Sanford Health Corp.

ANDOVER, Mass. & HAIFA, Israel--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- MeMed , a leader in host-response diagnostics, today announced the addition of three distinguished experts to its advisory board to accelerate its mission of addressing the global challenges of sepsis and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through innovative diagnostic solutions. These new members bring decades of experience in medicine, industry, and healthcare policy, strengthening MeMed’s work in host-response technologies, which combine machine learning with rapid measurements of the immune response to transform infectious disease care. The advisory board now includes: Beat Müller , M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of Basel, and a global authority on procalcitonin diagnostics and sepsis care. Dave Hickey , former Executive Vice President and President of the Life Sciences segment for BD, and a seasoned expert in in-vitro diagnostics (IVD). David Shulkin , M.D., the ninth Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Board Member at Sanford Health, with deep expertise in U.S. healthcare delivery and policy. Prof. Müller emphasized the critical role of advanced host-response diagnostics: “AMR and sepsis are deeply interconnected challenges, and host-response diagnostics are the next frontier in addressing them. I look forward to working with MeMed to further strengthen clinical outcome data for their FDA-cleared MeMed BV test and the in-development FDA Breakthrough-designated MeMed Severity test. These tools have the potential to significantly improve clinical decision-making by providing actionable insights into bacterial versus viral infections and predicting the likelihood of suspected sepsis severity.” Mr. Hickey, a veteran professional in the IVD industry, said: “Integrating traditional IVD with host-response and machine learning is a major step forward. MeMed’s approach is expected to enhance patient management throughout the sepsis continuum of care, addressing unmet needs in both centralized hospital labs and decentralized settings. I am excited to help shape their commercial strategy and expand partnerships to make these innovations widely accessible and make sure they impact as many patients as possible.” Dr. Shulkin spoke on the importance of scaling MeMed’s diagnostics in the U.S. healthcare system: “Sepsis and AMR are among the most pressing challenges in U.S. healthcare. MeMed’s host-response solutions have the potential to revolutionize care delivery, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and optimize resources in a cost-effective way. I look forward to helping operationalize them to address these critical needs.” “We are privileged to work alongside such an extraordinary group of leaders,” said Eran Eden, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of MeMed. “Their expertise will help us advance the field of host-response diagnostics and bring these tools to clinicians and patients worldwide.” MeMed BV® and MeMed Key are 510(k) FDA, CE-IVD (IVDR certified) and available in the US and EU. MeMed Severity™ is currently in development and has not been cleared for sale by any regulatory authority. About MeMed At MeMed , our mission is to translate the immune system’s complex signals into simple insights that transform the way diseases are diagnosed and treated, profoundly benefiting patients and society. MeMed BV® is the first FDA-cleared host-immune response test for accurately distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections in 15 minutes. MeMed Severity™ is a groundbreaking host-response test designed to predict the likelihood of progression to severe outcomes in patients with suspected acute infection or sepsis. It is in development and has been awarded FDA Breakthrough Designation. Follow and connect with MeMed via LinkedIn , X , and Facebook .

The American Telemedicine Association this week announced its new ATA Center of Digital Excellence, or CODE, which will see the telehealth group working with several major U.S. health systems on innovative ways to integrate digital pathways across the care continuum. CODE participants will work to drive the development and deployment of new best practices for patient-centered care, equitable access and clinical and operational outcome improvements, according to ATA. WHY IT MATTERS The aim of the new initiative is to advance leading-edge digital health tools and services to improve clinical workflows, engage more patients and improve healthcare accessibility, according to ATA. CODE comprises an alliance of leading health systems, with its founding members including Intermountain Health, Mayo Clinic, MedStar Health, Ochsner Health, OSF HealthCare, Sanford Health, Stanford Health Care, UPMC, and West Virginia University Medicine Children’s Hospital. Virtual care companies Access TeleCare and AvaSure have also joined as founding sponsors and will help advance CODE’s product development and support its goal to advance digital health technologies across different care settings. Elissa Baker, RN, ATA's senior VP of digital strategy and clinical innovation, will lead CODE's launch and its engagement efforts going forward. Baker will work with the center's members to help make it a "vital catalyst in reshaping the digital care delivery landscape," according to ATA's announcement. CODE's member organizations will compare insights and strategies, "contributing to published workflows, success stories, and benchmarks that shape best practices and maturity models in digital care delivery," says ATA, "helping others develop sustainable and effective models for integrating digital care." As the center expands and gains momentum, it aims to add more health systems, clinical leaders and IT companies into the collaborative network. CODE plans to host regular summits and events, and will publish an array of resources for members through ATA’s Member Connection starting in the spring. It will be accepting applications on a rolling basis, with founding members reviewing and selecting applicants continuously as initiatives are identified. To learn more and submit your organization for consideration, visit the ATA’s Center of Digital Excellence website . THE LARGER TREND The ATA has been very busy recently, most notably with its efforts over the past many months to help marshal industry-wide support to extend telehealth flexibilities in a legislative package before they expire at the end of the year. "It is incumbent on Congress to do the right thing and pass legislation extending telehealth flexibilities for as long as possible, including both the existing Medicare telehealth flexibilities and the critical HDHP-HSA provision that allows Americans to access telehealth services before meeting their deductible," said Kyle Zebley, executive director of ATA Action, earlier this month. “By acting in the best interest of patients and healthcare providers, Congress can swiftly address mounting ramifications that are already hindering care delivery and ensure all patients receive the care they need, no matter where they live." ON THE RECORD "Telehealth is not an either/or solution but a critical addition to in-person care, addressing gaps where traditional access is limited or unavailable," said ATA CEO Ann Mond Johnson in a statement announcing the ATA’s Center of Digital Excellence this week. "With these renowned health systems, we are setting the standard for how innovation and technology can enhance, extend, and equalize access to high-quality healthcare for all. Through CODE, we are convening top health systems to establish models that seamlessly integrate digital care into broader care delivery approaches." Mike Miliard is executive editor of Healthcare IT News Email the writer: mike.miliard@himssmedia.com Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Sanford Health has purchased two health facilities based in Rapid City. Sanford Health, Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center (BHOSC) and Black Hills Surgical Hospital (BHSH) announced in a news release Thursday they are joining together. Sanford Health will be the parent organization of the Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center, the Black Hills Surgical Hospital and the group’s associated facilities in Rapid City and Black Hills Surgery Center in Gillette, Wyoming. Upon closing, these locations will transition to nonprofit status and begin operating as part of Sanford Health. “We sought out a partner who shares our unwavering commitment to exceptional, high-quality care and a vision for bringing innovation and the most advanced medicine to those we serve,” said Lew Papendick, M.D., chair of Black Hills Surgical Hospital, LLP. “We’re inspired by Sanford Health’s commitment to being the premier rural health system in the United States and excited to help move that forward in western South Dakota and Wyoming on behalf of our patients.” The combination is expected to close in the next week. A regional board of community leaders will be established to govern the operations and strategy of the Western SD/Wyoming region with Dr. Papendick, a longtime physician and community leader serving as chair. Kyle Wiese will serve as regional president and CEO, and local physician leaders will represent the Western SD/Wyoming market within the Sanford Health organization.