Business Environment

NEURELIS WINS MULTIPLE AWARDS AS A BEST PLACE TO WORK IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Neurelis, Inc. is pleased to announce it has been named one of the Best Places to Work in SoCal 2023 by Best Companies Group (BCG), a BridgeTower Media Company, for the second consecutive year. The Company also has been named to the 2023 list of Best Places to Work in San Diego by the San Diego Business Journal. These award designations were made based on employee feedback and reflect the talented team of dedicated professionals at Neurelis. "The rapid growth of Neurelis over the last five years, from a handful to more than 175 employees, has been a significant undertaking as we look to serve the epilepsy community and those with other rare neurological conditions," said Co-Founder and CEO of Neurelis, Craig Chambliss. "We have been so fortunate to bring together a team with a collective and sincere passion for bringing life-changing treatments to the people who need them. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to build upon the values that have earned us this honor as we continue this journey." Through the work of dedicated employees, Neurelis has educated the epilepsy community about the significance of having a seizure action plan and VALTOCO® (diazepam nasal spray) CIV, an FDA-approved product for short-term treatment of seizure clusters in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older. As a team, Neurelis is fully committed to partner with professional and patient advocacy organizations to significantly advance the care of people suffering from neurological conditions. "Many of our employees have a personal connection to epilepsy, but everyone at Neurelis feels passionately committed to our mission of helping patients lead fuller lives; as a company we strive to create a work environment that is inspiring, productive, and fulfilling to our employees," said Julia Chernova, Vice President, Human Resources.

FIRST CHOICE NEUROLOGY NAMED TO MODERN HEALTHCARE’S 2023 TOP INNOVATORS LIST

First Choice Neurology (FCN), the largest U.S. neurology specialty group practice, announced that it has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the Top Innovators for 2023. The profiles of the honorees are featured in the Sept. 18, 2023, issue of Modern Healthcare magazine and online at ModernHealthcare.com/Top-Innovators. The Top Innovators program honors leaders and organizations instituting innovation and leading transformative programs that achieve measurable results in improving care and contributing to clinical and financial goals. FCN operates more than 50 care centers and is affiliated with 45-plus major hospitals in multiple Florida counties. The practice serves 100,000-plus patients with various neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, sleep disorders, strokes, and more. After rethinking patient safety strategies and workflows more than three years ago, Jose Rocha, FCN’s Director of Central Business Office, and his team started to simplify patient access. They applied QliqSOFT’s digital engagement solution to select practice services. As of June 2023, FCN successfully digitized patient intake, orders follow through, and payment notification tasks to support all 90 adult and pediatric neurologists and other physician specialists. “Our biggest challenge in shifting to virtual care was facing our own fears,” said Rocha. “We quickly overcame that hurdle upon realizing digital’s transformative impact improving the patient experience, workflows and productivity. With patient expectations rising, practices must do all they can to provide an excellent patient-first experience and streamline tasks to help their employees have work/life balance.” “Innovation can take many forms, as evidenced by our honorees ─ both individuals and organizations ─ in this year’s class of Top Innovators,” said Mary Ellen Podmolik, editor-in-chief of Modern Healthcare. “Whether they are making back-room functions more efficient, establishing partnerships across the industry or developing tools to broaden consumers’ access to care, these winners are producing results and forging a path others should follow.” Edward Marx, QliqSOFT’s Chief Transformation Officer, nominated FCN for the Modern Healthcare award. “I’m pleased to see Jose and his team’s work recognized by this distinguished industry media award showcasing those at the forefront of exceptional healthcare innovation,” Marx said. “First Choice Neurology’s pioneering journey and commitment to digital health transformation is inspiring to all providers wanting to empower their patients and achieve operational objectives.”

Employee Well-being on the Rise, but Perception Gap Remains Between HR and Employees: Report

Leapsome, the all-in-one intelligent people enablement platform, unveils a new study, Beyond the Cubicle: Leapsome’s Workforce Trends Report, conducted with YouGov. Findings include a reassuring boost in US employee mental health, a notable lack of employee engagement tracking by HR, and a general call for more feedback and fewer meetings. The study reveals a significant perception gap between HR leaders and employees on engagement, alignment, and performance. While half of HR leaders believe their employees are “completely engaged,” only one in three employees feel this way. This overestimation could be due to a lack of measurement - given only one-third of HR leaders track engagement, attrition, and turnover. This perception gap extends to views on internal alignment — 85% of employees feel they understand the company’s direction and their role in it. Still, HR leaders estimate only 61% have this understanding. Similarly, 80% of employees see themselves as top performers, defined by consistently going above and beyond what their role requires, whereas HR estimates only 65% of employees do so. Jenny Podewils, co-CEO and co-founder of Leapsome remarked, “Understanding the nuances between HR leaders’ perceptions and employees’ experiences is crucial for any organization striving for excellence. Our research aims to highlight these disparities to help businesses align better and foster a more inclusive, effective workplace.” Key Findings: Employee well-being sees a boost due to better work-life balance: An encouraging 88% of US employees rate their mental health positively, and almost half saw an improvement over the past 12 months. Reassuringly, 83% of employees feel their managers genuinely care for their mental well-being. For those who don’t describe their mental health positively, three in five say this is due to job responsibilities and workload. A strong predictor for mental health, 87% of US employees describe their work-life balance positively. 86% say good work-life balance is important for overall job satisfaction, but only 77% say company leadership enables good work-life balance. Less job-hopping mainly due to flexibility: 31% of US employees plan to change jobs within the next year, compared to 80% last year. Four in five employees who plan to change jobs are disengaged in their current roles. Those with no plans to change jobs say their primary reasons for staying are workplace flexibility with a hybrid or remote set-up (38%), good workplace culture and morale (36%), and a manageable workload that allows for good work-life balance (35%). Feedback culture is strong, but more is wanted: While both HR leaders (97%) and employees (85%) believe their companies have a good feedback culture, three in four (73%) employees crave more constructive feedback and recognition from their managers. Most (71%) employees have a performance review at least twice a year. Only two-thirds are satisfied with the review process in their company, and half say reviews should happen more often. Employee productivity is boosted by AI but hampered by meetings: One in four (24%) US employees use AI for work daily. Most (83%) workers using AI for work say it has improved their productivity. On the other side of the productivity spectrum, most consider half their weekly meetings a waste of time. A strong sense of economic preparedness: Both employees (85%) and HR leaders (93%) feel their companies are prepared for economic challenges. However, three in four (76%) HR leaders believe better people enablement would further improve organizational resilience. Leadership Learnings The message for HR and business leaders is clear: continuous dialogue and insight into employee perceptions are critical for organizational success. Only 35% of US HR leaders track essential metrics like turnover and engagement rates; of those tracking engagement, only 31% use dedicated surveys. This lack of internal insights risks widening the perception gap between HR leaders and employees. Recommended Actions Close the Perception Gap: HR needs to invest in better understanding employee sentiment, which may involve more frequent and actionable performance reviews, more regular feedback mechanisms, and dedicated engagement surveys. Foster an Open Feedback Culture: Encourage a feedback-rich culture with regular recognition and opportunities to share ideas and concerns. Employees not only appreciate it but also become more productive. Track and Measure: Only one-third of HR leaders track crucial metrics like turnover, engagement, or promotion rates. Addressing this gap is essential for future planning and long-term success. “It’s encouraging to see employee well-being and work-life balance rise — likely due to companies investing more into people processes. Still, the disparities between HR and employee perspectives point to the ongoing importance of an open dialogue to align these two groups on engagement, performance, and organizational direction,” explains Podewils.

2023 Healthcare Executives Workforce Survey Highlights Surge in Demand for Workforce Marketplace Platforms

ShiftMed, a leading provider of healthcare workforce solutions, has announced the findings of its 2023 Healthcare Workforce Trends Survey, shedding light on the evolving landscape of healthcare staffing in the U.S. The survey, which collected responses from 130 healthcare executives across the country, highlights the industry's growing interest in alternative staffing models and the challenges health systems face when relying too heavily on travel nursing. With health systems continuing to face significant staffing shortages, executives are carefully considering where to invest their resources to address personnel gaps while staying within budget as they plan for 2024. The survey's findings provide insight into the workforce decisions of healthcare leaders and reveal key trends that will shape the future of the healthcare workforce. Key takeaways from the survey include: The Rise of Alternative Workforce Models: 98% of healthcare executives are either currently using or considering at least one alternative staffing model. These models include on-demand workforce management marketplaces, third-party agencies, and internal labor pools. This significant trend indicates a shift towards more flexible and innovative solutions. Flexibility for Nurses: Almost 70% of healthcare executives believe in providing nurses with the flexibility to work wherever and whenever they want, demonstrating a growing emphasis on accommodating the changing preferences of the healthcare workforce. Preference for Workforce Marketplace: Among healthcare leaders exploring alternative workforce management solutions, top priorities include full-time recruitment (77%), credentialing and onboarding (70%), internal employee float pools (52%), and education technology (41%). Challenges with Travel Nursing: Healthcare executives identified two significant challenges when utilizing travel nurses: 66% stated that travel nurses were too expensive to train and maintain. 45% found that travel nurses disrupted the company culture and the dynamics of employed staff. "Our team at ShiftMed is dedicated to providing practical workforce solutions that directly tackle the challenges revealed in this survey," said Todd Walrath, CEO, and founder of ShiftMed. "We're committed to equipping health system executives with the tools and resources they need to create a resilient and efficient workforce. Our platform is designed to deliver crucial support to our hospital partners, enabling them not only to adapt to evolving staffing demands, but to thrive."

AscellaHealth Named 2023 Best Global Specialty Pharmacy & Healthcare Services Organisation

Global healthcare and business consulting services provider, AscellaHealth, has been awarded Best Global Specialty Pharmacy & Healthcare Services Organisation 2023 in the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards – in recognition of its pharmaceutical financial programme that is set to bring fundamental change to the rare disease and cell and gene therapy (CCT) sectors. AscellaHealth, based in the US and Dublin, Ireland and Manchester, UK, developed Pharma FlexFund™ to enable industry stakeholders to help fund expensive treatments for specialty and rare diseases, including cell and gene therapies. Craig Caceci, Managing Director at AscellaHealth EU/UK, said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this global specialty pharmacy and healthcare services award. “Recognition in this way shows that our customised and novel solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturers and other stakeholders will truly revolutionise the specialty and rare disease pharmaceutical industry by streamlining access to medications, increasing affordability and improving overall therapeutic outcomes. “By providing a solution that enables expensive, life-saving and novel therapies to be brought to market, patients will be able to access the treatments they need.” The annual Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards, now in its eighth year, is organised by Global Health and Pharma magazine. The awards aim to highlight those at the cutting-edge of advancements, who are working tirelessly to ensure that patients receive the very best medicine, processes, care, and health services. Judges for the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards commented: “AscellaHealth’s innovative specialty pharmaceutical solutions target pharma/biotech manufacturers and other stakeholders as they streamline the commercialisation of specialty therapies while optimising client savings and enhancing patient outcomes. “Its Pharma FlexFund™ introduces a better way forward with regards to funding for private healthcare organisations and the NHS, saving precious resources to be able to fund further research into solutions for rare and complex diseases. “The future of our health depends on organisations like AscellaHealth for innovation, expertise, and patient-centric solutions. We’re sure to see AscellaHealth continue growing around the globe as it collaborates with more pharmaceutical and biotech organisations, prioritising its expertise, targeted capabilities, and patient-centered approach to help specialty and rare disease patients obtain the therapies they need, when they need them most.”

NABR recognizes BioMatrix as a "Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation"

BioMatrix Specialty Pharmacy announced the organization has been recognized with a fifth consecutive "Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation" award. The National Association for Business Resources (NABR) first awarded BioMatrix with the national distinction in 2019, then again in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The BioMatrix corporate headquarters in South Florida has also been selected four times over as a top-performing employer for the Miami area, receiving recognition every year since the NABR instituted regional distinctions beginning in 2020. BioMatrix competed against 2,700 companies for the "Best and Brightest" distinction. Out of thousands of applicants, only 385 companies were selected to receive honors. Best and Brightest companies are assessed by an independent research firm on a number of key measures and industry benchmarks. BioMatrix scored strongly across categories including compensation, benefits, and employee solutions; employee enrichment, engagement, and retention; employee education and development; recruitment, selection, and orientation; employee achievement and recognition; communication and shared vision; diversity and inclusion; work-life balance; community initiatives; and strategic company performance. "We are so honored to receive our fifth consecutive Best and Brightest award," said Diane Schumacher, VP Human Resources. "Our organizational culture is focused on making a positive difference for the patient communities we serve while providing employees with an engaging, more meaningful work experience. Receiving this recognition validates our efforts and demonstrates our commitment to maintaining a positive work environment."

BD Ranks in Top 10 for Transparency, Awarded Best Code of Conduct in 2023 U.S. Transparency Awards

BD, a leading global medical technology company, announced it has been ranked in the top 10 for overall transparency and awarded Best Code of Conduct among S&P 250 companies in the fifth annual U.S. Transparency Awards by Labrador, a global communications firm specializing in corporate disclosures. "Particularly now, when stakeholders are evaluating the moral and ethical behaviors of companies, the code of conduct is the roadmap that provides insight into a company's values -- it guides and influences the behavior of its Board and employees," said Broc Romanek, industry-renowned expert and chair of the independent Transparency Scientific Committee, which will oversee the awards starting next year. "Among the many ways BD stood out among its peers, it provides a user-friendly interface, offers direct links to policies to ensure accessibility and includes an easy-to-understand graphic about the reporting process so that there can be no confusion." Michelle Quinn, executive vice president and general counsel for BD said, "Transparency is a vital part of BD's strategy and being recognized for our transparency along with Best Code of Conduct in the U.S. Transparency Awards further demonstrates our commitment to doing what is right and continuing to build trust with our customers and their patients, investors, partners – and each other." Each year, experts from Labrador evaluate the proxy statements, Form 10-Ks, investor relations websites, codes of conduct, and for the first time, ESG reports from the S&P 250. The team collected more than 59,250 data points and reviewed each organization's disclosure documents using 237 objective criteria that reflect the award's five pillars of transparency: clarity, accessibility, precision, comparability and availability. The Labrador experts reviewed 29 criteria specific to the code of conduct to determine the 2023 rankings.

Bridging the EMS Workforce Gap: bttn is Combining Advocacy and Innovation

In the midst of an intensifying healthcare crisis, the glaring deficit of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel stands out as an urgent concern. This issue touches every corner of the nation, raising alarm bells for communities far and wide. Yet, amidst the challenge, potential solutions are emerging. Progress in healthcare has seen an innovative move towards tech-centric answers to counteract workforce shortages. bttn, an ardent helper and advocate for healthcare, is at the forefront of this change, providing platforms that enhance processes and amplify efficiency. Still, while technology plays a vital role, the overarching requirement remains - the presence of devoted EMS professionals on the ground. Recent data from the American Ambulance Association sketches a worrying image of the EMS scenario. A staggering turnover rate among EMTs and paramedics reveals deep-seated issues: challenges with work-life balance, subpar wages, and job-induced burnout. (Mercer, 2023) This narrative mirrors the nursing sector, wherein heightened turnover and escalating service demand have culminated in a similar crisis. The appetite for emergency medical personnel is skyrocketing. With the ever-increasing attrition of the EMS workforce, the gulf between supply and demand widens. Especially vulnerable are rural regions, which are alarmingly reliant on volunteers to address emergency calls. As these challenges mount, states are pivoting their strategies to boost EMS recruitment and retention. There are commendable steps being taken to combat this issue, yet they fall short of fully bridging the growing gap. What's clear is that a combined, multi-pronged approach from every player in the EMS domain is essential. JT Garwood, a voice for healthcare advocacy, said "Our nations resolve should be unwavering, to stand beside EMS professionals, championing their cause and casting light on their struggles." Recognizing the importance of minimizing administrative hurdles for EMS workers, bttn is committed to making their roles more manageable and enduring. But responsibility shouldn't rest on the shoulders of EMS professionals alone. The collective healthcare arena must rally, crafting, and executing solid recruitment and retention strategies. Addressing the shortage goes beyond mere recruitment. We must delve into the root causes and systemic challenges underpinning the EMS deficit. It's a call to reevaluate how we regard our EMS personnel, pushing for enhanced wages, better work-life integration, and crucial mental health resources. bttn's mission in this space is resolute. We call upon stakeholders to unite in this pivotal battle against the EMS personnel deficit. Through fostering understanding and collaboration, our goal is to catalyze groundbreaking solutions that fortify the backbone of our emergency medical services. As we prioritize community health and safety, it's evident: the prosperity of our EMS professionals is intimately linked to our collective well-being.

Johnson & Johnson Marks New Era as Global Healthcare Company With Updated Visual Identity

Johnson & Johnson has provided health care products and solutions to people worldwide. Now, with its exclusive focus on healthcare innovation and tackling the toughest health challenges, the Company is updating its brand and uniting both its medtech and pharmaceutical segments under the Johnson & Johnson brand name to demonstrate its collective power in healthcare. The announcement marks the next era for Johnson & Johnson, which is leveraging its expertise in innovative medicine and medical technology to prevent, treat and cure complex diseases and introduce solutions that are smarter, less invasive and more personalized. “Our exclusive focus on Innovative Medicine and MedTech solutions enables us to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare in ways no other company can,” said Joaquin Duato, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. “Uniting our diverse businesses under an updated Johnson & Johnson brand reflects our unique ability to reimagine healthcare through transformative innovation, while staying true to Our Credo values and the level of care that patients and doctors expect of us.” Moving forward, the Company’s two segments will be more connected to the Johnson & Johnson brand. Over time, Janssen, the Company’s pharmaceutical segment, will be named Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, and the medical technology segment will continue to be named Johnson & Johnson MedTech. Our pharmaceuticals segment is leading where medicine is going, developing breakthrough treatments to transform the future of health. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine applies rigorous science with compassion to confidently address the most complex diseases in the areas of Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Retina and to develop the potential medicines of tomorrow. Our medical technology segment is working to solve the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges through innovations at the intersection of biology and technology. Johnson & Johnson MedTech is harnessing its deep expertise in surgery, orthopedics, vision, and interventional solutions to develop healthcare solutions that are smarter, less invasive, and more personalized.

Forbes Names UKG One of America’s Best Employers for Women

UKG, a leading provider of HR, payroll, and workforce management solutions for all people, is one of America’s Best Employers for Women, according to Forbes. UKG ranked #2 in the IT, Internet, Software, and Services category and #25 overall of 400 U.S. companies across all industries. The honor comes after Newsweek named UKG one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women, and it follows UKG also ranking on the Forbes America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2023 list. Among the total UKG global employee population, nearly half (46%) of U Krewers identify as women and 42% hold leadership positions. As outlined in the 2022 UKG Global Impact Report, the company has set a number of representation goals for the coming years, including to achieve 44% global gender leadership representation of women and 38% global gender representation of women in technology roles by 2026. Currently, 35% of women at UKG hold technical roles. Women from across UKG are encouraged to join the company’s various employee resource groups, including FIRE Up, as part of the U Krewer journey. Standing for “Female Inclusion, Resilience, and Excellence,” FIRE Up cultivates an inclusive and supportive community of change to advance equity for all U Krewers that identify as women. Throughout the year, its more than 3,000 members worldwide — which includes male allies — learn from career development workshops, hear from dynamic guest speakers, and participate in various networking and philanthropic events. UKG also recently launched the State of Belonging, Equity, and Impact at UKG website. The public site includes an interactive experience called UKG Stories with Purpose, a journey that explores the important topics of belonging, equity, and impact through stories told by UKG customers, global partners, and employees, including many stories about remarkable women. Their everyday, intersectional experiences demonstrate the vital impact that UKG and others in the global business community can play when we hold ourselves to a higher standard, welcome all identities and celebrate our many differences, and work together to expand equity and build a future fit for all. “The incredible work — the passion and the innovative excellence — of my fellow female U Krewers inspires me daily,” said Pat Wadors, chief people officer at UKG. “What we stand for is not only rewarding for us as employees, but it also touches tens of millions of employees, from the frontlines to the front office, who stand to benefit from our commitment to making great places to work for all around the world. We strive to change the way of work and have a real impact on lives.” The company’s commitment to helping women thrive in business and in their personal lives extends well beyond the UKG walls, and into the community. UKG is in year two of its UKG Close the Gap Initiative, a multi-year program focused on pay equity. Since announcing the campaign, UKG has partnered with multiple nonprofit organizations, including 9to5, Grantmakers for Girls of Color, Lean In, and Reboot Representation, working together to close the U.S. gender pay gap and level the equity playing field for women and other underrepresented groups. With its relationship with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), UKG also served as the title sponsor of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup, the first tournament to reach pay parity with the U.S. men’s game, which concluded this past weekend. Additionally, Wadors will speak about equity in action alongside an impressive lineup of barrier-breaking women at the 2023 Forbes Power Women’s Summit this Thursday, September 14. “When we announced the UKG Close the Gap Initiative, we set off to be the catalyst for a transformation in bringing pay equity to millions of women across the country,” Wadors said. “We also hoped our work would inspire other organizations to join us in this critical fight, and further strengthen our team, so we all could continue making a meaningful difference, build on our momentum, and help close the gender pay gap once and for all.”

Health & Biotech