INTERVIEWS

Scott Schliebner, SVP and Head of the Center for Rare Diseases at PRA Health Sciences, a global healthcare intelligence partner, discusses the launch of its Patient-Centric Trial Development Toolkit designed to mitigate risks that frequently occur in rare disease clinical trials and introduce and affirm new patient-centric practices that promote trial participation. He talks about the significance of the toolkit, the partners worked within its creation, and what PRA is doing to aid in diversifying clinical trials.

April marks National Parkinson’s Awareness Month and Dr. Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, MD, movement disorders neurologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and Jeff, who she treats for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) discuss the latest technology surrounding deep brain stimulation (DBS) and how it can help improve or relieve movement symptoms of PD. They also talk about how to know if DBS is right for others with PD and the impact of the disease on those living with it. 

Returning guest—Dr. N. Lawrence Edwards, MD, MACP, MACR, rheumatologist and Chairman of the Gout Education Society—discusses highlights from a recent roundtable discussion entitled “Exploring the Link Between Gout & Renal Health.” The paper, released in April 2021, includes perspectives from several medical professionals and nonprofit organizations with expertise in gout and renal disease.

Shannon Burke, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Health Systems at CareCredit, discusses the new CareCredit Patient Financing app now available in the Epic App Orchard. CareCredit’s Patient Financing app allows health systems and providers using Epic’s MyChart to offer patients flexible, convenient, and easy payment options. It also helps providers improve revenue cycle management and reduce debt risk with no additional effort required of staff. 

The annual Astellas C3 Prize (Changing Cancer Care) is a global challenge to advance ideas beyond medicine that can make a big impact in the cancer community.  The 2020 grand prize winner is Dr. Omolola Salako, from Lagos, Nigeria, Founder and CEO of Oncopadi, an app that connects cancer patients with the specialists and hospitals they need to access care.

Dr. Barbara Giacomelli, PharmD, Vice President of Advisory Services at McKesson RxO, McKesson Pharmaceutical Solutions and Services discusses the critical role that technology plays in pharmacy operations particularly regarding drug therapy oversight for patients, as well as the need to safeguard against cyberattacks that have an impact on pharmacy services, patient care, financial transactions, and confidentiality. 

Rick Anderson, President and General Manager, North America, at DarioHealth discusses how the company’s digital health and therapeutics solutions make better health easy for people managing chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and musculoskeletal. DarioHealth offers a compelling combination of best-in-class digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), medical devices and health coaching to deliver hyper-personalized interventions and experiences. Mr. Anderson explains how DarioHealth is empowering behavior change in users to alleviate the burden of chronic conditions through simple, clinically-proven digital tools and coaching. 

Movement Disorders Specialist, Dr. Drew Falconer, Co-Director, Inova Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center in Fairfax, VA discusses the launch of Abbott’s NeuroSphere™ Virtual Clinic, the first technology in the U.S. that allows patients to receive stimulation settings from their doctor without ever leaving their homes. This practice-changing advancement allows patients to remain safe from the COVID-19 pandemic, but still receive the essential care they need for pain or movement disorders.  NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic can also help people who may have inadequate access to healthcare, urban or rural, giving them an alternate solution to traveling any distance and to receive much-needed care.  The NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic is compatible with Abbott’s suite of neuromodulation technologies.

Returning guest, Dr. Julie Harper, owner of Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham and Galderma consultant discusses Galderma & AKLIEF® (trifarotene) Cream, 0.005% launch of the “Me Being Me” campaign crafted in response to today’s increasingly digital-focused world.  The campaign aims to shed light on the connection between acne and self-confidence and equip acne sufferers with the information they need to talk to their dermatology provider about treatment options.  She talks about the emotional impact acne has on patients, even in a virtual setting, why acne sufferers are interested in connecting with a dermatologist now more than ever and the important role dermatologists can play in treating acne and improving patients’ quality of life.  She covers available treatment options, the rise of adult-onset acne, and tips for connecting with patients virtually to discuss treatment.

How Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) became the newest gift to gut health. A look at how the third largest component in human milk is now being produced in powder and capsule form as a product for adults who want to improve their gut health, immunity, and cognitive function. Beau Berman, co-founder of Layer Origin Nutrition in New York, delivers a brief history of HMOs and discusses their potential.