In brief: Permobil acquisition, MobilityWorks recognition, Walgreens partnership

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Permobil has acquired Vancouver, B.C.-based PDG Mobility, adding expertise and a leading range of tilt-in-space products to its portfolio of complex rehabilitation solutions.  

“I’m delighted to welcome PDG Mobility to the Permobil family,” says Chuck Witkowski, president of Permobil Americas. “At Permobil, we are committed to providing end users with the highest quality, most clinically relevant solutions. PDG’s portfolio meets that standard. PDG Mobility and Permobil are built on the same core values of a focus on the end user and their needs.” 

Permobil says PDG Mobility’s products have high end-user and caregiver satisfaction, and the company has a strong employee knowledge base, including a vibrant R&D team.    

For PDG, being part of Permobil will expand the company’s reach. 

“We look forward to continuing our rapid growth journey as part of Permobil,” says Thomas Dietsch, CEO of PDG Mobility. “With Permobil’s global reach and expertise in the field, this acquisition will allow PDG to expand our reach and end user impact. We couldn’t be more excited to join forces with the top manufacturer in the industry.”  

There is no immediate change or impact to PDG’s customers. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  

JB Medical, StrongBow Strategies bring health care to Native Americans 

WIXOM, Mich. – JB Medical and Strongbow Strategies, a Navajo Native American and women-owned company, have formed Strongbow Health, a new partnership aimed at servicing the health care needs of more than 4 million Native Americans in the United States.  

To start, the companies will deliver affordable DME, diabetes and pharmaceutical products and services to the homes of Medicaid recipients in New Mexico and the Mountain West regions. 

"We are creating an ecosystem of care that aligns health care delivery and social innovation,” said Stephen Shaya, M.D., Executive Servant Leader at J&B Medical. “We want to ensure that care delivery is equitable and accessible to all regardless of race, social class, or location. The spirit of this unique partnership to elevate the underserved and underprivileged reminded me of a great Navajo proverb: ‘Good thoughts and good deeds lift your spirit high.’"  

Strongbow Health also aims to secure a closer relationship with Optum and UHC Community and State, enabling the company to provide specialized behavioral health telemedicine for specific populations in their 34 markets.  

"We are delighted to partner with J&B Medical to expand our value proposition in serving rural and tribal communities,” said Clara Pratte, CEO at Strongbow Strategies. “Strongbow's mission of restoring and strengthening indigenous economies while investing in innovation will be a key part of this partnership and model." 

Foot Solutions opens new Florida location 

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Foot Solutions has announced the grand opening of its newest store in Delray Beach, Fla. "We are excited to bring Foot Solutions to Delray, and we look forward to serving our community with the highest standards of foot wellness care," said John Prothro, CEO at Foot Solutions, Inc. "Our dedicated team is passionate about helping our customers find solutions for their foot health concerns, and we can't wait to assist our Delray Beach neighbors in leading more comfortable and active lives." Key offerings at the new store include: a wide array of stylish and comfortable footwear options; 3D printed custom insoles; and top footwear brands, including Brooks, Aetrex, Finn Comfort, Mephisto, Kenkoh & Noene. The company will hold an event on Sept. 26 to celebrate the opening. 

 MobilityWorks recognized as great place to work 

RICHFIELD, Ohio – MobilityWorks has been recognized as one of America's Greatest Workplaces 2023 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. MobilityWorks achieved a perfect 5-star rating based on results from a national survey on benefits, workplace environment, career development and more. "We view our team members as our greatest strategic advantage and are dedicated to protecting, nurturing and developing our purpose-driven culture with a focus on communication, recognition, achievement and accountability," said Bryan Everett, CEO. "Being recognized as one of America's Greatest Workplaces is meaningful for our entire team and validates our efforts to provide a workplace where individuals, team culture and business can all thrive." Newsweek and data firm Plant-A Insights Group conducted a large employer survey of more than 61,000 people living and working in the U.S. for companies that employ at least 1,000 workers. The study collected more than 389,000 reviews that ranked and evaluated companies in eight categories: company image, corporate culture, working environment, work-life balance, training and career progression, compensation and benefits, sustainability awareness and proactive management of a diverse workforce. 

 Avalon GloboCare acquires Merlin Medical Supply 

FREEHOLD, N.J. – Avalon GloboCare, a developer of innovative precision diagnostics and provider of clinical laboratory services, has announced that Laboratory Services MSO has acquired Merlin Medical Supply, an HME company providing acute and non-acute medical supplies in Ventura County, Calif. Additionally, LSM has acquired Leading Edge Innovations, which owns the GeeWhiz External Condom Catheter, a patented, FDA-registered, in-market, male incontinence device, from the same owner.  “MMS has been servicing the community in Ventura for over 20 years and is an in-network provider for major insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid,” said David Jin, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Avalon, which owns a 40% interest in LSM. “The medical supply market is expected to grow rapidly with the rising geriatric population and MMS is well positioned to capitalize on this market opportunity given its established relationships with payers and clients. By combining MMS with LSM, we look forward to supporting their national expansion.” In addition to Medicare and Medicaid, MMS has contracts with major health care payers, including Optum-Rx, CCS, Tri-Care, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, Aetna, United Health and Gold Coast.  

Walgreens, Pearl Health expand value-based care 

DEERFIELD, Ill. & NEW YORK – Walgreens and Pearl Health, which offers technology and insight solutions that it says empowers clinical teams to provide holistic, personalized treatment, have formed a partnership to accelerate the expansion of value-based care in collaboration with community-based primary care physicians. Walgreens, a division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, will provide complementary services, including prescription fulfillment, medication adherence, immunizations, care gap closure and diagnostic testing, and work with providers to help patients discharged from hospital to home. “Walgreens is committed to being the partner of choice for providers and health systems looking to transition quickly and effectively to value-based care and improve outcomes in the communities they serve,” said John Driscoll, executive vice president and president, U.S. Healthcare, Walgreens Boots Alliance. “Our partnership with Pearl Health allows us to reach more communities faster and enable comprehensive, affordable care that improves long-term health outcomes and fosters healthier communities.” Walgreens, which is also a majority investor in VillageMD, says this tech-enabling partnership with Pearl Health provides an additional, complementary value-based delivery channel that will allow it to reach more regions and patients, and offer an even broader set of solutions to providers and health systems. The company has also invested in CareCentrix and Shields Health Solutions. 

Next Day Access opens in Dallas 

DALLAS – Next Day Access has opened a new location in Dallas, its fourth in Texas. The Next Day Access Central Dallas franchise, a provider of residential and commercial accessibility and mobility products, is owned by Dave and Phairat Rice. “We are excited to open our doors and begin providing customers with accessibility solutions,” said Dave Rice, owner/CEO. “With being in such a niche industry, not many people know the type of products that exist to help them age safely in their homes or who to call, so we are proud to be a resource for our customers in the Dallas market.” Dave Rice is an experienced business leader with more than 20 years with companies that include PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and Miller Brewing. He also has experience in construction, restoration and rehabilitation of apartments and homes. Phairat Rice’s experience includes computer manufacturing, accounting and light construction. Next Day Access in Dallas sells, delivers and installs accessibility and mobility products, such as wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, grab bars, pool lifts and more. 

Evie expands medical advisory board 

PLEASANTON, Calif. – Dr. Fátima Rodriguez, MD, MPH, has joined the Medical Advisory Board of Movano Health, maker of the Evie Ring. Dr. Rodriguez is an associate professor and Section Chief of Preventive Cardiology at Stanford University, and a practicing noninvasive and preventive cardiologist. “As a company committed to delivering medical grade data and bridging the health equity gap, we felt it is critical to bring the voice of female medical professionals to the forefront of our product development efforts,” said John Mastrototaro, CEO of Movano Heath. “Heart health is a an often-overlooked component of women’s health, and we are so fortunate to have Dr. Rodriguez joining us on our mission to bridge the gap.” Dr. Rodriguez specializes in cardiovascular disease prevention, inherited lipid disorders and cardiovascular risk assessment in high-risk populations. Her research includes a range of topics around racial, ethnic and gender disparities in cardiovascular disease prevention, developing novel interventions to address disparities, and opportunistic screening of coronary artery disease. Dr. Rodriguez earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and her MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health.