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American Kidney Fund Activates Disaster Relief Program to Support Dialysis and Post-Transplant Patients Affected by Tornadoes in Six States

American Kidney Fund

, The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has activated its Disaster Relief Program to provide emergency grants to dialysis and post-transplant patients who were impacted by the devastating tornadoes on December 10 and 11. AKF’s Disaster Relief Program is the nation’s only rapid-response system that provides emergency financial assistance to dialysis and recent transplant patients. “We were devastated by the news of the tornadoes and our hearts go out to the communities impacted. Through our Disaster Relief Program, we will aid dialysis and post-transplant patients who were affected,” said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. “Our grants provide assistance when it is needed the most and help alleviate some of the financial and health concerns of patients who find themselves navigating the aftermath of a natural disaster.” Emergency grants of $250 are being made available for dialysis and post-transplant patients impacted by the tornadoes in Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Disaster relief grants from AKF help patients replace lost medications and special renal diet foods, pay for temporary housing and transportation to treatment, and replace clothing and personal essentials lost due to the natural disaster or the need to evacuate without notice. AKF has been providing emergency disaster financial assistance to kidney patients throughout all the major disasters that have struck the United States and its territories for the past two decades. Earlier this year, AKF allocated $325,000 to more than 1,600 dialysis and post-transplant patients during the Texas winter storm crisis and $150,000 in emergency grants to more than 750 dialysis and kidney transplant patients affected by Hurricane Ida. AKF also activated its Coronavirus Emergency Fund in March 2020, providing over $3.1 million in assistance to nearly 13,000 dialysis and transplant patients during the pandemic. Dialysis and recent kidney transplant patients who need emergency financial help should contact a social worker at their dialysis clinic for information on applying for aid or apply directly at gms.KidneyFund.org. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 31. Charity Navigator has recognized AKF as one of the four-star charities providing emergency assistance in the aftermath of the tornadoes. AKF is covering the cost of processing and distributing grants, so that 100% of donations to the AKF Disaster Relief Program will be used to assist kidney patients affected by the tornadoes. ### About the American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nation’s leading kidney nonprofit. AKF works on behalf of the 37 million Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through transplant. With programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy, no kidney organization impacts more lives than AKF. AKF is one of the nation’s top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and holds the highest 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. For more information, please visit KidneyFund.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Contact Details American Kidney Fund Stefanie Tuck +1 202-470-1797 AKF@jpa.com Company Website https://www.kidneyfund.org/

December 15, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Variational AI Partners with the University of British Columbia and adMare BioInnovations to Develop COVID-19 Therapeutic

Variational AI

Variational AI, developer of state-of-the-art generative AI technology to redefine the economics of drug development by accelerating the discovery of novel and optimized small molecule therapeutics, today announced the company has generated and ordered compounds for validation in partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and adMare BioInnovations to develop a novel SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (3CLpro) inhibitor. The therapeutic is intended to be efficacious against the wild type and current variants of concern, including Delta and potentially Omicron, in the form of an antiviral pill. The COVID-19 drug discovery program is funded by Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster, which is supported by the Canadian Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry. “The Variational AI team is honored to partner with the University of British Columbia and adMare BioInnovations to work to address this most urgent medical need,” said Handol Kim, co-founder and CEO, Variational AI. “As society continues to grapple with COVID-19 variants, it is more important than ever to leverage the power of machine learning to accelerate our drug discovery efforts.” Variational AI has trained its generative AI algorithm on a large amount of COVID-19 data to generate new molecules and has ordered a number of compounds to be synthesized that are predicted to be potent and safe with fewer side effects. Variational AI uses a generative model known as Variational Autoencoder (VAE), which is able to optimize molecular properties more quickly and uses data far more efficiently. The company intends to license the antiviral compound to a partner to accelerate progress and get the therapeutics into clinics sooner. “We are proud to support Variational AI’s innovative approach to discovering an effective therapeutic for COVID-19,” said Sue Paish, CEO of the Digital Technology Supercluster. “While vaccines offer the first and best line of defense against COVID-19, the global community needs as many therapeutic options as possible to prevent fatalities and improve patient outcomes.” Generally, pills can be manufactured, distributed and stored more easily and cost-effectively than vaccines and are particularly well-suited to treat people in developing countries. In addition to COVID-19 and its variants, the resulting therapeutic may also be efficacious against other coronaviruses. “Our lab is committed to remaining at the forefront of applying computational methods to discover COVID-19 therapeutics, and our collaboration with Variational AI to leverage the company’s powerful AI adds a promising pipeline of novel and potent SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease inhibitors to the arsenal of antiviral options,” said Artem Cherkasov, Ph.D., professor of medicine, University of British Columbia. About Variational AI Variational AI uses state-of-the-art machine learning in a data-efficient method to rapidly generate novel and diverse compounds that are optimized for multiple properties to avoid the most common causes of drug attrition and increase clinical probability of success. Variational AI works with leading biopharmaceutical partners and is developing its own internal pipeline. To learn more, visit https://variational.ai. Contact Details Sage Morander +1 401-490-9700 variationalai@svmpr.com Company Website https://variational.ai/

December 15, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Oncotelic’s Dr. Anthony Maida to Present at 2nd Annual TGF-β for Immuno-Oncology Drug Development Summit in January 2022

Oncotelic Therapeutics

Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. ("Oncotelic" or the "Company") (OTCQB:OTLC), a leading developer of TGF-β therapeutics for oncology and virology, today announced that the Company’s Chief Clinical Officer and Board Director, Dr. Anthony Maida, will present at the upcoming 2 nd Annual TGF-β for Immuno-Oncology Drug Development Summit ( tgf-beta-summit.com ), which will take place virtually from January 25, 2022 to January 27, 2022. “There is significant worldwide interest in the clinical application of anti-TGF-β inhibitors, in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, as well as other immuno-oncology and chemotherapeutic options. We look forward to sharing the clinical promise of OT-101 in this setting.” noted Dr. Anthony Maida, Chief Clinical Office – Translational Medicine. TGF-β has been recognized by drug developers, for many years, as holding vast therapeutic potential due to its vital role in cell functioning and signaling. But its complex nature and its ability to be both tumor promoting and tumor suppressing has presented many obstacles for the industry. However, the field appears to be at a tipping point at present, with more candidates moving through clinical evaluation, pointing to an explosion of new data on the way. “I am excited that we have the opportunity to join other professionals in the field in January to explore novel insights into targeting TGF-β from discovery through clinical testing, and to learn from fellow colleagues such as Genentech, AbbVie, Takeda, and Mestag Therapeutics.” noted Dr. Vuong Trieu, CEO and Chairman of Oncotelic. OT-101 is a first-in-class anti-TGF-β ribonucleic acid (“RNA”) therapeutic that has exhibited single agent activity in relapsed/refractory cancer patients in multiple clinical trials. OT-101 has also demonstrated activity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19, and is currently being evaluated in the Company’s C001 clinical trial against hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients. Both tumor cells and SARS-Cov-2 induce TGF-β as part of their immune evasion mechanism. Consequently, inhibiting TGF-β through therapeutic use of OT-101 carries significant potential to help both cancer and COVID patients in the future. Recent analyst report for Oncotelic can be accessed here: http://www.hillsresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/OTLC-3Q21.pdf Recent Dr. Anthony Maida interview on our clinical program can be accessed here: https://www.asbestos.com/news/2021/12/07/mesothelioma-trial-covid-19-drug/ About Oncotelic Therapeutics Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Mateon Therapeutics, Inc.) ("Oncotelic"), was formed in the State of New York in 1988 as OXiGENE, Inc., was reincorporated in the State of Delaware in 1992, and changed its name to Mateon Therapeutics, Inc. in 2016, and Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. in November 2020. Oncotelic is an artificial intelligence driven immuno-oncology company with a robust pipeline of first in class TGF-β immunotherapies for late stage cancers such as gliomas, pancreatic cancer and melanoma. OT-101, the lead immuno-oncology drug candidate of Oncotelic, is a first-in-class anti-TGF-β RNA therapeutic that exhibited single agent activity in relapsed/refractory cancer patients. OT-101 also has shown activity against SARS-CoV-2 and has completed a phase 2 trial against COVID-19 with data cleaning and datalock ongoing. Oncotelic is seeking to leverage its deep expertise in oncology drug development to improve treatment outcomes and survival of cancer patients with a special emphasis on rare pediatric cancers. Oncotelic also has rare pediatric designation for DIPG (OT-101), melanoma (CA4P), and AML (OXi 4503). The Company also acquired PointR Data Inc. ("PointR") in November 2019. For more information, please visit www.oncotelic.com Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. ("Oncotelic" or the "Company") (OTCQB:OTLC), a leading developer of TGF-beta therapeutics for oncology and virology This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this communication regarding strategy, future operations, future financial position, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Words such as "may", "expect", "anticipate", "hope", "vision", "optimism", "design", "exciting", "promising", "will", "conviction", "estimate," "intend," "believe", "quest for a cure of cancer", "innovation-driven", "paradigm-shift", "high scientific merit", "impact potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about future plans, the progress, timing, clinical development, scope and success of future clinical trials, the reporting of clinical data for the company's product candidates and the potential use of the company's product candidates to treat various cancer indications. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical or clinical studies, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, failure of collaborators to support or advance collaborations or product candidates and unexpected litigation or other disputes. These risks are not exhaustive, the company faces known and unknown risks, including the risk factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2021 and in the company's other periodic filings. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, whether as a result of new information future events, or otherwise. Contact Details Amit Shah ashah@oncotelic.com Company Website https://www.oncotelic.com

December 14, 2021 09:01 AM Eastern Standard Time

Series of Infographics From Quidel Corporation Helps Educate Consumers on the Characteristics, Warning Signs and Prevalence of Lyme Disease

Quidel Corporation

With Lyme disease being identified in record numbers throughout the country, Quidel releases a series of consumer-friendly infographics to help educate Americans on its characteristics, warning signs, seasonality and areas of prevalence. The infographics can be found at LymeDiseaseAnswers.com. “Lyme disease afflicts nearly 480,000 Americans each year; so people are rightfully concerned about where it is most pervasive, how to avoid getting it, and what to do if you think you may have been bitten by an infected tick,” said Judi Tilghman, Ph.D., vice president of technology assessment at Quidel Corporation. “These infographics provide the information people are seeking in an easy-to-understand manner, and we encourage anyone who spends any time outdoors to educate themselves on this vitally important topic.” One infographic, for example, displays the early warning signs of Lyme disease—which could include headache, fatigue, a bulls-eye rash and muscle aches—while a second infographic depicts such late-stage symptoms as nerve pain, shortness of breath, brain fog and heart palpitations. There is an infographic showing the relative sizes of the larva, nymph and adult ticks; while still another infographic illustrates the evolution of these ticks through spring, summer, fall and winter. There is also a map showing those states where various types of ticks are most prevalent. Lyme disease can strike anyone of any age, especially those who spend time in wooded or grassy areas or who play sports on grass fields in high-risk areas of the country. The challenge is that unlike a mosquito bite where people know immediately if they have been bitten, deer ticks that may carry Lyme disease are tiny—the size of a poppy seed—and symptoms may not appear for two to six weeks. That makes it critically important that anyone who spends time outdoors in heavily wooded areas—hikers, hunters, campers—or travels to such places be particularly vigilant and educated. Quidel is the diagnostic health care manufacturer behind the industry’s most rapid and reliable in-office test for Lyme disease, the Sofia® 2 Lyme FIA test. This revolutionary test provides the patient and physician with indicative results within 15 minutes, as opposed to days, which has historically been the norm (and during which time organisms can spread and become systemic). It can be performed in the privacy of a doctor’s office or local clinic; and it is the only test that can get results from a simple finger prick of blood. In addition to the infographics, LymeDiseaseAnswers.com contains answers to frequently asked questions, the latest statistics and clinical research taking place regarding the disease, and links to additional resources on the subject. Also housed on the site is a series of attention-grabbing educational videos called “Quick Takes” that help consumers and health care professionals alike enhance their knowledge of Lyme disease by providing the information and up-to-the-minute data needed to confront this disease quickly and clearly. About Quidel Corporation Quidel Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL) is a leading manufacturer of diagnostic solutions at the point of care, delivering a continuum of rapid testing technologies that further improve the quality of health care throughout the globe. An innovator for over 40 years in the medical device industry, Quidel pioneered the first point-of-care test for influenza in 1999 and was the first to market a rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test in the U.S. Under trusted brand names, SofiaÂ®, SolanaÂ®, LyraÂ®, TriageÂ® and QuickVueÂ®, Quidel's comprehensive product portfolio includes tests for a wide range of infectious diseases, cardiac and autoimmune biomarkers, as well as a host of products to detect COVID-19. Quidel's mission is to provide patients with immediate and frequent access to highly accurate, affordable testing for the good of our families, our communities and the world. For more information about Quidel, visit quidel.com. # # # Contact Details Jim Yeager +1 818-264-6812 jim@breakwhitelight.com Company Website http://Quidel.com

December 14, 2021 06:00 AM Pacific Standard Time

Kadimastem Announces the Approval of a 4M NIS ($1.29M) Budget from the Israel Innovation Authority

Kadimastem

Kadimastem Ltd. (TASE: KDST), a clinical stage cell therapy company developing a treatment for ALS and a potential cure for diabetes, has received a grant of NIS 1.6 million ($500K), 40% of the approved budget of NIS 4 million ($1.29M) from the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA). This brings the total amount of financing raised by Kadimastem in 2021 to NIS 51.6 million ($16 M). As Kadimastem intends to submit the IND for the Phase IIa clinical study before the end of 2022, the IIA funding will be used to scale up the production of a frozen, off-the-shelf product of AstroRx® in preparation for the trial. Using large reactors and special tools, hundreds of millions of high-quality astrocyte cells, the brain supporting cells that comprise AstroRx®, will be produced for the clinical trial, as well as for future commercialization purposes for the benefit of the hundreds of thousands of ALS patients worldwide. Kadimastem has already completed a Phase I/IIa clinical trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03482050 ). This trial was the first of its kind in the world, whereby the supporting cells of the central nervous system (AstroRx®), produced by the company, were injected into the spinal fluid of patients, in a standard lumbar puncture procedure. Five ALS patients were injected with 100 million cells and five patients were injected with 250 million cells. The results of both doses demonstrated a high safety profile. No serious treatment-related side effects were reported and no side effects limiting the treatment dose were found. In order to determine initial efficacy, an analysis was performed comparing the rate of disease progression according to the ALSFRS-R index in the pre-treatment follow-up period and the post-treatment follow-up period. It was found that with both doses the rate of disease progression slowed significantly during the three months following injection. In light of these clinical trial results, in the next study, the company intends to examine if dosing every three months with the cellular off-the-shelf AstroRx® product prolongs the therapeutic effect. Kadimastem CEO Asaf Shiloni said, "In the past year, Kadimastem has experienced an unprecedented show of support from both existing and new investors. Today’s grant by the Israeli Innovation Authority is another strong endorsement of the company’s important work in developing an improved therapeutic treatment for the millions suffering from debilitating neurological diseases. Kadimastem is at an exciting turning point and this grant supports us with the necessary resources to advance the plans for the quantitative production of the company's flagship product - AstroRx®. In other words, after this past year’s fund raising, we now have the capital to create increased quantities of brain supporting cells, enough to truly make a big difference in helping the hundreds of thousands of ALS patients worldwide." Chief Scientist of Kadimastem Professor Michel Revel said, "We thank the Israel Innovation Authority for its continued support and for further helping Kadimastem to proceed on this very worthwhile journey." About Kadimastem: Kadimastem is a clinical stage cell therapy company, developing and manufacturing "off-the-shelf", allogeneic, proprietary cell products based on its technology platform for the expansion and differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) into functional cells. AstroRx®, the company's lead product, is an astrocyte cell therapy in clinical development for the treatment for ALS. IsletRx is the company's second product in development. IsletRx is comprised of functional, insulin producing, pancreatic islet cells intended to treat and cure patients with insulin-dependent diabetes. IsletRx demonstrated safety and efficacy in a proof-of-concept preclinical study. An INTERACT meeting took place with the FDA on October 7, 2021, where the diabetes treatment program was discussed, and the company received directions how to prepare its Pre-IND submission. In November 2021, the company announced its intention to list on NASDAQ. Kadimastem was founded by Professor Michel Revel, CSO of the company and Professor Emeritus of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Professor Revel received the Israel Prize for the invention and development of Rebif®, a multiple sclerosis blockbuster drug sold worldwide. Kadimastem is traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE: KDST). Forward Looking Statement: This document may include forward-looking information as defined in the Securities Law, 5728 – 1968. Forward-looking information is uncertain and mostly is not under the Company's control and the realization or non-realization of forward-looking information will be affected, among other things, by the risk factors characterizing the Company's activity, as well as developments in the general environment and external factors affecting the Company's activity. The Company's results and achievements in the future may differ materially from any presented herein and the Company makes no undertaking to update or revise such projection or estimate and does not undertake to update this document. This document does not constitute a proposal to purchase the Company's securities or an invitation to receive such offers. Investment in securities in general and in the Company in particular bears risks. One should consider that past performance does not necessarily indicate performance in the future. Contact Details Asaf Shiloni +972 73-797-1613 s.herzl@kadimastem.com Company Website https://www.kadimastem.com/

December 13, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Centre for Neuro Skills Introduces Telerehabilitation: Instant Access to Therapies, Staff and CNS Physicians

Centre for Neuro Skills

Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS), a premier provider of treatment for traumatic and acquired brain injury, has introduced telerehabilitation services to offer patients greater flexibility in their therapy program. CNS’ telerehabilitation services offer enhancements beyond its previously offered telehealth program. Since the beginning of 2020, CNS has delivered more than 125,000 hours of telehealth care to patients. Using the RingCentral Video® platform, powered by Zoom, patients receive full rehabilitation at home, virtually access therapies, clinicians and their treatment team from their CNS clinic. “CNS cares about rehabilitation success both in-clinic and at home, and telerehabilitation therapies focus on building life skills that lead to independence,” said Chris Persel, Regional Director of Clinical Services and Director of Behavior Programming at Centre for Neuro Skills. “Now, in their own environment, patients can work with their therapy team using the telerehabilitation toolkit as a desktop box of essentials to help build memory, cognition, reasoning, dexterity, education and other personal management details.” Therapy in real-time: All treatment modules are provided and vital living skills are taught; in-clinic therapies are replicated in the patient’s home setting and staff can suggest adaptive aids by viewing the home environment; return-to-work scenarios that can be modeled and practiced at home; therapists teach safety skills that patients can practice in real time. Telerehabilitation kit: CNS sends a boxed kit of learning aids to telerehabilitation and some hybrid patients. Included is a user’s guide for navigating RingCentral Video, learning tools, notebooks, a calculator, pens, a water bottle and a desktop whiteboard. Hybrid rehabilitation: Patients can opt for both in-clinic and virtual treatment. Telemedicine: Patients, therapists and families can consult online with physicians. In a recent national survey by the Brain Injury Association of America, telehealth was found to be a highly effective therapy platform. According to the survey of more than 400 providers, 94% of therapists reported that their patients’ recovery progressed using telehealth. About Centre for Neuro Skills Centre for Neuro Skills is an experienced and respected world leader in providing intensive rehabilitation and medical programs for those recovering from all types of brain injury. CNS covers a full spectrum of advanced care from residential and assisted living to outpatient/day treatment. Founded by Dr. Mark Ashley in 1980, CNS has seven locations in California and Texas. For more information about Centre for Neuro Skills, visit: www.neuroskills.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube. Media, please note: Visual assets, including photos, are available. To request an interview with CNS leadership, clinical staff or patients, please contact Robin Carr at (415) 971-3991 or CNS@landispr.com. Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 cns@landispr.com Company Website https://www.neuroskills.com/

December 10, 2021 06:17 AM Eastern Standard Time

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It’s tech vs. Covid at ShowStoppers press event during CES 2022

ShowStoppers

Tech is taking on Covid – and new healthtech is changing lives for people with diabetes, heart disease and Parkinson’s Disease -- at ShowStoppers® at CES, the press event scheduled for 5 Jan. 2022 during the CES tradeshow in Las Vegas. For press registration, please contact Steve Leon, mailto:sl@showstoppers.com, +1 310-936-8530. Journalists attending ShowStoppers @ CES 2022 will discover new tech evolving to meet the challenges of the pandemic – including two companies set to debut devices that could neutralize viruses or detect SARS-Cov2 and influenza B in 15 seconds or less. Separately, Abbott, https://www.abbott.com, will showcase life-changing health tech just before it takes the stage as the first-ever CES keynote address from a healthcare innovator. During ShowStoppers, journalists will meet with doctors and inventors of the first rapid, portable blood test for concussions, the latest sensor tech for people with diabetes, apps for people with heart disease, Parkinson's, chronic pain and more. Airthings, https://www.airthings.com, will debut new additions to its family of indoor air-quality monitors that track for particulate matter, C02, radon and more. Air-Clenz-equipped desktop computer monitors, https://www.air-clenz.com, will make workplaces healthier, and workers more productive and happier by quickly capturing and cleaning air to a 99.97 percent level free of COVID-19 and its variants, and other viruses. For home, school, work and travel, UVCeed, https://uvceed.com, demonstrates the safest mobile UV light sanitizer that is 99.9% effective at killing germs, virus, and bacteria. Easily attached to a mobile phone and integrated with the UVCeed app, iCide Technology utilizes the phone camera, AI and machine vision to show when a surface is clean and safe. The press event organizes product launches, sneak previews and hands-on demonstrations of new tech for work, home and play for journalists, industry and financial analysts, venture capitalists and business executives -- from AI to 5G to cloud, VR to digital health; to better, safer, healthier tools for working from home or going back to the office; to future mobility and autonomy, robotics or smart cities; to apps and hardware that drive mobile and desktop innovation; to wearables, IoT, appliances, entertainment, and more. About ShowStoppers Now in its 26th year, ShowStoppers, https://www.showstoppers.com, is the global leader in producing press and business events spanning the U.S., Europe and Asia. Each event organizes product launches, sneak previews and demonstrations for selected journalists, bloggers, industry and financial analysts, venture capitalists and business executives. Industry leaders, innovators and startups exhibit to generate news coverage and product reviews, make new connections, promote brand and open new markets. ShowStoppers produces official press events at CE Week, IFA and NAB; partners with CTA, IFA, GSMA and CEATEC; and produces events during CES, IFA, MWC, NAB, CE Week, CEATEC and other tradeshows. ShowStoppers streams online, broadcasting live events, month after month. To learn more about how you and your company can meet the press at ShowStoppers press events in person and online at ShowStoppers TV, contact Lauren Merel, mailto:lauren@showstoppers.com, +1 908-692-6068, or Dave Leon, mailto:dave@showstoppers.com, +1 845-821-6123. Contact Details For press registration, please contact: Steve Leon +1 310-936-8530 sl@showstoppers.com Company Website https://showstoppers.com

December 09, 2021 09:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

SullivanCotter Releases Annual Workforce Metrics Benchmark Survey Results and Offers Insight Into Health Care Workforce Structure

SullivanCotter

SullivanCotter, the nation’s leading independent consulting firm in the assessment and development of total rewards programs, workforce solutions, and technology and data products for the health care industry and not-for-profit sector, recently released results from its 2021 Workforce Metrics Benchmark Survey. The survey contains benchmark data on 10 staff level job families, including Ancillary Services, Care Management, Emergency Medical Services, Facilities Services, Financial Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal and Compliance Services, Nursing, and Technical Medical Support. “Insights from this survey will arm health care organizations with essential information on how the composition and cost of their workforce compares to the market,” said James Roth, Managing Principal, SullivanCotter. “Health care organizations face unprecedented pressure as disruptions in patient volume, reductions in employer-sponsored insurance, labor shortages and rising expenses all remain key challenges. As these organizations look for better ways to optimize care delivery and improve performance, effectively managing the size, shape and architecture of the workforce is critical. By gaining an understanding of how your organization compares to industry benchmarks, you can better support operational restructuring decisions that help manage labor expenses, recognize acquisition-related cost saving opportunities, identify retirement risks, and uncover gaps in meeting your diversity objectives,” said Roth. Increased Attention on Workforce Architecture Understanding the drivers of workforce cost requires a multi-dimensional analysis that must take into consideration the interaction between three factors – the overall size of the workforce, the distribution of the workforce across career levels and the job level pay position relative to your target market. “The tension between responding to a compressed labor market and rising labor costs, and managing profitability battered by shifts in payor mix driven by the pandemic, has cast focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of the current workforce structure,” said Cathy Loose, Managing Principal, SullivanCotter. Thoughtfully defined career stages and job levels are the foundations for building a workforce architecture. SullivanCotter’s 2021 survey data indicates that almost one-quarter of titled managers do not have any staff accountability, which suggests that clarifying job definitions is a critical step many organizations miss. Then, carefully considering the desired workforce distribution within each functional area is a key pivot point that can inform the level of managerial span of control needed, define the overall size of the workforce, and influence the affordability and effectiveness of different pay philosophies. Boardroom Focus on Demographics is Accelerating There are few topics getting more attention from health care organization boards today than diversity and inclusion. Objectively, there are documented and researched benefits to expanding the representational diversity in the workforce. “In today’s constricted labor market, many organizations are focused on diversity as defined by race and gender, yet they are also revisiting legacy job requirements that may be limiting the diversity of experience, thought and skill in the candidate pool,” said Nanci Hibschman, Managing Principal, SullivanCotter. SullivanCotter’s data reveals that almost one-quarter of the active health care workforce will reach retirement age eligibility in the next ten years. While this will create a significant challenge in terms of accelerating the pace of staff replacement, the industry has a strong foundation of diversity to build upon with over three-quarters of the workforce being female and almost one-third ethnic minorities as indicated by SullivanCotter’s data. Health care organizations have a unique opportunity to lead change and influence the profile of the workforce of the future. Giving fair consideration to candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities gives the organization the opportunity to discover new workforce combinations that may change how jobs are defined, how teams work together and how value gets created. Considerations for 2022 and Beyond As hospitals and health systems plan for what lies ahead and look to support financial sustainability and mitigate risk, organizations should consider market practices as well as their individual financial circumstances and structural definitions when determining their compensation and workforce-related actions. To support more sophisticated benchmarking and customized workforce design, SullivanCotter has developed a robust statistical analysis which integrates our extensive workforce demographic and structure data with our financial, performance and quality data. This enhanced methodology produces client-specific predictive modeling of workforce size, distribution and cost customized by job family to support large-scale workforce planning and analysis. “SullivanCotter’s 2021 Workforce Metrics Benchmark Survey reflects data collected using a rolling database model through 2020 and 2021. Due to the continued impact of the pandemic and the extremely dynamic environment, the survey data should be used thoughtfully, with appropriate context, and with sound business judgement as you plan and consider workforce management initiatives in 2022 and beyond,” said Roth. For more information on SullivanCotter’s 2021 Health Care Workforce Metrics Benchmark Survey or any other SullivanCotter surveys, please visit our website at www.sullivancotter.com, email us or contact us by phone at 888.739.7039. About SullivanCotter SullivanCotter partners with health care and other not-for-profit organizations to understand what drives performance and improve outcomes through the development and implementation of integrated workforce strategies. Using our time-tested methodologies and industry-leading research and information, we provide data-driven insights, expertise, data and technology products to help organizations align business strategy and performance objectives – enabling our clients to deliver on their mission, vision and values. Contact Details Becky Lorentz +1 314-414-3719 beckylorentz@sullivancotter.com Company Website https://sullivancotter.com

December 08, 2021 01:26 PM Eastern Standard Time

Nice Healthcare Partners with Capsule to Improve Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs

Nice Healthcare

Nice Healthcare, the clinic that comes to you, today announced that it has partnered with leading digital pharmacy Capsule - bringing effortless, free same-day medication delivery to Nice patients in the Twin Cities, Minnesota; Phoenix, Arizona; and Denver, Colorado. Beginning today, all Nice patients in those three markets can choose Capsule to easily manage and receive over 550 Nice formulary medications for zero cost, including free same-day delivery. Nice has integrated with Capsule’s proprietary APIs, enabling clinicians to provide the option to use Capsule via the Nice app, and will leverage Capsule when they prescribe medications. Nice Healthcare is reimagining the delivery of primary health care by combining innovation with the personal touch that has been lost in modern medicine. With Nice, a full-service clinic comes to you. The partnership with Capsule amplifies this benefit with medications delivered same-day to the home or office. Capsule benefits include effortless management and ordering of all 550+ common medications on Nice’s formulary - same-day, for zero cost. Patients will also receive free, same-day delivery for non-Nice formulary medications, OTC medications, and other common medical supplies. “The partnership with Capsule brings Nice’s patients a better pharmacy experience and same-day delivery for all their medication needs,” said Genevieve Swenson, FNP, Cofounder and COO for Nice Healthcare. “Nice was founded on the belief that healthcare should be simple, convenient and affordable for everyone - including those individuals and families who are socially and economically disadvantaged. This partnership further underscores our commitment to make a convenient healthcare option even better for patients and small business employers alike.” “We are excited to bring Capsule’s beloved consumer experience to Nice’s patients and help make it easier than ever before to get, manage, and stay on their medications,” said Eric Kinariwala, Founder and CEO of Capsule. “Our partnership is made possible by harnessing both Capsule and Nice’s proprietary technology platforms in a way unique to the healthcare system. This is healthcare – as it should be.” Key benefits of the Capsule partnership include: Free-same day hand delivery of acute and chronic medications to the patient’s door Patients can manage all of their medications from their phone, tablet, or computer Text, chat, or call expert pharmacists anytime To learn more about Nice Healthcare, visit www.nice.healthcare. About Nice Healthcare Nice Healthcare is redesigning comprehensive healthcare for small and medium-sized businesses by utilizing a mix of technology and in-home care. As an employee benefit, they offer employees and their households in-home and virtual primary care, virtual mental health therapy, and virtual physical therapy services. Their clinicians can also offer patients x-rays, 35 labs and blood draws and a formulary with over 550 medications with no out-of-pocket costs. Since launching in Minnesota in 2017, Nice has expanded its integrated care services to 12 states. About Capsule Capsule is rebuilding the pharmacy industry from the inside out with an emotionally resonant experience and technology that enables customized outcomes for doctors, hospitals, insurers, and manufacturers. Capsule has designed every aspect of the pharmacy experience to give consumers and partners the peace of mind of having their health looked after. Capsule is available in more than a dozen cities across the United States, with expansion plans to have the ability to reach 100 million Americans by year's end. For more information, please visit capsule.com Contact Details Nice Healthcare Karen Swim +1 586-461-2103 pr@nice.healthcare Company Website https://www.nice.healthcare

December 08, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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