Medicaid managed care health plan donates more than 19,000 school supply items to organizations serving children most in need

September 15 2021 – AmeriHealth Caritas Florida, a Medicaid managed care plan serving seven Florida counties, recently helped Florida children most in need start the new school year off right by donating 1,000 backpacks and 1,000 pencil pouches filled with school supplies to 12 local organizations. The donations included a total of more than 19,000 items, and were given directly to children at the 13th Annual Back-to-School Health Fair Drive-Thru Event at Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church in Miami and through community organizations in Palm Beach, Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, and Miami-Dade counties.

“Education is a key factor in the health of people and communities, and the financial hardships many families currently face makes it difficult for them to provide their children with adequate school supplies,” said AmeriHealth Caritas Florida Market President Kathy Warner. “We are pleased to work with these organizations to help ensure the children in our communities are adequately equipped to start the new school year.”

“On behalf of the Urban League of Palm Beach County (ULPBC) Board of Directors, thank you to AmeriHealth Caritas Florida for donating backpacks and pencil cases to the ULPBC. We have distributed them to our middle and high school students enrolled in our youth programs,” said ULPBC Vice President of Development and Communications Soulan Johnson. “The ULPBC looks forward to building a long term relationship with AmeriHealth Caritas Florida, which is committed to making an impact in the lives of low to moderate income families throughout Palm Beach County.”

Rachel McNair, right, coordinator, Community Programs & Communications for AmeriHealth Caritas Florida, presents a donation of backpacks with school supplies to Urban League of Palm Beach County (ULPBC) Vice President of Development and Communications Soulan Johnson. AmeriHealth Caritas Florida donated 1,000 backpacks and 1,000 pencil pouches filled with more than 19,000 school supply items to ULPBC and 11 other organizations for distribution to local children

About AmeriHealth Caritas Florida
AmeriHealth Caritas Florida operates as a Medicaid managed care plan through Florida’s Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, serving enrollees living in Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. AmeriHealth Caritas Florida is on a mission to help build healthy and strong communities by removing our members’ barriers to care, working collaboratively with providers, and teaming up with local organizations on programs to address broader societal challenges. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasfl.com.



September 14, 2021 – Jupiter Orphan Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders and rare diseases, today announced a name change to Jupiter Neurosciences, Inc., and a new website, www.jupiterneurosciences.com. The name and branding were chosen to reflect the Company’s expanded focus to include CNS disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and concussion.

“We are pleased to have renamed Jupiter Orphan Therapeutics to Jupiter Neurosciences to clearly reflect our broadened focus on CNS disorders,” stated Christer Rosén, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Jupiter Neurosciences. “While orphan diseases like MPS-I and Friedreich’s ataxia remain the cornerstone of our pipeline, recent scientific data indicate strong anti-inflammatory effects with our product, JOTROL™. We believe these effects may be applicable to many CNS related diseases and therefore believe that focusing on neurosciences underscores our commitment to addressing larger unmet medical needs.”

About JOTROL™
Jupiter Neurosciences has developed a unique platform product, JOTROL™, the first and only a resveratrol product that is designed to deliver a therapeutically effective dose of resveratrol in the blood stream without causing gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. JOTROL™ is a safe, oral medication that delivers resveratrol into the blood plasma with significantly greater bioavailability than conventional resveratrol and has demonstrated the ability in preclinical trials, to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it has positive effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial function.

About Jupiter Neurosciences:
Jupiter Neurosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage drug platform company focused on treating neuroinflammation. Jupiter’s therapeutic candidate, JOTROL™, is applicable has potential indications for many central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). JOTROL’s™ multi-functional effects, such as nuclear factor erythyroid-2 (NrF2) activation and epigenetic mechanisms also make it a potential for treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), Mucopolysaccharidosis Type 1 (MPS-I), and mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke (MELAS). JOTROL™ is also being studied in early stage programs for COVID-19 and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

www.jupiterneurosciences.com



September 15, 2021 – Jupiter Medical Center’s Emergency Department is set to undergo a major expansion and renovation beginning in October. The Emergency Department is a critical entry point to the hospital and important for future growth and patient satisfaction.
 
The expansion is the result of gifts to Jupiter Medical Center Foundation – a $3 million gift from the Attilio & Beverly Petrocelli Foundation and a $1 million gift from Joyce C. Fisher. The gifts will enable the medical center to build a new wing, including eight fast-track bays to assist patients with less-acute medical needs, thereby improving wait times, enhancing the patient’s experience, and increasing the overall footprint of the existing Emergency Department. The renovation will include the purchase of advanced clinical equipment, spacious patient and triage rooms, a more functional layout for clinicians, with state-of-the-art technologies to handle higher patient volumes, and expansive waiting areas for loved ones. This expansion will augment a patient’s experience by providing a comforting environment with streamlined services to assist during a potentially stressful time. The new center will be named the Petrocelli Emergency Center.
 
“We are deeply grateful to the Attilio & Beverly Petrocelli Foundation and Joyce C. Fisher for their generosity towards Emergency Services. This gift will increase our ability to provide world class care with superb outcomes,” said Amit Rastogi, MD, President and CEO Jupiter Medical Center.  “Jupiter is now the fastest-growing community in Palm Beach County. Due to changing demographics, and expanding service lines, we are experiencing a marked increase in volumes year round. The demand placed on our Emergency Department has made it a priority for us to expand this area of the hospital, ensure we are providing the highest level of patient satisfaction and to uphold our reputation as the preferred healthcare destination in Palm Beach and Martin counties.”
 
The current Emergency Department was renovated 15 years ago when Jupiter Medical Center was accommodating 21,000 patient visits per year. Today, Jupiter Medical Center cares for more than 40,000 emergency room patients annually, which is nearly a 100 percent increase in patient volume.
 
“We really feel that it’s important to give back to the communities we call home,” said Attilio and Beverly Petrocelli. “We have watched Jupiter grow in recent years and want to ensure that our family, friends and neighbors continue to have access to such a wonderful hospital so close to home.”
 
The Emergency Department serves as Jupiter Medical Center’s front door for many patients.
 
“Since the launch of our cardiac surgery program and comprehensive stroke center, our Emergency Department is also seeing higher acuity patients who are receiving world-class care, and world-class care deserves a world-class environment,” said Mike Morsberger, new Chief Philanthropy Officer and President of Jupiter Medical Center Foundation.
 
About Jupiter Medical Center Foundation
Since its founding in 1989, Jupiter Medical Center Foundation has raised funds to support Jupiter Medical Center’s mission to reimagine the delivery of health and wellness to the region. Jupiter Medical Center Foundation, together with Jupiter Medical Center, is committed to transforming regional healthcare through patient-centered care, cutting-edge technology, and state-of-the-art facilities. Fundraising efforts have supported a number of major projects at Jupiter Medical Center, including the De George Pediatric Unit, the Margaret W. Niedland Breast Center, The Anderson Family Orthopedic & Spine Center, the Frank E. and Mary D. Walsh Robotic Surgery Program, and the Florence A. De George Pavilion.
 
As the leading, not-for-profit healthcare provider in the region, Jupiter Medical Center relies on philanthropy to maintain patients’ well-being and delivering world class healthcare. Jupiter Medical Center Foundation is dedicated to securing this financial support to fulfill the mission of the organization. For more information, please visit jmcfoundation.org.



Behavioral health professions shortages remain while recent national study shows that 22% of nurses may leave their current positions providing direct patient care in the next year

September 15 2021 – Nurses and behavioral health professionals have been stretched to the limit during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a May 2021 study from McKinsey and Company, “Nursing in 2021: Retaining the healthcare workforce when we need it most,” 22% of nurses in the U.S. may leave their current positions providing direct patient care in the next year. At the same time, the behavioral health profession nationwide shortage has been exacerbated by the pandemic with 30% of psychologists stating they cannot meet the demand from patients according to the American Psychological Association. A bright spot amidst these challenges in Palm Beach County is Palm Health Foundation’s investment in nursing and behavioral health professions scholarship awards, recently providing $424,188 to 62 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs. Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $3.5 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education since its founding in 2001 and recently expanded its scholarships to include the behavioral health field.

The scholars who applied for funding from Palm Health Foundation shared that their deeply personal experiences are the reasons for why they wish to enter or advance in their fields. Some describe saving or losing COVID-19 patients as reasons for their calling. Many tell the stories of family members’ illnesses: a mother with stage 4 liver cancer; a father with a brain tumor; and a brother who committed suicide. Another student described his own challenges living with sickle cell disease. They are a highly diverse group with some students born and raised in Palm Beach County and some natives of Haiti and Jamaica. Others are hoping to serve their community after serving their country as U.S. Army or Navy veterans.

Palm Health Foundation partners with the George Snow Scholarship Fund to administer scholarships to students attending Palm Beach County colleges and universities, including Palm Beach Atlantic University, South University, Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College, Barry University and NOVA University. Degrees range from bachelor’s to doctorate, with many seeking to become RNs, family nurse practitioners, psychiatric nurses and social workers. Nursing scholarship funding is provided through Pam Health Foundation’s Nursing Advancement Fund and donor advised funds including the Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund, the B.J. and Paula Harris Scholarship Fund, Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund and the Joseph Dolce Surgical Nursing Scholarship Fund. The foundation’s behavioral health professions scholarship funding is provided by the Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund and the John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund.

“A career in healthcare is a calling.” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Nurses and behavioral health professionals who have experienced illnesses in their own families, or have been impacted by COVID-19, have deep empathy and compassion that will benefit the physical and brain health of countless patients in Palm Beach County. We are honored to have the opportunity to help them reach their professional goals while advancing our community’s healthcare workforce.”

Palm Health Foundation is recognized by nursing leaders and educators for its dedication to growing and strengthening the nursing workforce in Palm Beach County since its inception in 2001. In addition to nursing scholarships, the foundation has invested more than $10 million in initiatives to build a highly skilled nursing workforce that provides care across all settings and supports optimal health in the community including care transitions and care coordination. In the area of behavioral health, the foundation’s Brain Health Innovation Fund is dedicated to strengthening the local bonds between scientific research, community supports, and quality care to transform brain health in Palm Beach County.

About Palm Health Foundation 
Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.



New Appointment Strengthens Leadership Team to Capture Evolving Data Analytics Life Sciences Software Market

September 15, 2021 – Anju Software has announced the appointment of Michael Keens as Executive Vice President of Operations.  Keens’ addition to the leadership team strengthens the organization’s ability to capitalize on market opportunities addressing the current inefficiencies connecting disparate data within clinical trials and medical affairs software systems.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Mike join our team,” said Chairman Mark Emkjer. “His vast experience driving financial growth and significant operational performance improvement within pharma and industry services organizations is impressive. His particular expertise in the decentralized clinical trials space will help us position Anju to meet the evolving data management and analytics challenges unique to the life sciences industry.”

Keens brings more than two decades of experience in drug development clinical and commercial operations, including operational and Executive roles at organizations that include ADial Pharmaceuticals, Syneos, Firma Clinical Research, and Icon PLC. His expertise includes driving the rapid growth of clinical trials and DCT business units supporting studies in more than 60 countries. Keens holds an M.S. in Public Health Sciences and a B.S. in Biology & Psychology and has been recognized by PharmaVOICE magazine as one of the Top 100 Inspiring People in Pharma. He also holds memberships in the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

“It is an honor to join Anju Software at this critical juncture in the company’s growth,” said Keens. “The ability to work for an organization that’s leveraging advanced data science-based clinical and commercial software technologies, in a meaningful way, to advance how prospective medicines are developed, validated, and introduced across the healthcare system is very exciting!”

About Anju Software

Anju Software provides an adaptive platform for clinical trials, medical affairs, and a newly designed, state-of-the-art clinical content and data repository. Its AI-based analytical solution combined with data and application integration capabilities, serves the worldwide pharmaceutical, biotech, and contract research Life Sciences markets.