Adaptis, a single-source business process-integration company providing solutions to health payers, has hired Charles H. Black and Robert S. Hagan, who will serve as healthcare practice leaders. They will find ways to make the most of market opportunities to increase the current business lines of the firm. Prior to joining Adaptis, Black worked for DST Health Solutions as director for business process outsourcing sales. He has more than 20 years' experience in the field of technology solutions. Hagan has spent 20 years in the healthcare industry and worked with Perot Systems, Inc., before joining Adaptis. Teri Mullaney, vice president of strategic solutions at Adaptis, said that "their broad outsourcing sales and operations expertise combined with their deep knowledge of the healthcare payor industry will be a tremendous asset to Adaptis."
Philippine delegation holds health, wellness, and medical tourism roadshow
The Philippine Health and Wellness and Medical Tourism Roadshow was recently held in the U.S. to promote the Philippines as a feasible wellness center sought by medical practitioners across the world. A routine checkup costs $5,000 in the U.S. but only $500 in the Philippines. A delegation of healthcare officials from the Philippines also visited major healthcare centers in New Mexico and California and conducted meetings with Planet Hospital, Global Benefits Group, Inc., and the United Health Group. Doctors in the Philippines also provide elective procedures like liposuction, dental surgery, and cosmetic surgery as well as life-saving procedures like kidney transplants, coronary bypass surgery, and cancer treatment at low rates. Meanwhile, the U.S. is trying to reduce its insurance hurdles and portability limitations as well as permit American patients and retired personnel in the Philippines to receive regular treatment through their HMOs and Medicare.
Hilb, Rogal & Hobbs appoints healthcare practice leader
Hilb, Rogal & Hobbs, the fourth-largest insurance broker in Chicago, has named Pamela Haughawout as its Midwest healthcare practice leader. She joins as senior vice president of HRH, one of the world's major insurance and risk management mediators. A regular speaker at national and regional healthcare risk management conventions and forums, Haughawout is a member of many healthcare organizations, including the Healthcare Financial Management Association, the Professional Liability Underwriting Society, and the American Society of Healthcare Risk Managers. She is also a member of HRH's National Healthcare Practice Steering Committee. With 30 years' experience in the healthcare industry and expertise in insurance and risk management, she joins the Midwest team from HRH's Boston office. Haughawout will assist 10 offices in the area.
Teen births decline in U.S. hospitals
The latest "News and Numbers" report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) states that the rate of births by girls younger than 18 dropped by 25% in U.S. hospitals between 1997 and 2004. However, the U.S. still has the highest teen pregnancy and birth rates in the developed world. The AHRQ also mentions that in 2004, around 148,000 mothers younger than 18 gave birth in U.S. hospitals. The highest rate of teen births was in the South (52 per 100,000), while the lowest was in the Northeast (27 per 100,000). In almost 3% of the cases, the mothers had no health insurance.
Healthcare investment bank appoints senior managing director
Healthcare-focused investment banking firm Leerink Swann has appointed Steve Weiss to serve as its senior managing director. He will also head the institutional sales division. Weiss formerly served as a managing member and co-founder of Short Hill Capital Partners, LLC. Leerink Swann offers biomedical-consulting services to the institutional investment community through its MEDACorp division, which evaluates the possibilities of cutting-edge medical technologies through a committed external network of academic and community healthcare professionals and an internal team of experts. Jeffrey A. Leerink, chairman and CEO of Leerink Swann, stated that the firm was delighted to incorporate Weiss and added that "with our exclusive focus on healthcare and award-winning sales team, Steve's management and leadership will be invaluable as we strive to become the premier healthcare investment bank on Wall Street."
