Author: Jennifer Cohen

PACT Digital Health Forum

Jennifer Cohen

Digital Health Forum
Sponsored by University of Pennsylvania, White and Williams, Independence Blue Cross and Safeguard Scientifics

Thursday, March 19, 2015

11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Smilow Center
University of Pennsylvania
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Agenda:
11:30 am   Registration, Lunch and Networking
12:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker
1:00 p.m.   The “Buyers” Perspective
2:00 p.m.   Digital Health Accelerators
3:00 p.m.   Networking Break
3:30 p.m.   Government Perspectives
4:30 p.m.   Digital Health Trends
5:30 p.m.   Cocktail Reception with PHIT Circle

Featuring:
Anthony Coletta, President and CEO, Tandigm Health
David Grinberg, Deputy Director, Pennsylvania eHealth Partnership Authority
William Hanson, MD, Chief Medical Information Officer, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Bari Krein, Chief Strategy Officer, Legal & Compliance, StartUp Health
Gary Kurtzman, Managing Director, Healthcare, Safeguard Scientifics
Shawn Leavitt, SVP of Global Benefits, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal
Elliot Menschik, Managing Partner, DreamIt Health
Aron Starosta, Program Manager at Digital Health Accelerator, The Science Center
Bob Stanek, CEO, Dabo Health
Paula Sunshine, VP, Sales & Marketing, Consumer Business, Independence Blue Cross
Charlene Underwood, Senior Director, Government & Industry Affairs, Cerner Corporation
More Speakers TBD

This event is FREE for Qualified Angel Investors
PACT Members: $50
Non-Members- $80
Entrepreneurs and Investors- $35
PHIT Circle Members- $50

For more information, contact Jennifer Cohen

To Register, Click Here:  http://philadelphiapact.ticketleap.com/pact-digital-health-workshop/

PACT Thursday Networking Series Event

Jennifer Cohen

PACT Thursday- Networking Series

Thursday, September 18, 2014

5:30  p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Prime Stache
110 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Get back to basics and make new connections as PACT welcomes in summer. PACT invites its fellow members and guests from Technology and Healthcare Corporations, Entrepreneurs, Investors and Professional Advisors for an evening of networking. Come learn more about each others businesses & exchange business cards while enjoying cocktails and hors ‘d’ oeuvres.

For more information, contact Kim Tuski

To Register, Click Here

Cost:
PACT Member: $35
Non-Member- $70

PACT Cybersecurity Series Event

Jennifer Cohen

Cybersecurity Series Event
Sponsored by Cozen O’Connor and Technology Research Associates

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
The Union League of Philadelphia
140 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Cyber Actors: What your business needs to stay protected.
In the news, “cyber actors” take many forms- Nation State Actors, Cyber Criminals, Hacktivists, and more.  These cyber actors gaining notoriety on the world stage have different levels of impact around the globe.  Each has different motivations, but their techniques are similiar, and all pose a potential threat to your business.

Hear from leading experts on the front line of this new reality on the differences among the various cyber actors, their motivations, and the dangers they pose.  More importantly, learn how the best stay protected and mitigate risks.

Featuring:
Colonel Jeff Verrant, USMC & member of United States Cyber Command
Special Agent Frank Jonas, FBI
Cameron Hunt, former Technical Director with Special Operations Command
Dave Walton, Partner, Cozen O’Connor

Cost:
PACT Member- $50
Non-Member- $75

To Register, Click Here

PACT Appoints New Chairman of the Board

Jennifer Cohen

Philadelphia, June 11, 2014 – The Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) proudly announces Jonathan Brassington, CEO of LiquidHub, as the new PACT Chairman of the Board. The decision was finalized after PACT held its annual board meeting on June 5th. Marc Lederman, outgoing PACT Chairman and General Partner of NewSpring Capital, announced the appointment that afternoon during the 2014 PACT Foundation Luncheon.

Bringing over 15 years of technology and innovation experience to his role, Jonathan Brassington has led LiquidHub to be consistently recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the greater Philadelphia and mid-Atlantic region, including being recognized by Forbes in 2014 as one of America’s Most Promising Companies. Brassington is an avid technology strategist and speaker, as well as an early stage investor in a variety of technology driven businesses. With more than 1,400 associates and offices around the globe, LiquidHub is a leading digital integrator focused on partnering with businesses to improve customer engagement and drive growth.

“I have watched Jonathan build LiquidHub over the past 14 years into an impressive international firm and I am excited to have him serve as Chairman of PACT and build on the great momentum we have helped to establish in the region”, shared Dean Miller, President and CEO of PACT.

The Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies stands as the premier resource for emerging growth companies in the technology and healthcare sectors. PACT connects emerging growth companies, investors, professional advisors and innovation-focused corporations to grow and strengthen entrepreneurship in this region.

PACT is supported by the leadership of its Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Their ideas, active involvement and collaboration lay the groundwork for PACT’s ultimate success.

PACT Board of Directors

Andrea R. Allon, COO, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce

Saul Behar, General Counsel, University City Science Center

Jonathan Brassington, CEO, LiquidHub

Andrew Cherry, Managing Director, KPMG LLP

Kevin J. Conmy, VP & GM, Freedom Region, Comcast Business

Guy Fardone, COO & GM, EvolveIP

Andrew Hamilton, Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius

Michael S. Harrington, Partner, Fox Rothschild, LLP

Frank S. Hermance, Chairman & CEO, Ametek

Michael Heller, CEO, Cozen O’Connor

Immanuel  John, Partner, Grant Thornton, LLP

Andrew Jordan, Partner, Ernst & Young, LLP

Zachary Klehr, EVP, Franklin Square Capital Partners

Rich Kollender, Partner, Quaker Partners

Marc R. Lederman, Managing Partner, NewSpring Capital

Brian Lobley, SVP – Marketing, Consumer & Ancillary Business, Independence Blue Cross

Vince Menichelli, Managing Director, ICG

Christopher S. Miller, Partner, Pepper Hamilton, LLP

Dean E. Miller, PACT, President & CEO

Bob Moul, Chairman and CEO, Artisan

Philip Moyer, Managing Director, Technology Group, Safeguard

Charles Robins, Managing Director, Fairmount Partners

RoseAnn Rosenthal, President & CEO, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, SEP

John E. Royer Jr., Partner, Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC

Joe Sheehan, President, AGI

Sandra Stoneman, Partner, Duane Morris LLP

John Swartly, PhD, Associate Vice Provost for Research and Executive Director, Penn Center for Innovation (PCI), University of Pennsylvania

Harry Vitelli, VP, Construction and Field Applications, Bentley Systems, Inc.

PACT Executive Committee

Jonathan Brassington, Chair

Michael Harrington

Frank Hermance

Andrew Jordan

Marc Lederman

Dean Miller

Charles Robins

For more information on PACT and its leadership, please contact Amanda Nardi.

Technical.ly Philly caught the news on PACT’s announcement as soon as it crossed the wire. Juliana Reyes discussed PACT’s new Chairman of the Board, Jonathan Brassington, and how the decision was finalized. Reyes included the announcement in Technical.ly Philly’s Startup Roundup, which highlights entrepreneurship and investment news every Wednesday morning. Read the full article: Fresh off raising $53M, LiquidHub CEO named new PACT chairman [Roundup]

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PACT Announces Deloitte as Host of the IMPACT 2014 Capital Conference

Jennifer Cohen

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This year’s conference will examine Innovation from Start-up to Enterprise

PHILADELPHIA, PA –June 03, 2014 –Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) proudly announces that Michael J. Purcell, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP,will serve as Chairman and Host of the IMPACT 2014 Capital Conference. This year, IMPACT will explore innovation from the start-up to enterprise stages and highlight the latest advances in the technology, healthcare and early stage industries.

On October 28th and 29th, leading minds will gather in Philadelphia at the Ritz-Carlton and the Crystal Tea Room for an intensive two-day capital conference.  Having just celebrated 20 years of connecting capital and companies, IMPACT 2014 will feature company presentations, industry-specific panel sessions, prestigious keynote speakers, networking, and high visibility opportunities to sponsors, and attendees alike. All of which will complement IMPACT’s main focus: connecting the region’s best and brightest entrepreneurs and investors.

This stands as Deloitte’s second time hosting the IMPACT Conference. “Having hosted IMPACT in 2006, I have watched this conference grow in scope and breadth in the emerging markets. It represents an excellent opportunity to network with regional investors and learn from innovative entrepreneurial CEOs. I am excited to once again host this conference and continue the momentum,” explained Michael.

Mr. Purcell serves as the Philadelphia office practice leader of Deloitte Growth Enterprise Services which focuses on middle market organizations. He has over 34 years of professional services experience providing assurance and advisory services to public and private enterprise clients, including multi-national companies.  He has an extensive background serving technology, healthcare, consumer products and manufacturing companies with deep experience in financial reporting, mergers and acquisitions as well as capital sourcing and due diligence.

For the latest information, visit IMPACT at www.phillyimpact.com, Linkedin, Twitter (@IMPACTvcConf), and Facebook.

History of IMPACT The IMPACT Capital Conference has a long tradition of uniting key players from the private equity, venture capital, and entrepreneurial communities. This day-and-a-half event offers both sponsors and attendees access to emerging companies from the Mid-Atlantic region, networking opportunities with the movers and shakers from the community, and educational panels and content sessions. As the oldest and most established venture conference in the Northeast, IMPACT draws more than 1,000 participants. It stands as the catalyst for billions of dollars in venture funding and entrepreneurial success in the region. www.phillyimpact.com

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MedCity Converge

Jennifer Cohen

Where Healthcare Meets Innovation

PACT is a proud media partner with MedCity CONVERGE. Join us July 15th and 16th where the entire healthcare industry will gather in Philadelphia.

CONVERGE, now in its 3rd year, is a two-day, executive summit that brings together all sectors of healthcare to provide the most accurate picture of where healthcare innovation is heading.

Payers, providers, medtech, pharma, digital health, investors, policymakers and their support systems will come together at CONVERGE to focus on the innovations and technology solutions to healthcare challenges. Find out more here.

Register now with our partner code PACT and save 40%. 

Topics will include: future of telemedicine, personalized medicine, health insurance innovation speaker series, wearable technology, healthcare business innovation funding, oncology-focused startups and more. The Start-up Showcase will feature over 20 of the hottest early-stage startups showcasing cutting-edge technology solutions.

You’ll hear from healthcare experts and thought leaders from some of the most innovative organizations in the country, and come away with empowering, actionable insights.

CONVERGE is like no other event—you’ll get comprehensive intelligence about what’s coming next, to make better strategic decisions about your business. Take advantage of our partner discount—see you at CONVERGE.

Register today with our partner code PACT and save $300 off the regular price.

Healthcare IT Study and StradleyScape

Jennifer Cohen

Healthcare It:

Improving Quality of Care through Connectivity, Coordination & Engagement

           Healthcare information technology is the development, use and maintenance of specialized information systems that improve healthcare by increasing effectiveness, lowering costs, and creating connectivity between different stakeholders in the healthcare industry.

           Healthcare IT and many healthcare systems already are taking patient care to the next level.  For example, patients now have the option to self-check-in to hospital appointments by using a touch-screen kiosk.  Not only does this save the patient time, but also helps the care team by giving them instant access to patient-entered information they can use to better address the patient’s needs.  In addition to the health system level, technological advancements have also been made at the patient level. Individuals can now use various apps to monitor their health; interact with their care team; set reminders to take medications; measure their blood pressure, glucose level and heart rate; instantly access their medical records; and much more.

The Philadelphia region has more than its share of healthcare IT companies.  Generally, there are five broad categories of healthcare IT: (1) electronic medical records (EMRs);  (2) clinical care solutions; (3) personal health;  (4) claims management; and (5) IT infrastructure.  The StradleyScape© (version 2)[1] shows, by category, 92 companies that are operating within the region, demonstrating the robust nature and potential of the healthcare IT market.  For purposes of this article, we will focus on EMRs and clinical care solutions.

             A major trend involving EMR usage is increasing two-way connectivity between the EMR systems of hospitals (i.e., providers) and those of non-hospital-based doctors and labs.  Although many doctors’ offices already use specialized EMRs, many of them do not readily interface with hospital-based EMRs.  Thus, a major challenge in increasing efficiency is to integrate and connect the various systems.  An integrated system will work to connect and inform a patient’s care team and thereby improve the patient’s quality of care.

EMRs are increasing the ability of patients and caregivers to access records through various applications (i.e., mobile apps) from anywhere at any time.  Prior to these technological improvements, it could take up to several days to transfer a patient’s medical files, but now nearly everything can be done instantaneously.  As data is becoming more accessible and useable, the use of analytics by hospitals will be increasing, as will the use of data in clinical care systems (i.e., for chronic care management).  For these reasons, the need to develop a completely integrated system of health information exchanges is becoming more critical.

The 30-day readmission rule and recent movement towards accountable care is resulting in hospitals becoming risk-bearing entities.  We expect that this will drive hospitals and accountable care organizations to adapt by developing plans to effectively manage the associated risks and implement patient care, chronic care management and readmission reduction solutions.

            Another hot area of healthcare IT is patient compliance and patient adherence, the goal of which is to engage the patient through technology to follow his/her personal health regimen, such as an exercise program or taking prescribed medications.  We expect that pharmaceutical companies will see value in medication adherence programs and, in turn, will help support their further development and implementation.

One challenge to patient-centric healthcare IT solutions will be to encourage patients who are less tech-savvy to want to learn more about and become users of the many health management applications. Fostering confidence in the use of electronic databases is a vital step in increasing implementation of such systems and their further development.  Patients will be more willing to use technology systems as part of their everyday routines once they see the added value. Another challenge is to manage the inevitable concerns about data security and malfunctions in software.  Since it is impossible to eliminate risks of technological errors, it is important to establish adequate back-up systems and procedures for effectively and efficiently responding to these kinds of issues and preventing any future occurrences.

           As new systems and solutions are implemented, and technology continues to develop, the healthcare industry will continue to see increases in efficiency, effectiveness and the quality of care.  Hospitals that have already addressed connectivity issues likely will be early adopters of other solutions, while others will continue to focus on connectivity, and over the course of the next several years they will come together to expand the development and use of other healthcare IT solutions.

StradleyScape

[1]       The StradleyScape (version 2) is available at http://www.stradley.com/library/files/stradleyscape-final.pdf.

Stradley Ronon Team

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Dean Schwartz

Dean Schwartz is a partner in Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young’s Philadelphia office and co-chair of the firm’s healthcare IT practice group. He has more than three decades of experience structuring and closing important business transactions for his clients, which range from well-established businesses to emerging companies. He is also chair of the firm’s Emerging Business practice group and a member of the firm’s Life Sciences practice group. He can be reached at 215-564-8078 or dschwartz@stradley.com.

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Julia Rafferty

Julia Rafferty is counsel in the firm’s Philadelphia office and co-chair of the firm’s healthcare IT practice group.  She is also a member of the firm’s Emerging Business and Life Sciences practice groups and has significant experience representing life sciences companies in product liability cases and medical device trials. Julia can be reached at 215-564-8095 or jrafferty@stradley.com.

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Samantha Kats

Samantha Kats is an associate in the firm’s Malvern, Pennsylvania, office where she is a member of the firm’s life sciences and healthcare IT practice group. She focuses her practice on general litigation and represents clients in conferences, hearings, arbitrations, mediations and researching efforts. She can be reached at 484-323-1354 or skats@stradley.com.

PACT Exlpores Future of Innovation in Philadelphia

Jennifer Cohen

Philadelphia, June 6, 2014 – Despite a wet and dreary morning, PACT kicked off its 2014 Foundation Luncheon with high energy. This year’s lunch took place June 5th at the Hyatt at the Bellevue, right in the heart of center city Philadelphia. Over 200 attendees came out to celebrate PACT’s foundation and Philadelphia’s economic growth community. It focused on innovation and the future of entrepreneurship in the region.

PACT highlighted its founding sponsors and its Board of Directors’ leadership and commitment.  Marc Lederman, PACT’s resigning chairman and partner at NewSpring Capital, announced Jonathan Brassington, CEO of LiquidHub, as the new PACT Chairman of the Board. The event also featured presentations from TechGirlz and the Philadelphia Youth Network.

This year, PACT featured an in-depth discussion amongst some of Philadelphia’s leading minds in healthcare, technology and education. Moderated by Christopher Wink, President of Technical.ly Philly, the panelists included:

  • Dawn Bonnell, Vice Provost for Research, University of Pennsylvania
  • Deborah Crawford, Senior Vice Provost for Research, Drexel University
  • Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development & Director of Commerce, City of Philadelphia
  • Brian Lobley, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Consumer Business, Independence Blue Cross
  • Marc Siry, Vice President, Strategic Development, Comcast Corporation

The attendees left this year’s lunch with tips and tricks on working towards a better tomorrow in Philadelphia. Dawn Bonnell explained the University of Pennsylvania’s commitment to the Philadelphia community by changing the way it uses innovation. Deborah Crawford examined how higher education and innovation play key roles in community building.

Alan Greenberger discussed how Philadelphia is writing a “new story” with growth in employment, population and the community. Brian Lobley discussed the opportunities in Philadelphia and that anyone can make a difference with their ideas. Marc Siry closed the discussion by stressing that we must share ideas and work together in order to differentiate Philadelphia.

For more information on the 2014 PACT Foundation Luncheon, please contact Jennifer Cohen or Amanda Nardi.

Technical.ly Philly built excitement around PACT’s Foundation Luncheon and the future of innovation in Philadelphia. Christopher Wink examined the discussion between PACT’s panel of business leaders on building where their workforce lives. Check out the article: How institutional innovation hubs are learning from coworking spaces.

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