community-based mental health facilities offering 24-hour, long-term care for the SMI (serious mental illness) population. These efforts are motivated by her promise to uphold mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including preventive services to the community while offering integrated care and treatment for those who require assistance with daily living.
Prior to establishing MBC, she founded Senior Placement Services with her parents and siblings. It was here she began her work in public service. For nearly 10 years she spearheaded community efforts ensuring suitable housing was available for the disenfranchised, homeless veterans and the elderly. She strengthened the company's business and corporate citizenship with key partnerships (local shelters, mental health clinics, Veteran’s Administration homeless centers) and various civic and community-based organizations.
Her career ultimately began two decades ago in the private sector in learning and development. She served in various senior leadership roles with Bank of America and Director of Learning and Development with Gannett.
Liz brings a strong business and health care background paired with a servant’s heart to lead the community in advocacy and ultimately through legislation. She holds a Master’s in Education and Masters of Business Administration.
Liz currently sits on the Board of Dignity Health and the Maricopa Health Foundation (now called Valleywise).
 
 
Website: SeniorPlacementAZ.org 
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/SeniorPlacementAZ  Instagram: instagram.com/liz_agboola

Focusing on the Unique Medical, Economic and Healthcare Coordination Needs of People with Rare and Orphan Diseases

 
 
Donovan Quill, President and CEO of Optime Care, a nationally recognized pharmacy, distribution and patient management organization maximizing therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of orphan and rare disorders joins eHealth Radio and the Health News & Health Care Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Donovan Quill discuss the following:
Please tell our audiences about Optime Care, its goals and who it serves.

What is considered a rare or orphan disease?

What is the definition of a specialty pharmaceutical? How many drugs are currently on the market and how many in development?

How does Optime Care ensure that patients get their drugs?

What are your relationships with healthcare payers?
 
 
Optime Care, Inc. is a nationally recognized pharmacy, distribution and patient management organization offering a suite of comprehensive services tailored to maximize the therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of orphan and rare disorders. Our management team has previously partnered in the launch of more than 25 orphan products and consistently implemented the best brand program for the community. Our experience with small patient populations makes us uniquely qualified to help every stakeholder group impacted by these disorders. Optime Care has dual-accreditation from the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) for compliance with specialty pharmacy and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for specialty pharmacy services that demonstrate a commitment to providing quality care and services to consumers.
Donovan Quill entered the world of healthcare after a successful coaching career and teaching at the collegiate level. His personal mission was to help patients who suffer from an orphan disorder that has affected his entire family (Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency). Donovan became a Patient Advocate for Centric Health Resources and traveled the country raising awareness, improving detection, and providing education to patients and healthcare providers.
Donovan quickly gained recognition among the patient community for his efforts. He was heavily recruited and hand-picked by Alpha-1 Foundation founder John Walsh to become the Foundation’s Director of Detection and Community Outreach. Donovan gained an in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of not-for-profit patient-driven programs while working with the Alpha-1 Foundation. His responsibilities included public policy agendas within government affairs, national targeted detection programs, research projects with “Key Opinion Leaders”, patient educational and marketing programs, fundraising efforts, and serving as a liaison to the drug manufacturers.
After leaving the not-for-profit sector, Donovan developed a new and innovative sales strategy with Talecris Biotherapeutics (now Grifols), which he piloted in a sales territory that had underperformed historically. By emphasizing education, early detection, and awareness, Donovan was able to take a poor performing territory and grow it into one of the top markets in the country in a short period of time. The strategy was so successful that Donovan was asked to work with the Brand Team to launch it throughout the rest of the country.
Donovan’s success in the sales world led to a return to Centric Health Resources (now DLSS), where he worked on their largest piece of business and developed innovative strategies to improve a growing and successful program. Over the next few years, Donovan went from directing a small team of Patient Advocates to Vice President of Patient Services to Senior Vice President of Patient Direct Programs.
Donovan’s experiences with the Alpha-1 Foundation, Centric Health Resources and DLSS have provided him the opportunity to manage all aspects of operations, develop operational plans for product launches/relaunches, improve program effectiveness, manage a large number of employees from pharmacists to nurses to patient support specialists, design infrastructure, create business development opportunities, and play a key role in companywide strategic planning.
Regardless of his position, Donovan has always kept one thing top of mind: “If you take care of the people that matter, the program will always be successful.” Donovan has spent years doing just that for patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and product manufacturers.
 
 
Website: optimecare.com
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/optime-care

Effective Methods Towards Germ-Free Environments and Minimizing Infections

 
 
Nick Jaksa, Founder of Integrated Operations whose new Viral Defense division is focused on improving safety through the mitigation of the spread of germs, and on trying to help attack the pandemic head on joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel. The company’s unique disinfectant misting systems help improve safety while people are entering a building, school, sports arena, and other venues. He brings to this new endeavor over 40 years of product development and manufacturing in various markets around the world.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Nick Jaksa discuss the following:
With more and more of the country slowly opening up during the pandemic, what are the most important measures consumers can take to stay safe?
Are there any additional safety measures that could be taken to provide a comfortable level of safety and prevention in many of the places we frequent?
What makes Viral Defense unique in the mitigation of germs?
Where are your products most useful?
Does Viral Defense offer anything else other than disinfectant booths and equipment?
 
 
Nick Jaksa, Founder of Integrated Operations LLC, has made his mark in the area of safety with over three decades of diverse experience incorporating product development, testing and production. Today he’s applying that expertise to improving the health and safety of the public during the pandemic through his Viral Defense branded product line. The company’s unique disinfectant misting systems mitigate the spread of germs thus improving safety for people entering buildings, schools, sports arenas and other venues. The same innovative misting concept can be used to clean interior spaces in a matter of minutes. The Viral Defense product portfolio also includes innovative PPE’s including anti-viral layered masks, and other products to provide protection.
Mr. Jaksa’s interest in improving safety for everyone began over 30 years ago in many aspects of the automotive industry, including as a seat belt engineer, and an expert witness in cases involving auto safety. More recently he was involved with car seat design and manufacturing to improve safety for babies and toddlers. Among the companies with which he has worked are Allied Signal/Honeywell, Siemens and Bosch, in the U.S. and internationally. In response to the global pandemic, Mr. Jaksa has tapped into his international technology and manufacturing relationships to find best-in-class disinfecting and personal protection solutions to help mitigate the spread of germs. By the end of 2020, however, manufacturing of the misting units and select PPE’s will have begun moving to the U.S.
In addition to his hands-on experience in the automotive sector, Mr. Jaksa heads a team of Integrated Operations professionals who leverage tools such as the Toyota Production Management System principles of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, and other proven tools that encompass problem analysis and resolution, all allowing for operational and organizational optimization.
Website: integratedoperationsllc.com
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/integrated-operations-viral-defense

Age-Defying Skincare with Your Beauty Advocate Author Christy Hall

 
 
Christy A. Hall, a Board-Certified Physician Assistant with nearly 20 years of experience and expertise in cosmetic dermatology and medical aesthetics joins eHealth Radio and the Beauty and Skin Care Channels. She is the owner of a prestigious medical aesthetics practice, Skin Appeal, and of Mikel Kristy Skincare in Tucson, Arizona. She is also author of the #1 international best-selling book “Your Beauty Advocate: A No-Nonsense Guide to Age-Defying Skincare.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Christy A. Hall discuss the following:
Why is it important to have a daily skin ritual?
What are four steps to having great skin?
What are three layers of skin rejuvenation in the aging process?
What are the benefits of injectables? What about lasers?
What can we do about saggy jowls and necks?
How do you achieve ageless beauty?
 
 
Christy A. Hall, PA - C, MPAS, is a board-certified Physician Assistant with nearly 20 years of experience and expertise in cosmetic dermatology and medical aesthetics. She is the author of “Your Beauty Advocate: A No-Nonsense Guide to Age-Defying Skincare,“ a #1 international bestseller in 10 countries across 12 categories.
Christy is the owner and operator of a prestigious medical aesthetics practice, Skin Appeal, and of Mikel Kristi Skincare in Tucson, AZ.
She is passionate about educating and simplifying the confusing world of skincare and beauty treatments. She has become an elite injector of dermal fillers and was voted Most Loved Injector in the Southwest USA by RealSelf.
 
 
Website: https://skincaremk.com | yourbeautyadvocate.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/MikelKristi  Instagram: instagram.com/mikelkristiskincare

Peter Nieves of WIN Fertility discusses open enrollment and fertility and family-building benefits

 
 
Peter Nieves, Chief Commercial Officer with WINFertility, the nation’s leading fertility benefits management company joins eHealth Radio and the Fertility & Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Peter Nieves discuss the following:
Why should employees turn to their employers when it comes to helping them build their family?
What should employees look for when it comes to family-building benefits this open enrollment?
Are there any special benefits that fall under family-building that consumers should know about?
If employees want to expand their families in the coming year, what questions should they be asking at virtual health fairs this fall?
If employees max out on the family-building benefit provided by their employer, where can they turn for financial assistance?
 
 
Peter Nieves serves as Chief Commercial Officer for WIN Fertility. He is responsible for setting and executing the strategic vision of all aspects of WINFertility’s commercial policies, objectives, and initiatives. This includes the development of strategic partnerships, marketing and public relations strategies, launch and optimization of new products and innovations, digital transformation, recruitment, deployment and development of employees and ultimately the commercial success of the business globally.
Other responsibilities include setting clear, aligned and measurable objectives and effectively communicating internal priorities, challenges, and opportunities to the senior team members that impact net revenue growth. Building and maintaining a spirit of shared mission, purpose, and culture throughout the senior leadership team and the organization.
Peter has 27 years of experience building businesses in employer consulting, population health management and virtual care services. His experiences include P&L management, client relationships, industry networking, building and mentoring high performing teams as well as data analytics and digital enhancements to operations and member experience.
Website: winfertility.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/WINFertility  Twitter: @WINFertility

The Future of CBD with Ojai Energetics CEO Will Kleidon

 
 
Will Kleidon, the Founder and CEO of Ojai Energetics, an ethics-driven health and wellness company based in California that seeks to bring ancient healing products to life by way of modern innovation joins eHealth Radio and the CBD & Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Will Kleidon discuss the following:
What is the magic behind CBD and how is it different from other cannabinoids?
Ojai Energetics claims to hold the most patents relating to CBD. Can you elaborate on this catalog?
The Future of CBD - what can we expect when it comes to things like therapeutic treatments, and medical advancements with CBD?
COVID-19 has had a global impact - how does CBD fit into the lives of those who contract COVID-19?
What are some every day steps people can take to implement CBD into their wellness routine?
Explain the difference between internal consumption of CBD and topical usage?
 
 
Will Kleidon is an award-winning pioneer and futurist in the hemp and cannabis industry. He is known for cracking the CBD code by creating the cleanest and most effective CBD-rich hemp products on the planet. Will is the founder of Ojai Energetics, a triple bottom line-driven cannabis technology company. Will has collected one of the most interesting executive boards in the world that includes famous athletes, doctors, and well-connected members of the entertainment industry.
Featured in Cheddar, MSNBC, Forbes, Inc, Money, Entrepreneur, The LA Times, and a regular keynote at the Cannabis Forum and Bevnet, Will is a subject matter expert when it comes to the art, science, and technology of the cannabis business, the history of hemp, and what it can mean to our future.
Website: https://ojaienergetics.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/ojaienergetics Instagram: @ojaienergetics

Finding Health and Wellness in 2020

 
 
Ted Moskovitz, the Founder of AMMA, a health and wellness company and an advocate for the benefits of hemp extracts, specifically utilizing them as a healthier alternative to alcohol joins eHealth Radio and the Cannabis & Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Ted Moskovitz discuss the following:
What is your company mission?
How is your approach to cannabis wellness different?
What is your BroadSpectrum+ approach to extraction?
What types of products do you make?
What are the benefits?
Where can they be purchased?
 
 
Ted Moskovitz, the Founder of AMMA, a health and wellness company. Ted is an advocate for the benefits of hemp extracts, specifically utilizing them as a healthier alternative to alcohol. He serves an advisor to Spectrum CannaLabs and was the first outside advisor to Hemper. Ted has a diverse background as a former SEC attorney turned entrepreneur, investor, and advisor specializing in SaaS, cannabis, psychedelics, performance & longevity medicine, “cogni-hacking,” and Blockchain technology. His previous entrepreneurial endeavors include DecentraNet, FeaturedLabs, and Apollo Scheduling. Ted is a Techstars and Newchip mentor, and serves on the advisory board of over 15 companies.
Website: http://ammahealing.co
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/ammahealingco  Instagram: instagram.com/ammahealing 

Adult health and wellness for those age 50 and beyond?

 
 
Dr. Jim Collins, President and CEO of Sapphire Essentials that provides high-quality, organically-grown, THC-Free CBD products for adults, seniors and caregivers joins eHealth Radio and the CBD & Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Jim Collins discuss the following:
Why did I choose to spend my career focusing on adult health and wellness for those age 50 and beyond?
What are the main ingredients to healthy and independent living beyond 50?
What are the differences between marijuana or cannabis and CBD?
How does CBD work or make a difference in physical or emotional health?
How can adults better cope with the stressors and isolation related to COVID-19?
 
 
Dr. Jim Collins is a Gerontologist and nationally-recognized expert in wellness and health care for seniors and older Americans. Based in Ohio, his 30 year career has spanned everything from Geropsychiatry to home health regimens for active seniors. Dr. Collins has a strong focus on education – a prolific author of published articles, he has served as a college instructor and is the founder of Collins Learning, a highly regarded education service that provides training to tens of thousands of senior care health professionals around the country.
Dr Collin’s passion for healthy aging and gerontology started when he was in high school and his father handed him the keys to the car to take his mom back and forth to work at the Assumption Nursing Home. Before and after school, he would stop in and visit with residents and staff and would continue this for decades. He became fascinated by the physical, emotional and neurological challenges faced by older Americans, especially those in senior living. It was here that Dr. Collin’s formed a life-long belief that preventative care and maintaining an active lifestyle were key in senior’s physical and emotional well-being.
Dr. Collins graduated college with the first degree ever in Applied Gerontological Studies, an approved major that he created, and then earned a master’s in sociology and psychology of aging. He also holds a doctoral degree in Health Administration and has received a certificate from the Institute for Life Span Development and Gerontology. Dr. Collins then established a gerontology practice and also began education consulting to what would become hundreds of senior living communities.
Dr. Collins has written countless articles, newsletters, and the first book about person-centered care for seniors entitled “The Person-Centered Way: Revolutionizing Quality of Life in Long Term Care”.
After researching hundreds of medical articles, Dr. Collins became an early strong proponent of the benefits of CBD for aging-related health. Given his vast background in physical, emotional and neuro-degenerative age-related disorders, he has emerged as an expert voice in the CBD space and is currently writing a book about aging and CBD. This passion led Dr. Collins to create Sapphire Essentials, with the mission to provide the highest-quality, all-natural, organically grown medical hemp-based CBD products to older adults and seniors. Sapphire Essentials is proud to be the first and only science-based CBD brand that is specifically formulated for the needs of active seniors.
Educator, speaker, author and now founder of Sapphire Essentials, Dr Collins remains as passionate as ever in his life mission – to provide senior wellness education and help older adults find powerful preventative solutions and maximize their quality of life.
Website: sapphire-essentials.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/sapphireessentialscbd  Instagram: instagram.com/sapphire.essentials

The Face of Plastic Surgery Today

 
 
Dr. Gregory Chernoff a Triple Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, accomplished by very few plastic surgeons who performs plastic surgery in Indianapolis, Indiana, Santa Rosa, California, Beverly Hills, California and Newport Beach, California joins eHealth Radio and the Plastic Surgery Information Channel.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Gregory Chernoff discuss the following:
What are some of the latest advances in plastic surgery you have been doing in you practice?
How does nitric oxide help with acne?
How does nitric oxide help with the aging process?
You recently had 2 studies published, can you tell us about the significant findings?
I understand that you use nitric oxide before and after many procedures, can you tell us why and what results do you find when using it?
What are you finding to be the most popular cosmetic procedure?
Why do some people age better than others?
 
 
Dr. Chernoff received a Bachelor of Science degree in Anatomy from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. After Medical School, he began the practice of medicine in Canada. He completed his surgical residency in Otolaryngology, which included extensive training in Head and Neck Surgery, Microvascular Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, and Cosmetic Surgery. During his surgical residency, Dr. Chernoff saw the devastating effects of Cancer. He decided to complete additional training to further his surgical expertise to help cancer patients requiring complex facial reconstruction. He completed three fellowships to master the art of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He completed his first fellowship in Flow Cytometry and Laser Surgery in Canada.
To further his expertise, he completed his second fellowship in Indianapolis, Indiana in Head and Neck Surgery, Microvascular Surgery, Breast, and Body Contouring. This extensive training allowed Dr. Chernoff to operate on the most complex facial reconstructive cases involving cancer of the head, face, and neck. Most surgical cases required him to operate between 12-18 hours for each patient, some requiring multiple surgeries to complete the reconstruction of facial bones, jaws, noses, and necks. After demonstrating expertise in complex reconstructive plastic surgery, Dr. Gregory Chernoff was selected to complete a fourth fellowship, training under one of the top plastic surgeons in the world. He completed this fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. As a result of Dr. Chernoff’s training, his surgical expertise was sought after in both California and Indiana, so he began his cosmetic surgical practices in both states. Consistently rated #1 plastic surgery Doctor by his patients and staff. Procedures offered include tummy tuck, neck lift, tattoo removal, liposuction, dermal filler such as Botox, face lifts and much more.
Plastic Surgery Board Certifications
Board Certification is a voluntary and rigorous process completed by passing comprehensive written and oral exams. Board Certifications must be maintained through annual requirements of continuing medical education. Dr. Chernoff is board certified by three regulating medical authorities. He completes, on average, 100 hours of continuing medical education per year. He is certified by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, The American Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, and The American Board of Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. This means that Dr. Gregory Chernoff is Triple Board Certified, accomplished by very few plastic surgeons in the world.
Research Contributions
Over the last 20-years, Dr. Gregory Chernoff has significantly contributed to the advancements in Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine. He was one of the pioneers of both surgical and non-surgical laser therapy. He wrote one of the very first papers on CO2 Laser Resurfacing. The Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon’s laser research is extensive and has been instrumental in developing and refining accepted laser techniques utilized by physicians worldwide. Research is important to him since it allows him to stay on the cutting edge of new therapies and techniques. He continues to conduct alpha and beta testing for medical and biotech companies. This is the testing that is used in the clinical trial phase for a therapy or technology prior to FDA approval.
Companies use Dr. Chernoff’s research data to submit these therapies or technologies for FDA approval. He is involved in research studies for cosmetic laser, radio frequency, ultrasound, injectable fibroblast, and stem cell therapy companies. Early access to new therapies and technologies give Dr. Chernoff additional experience and expertise. He not only offers these treatments to his patients early but has expertise in the technique required to administer the treatments to patients. He was one of the original clinical research investigators for injectable fibroblast therapy. His ongoing research in the exciting field of cellular medicine is providing insight into expanded treatment indications such as acne scars, non-healing wounds, burn scars, and traumatic injury scars.
Dr. Gregory Chernoff has authored numerous scientific papers and medical laser textbook chapters. He has given over 700 lectures to physicians around the world on both surgical and non-surgical therapy. He has been featured on news programs such as Dateline NBC, ABC, and CBS Nightly News, BBC World News, and in Time, Newsweek and W Magazines. He discusses his research and the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery, laser therapy, and injectable fibroblast therapy.
Dr. Gregory Chernoff performs plastic surgery in Indianapolis, Indiana, Santa Rosa, California, Beverly Hills, California and Newport Beach, California.
Website: www.drchernoff.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/doctorchernoff  Instagram: instagram.com/chernoffcosmeticsurgery_indy Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/chernoff-and-associates-plastic-surgery  Twitter: twitter.com/GChernoffMD

Running a Non-Profit Clinic in Times of COVID

 
 
Berta Cabrera, Executive Director of the SSJ Health Foundation, a charitable organization providing financial support for the St. John Bosco Clinic, a free clinic serving uninsured and under served children and adults in Miami-Dade County joins eHealth Radio and the Health Care and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Waqaas Al-Siddiq discuss the following:
Tell me a little bit about the St. John Bosco Clinic and the role of the SSJ Health Foundation?
As COVID-19 has affected the world, and SFL has been known as a hot spot, what has been the impact on the clinic?
How has the community and the clinic risen up to meet this challenge?
Looking past COVID-19, what do you think the long-term impacts and best practices will be?
As a non-profit, I’m sure funding is crucial to your success. How can the community support you as you increase your patient load?
 
 
The SSJ Health Foundation is a charitable organization providing financial support for St. John Bosco Clinic, a free clinic serving uninsured and under served children and adults in Miami-Dade County.
Their mission is to provide compassionate and philanthropic support for the health care ministry of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, Florida, to the uninsured and under served in the Miami-Dade community.
 
 
Website: ssjhealthfoundation.org
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/ssjhealthfoundation.org  Instagram: instagram.com/ssjhealthfoundation