Brillio

NEW YORK, April 1, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Global organizations are raising the bar for vendors to report on and comply with Environmental, Socia…

“React19” partners with closed-loop care coordination and referral platform “CrossTx” and biomedical-focused media network “TrialSite” to develop the first ever provider, social supports, and mental health network for …

Original founder re-acquires the company which was sold in 2018.

SarahCare

JENKINTOWN, Pa., March 31, 2023 (Newswi…

Ezcad Dental Lab, a full-range dental laboratory service located in Aguada, Puerto Rico, will use the In Hand Dental platform to add strategic value to its Ezclear Aligner product line.

…

ORLANDO, Fla., March 30, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) announces its new Board of Governors, follo…

The $50,000 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise recognize rising immigrant scientists living and working in the United States whose work represents a significant contribution to their field.

…

Four-surgeon, Three-location Practice Marks Beacon’s Entrance into Florida

DALLAS, March 29, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Beacon Oral Specialists, a portfolio company of Blue Sea Capital, announced today that it has entered the state of Florida through a strategic partnership with South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, a three-location, four-surgeon practice recognized for its legacy and leadership in the OMS field, specifically in the area of dental implants.

Founded almost 35 years ago, South Florida OMS provides state-of-the-art, full-scope oral and maxillofacial services to its patients in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach. Board-certified and highly respected surgeons Drs. Chris Chafin, Jeronimo Guzman, Travis Thompson, and Paul Weinstein continue to build on the practice’s reputation for compassionate care, clinical excellence, and exceptional outcomes.

In addition to caring for their patients, all four surgeons are invested in giving back to their professional community, with three having served as president of the North Palm Beach Dental Society, and all four being sought after as lecturers and authors on topics ranging from clinical best practices to business leadership. In addition, Dr. Thompson has served on mock boards for oral surgery residents at the University of Florida.

Through Beacon, the surgeons now have a network of like-minded peers to help accelerate the growth of their practice. They equally have the opportunity to share the processes and expertise they have developed over the years while collaboratively working together to protect the future of the specialty.

“We are excited for the opportunity to collaborate with our peers at Beacon and to benefit from their experience and resources to help us expand our capability and reach. This partnership allows us to provide the highest quality oral surgical care to our family of patients and referring dentists in South Florida,” said Dr. Thompson.

The partnership with South Florida OMS expands Beacon’s premier oral surgery network to include 26 market-leading oral & maxillofacial surgery practices representing more than 110 clinicians in 11 states and key MSAs in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, Midwest, and Northern and Southern California.

“We’re honored to partner with a practice with the caliber of surgeons at South Florida OMS as we expand into another thriving community,” said Mike Friguletto, Beacon’s CEO. “These surgeons represent what we are about – bringing together high-performing practitioners who wish to learn and grow along with their peers, with the shared priorities of patient safety and exceptional outcomes.”

Founded in December 2020, Beacon Oral Specialists is a leading oral surgery-specific management platform allowing its distinguished network of surgeons to focus on providing best-in-class care in the communities where they practice. With its differentiated leadership team, proven resources and support, Beacon continues to attract leading practices across the country, such as South Florida OMS, to the shared vision of clinical autonomy and excellence while protecting the long-term health of their practices and the specialty.

About Beacon Oral Specialists

Beacon Oral Specialists (www.beaconoralspecialists.com) is a leading management services organization serving the oral surgery sector. Beacon Oral Specialists delivers world-class practice management solutions to a network of nationally renowned oral & maxillofacial surgeons across the United States. Beacon Oral Specialists provides a comprehensive set of business support functions, including billing and collections, marketing, financial and accounting services, benefits and payroll management, information technology, data analytics, vendor management and legal.

About Blue Sea Capital

Blue Sea Capital (www.blueseacapital.com) is a private equity firm based in West Palm Beach, Fla., that invests in growth-oriented lower middle market companies valued up to $300 million. The firm has more than $1.3 billion in assets under management and invests across three industry verticals: healthcare, aerospace & defense, and industrial growth. Blue Sea Capital’s strategy is to partner with talented managers and differentiated companies, typically as the first or second institutional investor, and deliver strategic and operational value-add that drives growth acceleration, industry outperformance and business transformation.

Contact Information:

Cindy Chapman

Vice President – Marketing

[email protected]

(404) 549-5880

Original Source:

Beacon Oral Specialists Announces Partnership With South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Expands to 11 States

AdMeTech Foundation’s 14th Annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Day Highlights Massachusetts Model of National Leadership in Public Awareness, Education, Research and Clinical Equity

BOSTON, March 29, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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AdMeTech Foundation, jointly with Senate President Pro Tempore William Brownsberger and Representative Gerry Cassidy, is hosting the 14th Annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Faina Shtern, MD, President, AdMeTech Foundation, serves as emcee.

This event has brought together Senate President Karen Spilka, Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano, Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem, Senate Majority Whip Mike Rush, Representative Bud Williams who is Chair of the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion and Chair of the Black and Latino Caucus, and Representative Carlos Gonzalez who is Past Chair of the Black and Latino Caucus, leaders of medicine, advocacy and community organizations.

14th Annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Day will honor the memory of two prostate cancer survivors — Representative Stephen Kulik and Mr. Naakh Vysoky. Representative Kulik served as a host of this event and was a key state’s champion in the fight against prostate cancer between 2009 and his retirement in 2019. Mr. Vysoky was a lifelong warrior for the underprivileged — immigrants, the elderly, the ethnic and racial minorities; his work was recognized by the U.S. Congress and multiple Boston organizations.

Prostate cancer, striking 1 in 8 men, is the most common male malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men. Prostate cancer is a leading health disparity, causing more than two times higher mortality in Black men compared to White men. Elected officials will address prostate cancer as a major public health issue for all men and a crisis in men with Black, Hispanic and Latino heritage, who are at higher risk of delayed diagnosis, poor quality of clinical care and death.

Advocates and prostate cancer survivors will discuss the impact of prostate cancer on men, their families and communities.

Leaders of medicine will review cutting-edge advances in clinical care and research, transforming screening, diagnosis and treatment, improving survival and reducing health disparities. Prostate cancer experts from AdMeTech Foundation, Mass General Brigham and UMass Memorial Health will invite Massachusetts men, aged 40 and older, to take part in the Prostate Cancer Equity Program. This groundbreaking program has been launched recently to expedite access to the latest advances in patient care and support men every step of their medical journey. Supporting organizations include NAACP New England Area Conference and Latino Health Insurance Program, mobilizing participation of the Black, Hispanic and Latino men.

Annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Day has been critical for setting up a historic precedent by the Massachusetts General Court in recognizing prostate cancer as a public health priority and a leading health disparity since 2011. This event and Prostate Cancer Equity Program are integral components of the broader statewide prostate cancer program, which established a Massachusetts model of national leadership in public awareness, medical education, research and reducing health disparities since 2013.

AdMeTech Foundation organized this event in cooperation with the Prostate Cancer Action Council, including American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Center for Elimination of Health and Social Inequities and Disparities, Community Health Awareness Network, the Latino Health Insurance Program, Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition, Men of Color Health Awareness, NAACP New England Area Conference, and Independent “Blue Ribbon” Expert Panel, consisting of the experts in clinical care and research.

WHAT: AdMeTech Foundation’s 14th Annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Day
WHEN: Thursday, March 30, 2023, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

For more information and schedule, please review here.

WHERE: Virtual Event. Join the event by using this link:
https://www.facebook.com/manogram/.

WHO: 

• Senate President Karen Spilka
   
• Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano
   
• Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem
   
• Senate President Pro Tempore William Brownsberger
   
• Senate Majority Whip Mike Rush
   
• Representative Gerry Cassidy, Chair, Joint Committee on Veteran and Federal Affairs
   
• Representative Carlos González, Chair, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee
   
• Representative Bud Williams, Chair, Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion; and Chair, Massachusetts Legislative Black and Latino Caucus
   
• Faina Shtern, MD, President and CEO, AdMeTech Foundation
   
• Milagros Abreu, MD, MPH, Founder, President, and CEO, Latino Health Insurance Program
   
• Steve Bernard, Immediate Past President, Brockton Area Branch of NAACP
   
• Juan Cofield, Prostate Cancer Survivor
   
• Harold Cox, MSSW, Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences at Boston University School of Public Health, and Prostate Cancer Survivor 
   
• Michael Curry, Administrator, NAACP New England Area Conference; Member, National Board of Directors, NAACP; and President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
   
• Kenneth Elmore, JD, President, Dean College
   
• Adam Feldman, MD, MPH, Urologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School; and Director, Combined Harvard Urologic Oncology Fellowship
   
• Mitchell Sokoloff, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Urology, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine and UMass Memorial Medical Center
   
• Quoc-Dien Trinh, MD, MBA, Section Chief of Urology, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital; Co-Director; Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Prostate Cancer Program; and Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School
   
• William Watkins, Director of Workforce Development, Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (Boston)

About AdMeTech Foundation: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Boston, Massachusetts. AdMeTech Foundation established the Manogram® Project, providing national and international leadership for groundbreaking programs in research, education and awareness. These programs have been expediting advancement and clinical implementation of precision, individualized approaches to screening, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (www.admetech.org).

Contact Information:

Nancy Petkunas

Vice President, Client Services, Michael P. Wasserman, Inc

[email protected]

(508) 353-3357

Original Source:

Massachusetts Senate President, Speaker of the House, Leaders of Legislature, Medicine, and Advocacy Lead the Nation in the Fight Against Prostate Cancer

Legionnaires’ disease cases have increased nearly tenfold in recent decades, leading to thousands of hospitalizations and deaths. Outbreaks are linked to Legionella, a bacteria found in potable water systems in large facilities like hospitals, multi-family buildings, resorts, and office buildings. A recently published study shows that copper-silver ionization effectively controls Legionella in building water systems to prevent Legionnaires’ disease.

Copper-Silver Ionization System
A copper-silver ionization system installed in a building to prevent Legionella in the potable water supply.

LOMBARD, Ill., March 28, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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A new study published in the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Science journal shows that copper-silver ionization effectively controls Legionella in building water systems. The study, conducted by Dr. Mark LeChevallier with technical and financial support from LiquiTech, examines more than 80 sources of research studies and related literature to analyze the efficacy of copper-silver ionization as a water treatment solution. Dr. LeChevallier concludes “that use of copper-silver ionization to control Legionella and other opportunistic pathogens is highly effective when the units are properly designed, maintained, and operated.”

Legionnaires’ disease cases have increased nearly tenfold in recent decades, leading to thousands of hospitalizations. Those who catch Legionnaires’ disease experience a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella, a bacteria found in poorly maintained water systems.

Studies show that Legionella is responsible for about two-thirds of all disease outbreaks from drinking water and the cause of all documented deaths attributed to drinking water-associated infections.

Historically, outbreaks were linked to cooling tower systems. As our understanding of Legionella has advanced over recent decades, most outbreaks are now connected to potable water systems in large facilities, such as hospitals, long-term healthcare facilities, resorts, and office buildings. It’s estimated that 54% of all potable building water systems have some level of Legionella present.

Plumbing codes and regulations have been developed to standardize the design, structure, and management of building water systems to prevent waterborne diseases. However, based on the studies cited in this article and elsewhere, there is a need for supplemental treatment of building water systems.

One such supplemental treatment is copper-silver ionization, a chemical-free disinfection solution for potable water systems. It releases copper and silver ions into the building’s water system to destroy waterborne pathogens like Legionella. 

Copper-silver ionization is not a new water treatment option. Silver ionization was used in the 1960s by NASA for the sanitation of water on spacecraft. In the 1980s, copper-silver ionization was used in swimming pools as an alternative to chlorine.

Later, in 1994, copper-silver ionization was the first reported effective treatment for controlling Legionella in a hospital. Today, copper-silver ionization is used to prevent waterborne pathogens in a variety of buildings with complex water systems.

Although copper-silver ionization is a low-cost and chemical-free option for water disinfection, the system must be designed properly and used in the appropriate applications to achieve optimal results. Crucial to its effectiveness is identifying and responding to abnormalities in water usage patterns and chemistry. 

Dr. LeChevallier, a drinking water research scientist with a Ph.D. in Microbiology, examined literature and studies related to copper-silver ionization system design, maintenance, and operations, and the impact water chemistry has on its performance. In addition to authoring more than 300 research papers, Dr. LeChevallier is a member of the Drinking Water Subcommittee of the Science Advisory Board of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), a past member of the Water Science Technology Board of the National Academies of Science, and the past Chair of the AWWA Water Science & Research Division.

In his recently published study, Dr. LeChevallier explained, “These water quality and operational characteristics must be properly addressed to assure that the highest disinfection efficacy is obtained through copper-silver ionization.”

He reviewed research and related literature to investigate the mechanisms of copper and silver disinfection. Copper-silver ionization works by treating water through electrolysis. An electric current is applied to a copper and silver bar to produce and release positively charged ions. These copper and silver ions then find microorganisms in the water with a negative charge, like Legionella. The copper ions bond to the negative walls of the microorganisms, disrupting cell wall permeability and the absorption of life-sustaining nutrients. This disruption to the cell wall allows the silver ions to enter and destroy the core of the bacteria, thus making it impossible to survive. 

Dr. LeChevallier cited studies showing that copper and silver can work as biocides independently or together. One study emphasized that combined treatment with copper and silver was associated with decreased incidence of Legionella and a faster reduction of bacteria than copper or silver alone.  

In addition to copper-silver ionization being considered an effective supplemental method for water treatment by researchers, the US EPA has recognized both copper and silver as metallic antimicrobial agents. Studies show that copper-silver ionization is effective against many waterborne pathogens, including Legionella, Nontuberculous Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Acinetobacter, and fungi.

While the issue of copper-silver resistance was discussed in portions of the literature that Dr. LeChevallier reviewed, it’s important to note that there was no evidence of it occurring with Legionella. Copper-silver resistance, where pathogens can continue to grow and thrive even in the presence of copper and silver, was only observed with E. coli and Salmonella.

During his investigation, Dr. LeChevallier found that the design, operation, and maintenance of copper-silver ionization systems are critical to their effective functionality. In his published paper, he explained that copper-silver ionization will act as a water disinfectant; however, the proper engineering and operation of the system are integral to its success.

Essential components of the copper-silver ionization system include the electrodes, flow cells, power supply, control panel, flow meter, and web interface. Each component must be operated and maintained for copper-silver ionization to be most effective. 

“Buyers of [copper-silver ionization] systems should pay attention to the design and configuration of the electrodes – particularly as they wear. The construction of the flow cell and the adequacy of the power supply are important to deliver the necessary amperage to achieve the target copper and silver concentrations. Copper and silver doses should be flow paced and can be remotely monitored with a web-based interface,” said Dr. LeChevallier.

Additionally, Dr. LeChevallier cautioned that water quality can impact copper-silver ionization as a water treatment. He explained that water chemistry, physiochemical, and environmental factors can influence the efficacy of copper-silver ionization if not considered and managed correctly. 

Specific factors to consider include temperature, oxygen levels in the water, flow, pH levels, and levels of biofilm, sediment, and other chemicals that can impact the performance of copper-silver ionization. He stressed that these factors must be considered during planning, commissioning, and system operations for copper-silver ionization to be successful. 

Dr. LeChevallier cited several case studies where copper-silver ionization was implemented in a building water system with positive outcomes. He explained that University of Pittsburgh researchers Dr. Stout and Dr. Yu found that copper-silver ionization is a viable proactive strategy for long-term Legionella control, specifically for healthcare facilities. 

The studies collected data from 16 hospitals with copper-silver ionization systems over the course of five to 11 years. These studies found that 50% of the hospitals had not reported any indications of Legionella, and 43% had no indications for another five years.

In addition to the promising implementation of copper-silver ionization at hospitals, other case studies found benefits in multi-family buildings, hotels, and other specialized hospitals, including children’s and veterans’ hospitals.

Summarizing his findings, Dr. LeChevallier concluded, “This study has shown that [copper-silver ionization] can be effectively used for management of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens through the installation of a properly designed and maintained [copper-silver ionization] system and the details of the engineering and operation of the system are important to ensure the consistent delivery of copper and silver ions at their target levels.”

About LiquiTech

For more than 30 years, LiquiTech has partnered with businesses worldwide to provide chemical-free, sustainable water treatment solutions. Their highly engineered approach brings together the right combination of products, services, and expertise to solve the most challenging water quality issues and help businesses get the most out of their water-bearing equipment. With more than 3,000 installations, LiquiTech is the worldwide leader in smart, clean solutions for water treatment. Learn more at liquitech.com.

Contact Information:

Kelsey Raftery

Director of Marketing

[email protected]

847.738.0933

Original Source:

New Study Shows Copper-Silver Ionization is Effective for Legionella Control