Latest news with #UCIHealth
Business Wire
29-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
UCI Health Partner with Sierra Donor Services to Expand Kidney Transplant Opportunities Utilizing Paragonix KidneyVault Preservation Technology
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Paragonix Technologies, a pioneer in organ transplant technologies and organ procurement services, announced today a groundbreaking initiative with Sierra Donor Services and UCI Health to place high-risk donor kidneys, expanding transplant opportunities for patients in need. , a nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO) serving more than 2.8 million people across 13 counties in Northern California and Nevada, is leveraging this collaboration to successfully place kidneys that were previously deemed high risk due to donor complications, geographic limitations, and other logistical considerations. Utilizing Paragonix's latest innovation—the KidneyVault Portable Renal Perfusion System —Sierra Donor Services has facilitated the transplantation of complex donor kidneys that had initially been declined due to factors such as donor age, cause of death, and underlying medical conditions. Through this technology, UCI Health has been able to transplant these organs successfully, demonstrating the transformative potential of advanced organ preservation in expanding the donor pool. The cutting-edge preservation system aims to combat key transplantation challenges by ensuring superior organ protection during transport and providing real-time monitoring of organ conditions and location. UCI Health, one of California's largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine and one of the fastest growing kidney transplant centers on the west coast. UCI Health is at the forefront of transplant innovation, seeking new opportunities and technologies to both improve access to donor organs and post-transplant outcomes. The lifesaving initiative is playing a critical role in addressing California's organ shortage by enabling the safe and effective utilization of kidneys that may have otherwise been potentially discarded. 'Currently, nearly 20,000 Californians are on the waiting list for a transplant, with 85% of them in need of a kidney. Last year over 9,000 kidneys recovered for transplant were ultimately unable to be used for a life saving transplant,' said Donna Smith, Chief Clinical Officer at Sierra Donor Services. 'The portable renal perfusion technology provided by KidneyVault gives us greater flexibility to place these much-needed organs, offering a second chance at life to patients who might not have otherwise received one.' Dr. Robert R. Redfield, Chief of Transplantation at UCI Health, emphasized the importance of this innovative preservation system in expanding transplant opportunities. 'UCI Health is proud to have the oldest and largest kidney transplant program in Orange County, with survival outcomes exceeding the national average,' said Dr. Redfield. 'This technological improvement allows transplant centers like ours to consider more complex organs, as donations that must travel greater distances can now be perfused throughout the entire transplant journey.' President of Paragonix Technologies, Dr. Lisa Anderson, PhD, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the company's commitment to honoring the gift of organ donation. 'Every organ donation is an incredible gift, and we believe it should be treated as such every single time,' said Dr. Anderson. 'With the KidneyVault Portable Renal Perfusion System, OPOs and transplant centers can confidently offer this life-saving gift to more patients by utilizing organs that previously would have gone unused.' For more information about Paragonix Technologies, please visit About Sierra Donor Services Sierra Donor Services (SDS) serves nearly three million people in Northern California and Northern Nevada. We are an exceptional team of professionals dedicated to saving and improving lives by connecting organ and tissue donation to the patients who need them. We strive to extend the reach of each generous donor's gift to those who are always profoundly grateful for them. For more information, visit About Paragonix Technologies Paragonix Technologies is a leading developer, manufacturer, and service provider in the organ transplant industry, establishing a novel approach to organ preservation. A Getinge company, Paragonix Technologies provides Advanced Organ Preservation ('AOP') devices that safeguard donor organs during the journey between donor and recipient patients. Our FDA-cleared and CE-marked devices incorporate clinically proven and medically trusted cold preservation techniques that allow unprecedented physical and thermal protection to the organ during transit. All Paragonix AOP devices are natively integrated with our novel digital app, delivering real-time organ tracking data and monitoring logistics for transplant teams seeking a secure and centralized solution. For more information, visit
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vizient Hosts Congressional Briefing on the Complexities of Hospital Financing
IRVING, Texas, May 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday on Capitol Hill, Vizient, Inc. hosted a congressional policy briefing titled, "Hospitals' Financial Health: The Complex Ecosystem of Provider Reimbursement," at the Rayburn House Office Building. The event featured remarks from Rep. Dave Min (D-CA) and drew an engaged audience of congressional staff and industry stakeholders. While unable to attend in person, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA) and Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) shared remarks in support of the briefing. The discussion focused on how hospitals are navigating a complex financial environment shaped by shifting reimbursement models, evolving policy changes, and increasing care demands. "Academic medical centers like UCI Health are training future clinicians while delivering essential care," said Rep. Min (D-CA). "However, growing financial pressures, especially around Medicaid reimbursement, threaten their ability to keep their doors open. We need to advance policies that ensure reliable reimbursement and protect access to care for all Californians." "As a former therapist and licensed nursing home administrator, I've seen first-hand the essential need for access to quality care," said Rep. Thompson (R-PA). "Reliable health systems are necessary for the health and economic well-being of rural communities. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to strengthen quality, lower costs, and increase the availability of care." "In neighborhoods across Orange County, hospitals are essential for delivering care, supporting jobs, and keeping our families healthy," said Rep. Correa (D-CA). "When hospitals in our district face financial strain, the ripple effects are real and immediate. We need strong, common-sense public policy that ensures hard-working American taxpayers have access to the care they need when they need it." Moderated by Michael D. Busch, FACHE, senior vice president, member networks at Vizient, the panel featured key healthcare leaders, including: Stephanie Daubert, Chief Financial Officer, Nebraska Medicine Steven M. Fontaine, Chief Executive Officer, Penn Highlands Healthcare Randolph P. Siwabessy, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, UCI Health & UC Irvine School of Medicine Panelists discussed the growing financial instability facing hospitals, particularly given the uncertainty around governmental funding. As noted during the briefing, hospitals are a unique combination of public utility, clinical enterprise, and academic mission, which makes their financing inherently complex. Adjusting one policy can unintentionally unravel other parts due to the system's interconnectedness. Panelists also highlighted rising operating costs, persistent labor shortages, delayed reimbursements, and the widening gap between payment rates and the actual cost of care, especially for Medicaid and Medicare patients. The panel underscored the need for sustainable policy solutions to protect hospital viability and patient access, highlighting priorities such as stabilizing government reimbursement programs, protecting safety net payments and programs and preserving graduate medical education support. Learn more about Vizient's advocacy and public policy efforts. About Vizient, Inc. Vizient, Inc., the nation's largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company, serves more than 65% of the nation's acute care providers, including 97% of the nation's academic medical centers, and more than 35% of the non-acute market. The Vizient contract portfolio represents $140 billion in annual purchasing volume enabling the delivery of cost-effective, high-value care. With its acquisition of Kaufman Hall in 2024, Vizient expanded its advisory services to help providers achieve financial, strategic, clinical and operational excellence. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Media ContactDonna Ledbetter(972)
Business Wire
15-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Vizient Hosts Congressional Briefing on the Complexities of Hospital Financing
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday on Capitol Hill, Vizient, Inc. hosted a congressional policy briefing titled, "Hospitals' Financial Health: The Complex Ecosystem of Provider Reimbursement," at the Rayburn House Office Building. The event featured remarks from Rep. Dave Min (D-CA) and drew an engaged audience of congressional staff and industry stakeholders. While unable to attend in person, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn 'GT' Thompson (R-PA) and Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) shared remarks in support of the briefing. The discussion focused on how hospitals are navigating a complex financial environment shaped by shifting reimbursement models, evolving policy changes, and increasing care demands. 'Academic medical centers like UCI Health are training future clinicians while delivering essential care,' said Rep. Min (D-CA). 'However, growing financial pressures, especially around Medicaid reimbursement, threaten their ability to keep their doors open. We need to advance policies that ensure reliable reimbursement and protect access to care for all Californians.' 'As a former therapist and licensed nursing home administrator, I've seen first-hand the essential need for access to quality care,' said Rep. Thompson (R-PA). 'Reliable health systems are necessary for the health and economic well-being of rural communities. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to strengthen quality, lower costs, and increase the availability of care.' 'In neighborhoods across Orange County, hospitals are essential for delivering care, supporting jobs, and keeping our families healthy,' said Rep. Correa (D-CA). 'When hospitals in our district face financial strain, the ripple effects are real and immediate. We need strong, common-sense public policy that ensures hard-working American taxpayers have access to the care they need when they need it.' Moderated by Michael D. Busch, FACHE, senior vice president, member networks at Vizient, the panel featured key healthcare leaders, including: Stephanie Daubert, Chief Financial Officer, Nebraska Medicine Steven M. Fontaine, Chief Executive Officer, Penn Highlands Healthcare Randolph P. Siwabessy, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, UCI Health & UC Irvine School of Medicine Panelists discussed the growing financial instability facing hospitals, particularly given the uncertainty around governmental funding. As noted during the briefing, hospitals are a unique combination of public utility, clinical enterprise, and academic mission, which makes their financing inherently complex. Adjusting one policy can unintentionally unravel other parts due to the system's interconnectedness. Panelists also highlighted rising operating costs, persistent labor shortages, delayed reimbursements, and the widening gap between payment rates and the actual cost of care, especially for Medicaid and Medicare patients. The panel underscored the need for sustainable policy solutions to protect hospital viability and patient access, highlighting priorities such as stabilizing government reimbursement programs, protecting safety net payments and programs and preserving graduate medical education support. Learn more about Vizient's advocacy and public policy efforts. About Vizient, Inc. Vizient, Inc., the nation's largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company, serves more than 65% of the nation's acute care providers, including 97% of the nation's academic medical centers, and more than 35% of the non-acute market. The Vizient contract portfolio represents $140 billion in annual purchasing volume enabling the delivery of cost-effective, high-value care. With its acquisition of Kaufman Hall in 2024, Vizient expanded its advisory services to help providers achieve financial, strategic, clinical and operational excellence. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
UCI Health Transforms Its Consumer Web Experience with the Abundant Health Acquisition (aha!) Health Experience Platform
Abundant Health Acquisition (aha!) is pleased to announce the launch of UCI Health 's redesigned website for patients and consumers, built on aha!'s Health Experience Platform (HXP) to deliver a smooth and customized path to care. This major update gives over 4 million residents in Orange County and parts of Los Angeles and Riverside counties an easy-to-navigate experience that's personalized to help them quickly find the best UCI Health care options, available appointments, and patient education, along with information on clinical trial participation nationwide. UCI Health selected aha! to design and implement the updated website based on the digital health experience agency's innovative use of technology to build on, rather than replace, UCI Health's existing technology stack, as well as aha!'s deep understanding of the types of retail experiences HCOs need to deliver today. As one of California's largest healthcare organizations (HCO) and a nationally recognized center for cancer care, UCI Health relied on aha! to grow its digital presence to reflect the modern, efficient, and personalized quality of care it offers. The organization also wanted its site to keep pace with its expanding care footprint, which in 2024 included the opening of a second cancer center and the acquisition of four community hospitals and their outpatient locations. 'UCI Health envisioned a new web experience that would give consumers their most relevant and timely options every time they search,' said Paul Dain, aha! CEO. 'Using aha!'s HXP, built on the Sitecore digital experience platform, we went beyond a typical HCO CMS-enabled service by unifying internal and external data sources—locations, providers, clinical trial data from around the country, and website content. Then we aligned those extensive backend connections to a powerful, user-friendly front end for a GenAI-style, customized user experience that tells each consumer a unique story of how UCI Health can meet their needs.' aha!'s HXP combines powerful data connectors, management tools, and front-end elements to help HCOs turn more consumers into patients, without the expense and time required for a full replatforming. HXP features included in the new UCI Health website include: HXP Universal Search: This dynamic, configurable, branded search experience delivers results that encompass site-wide content, provider availability, facility and provider locations, patient education, clinical trial information, and more. HXP Connectors: This set of standardized API integrations plus a common data model enables provider data management using Kyruus, Yext, or the HCO's internal platform; scheduling using Epic; and patient education using WebMD Ignite and UpToDate. HXP Management Tools: Tools native to Sitecore 10.x and XM Cloud facilitate administration, data management, and page authoring. HXP Component Suite: Customizable React-based components enable curated provider galleries, scheduling with customized calls to action, and universal search. HXP Geolocation Service: This HIPAA-compliant approach to location-based personalization streamlines consumer searchers without using PII. These HXP features enable HCOs to realize more value from typically underused digital experience platform features such as personalization, campaign management, and A/B testing. HXP also integrates easily with common analytics and tag management tools such as Google Analytics, Piwik PRO, and Freshpaint, giving HCO digital strategy and marketing teams clearer, more actionable performance insights to drive consumer awareness, engagement, and growth. About aha! Abundant Health Acquisition (aha!) was founded in 2017, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and is a part of the Abundant Venture Partners (AVP) portfolio of companies. As a Health Experience Company, aha! knows what consumers expect from modern digital health experiences and was purpose-built to help create these new experiences with the products and services necessary to bring them to life. aha! makes this optimistic vision a reality by designing digital health experiences that reduce friction and increase connections between patients and providers. The result is a digital front door that enables better care and better business. More at and on LinkedIn. Bonnie Moss Moss Networks 818-995-8127 [email protected] SOURCE: Abundant Health Acquisition Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/04/2025 08:07 AM/DISC: 04/04/2025 08:07 AM
