Daily Business Report: February 12, 2024
Sharp HealthCare launches Spatial Computing
Center of Excellence featuring Apple Vision Pro
To bring the benefits of spatial computing to the field of medicine, Sharp HealthCare announced the creation of the Spatial Computing Center of Excellence, which will convene clinicians and technologists to establish new ways to enhance patient care using the newly launched Apple Vision Pro. Apple Vision Pro seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world and unlocks powerful spatial experiences.
Sharp is launching this endeavor founded on collaboration with Epic and Elsevier, among others. Jointly, they will investigate how spatial computing will enhance effectiveness, productivity, collaboration, education and treatments across a wide range of specialties and clinical roles, from the doctor’s office and operating room to bedside care and caregiver education.
“Using Apple Vision Pro, you can immediately imagine the amazing and far-reaching implications of this technology for the practice and delivery of medicine,” said Chris Howard, president and chief executive of Sharp HealthCare.
Top Photo: Tommy Korn, MD, ophthalmologist with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, demonstrates potential clinical uses of Apple’s new Vision Pro at Sharp’s Prebys Innovation and Education Center.
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SDSU’s Master of Arts in Teaching named one of the nation’s best
By Michael Klitzing | SDSU
When a group of School of Teacher Education faculty members led by Professor Emerita Valerie Ooka Pang launched San Diego State University’s online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in 2014, it was something of a bold step into the unknown.
A decade later, the program is not just thriving, it’s recognized as one of the nation’s best.
SDSU is now tied at No. 5 in Graduate Education in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Online Program Rankings, released Wednesday.
It’s the highest ranking ever in the category for SDSU, which improved two spots from the 2023 list. The University of North Texas shared the No. 5 spot.
SDSU also picked up its first-ever ranking in the Curriculum and Instruction specialty category: No. 17.
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Harnessing human evolution to advance precision medicine
By Judith Myers | UC San Diego
Humans are still evolving, and Tatum Simonson, founder and co-director of the Center for Physiological Genomics of Low Oxygen at University of California School of Medicine, plans to use evolution to improve healthcare for all.
Her latest research, which was published February 9, 2024 in Science Advances, reveals that a gene variant in some Andean people is associated with reduced red blood cell count at high altitude, enabling them to safely live high in the mountains in low-oxygen conditions. Simonson’s UC San Diego lab is applying those findings toward understanding whether there may be a genetic component to why some people with sleep apnea or pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fare better than others.
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Flight attendant helps save rare flamingo eggs during flight
By Marianne Lindsey
Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Amber has had some unusual requests in her 10 years of flying, but being asked to help save some flamingo eggs just about topped them all.
The request came during a flight from Atlanta to Seattle last August.
“A passenger rang the call button and asked if I would help keep some eggs warm,” Amber said.
Befuddled, she inquired further and learned that the guest wasn’t crying fowl.
The guest was a zoo official transporting rare Chilean flamingo eggs from Zoo Atlanta to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo and the incubator keeping them warm had stopped working.
Thinking quickly, Amber went to the galley, found some rubber gloves and filled them with warm water. She brought them to the zoo official who quickly wrapped them around the eggs, making a cozy nest. Guests seated nearby offered their coats and scarves for extra insulation.
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High-Speed rail is coming to the Central Valley
California’s high-speed rail may still be a matter of carping debate in some political circles, but it’s fast becoming a reality for residents of the Central Valley. This heavily farmed region — historically separated from Los Angeles, San Francisco and the California coast by both conservative politics and physical distance — is first in line to benefit from an infrastructure project being built with tens of billions of dollars in state and federal money.
The 171-mile stretch of rail running between Merced and Bakersfield could be operational as early as 2030, with testing of the bullet trains slated to begin in 2028, according to the High-Speed Rail Authority.
Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom awarded
grant from The NAMM Foundation
For the 19th year in a row, San Diego-based Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom (GITC) has been named a grant recipient from The NAMM Foundation (National Association of Music Merchants). The grant will expand free, in-person music leadership training for education professionals of all kinds, and adding a special focus on training early childhood educators and childmcare providers to lead music with songs for learning early literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning in children’s most formative years. They currently have open registration going on for the early childhood educators and it is for them to roll the program out to their daycare programs and schools.
Matt Shufeldt promoted to chief solutions officer at EVOTEK
EVOTEK, a premier enabler of secure digital business, announced that Matt Shufeldt has been promoted to chief solutions officer. In his new role, Shufeldt will continue to lead the strategic services team with an extended scope of focusing on the creation and optimization of EVOTEK’s solutions for customers across services, products, and partnerships. His 30+ years of experience across multiple industries within IT and cybersecurity includes holding positions across VP roles in IT and product ownership.
Sempra named to JUST 100 List
Sempra has been named to the JUST 100 list by CNBC and JUST Capital, which honors companies with a strong commitment to serving its workers, customers, communities, the environment and shareholders. Sempra’s position on the list was highlighted by strong marks in the worker and community categories, recognizing how the company supports its communities through local job creation and charitable giving as well as how the company invests in its employees through areas like career development and diversity and inclusion.
CliniComp’s next-generation electronic health record system
CliniComp, a pioneer in high-performing, reliable electronic health record (EHR) solutions, announced the next generation of its disruptive system-as-a-service (SYaaS) solution suite to provide health systems of all sizes with a comprehensive longitudinal patient EHR that is quick to implement and at a dramatically lower total cost of ownership. CliniComp’s SYaaS model simplifies the customer experience by bundling everything needed to manage and maintain its EHR.
Headlight launches with $18 million in funding
Headlight, a tech-forward mental health practice committed to offering patients convenience and a simplified care journey, announced $18 million in new venture funding, led by Matrix and EPIC Ventures. Funding will help the company expand into additional states and add hundreds of new licensed therapists to their team by 2025. Prior to the transaction, Headlight added new executive leadership including Chief Executive Officer Geoff Swindle, former Chief Business Officer of PillPack, and Amazon Pharmacy.
Cordial launches strategic advisory board
Cordial, a marketing platform that empowers brands to fully automate their marketing strategies, announces the launch of its strategic advisory board. This collection of industry leaders from PacSun, eBay, Gap, Solo, Minted, and more will advise Cordial executives on how best to capitalize on growth opportunities and tackle emerging challenges. Their aim is to elevate Cordial as the market leader.
Dr. Neil Josephson named chief medical officer at Iambic Therapeutics
Iambic Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics using its AI-driven discovery platform, announced the appointment of oncologist and industry veteran Neil Josephson, M.D., as its chief medical officer (CMO). Trained in oncology and hematology, Josephson most recently was the CMO of Zymeworks where he led clinical development of zanidatamab, a HER2 bispecific antibody.
Clearspeed appoints Parker Wise to its advisory board
Clearspeed, the leading provider of AI-powered risk assessment technology for enterprise organizations, announced the appointment of Parker Wise to its advisory board. Parker brings extensive experience in developing and leading national security programs across the globe through his executive roles with the United States Federal Government, where he served for more than 28 years.
United National Foods concludes first
full-assortment selling show in San Diego
United Natural Foods, Inc. completed its first comprehensive product and solution regional selling show, reinforcing the company’s customer and supplier-focused strategy. The San Diego show featured the company’s complete range of natural, conventional, fresh, and organic products as well as UNFI’s Professional Services store solutions, which focus on driving growth and efficiency for retailers.
Payroll Integrations launches new TPA Connect Platform
Payroll Integrations, the technology company that’s reimagining how employers support employees’ financial well-being through benefit automation, announced the launch of its new TPA Connect Platform. The 401(k) compliance testing solution automates the process of collecting payroll and employee census data for third-party administrators (TPAs) and ensures they have accurate data for year-end testing.
Phenovista appoints Eckhard von Keutz to is Scientific Advisory Board
Phenovista, a life sciences services company developing and implementing multiplexed, high content imaging-based phenotypic assays for target validation, lead optimization, and mechanism of action studies, announced the appointment of Eckhard von Keutz to its Scientific Advisory Board. Most recently, Dr. von Keutz served as the senior vice president and head of translational science (Preclinical and Early Clinical Development) at Bayer Pharmaceuticals.