Medical Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Episode of Hit CBS Reality Series, to Rebroadcast Friday, June 1
GURNEE, Ill., May 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The CBS Television Network is rebroadcasting the episode of the Emmy-nominated reality television series UNDERCOVER BOSS that features BrightStar Care CEO and Co-Founder Shelly Sun, Friday, June 1 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).
BrightStar Care, one of the fastest growing home healthcare and staffing providers in the country has more than 250 locations across North America. BrightStar Care is one of the few full-service healthcare agencies to offer both medical and non-medical homecare to clients of all ages within their homes, as well as supplemental healthcare staffing to corporate clients such as hospitals and nursing homes...

May 25, 2012 // Franchising.com // GURNEE, IL – BrightStar Group Holdings announced today it has promoted Jayson Pearl to the newly created role of Chief Brand Officer. As CBO of BrightStar Care® and emerging new brands, Mr. Pearl will be responsible for the innovation and implementation of fully integrated brand development strategies across all communication channels, such as the incubation and deployment of BrightStar’s future Assisted Living franchise opportunity.
Mr. Pearl joined BrightStar in 2009 as Vice President of Marketing and Franchisee Onboarding where he led the implementation of a system-wide rebranding effort, development of the BrightStart franchisee launch program, and the pilot program leading to Joint Commission Accreditation of all US BrightStar Care® locations...

Jacksonville, Miami, and Southern Virginia Centers Add to Nationwide Expansion
OWINGS MILLS, Md., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Medifast, Inc. (NYSE: MED) announces the grand openings of eleven Medifast Weight Control Centers in three new markets: Jacksonville, Miami, and Southern Virginia. For more information and to find the nearest Medifast Weight Control Center, log onto http://www.medifastcenters.com or call 1-888-Y-MEDIFAST.
Four Centers opened in Jacksonville, two Centers in Miami, and five Centers in Southern Virginia from February through May 2012. The Southern Virginia Centers are located in Chesapeake, Newport News, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.
"Our focus is on opening new Medifast Weight Control Centers in strong markets, and Jacksonville, Miami, and Southern Virginia offer that opportunity...

First of its Kind Wellness System Improves Muscular Strength And Bone Health in Just Five Minutes a Week
May 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // HOUSTON, TX – For a maturing baby boomer population, aging well has become a top priority. As people age, lowered bone density, loss of muscle strength, and the aches and pains of growing older are factors that greatly reduce the quality of life.
In addition, Osteoporosis is reaching epidemic proportions with over 10 million Americans already diagnosed with the condition and another 34 million having low bone mass. Bones naturally become thinner as we age because existing bone is broken down more quickly than new bone is produced. This eventually can lead to painful and limiting osteoporosis...

May 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // Cincinnati, OH - FirstLight HomeCare, a franchised provider of professional, non-medical, live-in and hourly care services to seniors and others who need assistance, is pleased to announce the addition of Clay Neff to its corporate team as director of franchise development. After eight years working in franchise sales and development for various companies, Neff brings his business acumen and franchising expertise to his new position at FirstLight. In his new role, he will be responsible for guiding well-qualified franchise candidates through the franchise award process.
“I’m looking forward to working with a company that is poised for optimum growth where I can utilize my skills and experience to further elevate the brand,” said Neff...

Health Care Franchise Leader Seeks Entrepreneurs to Expand in Monmouth, Brick, Atlantic City and Ocean County
SUNRISE, Fla., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Interim HealthCare, the nation's leading home care, hospice and healthcare staffing franchise, announced today it is seeking to expand its presence into New Jersey. With the home healthcare industry experiencing exponential growth and increase in demand, Interim HealthCare is poised to rapidly expand and is seeking entrepreneurs to own and operate new franchise locations in various counties throughout New Jersey including Monmouth, Brick, Atlantic City and Ocean County.
Interim HealthCare was the first health care franchise company to offer all levels and types of the continuum of care including nursing, therapy, personal care and support, hospice and healthcare staffing...

Susan Freilino Named 2012 Interim HealthCare Nurse of The Year
SUNRISE, Fla., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Interim HealthCare, the nation's leading home care, hospice and healthcare staffing franchise, announced today that Susan Freilino, RN of Interim HealthCare Bakersfield, California as the 2012 Interim HealthCare Nurse of The Year. In celebration of National Nurses Week, which begins May 6th and ends on May 12th, Interim HealthCare is saluting all nurses and healthcare workers who provide care to their patients at over 300 franchise offices across the country.
"Susan is an inspiration to all nurses as she demonstrates the qualities of excellence and care to her patients," said Kathleen Gilmartin, RN, president and CEO of Interim HealthCare, Inc...

National Home HealthCare Franchise Provides Quality Care During End-of-Life Stage
SUNRISE, Fla., April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a study by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NAPCO) an estimated 1.58 million patients received hospice services. Yet for every person who received hospice services, it is estimated that another individual who would have benefited went without this compassionate care at the end of his or her life.[1] Interim HealthCare, the nation's first home care, hospice and healthcare staffing franchise, is quickly becoming a leader in providing comfort and guidance to patients and families during this difficult time.
Interim HealthCare Hospice franchisees offer the best in medical, psychosocial, spiritual and nursing care, using state-of-the-art approaches to symptom management to promote wellbeing, while focusing on spiritual and emotional support...

New Aventura/North Miami Beach and Plantation locations to host Grand Openings on Tuesday, April 24th.
Miami, FL (PRWEB) April 20, 2012 - In an effort to provide professional, convenient and affordable lab testing, ANY LAB TEST NOW®, one of the nation's fastest-growing retail franchising opportunities with 24 locations in Florida, has opened its newest locations in the Aventura/North Miami Beach and Plantation communities. The new facilities, located on Biscayne Blvd. and Sunrise Blvd., will host Grand Opening celebrations on April 24th.
“As our company continues to expand throughout the nation, it is fun for our entire organization to share in the excitement when owners like Guy Ben-Shalom, Gary Trezza and Wynder Castaneda integrate into their local communities to provide this new, affordable, and convenient lab testing service,” says Joe Neely, chief executive officer of ANY LAB TEST NOW®...

With plans for 80 new urgent care centers by 2013, Doctors Express turns to DocuTAP’s solution to ensure consistency in EMR and PM during growth and expansion.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DocuTAP, a provider of electronic medical records (EMR) and practice management (PM) software, today announced a partnership with Doctors Express, a nationwide urgent care franchise.
“Industry veterans like Dr. Shufeldt understand the importance of enhancing operational efficiencies to succeed in this highly competitive market.”
“Given DocuTAP’s track record within the urgent care industry and the company’s excellent reputation and experience in electronic medical records space specifically in the urgent care space, DocuTAP was a clear choice for us to support our company’s business development objectives and enable ongoing innovation and growth,” said John Shufeldt, MD, JD MBA, CEO of Doctors Express...

16 Clinics are Scheduled to Open
April 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // Scottsdale, Arizona - The Joint Corp., a leading franchisor of chiropractic clinics, announced today the awarding of the Inland Empire, California region to Ms. Christina Ybañez for the development of 16 clinics in the area.
A genuine self-starter and equipped with an entrepreneurial spirit, Ybañez became familiar with chiropractic care after suffering from severe back pain. “After spending thousands of dollars on traditional medicine to try to alleviate the insufferable pain I was in, I reached out to chiropractic care as a last resort. Since then I fully realized how beneficial and important routine chiropractic care is,” said Ybañez, a business graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso...

April 12, 2012 // Franchising.com // Primary Pain Relief (Chiropractic franchise) announces a special, reduced cost, franchise program for chiropractors who have a current practice, making it easy for them to “convert” to be a Primary Pain Relief (Chiropractic) franchise owner.
Dr. Steven Poulos, D.D.S., dentist and founder of Primary Pain Relief, explained, “Chiropractors have faced a reduction in insurance and other payments in recent years, and some are struggling with how to develop new sources of income, and convert their practice to be more cash based.”
“The Primary Pain Relief franchise addresses this by helping chiropractors associate with, learn from, and apply the marketing and in-office methods and techniques used in our franchise model, which we believe is one of the best franchises,” he continued...

Amramp Helps Those with Mobility Issues Stay at Home Longer with Accessibility Solutions
April 11, 2012 // Franchising.com // BOSTON – With the cost of living in a nursing home averaging a staggering $100,000 per year, more and more individuals prefer to age in their homes as long as safely possible – resulting in a pent up demand for accessibility solutions for the home. Using a patented, low-cost modular metal ramp system, Amramp has developed affordable products and services to make living at home possible for the mobility-challenged.
Providing easy accessibility to and from destinations, Amramp’s wheelchair ramps can be rented or purchased on either a temporary or permanent basis in residential, commercial and municipal facilities...

Direct Access Lab Testing Service Any Lab Test Now Joins Telemedicine Services to Complete the Circle of Non-Emergent Care
Alpharetta, GA (PRWEB) March 29, 2012 - ANY LAB TEST NOW®, one of the first direct access laboratory testing services companies in the U.S., has joined forces with AmeriDoc® in an effort to provide a complementary alternative to its customers who wish to take control of their health. AmeriDoc® provides consumers nationwide, round-the-clock access to licensed network physicians via telephone, video or secured e-mail. Regardless of a person’s location, they can connect with a network physician to simply ask questions about health concerns, or for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of common conditions...

20 Clinics are Planned to Open in the Area
March 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // Scottsdale, Arizona - The Joint Corp., a leading franchisor of chiropractic clinics, announced today the awarding of the South Carolina and NE Georgia regions to Michael "Mici" Fluegge for the development of 20 clinics in the area.
Mr. Fluegge is a current franchisee of two highly successful Massage Envy clinics. As his Massage Envy clinics became established, he began looking for other successful opportunities. Hearing a new membership based concept was being started by John Leonesio, Founder and former CEO of Massage Envy and current CEO of The Joint, Mici knew this was the business for him and purchased three franchises. “John Leonesio has carefully crafted a business model that is second to none and almost always guarantees a successful operation,” said Fluegge...

Franchise Healthcare Company Highlights Janet Parrott and Importance of Maintaining Her Independence
SUNRISE, Fla., March 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Interim HealthCare, the nation's first and finest healthcare franchise company, today launched the first of its 2012 mini-documentary video series, "Stories from Home". The mini-documentary highlights the benefits of receiving home care assistance after Interim HealthCare of Orlando, Florida client, Julia Parrott, suffered two heart attacks. The video is now available for viewing on Interim HealthCare's YouTube channel www.youtube.com/interimhealthcare.
The mini-documentary focuses on the true story of Janet, an Orlando Florida resident who found herself unable to do daily tasks after her heart attacks...

Urgent care franchisor strengthens leadership, prepares for growth.
Towson, MD (PRWEB) March 05, 2012 - Doctors Express, the first ever national urgent care franchise, has been acquired by Phoenix-based Immediate Clinic, LLC and The Ensign Group, Inc., based in Mission Viejo, Calif. The acquisition will infuse the resources and leadership experience to accelerate the company’s strategic growth plans.
Doctors Express will continue to operate under the same name. The executive team will remain with the company serving on the Board of Directors, and Dr. Scott Burger will continue in the role of Medical Director.
Immediate Clinic’s seasoned urgent care executive team is led by Dr. John Shufeldt, founder and former CEO of NextCare, one of the nation's largest and most successful privately-owned providers of urgent care and occupational medical services...

February 29, 2012 // Franchising.com // Dr. Steven Poulos, D.D.S., a dentist and entrepreneur based in Scottsdale, Arizona, has announced the availability of Primary Pain Relief (chiropractic) franchises in most areas of the United States.
Dr. Poulos said, “The chiropractic industry is poised to gain strength and increased success due to changes in demographics, increased life spans, along with the reforms taking place in medical care. Many individuals and healthcare providers are seeking less expensive ways to provide medical services, and the chiropractic industry can fill that need. Medicare patients also need the services of this industry.”
“Our model provides ways for chiropractors to expand their revenue sources beyond basic care by providing personal services such as massage, and coaching services that include weight loss and pain management...

The Chicago-based provider of medical and non-medical homecare moved up to #21 on the list of fastest-growing franchises in Entrepreneur's 2012 Franchise 500. BrightStar was ranked #41 in 2011.
CHICAGO, IL, February 25, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- For companies struggling in a weak economy, it can be impossible to grow, let alone recover. BrightStar Care is one of the few companies in any industry that bucks the downward economic trends by offering more opportunities for continued entrepreneurship and small-business growth.
The Chicago-based provider of medical and non-medical homecare moved up to #21 on the list of fastest-growing franchises in Entrepreneur's 2012 Franchise 500. BrightStar was ranked #41 in 2011.
"In today's business world, you have to surround yourself with premier people who take pride in the work and go above and beyond normal duties," said Shelly Sun, Co-Founder and CEO of BrightStar Care...

Franchise Business Review Posts Recent Survey Findings Online
February 16, 2012 // Franchising.com // Cincinnati, Ohio - FirstLight HomeCare franchisees are generally happy business owners, according to a recent survey conducted by Franchise Business Review, an independent market research firm based in Portsmouth, NH.
The survey asked franchisees questions related to training and support, system communication, franchisor/franchisee relations, financial opportunity, business lifestyle, and overall satisfaction with their business. Ninety-three percent of FirstLight’s franchisees participated in the Franchise Business Review satisfaction survey. The full results of FirstLight HomeCare’s survey are available at www.FranchiseBusinessReview...