Category Archives: Preventative Medicine

DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- Most military members who have spent years training and deploying are all too familiar with duty-related injuries and the long rehabilitation process that follows. Air Force Special Operations Command is now using an innovative approach to try to preserve the health of its members by preventing those injuries from occurring in the first place.

That is exactly the goal of Duke Fields new Performance Maintenance Pad. The PMP is the Sports Medicine branch of the Preservation of the Force and Familys Human Performance Program.

The objective of the POTFF program is to optimize the performance of SOF professionals and their families.

Comprised of a physical therapist, athletic trainer, and two strength and conditioning coaches, the PMP focuses on pre-habilitation to reduce the risk of injury.

If you stay ready, you dont have to get ready, said Maj. Erin Jenkins, Duke Fields POTFF Program Manager. Regular prehab and supervised corrective techniques will reduce the risk of injury. Injury prevention and performance enhancement is what we do.

Duke Fields PMP is part of Air Force Special Operations Commands initiative to expand POTFFs Human Performance program to its aviation units.

The pad allows SOF units at Duke Field a dedicated facility that will allow them to develop their human performance program, according to AFSOC officials.

AFSOC began the process of validating the process to meet the intent of each of the performance domains of POTFF (psychological, human, spiritual and social-family) in the fall of 2018, said Sylvia Nelson, AFSOCs Force Resilience and POTFF Division Chief. Up to that point in time, Human Performance was only provided to those in the Special Tactics community.

With roots in Special Operation Commands Special Operations Forces first truth (Humans are more important than hardware), the HP program and PMP address the rigors of the SOF flying mission and the toll it can take on the body. Using the most advanced corrective and pre-habilitation techniques available, the PMPs goal is to provide preventative maintenance, keeping our most valuable assets ready to fight.

The ultimate goal of HP program specifically is to increase readiness of our Air Commandos by sustaining and improving physical, nutritional and cognitive performance, enabling rapid rehabilitation from injury, and increasing their lethality and career longevity, said Nelson.

The Sports Medicine team who oversee the PMP is available from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. No appointments are required. The team also uses a mobile app, TrainHeroic, which allows Citizen Air Commandos to access their training from anywhere in the world.

We want our aircrew and Combat Aviation Advisors to see us before they are injured, said Jenkins. We would never expect our aircraft to fly at peak performance without regular maintenance. Our people need it, too!

Link:
Duke Field focusing on preventative health conditioning - 62nd Airlift Wing

In 2009, a co-worker of mine at the animal shelter where I worked took her own life. She was a kind, smart and a compassionate young woman with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian.

In this country, at least 47,000 people a year die from suicide. Thats one every two hours. It may surprise you to know that among the general population, veterinarians are nearly four times more likely to die from suicide.

If those of us working or volunteering in animal health and welfare find that number disturbing but not overly surprising, theres a reason for that. According to the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, the suicide rate for animal welfare workers is also higher than the national average: 5.3 per million compared to 1.5 per million for the general population (the same as police officers and firefighters).

The reasons are many. For one, most people in helping professions are driven by empathy the ability to resonate with the suffering of another, and compassion the desire to do something to alleviate that suffering. But in this field, the work load never ceases, and its hard to feel youve alleviated suffering when that suffering never ends.

Couple that with low pay, lack of support (financial and otherwise) from government entities that hold the cards but dont truly know the game, public perception as bleeding hearts or puppy killers, lack of investment by communities in solving animal welfare issues (such as overpopulation, breeding, neglect, etc.)

Long work hours, lack of proper nutrition and lack of rest tax us physically, mentally and emotionally. Ineffective laws and lack of legal follow through devalue the work of ACOs who attempt to bring animal abusers to justice. Add to that a hefty load of guilt for not being able to do enough, then being blamed and chastised for things that are out of your control.

We start out with a dream, maybe even a calling to do this work. We prepare ourselves, go to school, land the job. Then were ready to take on the world and make it better!

In their book, Compassion Fatigue in the Animal Care Community (HSUS Press, 2006) Charles Figley and Robert Roop call that the first phases of being a helper. The third phase is losing our breath. And thats just how it feels. We realize what were truly up against and it takes our breath away, so fast and furious that its hard to catch it again.

But if that which is to give light, must endure burning (author unknown) is true, going down in a ball of flame is surely not the goal. Rather, we find that in the last two phases: desperately seeking our rhythm and ultimately, finding it.

This is where we decide to persevere. We find out what our gifts are, our strengths are and our skills. We pay homage to the enormity of the challenges, but also, and most importantly, we learn to value the work we do as part of the bigger picture.

After two mental health workers took their lives last week in our nation, Stacey Freedenthal, a therapist who attempted suicide early in life stated, When something like this happens, it humbles me that were up against something really big ... Indeed we are.

Take care of yourselves and each other, and dont be afraid to reach out.

For help, contact the NMDOH Warmline at 1-855-466-7100; National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

See the original post here:
"That which is to give light ... Suicide among animal welfare workers - Valencia County News Bulletin

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center have recently created a needleless patch that effectively vaccinated mice for the flu in a preclinical study. This work, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, found that this innovative patch triggered an immune response that closely resembled that of a traditional flu shot with no side effects. The patchs success in this animal study is an important step in the development of an alternative to needle-based vaccines.

Scientists have been studying needle-free vaccine approaches for nearly two decades, but none of the technologies have lived up to the hype, saidBenjamin L. Miller, PhD,corresponding author and Deans Professor of Dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Our patch overcomes a lot of the challenges faced by microneedle patches for vaccine delivery, the main method thats been tested over the years, and our efficacy and lack of toxicity make me excited about the prospect of a product that could have huge implications for global health.

Being that the protein molecules in the flu vaccine are particularly large, they are unable to naturally diffuse through the skin. To address this issue, Miller and colleagues looked to an existing skin disease that causes patients to have excessively permeable skin. Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a condition characterized by a leaky skin barrier that allows mold, pollen, and other allergens to pass through the skin and trigger the immune system.

Corresponding author Lisa Beck, MD, found that the expression of the claudin-1 protein contributes to the normal barrier strength of the skin. This protein is expressed much less in patients with eczema, leading to the skin permeability seen with this disease, and Beck has noted through previous research that decreasing claudin-1 expression in healthy skin cells makes the skin more permeable.

Alongside Miller and first author Matthew Brewer, PhD, Beck aimed to modify this claudin-1 expression to possible allow the flu vaccine to permeate the skin. The skins permeability must be increased for just long enough for the vaccine to enter, but not so long that unwanted allergens can cross the skin barrier.

Miller and Brewer collaborated to create synthetic peptides that bind and inhibit claudin-1. They tested this compound in human skin cells to ensure that it could increase permeability without inducing any toxicity as well. After doing so, they created a patch that contains this synthetic peptide and a flu vaccine and tested it in two different scenarios.

The first of which involved the use of the patch in mice to prime their immune system, followed by an administration of a flu shot to boost their immunity. The second case involved these same procedures in reverse order. The flu patch was placed on the backs of the mice for 18-36 hours in this study and was found to effectively increase the skins permeability as measured by water loss.

There was no significant immune response when the patch was administered before the injection, indicating that it may not be successful as ones first vaccination for the virus. In the patients who received the injection first and the patch second, however, there was a profound immune response to the patch. This indicates that the patch could enhance preexisting immunity in a manner that mimics the seasonal flu shots we get every year. There were no adverse effects seen in the skin during the three months of observation as well, indicating that the permeability did not linger and produce unwanted side effects.

When we applied the patch with the peptide the mouse skin became permeable for a short time, said Brewer, a postdoctoral fellow in both the Beck and Miller labs. But as soon as the patch was removed the skin barrier started to close. We saw significant differences as early as one hour after removal, and by 24 hours the skin was back to normal, which is great news from a safety standpoint.

The team notes that further preclinical research is needed before the patch can be administered to humans, particularly to optimize the amount of time the patch must remain on the skin. They hope to advance into clinical trials soon and are confident that the patch could be used to replace various injected vaccines if found to be effective.

This patch has the potential to greatly enhance vaccination efforts in developing countries as well, being that they do not require a trained professional to be administered. Being that the patch doesnt have to be refrigerated or prepared in solution using equipment, it can be administered by anyone.

These countries dont have the manpower to vaccinate entire populations, said Beck, who is also the Deans Professor of Dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. On top of that, theres an aversion to health care in many of these communities. A needle is painful, its invasive, and that makes things more difficult when you are dealing with a cultural bias against preventative medicine.

If you want to vaccinate a village in Africa you dont want to do it with needles, added Miller. A patch doesnt have to be refrigerated, it can be applied by anyone, and there are no concerns about disposal or needles getting reused.

Excerpt from:
Research Finds Needleless Flu Vaccine Patch to be Effective - DocWire News

MADRID Spain's drugs regulators have been investigating cases of hypertrichosis in children.

In early summer, the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Medicinal Products for Human Use was notified of 13 cases of hypertrichosis in children associated with the use of master formulae containing the active substance omeprazole from the Malaga-based company Farma-Qumica Sur S.L. The source of the active substance was the manufacturer Smilax Laboratories limited, located in India.

After an analysis was carried out by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products, it was found that a particular batch had been mislabelled and the product actually contained minoxidil rather than omeprazole.

In light of this, warnings were issued and several batches were removed. The responsible company was also suspended from activities related to the manufacturing, importing and/or distribution of pharmaceutical active ingredients.

The batch was recalled from the market on 11thJuly and the Agency coordinated with the three autonomous regions where cases were reported: Cantabria (10 cases), Valencia (3 cases) and Andalusia (4 cases) - to contact other individuals who may have been affected.

At the beginning of August, a report of another case of hypertrichosis was received, associated with the master formula prepared with another batch of the same active ingredient omeprazole, and from the same company.

After its analysis, the presence of minoxidil was again confirmed. On 6thAugust, the Spanish Agency of Medicine issued a new warning as a preventative measure, expanding the recall of those batches produced by the company.

Following this incident and the inspections carried out at its facilities, Farma-Qumica Sur S.L., has had its registration to carry out manufacturing, import and/or distribution activities of pharmaceutical active ingredients suspended since July.

Like the UK's MHRA Yellow Card system, any individual in Spain can report suspected adverse reactions.

Dr Francisco Abad Santos from the Clinical Pharmacology Service at the University Hospital of the Princess of Madrid told Medscape in Spanish that "the Spanish System of Pharmacovigilance, which is similar to that of other European countries, has announced that any healthcare professional, or even any citizen or patient, may report suspected adverse reactions via the yellow cards - which is now done online on the Internet. The system, which is based on spontaneous notification, covers all marketed drugs and all exposed patients."

He continued: "Although it is compulsory for healthcare professionals to report all suspected adverse drug reactions, the main problem is under-notification (it is estimated that only 10% of cases are reported). This is partly due to the difficulties that may exist in warning about some unknown or uncommon adverse reactions," he added.

After the investigations, the Minister of Health Mara Lusa Carcedo said that "there was an error in packaging, as the drug minoxidil was inserted into packaging labelled as omeprazole".

The cause of the specific error is still under investigation but is suspected to relate to managerial flaws within the company.

DrAbad said: "The problem is not in the master formula but rather in the marketed drug because it contained minoxidil, and this is no trivial problem as it represents a very significant risk to patients. If the manufacturer company had a good quality control system, this would never have happened."

The case has drawn parallels with what happened last year when a batch of the antihypertensive valsartan was contaminated with a carcinogenic substance. Dr Abad commented that "in both cases the problem is in the quality of the drug manufacturing, although it seems that it is so at different levels".

He continued: "In any case, we should insist on how important quality control is and that no company should neglect this aspect in order to try to reduce drug costs. Regulatory authorities like the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products carry out periodic checks on pharmaceutical companies to avoid this kind of problem."

Spain's General Council of Pharmacists also stated that it is the first case of this type recorded this year and that it is very rare for quality errors to occur in active ingredients intended for master formulae.

The master formulae of omeprazole are used for administration in infants and young children to prepare a syrup in the correct proportion and dosage for paediatric use.

Regarding the master formulae, Dr Abad explained: "They are used less and less often because the pharmaceutical range is so broad now, but there are still situations where they are necessary. For example, this includes the treatment of young children for which there are no commercialised drugs containing the low doses they need."

The children's symptoms consisted of the appearance of hair excessive in quantity, length and thickness, in locations where it normally does not occur at that age, primarily the face and back.

It is thought that the excess hair will fall out and disappear between 3 and 5 months after cessation of therapy. However, as a precaution, health checks by a paediatrician are recommended in order to monitor the progress of the case. If the hair remains, non-invasive treatments could be used to eliminate it.

In addition to hypertrichosis, Dr Abad commented that minoxidil could in theory cause more serious adverse effects including electrocardiogram abnormalities, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, tachycardia and oedema, although these usually appear with higher doses.

Mara Jess Lamas, director of the Spanish Medicines Agency, told a summer conference of the Menndez Pelayo International University of Santander (Cantabria) that "a group of experts has been created to continuously monitor the affected children". Additionally, the group will develop clinical guidelines to "create a harmonised and standardised follow-up of the affected individuals, similar throughout all the autonomous regions".

The Medicines Agency also offered advice on how patients, prescribers and pharmacists should act if they suspect any further cases linked with any of the affected batches.

DrAbad confirmed that his advice to healthcare professionals is "to report suspected adverse reactions to the Spanish pharmacovigilance system as soon as possible, without waiting for confirmation. In this way, pharmacovigilance experts will be able to detect the warnings quickly in order to prevent many patients from being exposed to that risk."

Translated and adapted from Medscape's Spanish Edition.

Continue reading here:
Drug Packaging Error in Spain Caused at Least 17 Hypertrichosis Cases in Children - Medscape

P.B. Bell promotes 3 long-time employees

P.B. Bell, a leader in multifamily housing development, management and acquisitions, recently announced the promotion of three long-time employees to director positions within the team.

Heather Garcia, PHR has been promoted to human resources director, focusing on executing the full scope of human resources activities. Garcias efforts will be around development and training, policy and procedures, benefits and compensation, and employee relations with an emphasis in positively impacting organizational culture and growth. Garcia joined P.B. Bell back in 2012 as a portfolio director with more than 13 years of experience in the multifamily real estate industry. She began her career as a leasing consultant in 2001, where she learned the day-to-day operations and developed a passion for cultivating connections and mentoring team members. Throughout her time in operations, Garcia specialized in training, performance management, employee development and employee relations. Her passion for culture and people led her to transition to human resources. Garcia is actively involved with the Arizona Multihousing Association and holds her PHR certification and is a licensed real estate agent.

Alberto Castanos has recently taken up the position of portfolio director, overseeing a diverse portfolio of properties throughout the Phoenix metro area. His responsibilities include managing the operations, financials, marketing and staff at all of his communities. Castanos began his career in multifamily real estate with P.B. Bell as a leasing agent in 2010 and was quickly promoted to assistant manager and then to community manager in 2013. Prior to becoming a portfolio director, Castanos managed a variety of properties, ranging from a Class A mid-rise lease-up to a stabilized townhome and garden style community. Castanos is a licensed real estate agent and has his CAM designation. Prior to P.B. Bell, Castanos served five years in the U.S. Navy where he received more than nine medals, including one for good conduct and several others for special achievements.

Amy Campbell was recently promoted to director of learning and development, focusing on the development and management of P.B. Bells in-house training and career development program, P.B. Bell University. The program includes more than 200 courses offered online as well as in classroom and onsite training. Campbell joined P.B. Bell as a portfolio director in 2014 where she oversaw a diverse portfolio of properties throughout the Phoenix metro area. Prior to joining P.B. Bell, Campbell held the positions of training director at the Cesar Chavez Foundation and regional property manager at ConAm and Greystar, managing portfolios ranging from 2,000-3,000 units. Campbell is a member of the Arizona Multihousing Association, a Certied Apartment Manager through the National Apartment Association and is a licensed real estate agent in Arizona.

NAI Horizon has hired Jennifer Loehnert to bolster its tenant representative presence in its retail and industrial service lines.

Loehnert has held an Arizona real estate license for 13 years and most recently worked at Arizona Brokerage Company in both residential and commercial. Her focus has been primarily on tenant representation, working as a generalist with clients in office, retail and industrial.

Loehnerts expertise is in the Metro Phoenix/Biltmore/Scottsdale corridors. She will define a more strategic area of specialty over the next several months. Loehnert will hold the title of Associate.

Jennifer is a great addition to our NAI team, said Terry Martin-Denning, CEO/Designated Broker of NAI Horizon. She has a strong work ethic, amazing energy and the desire to use her expertise to provide the highest level of service to her clients.

Purpose-driven campaign agency Javelina announced that leading digital strategist Joshua Zaragoza is joining as the firms Vice President for Digital Strategies and Data Analytics. This brings a nationally known digital strategist to the company, along with one of the countrys largest digital databases and an expertise in Spanish language communications.

Its exciting to add cutting edge digital strategies to Javelinas culture of excellence and impeccable track record of engineering change by marrying together techniques from the worlds of marketing and political campaigns, said Zaragoza. The ability to deliver tailored digital messages to the right people, on the right platform, and on the right device is more important than ever, and Javelina is in the forefront of that movement.

Zaragoza has crafted winning strategies for Fortune 500 companies, national law firms, ballot measures, public and private labor unions, school districts, and prominent political leaders. He also has extensive experience guiding the targeting and content of digital campaigns for Latinx audiences.

The Orthopedic Clinic Association (TOCA), a trusted resource for surgical and nonsurgical orthopedic care in Arizona, is pleased to announce that Anuj Netto, MD, MPH has relocated from Atlanta, GA to join its expanding orthopedic practice. Dr. Netto is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. His vast expertise includes hand, microvascular and peripheral nerve surgery; wrist, elbow and shoulder joint replacement; upper extremity fracture care and reconstruction and general orthopedics. Dr. Netto will see patients in TOCAs Phoenix, Tempe and Arrowheadclinic locations.

Dr. Netto attended medical school and completed his residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. He later completed fellowship training in hand, upper extremity and microvascular surgery at the University of California, Davis Medical Center, in Sacramento, CA. Dr. Netto is board certified with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) and holds an ABOS Subspecialty Certificate in Surgery of the Hand. In addition, he is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the Orthopedic Trauma Association.

Angela Puthenveetil, MD, an assistant professor with special interests in integrative medicine and preventative medicine, has joined the University of Arizona Department of Family and Community Medicine and Banner University Medicine.

As a family physician, Dr. Puthenveetilwill provide patient care at Banner University Medicine Cortaro Primary Care clinic, and will be a faculty member for the family medicine residency program atBanner University Medicine Family Medicine Clinic at Alvernon, where she will train residents and UA medical students in the outpatient clinic, provide educational lectures and serve as a faculty mentor for residents.

Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Puthenveetil completed her medical degree at American University of Antigua, N.Y., and her residency in family medicine at Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Ind. She then completed a fellowship in integrative medicine at the UA Family Medicine Residential Fellowship Program and is completing an integrative medicine fellowship at the UA Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.

Link:
On the move at PB Bell, NAI, Javelina, TOCA, UA - AZ Big Media

GRAND CROSSING Officials unveiled a new soccer field at the Comer Education Campus in Grand Crossing, a pitch the center hopes will give neighborhood residents a chance to explore the sport in a safe, healthy way.

Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) and City Treasurer Melissa Conyers-Ervin were on hand to celebrate the official opening of the field on the campus at 7200 S. Ingleside Ave.

Built with help from the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the Medical Home Network, it will be accessible to more than 2,000 kids on the South Side.

The project is part of the foundations Its Everyones Game initiative, which aims to build 1,000 pitches across the country and reach a million participants by 2026.

For Medical Home Network Chairwoman and Comer Foundation President Stephanie Comer, Fridays unveiling was another step towards fulfilling her fathers vision of bringing quality education to the South Side. Gary Comer, who started the center, was the founder of Lands End.

My dad grew up in this neighborhood, and he wanted to give back. Before he died, he had so many plans, and my brother and I have worked really hard to make sure it comes to fruition, said Comer, who has been Medical Home Network chair since 2015.

Network President Cheryl Lulias enlisted the help of her friend, Pat Nash, the U.S. Soccer Foundations Chicago Leadership Council co-chair, to build a mini-pitch on Comers campus, investing $250,000 in the project. Baritus Construction collaborated with the foundation, breaking ground on the empty lot in the spring and finishing by the time the students returned to school for fall semester.

Healthcare isnt just about medicine, its about preventative measures, Comer said. All of that plays into better health.

Its more Comer magic, director of facility operations Dan Schuch said. Taking available land and opportunity to create more programs for the youth.

Schuch, who grew up a mile from the campus, has witnessed the neighborhood change and the devastation from years of disinvestment. He credited the soccer federation and the Comer staff with nurturing the potential of the schools student body by providing them with a safe space to play.

Getting the support of the [soccer foundation] to create this wonderful field is all about youth opportunity, Schuch said.

Visit link:
Comer Education Campus Unveils New Soccer Field In Grand Crossing - Block Club Chicago

News

The Thomas Jefferson Universityleader has dedicated her career to healthcare parity and is the firstblack woman to receive the award.

Jefferson University Hospital oncologist Edith Mitchell. / Courtesy

Edith Mitchell is a force. The decorated researcher and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital oncologist has accomplished so many firsts that even she cant keep track of them.

In 2001, she was named the first female physician in United States Air Force history to achieve the rank of Brigadier General, which in some countries is the highest field rank in the armed forces. In 2015, she became the first female medical oncologist to serve as president of the National Medical Association, the nations oldest professional society forblack physicians. Last year, Thomas Jefferson University named Mitchell its academician of the year she was the firstblack woman chosen to receive that honor. And on Tuesday night, Mitchell became the firstblack woman to receive the PHL Life Sciences Ultimate Solution Award, an honor given annually to an individual or organization that has raised Philadelphias profile as a life sciences meeting and convention destination.

Despite her many accolades, Mitchell says she never set out to put the spotlight on herself. Instead, shes dedicated her more than 40 years career to rooting out inequities in healthcare and helping the most commonly underserved and underrepresented populations gain access to the latest advances in medicine and science.

I dont ask about being the first; people come up to tell me. I didnt do anything to become a first doing it. I did it because of my passion for what I do, Mitchell told NextHealth PHL. I try to do the best I can in any given situation, and I work with people across all avenues to improve lives. If I can work with others to bring healthcare delivery to the communities of all Philadelphians, Im going to do just that.

Mitchell has spent her medical career helping individuals in chronically underserved areas, promoting healthy lifestyle choices and advocating for patient access to preventative care. In 2012, she established the Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparitieswithin the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson to provide educational resources and community outreach to at-risk populations in the Philadelphia region, reducing barriers to quality medical care.

Mitchell is the eighth recipient of the annual award presented by PHL Life Sciences, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB). Previous winners of the Ultimate Solution Award include former Philadelphia mayor, Michael Nutter; American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) CEO, Margaret Foti; LabCorp CEO, David King; and chair of Delaware BIO, Christopher Yochim.

Bonnie Grant, the executive director of PHLCVB, says Mitchells distinguished careerled the committee to selecther as the recipient of this years award.

I think healthcare disparity is a topic that deserves attention. Im a 20-year cancer survivor, and I know I was very blessed and lucky to have a great insurance policy and to have access to great healthcare, but thats not always the case for everybody, Grant said. I believe Dr. Mitchell is committed and has been committed to raising awareness about disparities in the field of cancer, and I think shes changed many lives because of that.

According to Grant, Mitchell has also played a key role in her groups effort to improve Philadelphias standing as a leading hub for life sciences and a prime destination for major life sciences conferences. Over the years, Mitchell has worked closely with the PHLCVB to bring influential conventions and conferences to Philadelphia, including when she brought the National Medical Associations annual meeting to Philadelphia in 2015 while she served as the organizations 116th president.

I am a big proponent of life sciences and science education, not only for students but for the community, and for individuals, and for the advancement of medicine and science, Mitchell said.

Ive always been one who has worked to bridge silos in many areas, to make sure that we are using our resources to move good ideas ahead. I am so happy to be a part of bringing things and people together, and I am so deeply honored to receive this award.

More:
Oncologist Edith Mitchell Wins PHL Life Sciences Ultimate Solution Award - Philadelphia magazine

FITCHBURG Furry pups and felines are finally being admitted to the Monty Tech Veterinary Clinic after more than six years of planning, two years of construction, and over $2.5 million raised in donations, grants, and in-kind services.

The clinic opened on Monday, and the students of Monty Techs veterinary science program now have the opportunity to give medical care to pets from low-income families while training to enter the veterinary sciences down the road.

Sheila Harrity, superintendent-director of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, said the facility has been a special project for the school.

The leadership team had a vision and the talented instructors and students across our trades turned that vision into a beautiful 7,500 square-foot, state-of-the-art reality, said Harrity.

Freshmen and sophomores studying to become plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and more helped build the clinic starting in 2016, and construction concluded this past spring.

The clinic is the result of a partnership between Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School and Veterinary Centers of America, which operates veterinary hospitals across the country.

There are 21 vocational technical programs at Monty Tech and the newest addition is Veterinary Science.

Students entering into the trade are trained in the facility and receive both classroom and lab instruction in several topics, ranging from fundamentals of animal science to animal anatomy and physiology.

When a student reaches his or her junior year in the program, they transition from the classroom to the clinic floor, where they will work with veterinarians and technicians.

Dr. Kayla Sample, the Veterinary Medical Director provided by the VCA, said she understands the value of community medicine and has enjoyed working with the next generation of veterinary professionals.

Working with high school and college students has been a pleasure, said Sample. While exams and procedures may take longer to complete in a teaching clinic, having the time and resources to train the veterinary workforce will benefit the profession in the long run.

The Veterinary Science students will be involved in all aspects of veterinary care provided at the clinic. From greeting customers, taking histories, and observing exams and procedures, the students will be learning in the clinic.

Providing families with accessible veterinary care options for preventative and primary care is imperative, and our clinic aims to reduce financial barriers that may prevent animals from receiving the care they need, said Sample.

According to Harrity, the school is excited to provide this resource to clients in the area who may benefit from the clinics services.

While providing a valuable service to our community and educating the veterinary caregivers of tomorrow, is certainly our goal, said Sample, developing passionate advocates for veterinary care and community medicine, is the ultimate win for our profession, and an effort I am so incredibly proud and humbled to lead.

To be eligible for services at the Monty Tech Veterinary Clinic, the owner of the pet must presenta valid EBT card and a matching ID, and live within one of the 18 cities and towns in the Monty Tech District.

The district includes the following cities and towns: Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Barre, Fitchburg, Gardner, Harvard, Holden, Hubbardston, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston,Princeton, Royalston, Sterling, Templeton, Westminster, and Winchendon.

For questions regarding eligibility, or to schedule an appointment, call (978) 516-0888.

Continued here:
Monty Tech Veterinary Clinic opens for business - Sentinel & Enterprise

Investment Thesis

With no known treatment, diabetes remains one of the last frontiers in preventative medicine. The insulin pumps manufactured by Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. (TNDM) aid in its control. With pump shipments improving nearly three times over the last-twelve-month (LTM) period, Tandem has witnessed a more than two-fold increase in its LTM revenue.

Against this backdrop, the company estimates of nearly doubling the revenue and achieving its first-ever positive EBITDA in 2019 seem realistic. The innovative product pipeline even rivaling the market leader Medtronic plc (MDT) should accelerate the revenue growth in the long term. The strong cash flows with zero long-term debt could drive expansion and innovations further.

My conservative assumptions over five years of forecast indicate a top-line expansion of more than five times and based on price to sales ratio of 10.0x and 12.4x, a capital gain of 194-264% in five years. Meanwhile, the path for the commercialization of future medical innovations that could unsettle Tandem's business model remains lengthy and unpredictable. As a result, the annual compounded gain of 29-36% over the forecast period makes the stock a compelling buying opportunity at least in the near term.

Source: The Company Website

Only controllable, but no known permanent cure yet, Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic illness requiring life-long treatment. The human body needs the hormone, insulin for its cells to utilize its energy source, sugar. In DM, either the body doesn't produce enough insulin (Type 1 DM), or the cells can't use it properly due to insulin resistance (Type 2 DM).

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 425 million adults worldwide were living with DM in 2017 with 10% of the cases due to Type 1 DM (DM1); the number is forecast to reach 629 million by 2045. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated there were 23 million diabetics in the US as of 2017 with DM1 making up 5-10% of the patient population.

Insulin, the main treatment for DM1, is administered through either Multiple Daily Injection (MDI) therapy or the Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII). CSII needs costly and durable insulin pumps or tubeless and disposable patch insulin pumps. The insulin pump industry in the US consolidated into the three main competitors when Roche Diabetes Care of Roche Holding AG (OTCQX:RHHBY) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) exited their US pump businesses in 2016 and 2017. The industry leader, Medtronic along with Tandem cater to the durable insulin pump market with their products t:slim X2 and Minimed, respectively. Insulet Corporation (PODD) manufactures the patch pump, Omnipod. As changes in lifestyle result in a higher prevalence of DM, the pump market is fast expanding driven by rising disposable income among consumers.

Source: Yahoo Finance

In addition to durable insulin pumps, Tandem manufactures disposable products that are used together with pumps: cartridges and infusion sets for storing and delivering insulin. The domestic business makes up more than three-quarters of its top-line while international operations, launched in the third quarter of 2018 (2018 Q3) account for the rest.

Tandem's latest product, t:slim X2 with Basal-IQ, launched in 2018 Q3 is the only device fully integrated with the G6 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system from DexCom, Inc. (DXCM). The Basal-IQ technology minimizes the risk of hypoglycemic events through its first-generation Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) algorithm.

The cutting-edge technology with user-friendly product design has propelled Tandem's revenue growth recently. In 2018, the top-line expanded 71% year-over-year (YoY), backed by a 77% YoY increase in pump shipments. With LTM revenue more than doubling from the previous period, I believe the sales momentum should continue buoyed by the company's attractive pipeline of products.

Source: koyfin.com

In 2019 February, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified t:slim X2 in a device category named ACE pumps (Alternative Controller Enabled infusion pumps). According to the management, the new classification will broaden and fast-track the future commercialization of the product. The company plans to launch its second-generation AID system, t:slim X2 with Control-IQ technology in 2019 Q4 subject to FDA approval. In direct competition with the hybrid closed-loop functionality in Minimed 670G, the new pump system minimizes not only hyperglycemic but also hypoglycemic events and delivers the automated correction boluses. The revenue growth could further sustain in the long term with the launch of t:sport, currently planned for a launch next year. With a short infusion set and 50% smaller than t:slim X2, the device is expected to enhance user mobility.

My sales forecast for Tandem spans five years and considers only the DM1 population in the US and overseas, assuming its growth equals the relevant population growth rates at 0.6% and 1.0%, respectively. The company estimates the size of the current US pump market as 550,000 units, where DM1 users make up 80%. It forecasts the pump usage among US diabetics to improve from the current 30-50% within the next 3-5 years. Tandem's international expansion targets 3 million DM1 patients in overseas markets. Assuming 150,000 pump users in its near-term target markets, it believes the international usage to range from 10-20%.

Being conservative, I believe the pump usage in the US and overseas should improve up to 50% and 15% over the next five years. The US LTM pump shipments have more than doubled over the preceding period, and quarterly shipments increased more than eight times within a year internationally. Driven by new users and customer switching, I expect Tandem's US market share to range from 10-15% over the next five years from 10% in the LTM period (estimated based on US insulin pump usage data provided by the company). I further assume the international market share to increase up to 17-22% from 12% in the LTM period.

The company targets $350-365 million in revenue for 2019, at its midpoint nearly a two-fold increase from the previous year. Assuming a constant unit revenue and sales composition from the first half of the year, I forecast Tandem to cross $1 billion in revenue in five years, more than five-fold increase from 2018.

Sources: The Author; Data from Company Filings and Author Estimates

With the sales growth accelerating, negative LTM EBITDA gradually declining and loss margins narrowing, Tandem's plans to achieve its first-ever positive adjusted EBITDA margin in 2019 seems convincing. The higher pump shipments could result in economies of scale in manufacturing to lower the cost base and keep operating margins above 25% in the long term. Meanwhile, the strong cash position and negative net debt strengthen the financial position supporting the future R&D expenditure and overseas expansion.

Source: koyfin.com

Tandem and Insulet share mostly a similar revenue mix and trade at 10.0x and 12.4x of their 2019 per share sales estimates, respectively. Application of the same price to sales range over the forecast period implies a share price of $177-219 in five years with a capital gain of 194-264% at a 29-36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). With the stock trading at more than 10% of discount to its value in 2016 July, the solid capital gain indicates a buying opportunity to profit from an undervalued stock in a booming sector.

Given the brisk pace of medical innovations, the investor, however, should keep an eye on the risks to the Tandem's business model as the company's top-line is fully dependent on diabetes care. In contrast, for Medtronic and Insulet, non-diabetes treatments make up 92% and 12% of their top-line, respectively. In the long term, I expect Tandem will wean itself off its reliance on diabetes treatments as the rising revenue and cash flow further reinforce its R&D capabilities.

Though Tandem plans to introduce the closed-loop technology in the next quarter, Medtronic with its Minimed 670G already has the first-mover advantage in the technology. Unlike Minimed 670G, however, t:slim X2 with Basal-IQ is remotely updateable, lightweight, factory-calibrated, Bluetooth-enabled, and sports a touchscreen. Smaller and sleek in design t:slim X2 with its novelty and enhanced end-user convenience will position Tandem at a competitive advantage in my opinion.

Source: The Company Website

Unlike patch insulin pumps, the durable insulin pumps are costly, and the third-party reimbursements are crucial for improving market share. In mid-2016, the largest private insurer in the US, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UHC), picked Medtronic as its preferred insulin pump supplier for adult diabetics, and last February, the policy was extended to cover the patients aged seven and above. However, with Tandem bringing more innovations and user convenience to its products, I believe the customer and healthcare provider preference will prevail over the cost concerns.

Once commercialized, the preventative drugs and vaccines currently under development against DM1 could one day upend Tandem's business model completely. Last June, when Provention Bio, Inc. (PRVB) announced that its Teplizumab had shown to delay the onset of DM1 in individuals at-risk for developing the illness in a phase 2 trial, Tandem's stock fell more than 6%. However, with the phase 3 trial of teplizumab expected to complete only in 2022, the lengthy and unpredictable regulatory process for the drug's commercialization will cushion Tandem's revenue stream in the near term.

In the last twelve months, Tandem's insulin pump shipments have increased nearly three times, and revenue has more than doubled from the preceding period. As a result, the plans to double the revenue and achieve the first-ever positive adjusted EBITDA in 2019 seems realistic. Driven by an innovative pipeline, the growth momentum should continue. Even the conservative estimates over a five-year period project a more than five-fold increase in revenue while a price to sales ratio of 10.0-12.4x implies a capital gain of 194-264%. Despite a remote possibility of disruption to Tandem's business model from successful medical innovations, the capital gain of 29-36% CAGR over the period indicates a compelling buying opportunity

If you enjoyed this article and wish to receive updates on my latest research, click "Follow" next to my name at the top of this article.

Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Link:
Tandem Diabetes: Bullish As Innovations Capitalize On A Booming Sector - Seeking Alpha

CHICAGO (CBS) The price of DNA testing to see if we are genetically more likely to develop certain health complications is dropping, but the benefits are still out of reach for many who cant afford it. One area hospital is now offering the tests free of charge to help patients better prepare for the health risks ahead.

CBS 2 Morning Insider Vince Gerasole took the test and shares the changes he now has to make in his life.

The world of genetic testing can save lives, helping patients detect mutations in their DNA that could lead to certain types of cancers and other medical complications.

The benefits, they can be many, said Dr. Peter Hulick, medical director of the Mark Neaman Center for Personalized Medicine at NorthShore University HealthSystem.

Youve seen the commercials; once costing thousands of dollars, DNA tests are now marketed to the masses at prices a bit more reasonable, most near $200. Its still a price not all can afford; minorities, especially, have been under-represented in the populations taking the tests.

Thats part of the reason why we opened this to our primary care network, so anyone of any ancestry can have access to this information, Hulick said.

NorthShore University HealthSystem is now providing DNA screening free of charge through a program called DNA 10K.

It aims to make interpreting the results and taking action if necessary part of standard health care.

What it allows us to do is to make a better plan, so that you can be proactive with this information so that we can get you on the right screening and prevention path, Hulick said.

CBS 2s Vince Gerasole participated in the process. Following a quick blood draw, his sample was sent to the labs at health technology firm Color. In a few weeks, a genetic counselor reviewed his results by phone.

The results included a significant red flag: several women in Gerasoles immediate family have died from breast cancer, so it was not much of a surprise that he tested positive for the BRACA 1 mutation, making him more likely to develop male breast cancer, as well as pancreatic and prostate cancer.

Genetics is not a crystal ball. It doesnt predict your life. It doesnt tell you when or exactly if something is going to occur, Hulick said.

However, the results can help patients consult with their doctors and make choices ranging from lifestyle to more frequent medical screenings to preventative surgeries like breast removal.

Its not destiny. Genetics isnt destiny, Hulick said.

But if available to more patients, it could be destined to help.

Call 847-570 GENE (4363) to learn how you can participate.

Go here to read the rest:
DNA Testing Can Help Detect Possible Health Risks; Genetics Is Not A Crystal Ball - CBS Chicago