March 2022 Edition

TIME TO REGISTER!
Innovation Summit Right Around the Corner

On April 12-13, key senior executives from across the health care spectrum—leaders from health systems; health plans; academia; biopharma; technology, digital health, and employer solution companies—all whom have a stake in population health management—will gather for our 2022 Innovation Summit & Capitol Caucus.
 
This virtual event, “Innovative Population Health Management Strategies to Recover Losses and Accelerate Gains,” features inspiring keynotes from a slate of impressive speakers and interesting sessions targeting important and timely topics. One such session is "Innovations in Investments & Capital," when PHA Chairman Emeritus Rose Maljanian, who also is Chairman & CEO, HealthCAWS and Business Advisor to WaveEdge Capital, will sit down with Chetan Bagga, CEO of Archetype Solution Group; Anna Haghgooie, Managing Partner at Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stow (WCAS); and Jesse A. Bland, Partner at Heritage Group, to address focused areas such as behavioral health, digital health and home-based care taking top investments, criteria for selection of companies and innovative investment strategies across seed, VC and private equity. 


CHETAN BAGGA
ANNA HAGHGOOIE
ROSE MALJANIAN
JESSE BLAND
With the special thought-leadership event taking place next month, now is time to register and reserve your seat! You simply won't want to miss out!

Join Us March 30 for Our Upcoming Webinar on Tech Advances in Diabetes Management
Today, some 537 million adults are living with diabetes—that is 1-in-10 people around the world. Given its prevalence and economic impact, diabetes is representative of the chronic health conditions at the root of global healthcare challenges, highlighting the need for population health management. With an effective approach to managing the health of populations, providers and healthcare organizations can improve the quality and reduce the cost of diabetes care.    
New PHA member, Eyenuk, Inc. a global artificial intelligence (AI) leader and developer of the EyeArt® autonomous AI system for diabetic retinopathy testing, will be featured during PHA's next Member Showcase Webinar, “Embracing Population Health Technological Innovations for Diabetes Management” set for Wednesday, March 30, 2022, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET

Registration for this FREE webinar is now open with more details coming very soon. Watch your inbox in the coming days. 
PHA Welcomes 4 New Members into the Fold!
Adventist Health

Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 80 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii as well as others across the U.S. through its Blue Zones company, a pioneer in taking a systemic and environmental approach to improving the health of entire cities and communities. Through this work, Adventist Health is leading a 21st century well-being transformation movement. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, its innovative Adventist Health Hospital@Home program that provides virtual inpatient care at home, home care agencies, hospice agencies and joint-venture retirement centers in both rural and urban communities. Thank you Dexter Shurney, SVP/Chief Medical Officer of Adventist Health's Wellbeing Division; President of Blue Zones Wellbeing Institute; and PHA Board Member for your leadership.

Centivo is a new type of self-funded health plan built specifically for employers and their employees and families. Centivo targets zero healthcare trend and improved healthcare outcomes by rewarding members and providers for smart choices and actions while delivering an exceptional member experience. The Centivo model acts as a catalyst to enhance healthcare purchasing and delivery through: (1) an innovative primary care-centered network focused on outcomes; (2) a dynamic benefit design that rewards members for high-value care and adherence; and (3) a state-of-the-art, digital technology platform and concierge support that enables optimal care and an exceptional experience. Centivo serves as a health plan or third-party administrator (TPA) for employers and partners closely with local health plans and TPAs to enhance their offerings. Thank you for your leadership Laurel Pickering, Centivo's Head of Strategic Alliances, and new PHA Board Member. 

Eyenuk, Inc. is a global artificial intelligence (AI) medical technology and services company and the leader in real-world AI Eye Screening™ for autonomous disease detection and AI Predictive Biomarkers™ for risk assessment and disease surveillance. Eyenuk is on a mission to screen every eye in the world to ensure timely diagnosis of life- and vision-threatening diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, stroke risk, cardiovascular risk, and Alzheimer’s disease. Welcome Frank Cheng, Eyenuk's President and CCO, and thank for your leadership.

Mutual of Omaha is a Fortune 500 mutual insurance and financial services company based in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded in 1909 as Mutual Benefit Health & Accident Association, Mutual of Omaha is a financial organization offering a variety of insurance and financial products for individuals, businesses and groups throughout the United States. The company provides a variety of financial services, including Medicare Supplement, life insurance, long-term care coverage and annuities, as well as group coverage including life, disability and 401(k). Welcome Manoj Pawar, Mutual of Omaha's Chief Medical Officer, and thank you for your leadership.
Three New Directors Installed on PHA's Board
PHA has welcomed three new industry leaders to its Board of Directors—Tricia Marine Barrett, MHSA, Bill Lucia, and Laurel Pickering, MPH. "We couldn't be more thrilled to have Tricia, Bill and Laurel join our Board—their vast experience and expertise in healthcare quality, Medicaid managed care and employer benefits and solutions will bring added depth in these areas plus business acumen that will benefit all PHA members," explains PHA Chairman Emeritus Rose Maljanian, Chairman & CEO HealthCAWS.
Tricia Barrett is Executive Director of Quality and Population Health Strategy for Bayer US Pharmaceuticals division. She works to advance the Bayer vision of “Health for All, Hunger for None” by supporting needed changes in the health care quality landscape. Tricia has more than 25 years of diverse experience in quality improvement, population health management, value-based care and payment models across the health care industry.
Bill Lucia is the Executive Director of Bill Lucia Associates, LLC and formerly the recent CEO and Chairman of HMS Holdings. In addition to serving on PHA's Board, Bill is an advisor to several digital health start-ups, a Board Member for SellersDorsey and Harmony@Home; an Advisor to ANDHealth's International Advisory Council (Australian Digital Health Incubator), Member of the Executive Advisory Council, Consonance Capital, and Healthtech4Medicaid.
Laurel Pickering is a leader and visionary, devoted to transforming healthcare at both regional and national levels. She is currently Head of Strategic Alliances at Centivo, where she is responsible for managing and broadening relationships with key partners to expand the reach of Centivo’s innovative health plan model. Before joining Centivo, Laurel was most recently Executive Vice President, Enterprise Solutions for Welldoc, where she promoted their best-in-class digital solutions for chronic care management as well as served as the president & CEO of Northeast Business Group on Health (NEBGH) for nearly 25 years.

PHA MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Take a look at some of the latest happenings from our PHA Members:
Mars CEO Outlines Support for Ukraine and Calls for Peace

On March 1, Mars issued a statement by Grant F. Reid, CEO/Office of the President. It reads: 

"We are appalled by what is happening in Ukraine and are striving to provide our courageous Ukrainian Associates with the support they need. Their safety is our absolute priority and teams of Mars Associates have been working diligently to provide shelter, financial security and aid. In addition to donations of food that have been provided by Mars business units, we’re making an initial cash donation of $2 million in support of this humanitarian crisis. Working with Save the Children, we’re committing $1.5 million to help provide for the basic needs of children and their families in Ukraine and seeking refuge in border countries, as well as $500 thousand to Humane Society International to give assistance to pets and pet owners. We join the world in supporting the innocent victims of this war and calling for a peaceful resolution immediately."  
CareSignal Announces New Partnership with Northwest Primary Care

Northwest Primary Care (NWPC) has partnered with CareSignal, a Lightbeam Health Solutions Company, through implementation of Deviceless Remote Patient Monitoring® to manage vulnerable patient populations as the organization looks to improve patient outcomes and lower costs in risk-bearing contracts. Using CareSignal’s technology, NWPC is now able to monitor the whole health of patients across 30 high-cost chronic and behavioral health conditions, and is currently prioritizing COPD, congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, and depression. Read full release.
YMCA of the USA and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Launch Project to Support Youth Mental Health

YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have partnered to enhance the mental health and emotional well-being of young people and the staff who serve them. With $375,000 in funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthy Schools, the project will explore ways to strengthen trauma-informed approaches in out-of-school-time (OST) environments. To identify and amplify best practices and innovations, Y-USA and Boys & Girls Clubs of America will focus on two key areas. Read full release.
Two Adventist Health Hospitals Ranked among Healthgrade's Best 250 List

Adventist Health was excited to announce that #AdventistHealthBakersfield and #AdventistHealthGlendale ranked among Healthgrades' Best 250 Hospitals in the United States, placing them in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide. "We’re proud of our teams for their ongoing dedication to clinical excellence and for their commitment to providing top-quality care for our patients and communities," the health system announced.
American College of Lifestyle Medicine Adds National Wellbeing, Disease Prevention and Management Company WellSpark to its Lifestyle Medicine Corporate Roundtable

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has announced the addition of national wellbeing, disease prevention and management company WellSpark Health to its Lifestyle Medicine Corporate Roundtable. WellSpark's holistic, coach-centric model delivers results by addressing the full range of interconnected biological, psychological and social factors to remove the barriers that prevent people from making lasting lifestyle changes. WellSpark’s individualized programming addresses employee health, productivity and satisfaction, and helps solve related business issues such as future healthcare costs, disability, workers compensation and absenteeism. Click to read full announcement.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Offers Statement on Texas' Court Decision on the 'No Surprises Act'

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Executive Vice President of External Affairs Sean Robbins issued the following statement in response to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas’ decision in Texas Medical Association v. the United States Department of Health and Human Services:
“The No Surprises Act protects patients from costly and unanticipated surprise medical bills. This lawsuit could have real implications, and the Texas court’s decision risks the affordability and accessibility of health care for everyone. The American people want affordability in the health care system, and they support Congress’s actions in passing the No Surprises Act. We disagree with this lawsuit and will continue to support the administration’s approach in the interim final rule.” In January 2022, BCBSA submitted an amicus brief in the lawsuit.
Aflac Partners with NeuroFlow to Enhance Group Long-term Disability Offering with Innovative Mental Health Solutions Companies Aim to Proactively Help Close Gaps in Care

Mental health and emotional well-being challenges are on the rise, and that’s why Aflac, a leading provider of supplemental insurance in the U.S., entered into a strategic relationship with NeuroFlow that adds an innovative mental health solution designed to help individuals screen and monitor existing and undetected behavioral health conditions. With NeuroFlow, employees are empowered through self-service resources that provide insight into the “what” and “why” of their wellness plans to help reduce the impact of behavioral health conditions. Read full release.
Forbes Ranks Mutual of Omaha 25th Among Best Large Employers Nationwide

Forbes magazine has ranked Mutual of Omaha 25th on its prestigious list of America’s Best Large Employers for 2022. The Forbes ranking also recognizes the company as the top large employer in the insurance industry as well as the top large employer based in Nebraska. Read full release.
Acenda Health Releases Video to Provide Insight on How to Navigate Mental Health Concerns While in a Serious Relationship

Did you know mental health concerns can affect your relationships? Check out our most recent interview with Julie Pisani, Marriage and Family Therapist. Watch video.
Arche Healthcare Program Releases Short Video for DPMs for Diabetes Patients

Patient experience matters! When patients are actively engaged in their own foot care the result is: increased patient adherence, the most elusive component in the prevention of wounds and amputations. Arche Healthcare knows that an engaged patient is a more valuable patient. They recently released this short video. Watch to learn more
EHE Health and Welldoc Announce Strategic Partnership to Launch Thrive Now, First Comprehensive Health Companion

Recently, EHE Health, a national healthcare provider network and top innovator in preventive healthcare, and Welldoc, a digital health leader revolutionizing chronic care, announced a partnership to launch Thrive Now by EHE Health, a digital health platform designed to help manage members’ overall total health. Thrive Now will officially launch in April and is the third product innovation under EHE Health’s Pulse™ offeringRead full release.
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Approved in Japan for Radically Unresectable or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Merck and Eisai today announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved the combination of KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, plus LENVIMA, the orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor discovered by Eisai, for radically unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA is also approved in the U.S. and Europe for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC. This marks the second approval of this combination in Japan; in December 2021, KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA was approved for unresectable, advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma that progressed after chemotherapy. Read full release.
New White Paper Recommends Diabetes Care Overhaul

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) just released a white paper that could prove revolutionary in setting a new course for diabetes care.  The paper titled Digital Quality Summit White Paper: Rethinking Diabetes Care in the Digital Age calls for improved protocols to boost the quality of diabetes care across the country. The recommended upgrades were collectively authored by a cohort of diabetes, primary care and digital measurement experts who gathered for last year’s Digital Quality Summit. The experts identified several areas for improvement in type 1 and type 2 diabetes care. Read full release.
Bayer's New Treatment Krendia® (finerenone) Approved in EU for Adult Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

The European Commission has granted marketing authorization in the European Union (EU) for finerenone under the brand name Kerendia®. Kerendia® (10 mg or 20 mg), a non-steroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, is indicated for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (stage 3 and 4 with albuminuria) associated with type 2 diabetes in adults. Read full announcement.
Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital Earns Highest Scores for Nurse-Patient Communication

Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital is one of seven Pennsylvania hospitals that received the highest marks for nurse communication, according to the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems scores from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). At least 89% of patients at the seven hospitals responded that "nurses always communicated well." Geisinger Jersey Shore’s latest score is 91%, which is 10% higher than the state average. Read full release.
Franciscan Health Munster Adds RUSH Thoracic Surgeons and Auris MONARCH Robotic Bronchoscopy

Franciscan Health Cancer Center Munster and RUSH University System for Health (RUSH) have announced a partnership to bring the Chicago-based health system's nationally-recognized thoracic surgeons to Northwest Indiana. RUSH surgeons will now see patients or perform procedures at the Franciscan Health Munster and Dyer campuses. The partnership comes as Franciscan Health Munster is adding the new Auris MONARCH® system to its comprehensive lung cancer care. It's the latest technology in robotic bronchoscopy surgery with the ability to reach small nodules in the lung, helping diagnose lung cancer in the early stage and giving patients the best chance to beat this deadly disease. Read more here.
The Building Healthy Military Communities Project Is Growing

The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Building Healthy Military Communities (BHMC) has expanded to three additional states: Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. NACDD, with support from CDC, is playing an integral role in supporting the new State Coordinators by connecting them to Chronic Disease Directors, their staff, and other public health system partners and by providing subject matter expertise on tobacco use prevention and cessation, physical activity, and nutrition. Read full article.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS & SAVE THE DATE!

PHA is adding an all-new event this fall October 25th & 26th that will be an in-person event including a special sponsor showcase.

PHA Expo22
October 25-26
Washington, DC

Watch your inbox for more details coming soon!

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