Somna Therapeutics’ acid OK’d by FDA reflux device
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for marketing the REZA BAND UES Assist Device, which was developed by Germantown-based Somna Therapeutics LLC.
The REZA BAND is a non-medicated, non-surgical medical device that applies slight external pressure to the neck to help reduce symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux by preventing regurgitation of stomach contents through the esophageal sphincter. It was developed based on two decades of scientific and clinical research conducted by a leading gastroenterologist at the Wauwatosa-based Medical College of Wisconsin.
The band is worn just below the Adam’s apple to press on the cricoid cartilage area. It aims to reduce symptoms including chronic throat irritation and cough, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing and postnasal drip that can be caused by acid reflux..
Racine DaVita dialysis clinic breaks ground
A groundbreaking ceremonywas held recently for a new DaVita dialysis clinic at 3113 Washington Ave. in Racine that is expected to open in the fall.
The 10,573-square-foot clinic will replace a 20-plus-year-old clinic located in a multi-tenant building at 818 6th St. in Racine.
The existing clinic was outdated and had reached capacity, according to Luke Peters, pre-development manager of PCI | HealthDev, the Dallas-based developer of the project.
MJM Group, based in Raleigh, N.C., is the construction manager, and DeLeers Construction Inc. of De Pere is the general contractor.
Extendicare closing; some employees offered jobs
Following the recent news that Milwaukee-based Extendicare Health Services will close on April 30, Extendicare’s president and chief executive officer said local offers of employment have been extended to approximately 190 of the 287 affected employees.
“We have made every effort to work with the various management companies involved in this transaction,” said Tim Lukenda, president and CEO. “Extendicare will work closely with the Department of Workforce Development in providing resources to any remaining employees impacted by this transaction.”
Markham, Ontario-based Extendicare Inc. notified state officials in February of its intent to close the headquarters of its Milwaukee-based Extendicare Health Services subsidiary. The closure is a result of Extendicare’s board of directors’ decision to sell substantially all of the company’s U.S. business to a group of investors led by Formation Capital LLC, a Georgia-based, healthcare-focused private investment firm, for $870 million.
BreatheReady Wellness Center opens in Menomonee Falls
A new health center specializing in the use of dry salt aerosol therapy opened recently in Menomonee Falls. Called the BreatheReady Wellness Center, it is located at N56 W14108 Silver Spring Drive.
Dry salt therapy is used to help people with a wide range of respiratory and skin conditions improve wellness and live better by minimizing symptoms and related effects. Available services include: adult respiratory care, adult skin care, employer wellness programs, kids lung and skin care, pranayama yoga lung therapy and sports performance.
With five private therapy rooms staffed by a team of therapy associates, the BreatheReady Center is equipped to administer more than 200 private respiratory therapy sessions per week, nearly 150 skin care therapy sessions per week and more than 400 sessions in the multi-use room, dedicated to healing events for groups.
Integrated Health Network forms agreement with Humana
Brookfield-based Integrated Health Network of Wisconsin formed a three-year accountable care agreement with Humana Inc. effective Jan. 1 with the intent of improving wellness and driving more coordinated care for Medicare Advantage members in Wisconsin.
Humana’s Medicare Advantage members now have access to IHN’s broad range of facilities and physicians in Wisconsin. IHN’s clinically integrated network currently includes 42 hospitals, 500 clinics and more than 5,000 physicians spanning northern, central, western and eastern Wisconsin.
IHN’s current members are Agnesian HealthCare, Columbia St. Mary’s, Froedtert Health, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Hospital Sisters Health System, Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.
