Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Avisi Technologies Inc. is a Philadelphia-based company founded in 2017 that specializes in developing innovative solutions for glaucoma treatment. Its primary product, VisiPlate, is a next-generation, nanotechnology-enabled aqueous shunt designed to prevent blindness caused by glaucoma. Through its advanced technology, Avisi Technologies aims to enhance the effectiveness of glaucoma management and improve patient outcomes.

PolyCore Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Its primary goal is to create affordable treatments that improve mobility and quality of life for patients, while reducing overall healthcare costs.

Astarte Medical Partners, Inc. is a clinical intelligence company focused on enhancing health outcomes for children with medical complexities, particularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Incorporated in 2016 and based in Yardley, Pennsylvania, the company develops software that delivers a comprehensive view of clinical data in real time, specifically aimed at assessing the gut health of preterm infants. This platform allows clinical care teams to standardize and optimize feeding practices and protocol-driven care, thereby facilitating informed decision-making. Astarte Medical's suite of digital tools and predictive analytics supports nutrition and feeding practices, enabling healthcare providers to monitor growth and track clinical outcomes effectively. By improving care practices in acute settings, the company strives to make a significant impact on the long-term health of vulnerable pediatric populations.

RecoveryLink provides a comprehensive Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) digital platform for recovery support. It offers an electronic recovery record, asynchronous digital training, one-on-one telerecovery peer services, and live video group-based recovery supports.

Avisi Technologies Inc. is a Philadelphia-based company founded in 2017 that specializes in developing innovative solutions for glaucoma treatment. Its primary product, VisiPlate, is a next-generation, nanotechnology-enabled aqueous shunt designed to prevent blindness caused by glaucoma. Through its advanced technology, Avisi Technologies aims to enhance the effectiveness of glaucoma management and improve patient outcomes.

Pression is a developer of a patented, non-invasive smart compression platform known as the Wave. This system is designed to enhance circulation throughout the body and improve cardiac function, with a primary focus on supporting heart failure patients. By mobilizing excess retained fluids, which is a leading cause of hospitalization in the United States, the Wave aims to increase oxygen delivery to vital organs and enhance overall quality of life. The platform leverages proven scientific principles while addressing the limitations of previous systems, ultimately promoting greater independence and improved exercise tolerance for patients suffering from circulatory conditions.

iOrtho+ is a medical software company specializing in orthopedic care through its innovative product, the Mobil-Aider. This web-based application is designed to quantify joint mobility and allows clinicians to assess at least 14 motions across five different joints. The Mobil-Aider features a vast array of resources, offering 450 tests, 1,300 references, and 100 mobilization techniques. It serves as a comprehensive reference tool for orthopedic professionals, providing concise descriptions, images, videos, and statistical data, all of which enhance the clinician's ability to improve treatment outcomes and techniques.

OsciFlex LLC, established in 2017 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, specializes in developing a medical device aimed at preventing blood clots from forming at valves. The company's innovative product mimics nature's process to provide more effective compression therapy, reducing the risk of Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients and potentially decreasing reliance on costly and risky anti-coagulation pharmaceuticals.

Excision BioTherapeutics Inc. is a life science company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, established in 2015. The company is dedicated to the development and commercialization of gene editing therapeutics aimed at treating life-threatening diseases caused by neurotropic viruses. Utilizing CRISPR-based technology, Excision BioTherapeutics focuses on creating advanced gene-editing medicines that can eradicate or disrupt viral genes in human patients. The company's mission is to advance these therapeutics into safe and effective treatments, significantly improving the lives of individuals affected by viral infections globally.

Founded in 2007, ChromaTan specializes in developing continuous countercurrent tangential chromatography (CCTC) systems for monoclonal antibody and protein purification. Its platform offers an inexpensive, column-free, and single-use solution that significantly increases throughput while maintaining product quality.

Mediscore Health, founded in 2017, is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with an additional location in Santa Monica, California. The company specializes in providing data-driven insights for healthcare solutions, focusing on chronic care management and risk adjustment for Medicare Advantage payers and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Mediscore Health offers services such as physician-driven chart review and analytics, predictive diagnostics, and point-of-care disease management. Their technology-enabled approach is designed to help providers diagnose, document, and manage chronically ill patients effectively at the primary care level.

SFA Therapeutics, Inc. is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, that specializes in the development of microbiome-derived metabolites as therapeutic agents for chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. The company focuses on harnessing compounds discovered in the human microbiome to create innovative treatments aimed at addressing conditions such as cancer, liver diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Through its novel platform, SFA Therapeutics seeks to advance the understanding and application of microbiome science in the field of medicine, providing new options for medical professionals in the treatment of these challenging health issues.

AAPlasma is developing a cold plasma-based system that is based on previously-successful technology capable of achieving in-between-patient decontamination of PPE items to allow for rapid reuse.

Open Medical Innovation is an organization founded by leaders from Archimedic, NextFab, and the University of Pennsylvania. We launched this organization with a focus on addressing the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 outbreak. We intend to use this website to share information, collect feedback, and fulfill the unmet needs of patients and providers.

Pression is a developer of a patented, non-invasive smart compression platform known as the Wave. This system is designed to enhance circulation throughout the body and improve cardiac function, with a primary focus on supporting heart failure patients. By mobilizing excess retained fluids, which is a leading cause of hospitalization in the United States, the Wave aims to increase oxygen delivery to vital organs and enhance overall quality of life. The platform leverages proven scientific principles while addressing the limitations of previous systems, ultimately promoting greater independence and improved exercise tolerance for patients suffering from circulatory conditions.

RightAir is focused on creating innovative noninvasive ventilators aimed at assisting patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The company's flagship product, AIR-AD, is a wearable device that resembles a vest and employs proven respiratory assist technology known as cuirass ventilators. This device alleviates the effort required for breathing by generating a vacuum that aids in lifting the chest and abdomen during inhalation, while also increasing pressure over the chest to facilitate faster exhalation. By adjusting the patient's natural breathing patterns during both rest and exercise, AIR-AD helps alleviate feelings of breathlessness, allowing users to engage more fully in their daily activities.

Avisi Technologies Inc. is a Philadelphia-based company founded in 2017 that specializes in developing innovative solutions for glaucoma treatment. Its primary product, VisiPlate, is a next-generation, nanotechnology-enabled aqueous shunt designed to prevent blindness caused by glaucoma. Through its advanced technology, Avisi Technologies aims to enhance the effectiveness of glaucoma management and improve patient outcomes.

Astarte Medical Partners, Inc. is a clinical intelligence company focused on enhancing health outcomes for children with medical complexities, particularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Incorporated in 2016 and based in Yardley, Pennsylvania, the company develops software that delivers a comprehensive view of clinical data in real time, specifically aimed at assessing the gut health of preterm infants. This platform allows clinical care teams to standardize and optimize feeding practices and protocol-driven care, thereby facilitating informed decision-making. Astarte Medical's suite of digital tools and predictive analytics supports nutrition and feeding practices, enabling healthcare providers to monitor growth and track clinical outcomes effectively. By improving care practices in acute settings, the company strives to make a significant impact on the long-term health of vulnerable pediatric populations.

MBF Therapeutics, Inc. is a veterinary oncology company based in Ambler, Pennsylvania, focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for cancer treatment in dogs and cats. The company specializes in targeted immunotherapies and small molecule drugs that effectively disrupt tumor cell metabolism while preserving healthy cells and organs. Its product portfolio includes MBFT-101, a combination therapy for sarcomas and lymphoma, featuring a proprietary polyamine transport inhibitor and a potent inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, as well as MBFT-102, an immunotherapy based on the tumor suppressor/cytokine mda-7/IL24, which has shown promise in human cancers. Additionally, MBF Therapeutics employs a proprietary DNA vaccine platform and delivery system to develop immunotherapeutic vaccines aimed at enhancing protective immunity against infectious diseases in companion animals and livestock. The company maintains a strategic partnership with the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research to further advance its research and development initiatives.

Keriton provides a digital platform for managing inpatient feeding, focusing on patient safety and improving nursing workflows. Its system tracks milk-bottle inventory, recipes, feeding orders, expiry dates, and more from mobile devices. It also offers a media-sharing platform for nurses to connect NICU babies with their mothers and delivers real-time insights into milk production patterns.

Shock Analytics LLC is an early-stage biomedical device company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, established in 2016. The firm specializes in the design and manufacture of noninvasive diagnostic devices aimed at improving the management of acute and chronic illnesses. Its primary focus is on developing technology that estimates Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR), a critical indicator for conditions such as congestive heart failure and sepsis. By utilizing hemodynamic information, Shock Analytics' devices enable healthcare professionals to effectively treat and monitor patients suffering from these serious medical conditions.

Instadiagnostics Inc. is a company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that focuses on developing a point-of-care (POC) diagnostic platform. Founded in 2015, the platform aims to bring centralized laboratory testing directly to patients at their bedside, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment monitoring. This innovative approach allows patients to receive timely medical care in various settings, including primary care centers, community clinics, and emergency departments, without the need for additional trips to have blood drawn or enduring long wait times for results. By streamlining the diagnostic process, Instadiagnostics seeks to enhance patient care and satisfaction, reduce the frequency of medical visits, and ultimately lower overall healthcare costs.

PolyCore Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Its primary goal is to create affordable treatments that improve mobility and quality of life for patients, while reducing overall healthcare costs.

Ultraflex Systems specializes in designing and engineering custom Range of Motion (ROM) braces that enhance movement and promote active living. With over 25 years of experience, the company collaborates closely with physicians, physical therapists, and specialists to deliver innovative orthopedic and neurological solutions. Ultraflex Systems distinguishes itself through a dedicated direct care team, which includes sales professionals and certified orthotists or fitters. This team oversees the entire process from the physician's referral to brace delivery and subsequent patient follow-up. The company’s custom-molded braces are crafted in its fabrication facilities to ensure optimal fit and effectiveness, ultimately improving joint and limb motion and supporting the musculoskeletal system for better patient outcomes.

Mitochon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company established in 2014 and based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, that focuses on developing drugs targeting mitochondrial function to address serious diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The company's development programs primarily concentrate on neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders, such as Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and various conditions related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochon aims to create disease-modifying therapies by correcting mitochondrial malfunctions, thereby improving cellular health and offering potential treatments for conditions with limited options. The company is led by a team with extensive industry experience dedicated to advancing innovative drug therapies for these challenging diseases.

Instadiagnostics Inc. is a company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that focuses on developing a point-of-care (POC) diagnostic platform. Founded in 2015, the platform aims to bring centralized laboratory testing directly to patients at their bedside, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment monitoring. This innovative approach allows patients to receive timely medical care in various settings, including primary care centers, community clinics, and emergency departments, without the need for additional trips to have blood drawn or enduring long wait times for results. By streamlining the diagnostic process, Instadiagnostics seeks to enhance patient care and satisfaction, reduce the frequency of medical visits, and ultimately lower overall healthcare costs.

Arcadian Telepsychiatry Services, based in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, specializes in providing psychiatric services through a telehealth platform. Established in 2012, the company connects psychiatrists and mental health providers with patients in both urban and remote locations. Its comprehensive offerings include on-demand emergency consultations for emergency departments and crisis centers, inpatient consultations, initial psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and scheduled clinic services for children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, Arcadian provides training and education for hospital personnel, pre-admission psychiatric exams, and follow-up services. The company also facilitates video conferencing and internet access for hospitals, clinics, and public health departments, and offers behavioral health solutions for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. By leveraging technology, Arcadian aims to enhance accessibility to mental health care, reduce travel times, and foster collaboration among providers, families, and patients.

Grand Round Table Inc. is a company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that specializes in developing clinical decision support tools for healthcare providers. Its flagship product, Grand Round Table, is an integrated system designed to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of doctors by leveraging a vast database of deidentified health records, case reports, and evidence-based medical literature. This technology extracts pertinent information from patients' charts and matches it with similar cases, allowing physicians to reference previous treatments and outcomes in comparable scenarios. By facilitating faster and more accurate treatment plans, Grand Round Table aims to improve patient care, reduce unnecessary medical tests and consultations, and ultimately contribute to cost savings for hospitals and clinics. Established in 2011, the company focuses on translating available medical knowledge into actionable insights to support healthcare professionals in making informed decisions for diagnostically challenging cases.

PrescribeWell, Inc. is a technology company based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, that specializes in developing a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) designed for healthcare providers and integrated healthcare systems. The platform facilitates the tracking and analysis of behavioral modifications related to health issues such as obesity, smoking cessation, and stress management. By integrating seamlessly with existing electronic medical records (EMR) systems, PrescribeWell provides a physician-centric hub that enhances patient engagement and facilitates wellness regimens. The solution not only supports healthcare providers in managing ongoing patient communications but also optimizes billing processes, thereby improving overall healthcare delivery. Incorporated in 2012, PrescribeWell aims to support healthcare professionals in achieving better patient health outcomes through effective lifestyle modifications and disease prevention strategies.

Atrin Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in cancer treatment innovation. It focuses on developing proprietary medications, including ATRN-502 and ATRN-507, which target specific cancer cell pathways. The company's Atrize platform enables rapid identification of compounds effective against cancer cells without harming healthy ones.

Prescription Advisory Systems & Technology, Inc. is a company based in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, that specializes in developing software solutions to enhance the management of chronic pain treatment and mitigate the risks associated with prescription drug abuse. Its flagship product, PASTRx, is a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform designed to assist healthcare providers in identifying patients who are suitable for controlled substance prescriptions while highlighting those who may need more complex care or additional safety measures. PASTRx integrates data from multiple sources, allowing for comprehensive patient risk assessments and facilitating the retrieval of prescription monitoring program reports. This user-friendly software promotes auditability and institutional oversight, ultimately contributing to safer prescribing practices and protecting patients, physicians, and healthcare institutions amidst increasing scrutiny regarding prescription medication use. Incorporated in 2013, the company has developed its software with the guidance of pain management practitioners and in collaboration with various states and research initiatives.

Essential Medical is a family owned & operated business that was started in 1985. We are a broad based supplier of home medical and health related products designed with the needs of the user in mind. Within this online website you will find many different product options to meet a variety of life styles and physical conditions. If you are a home medical equipment dealer and would like to be set up to order Essential products, please click on the Prospective Dealers tab. If you would like to purchase products for yourself, family member or friend, our fine products are available through your local medical equipment dealer or pharmacy. Please consult the yellow pages of your local telephone book under Hospital and Medical Equipment.

Mitochon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company established in 2014 and based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, that focuses on developing drugs targeting mitochondrial function to address serious diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The company's development programs primarily concentrate on neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders, such as Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and various conditions related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochon aims to create disease-modifying therapies by correcting mitochondrial malfunctions, thereby improving cellular health and offering potential treatments for conditions with limited options. The company is led by a team with extensive industry experience dedicated to advancing innovative drug therapies for these challenging diseases.

Stabiliz Orthopaedics, LLC is a company based in Exton, Pennsylvania, that specializes in the development and distribution of orthopedic devices. Founded in 2009, the company focuses on creating innovative enhancements to orthopedic medical technologies that are FDA approved. Stabiliz Orthopaedics aims to improve clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, addressing the challenges faced by healthcare systems. Through its commitment to advancing orthopedic care, the company seeks to provide effective solutions that enhance patient treatment and recovery.

Advent Therapeutics specializes in developing therapies for micro-orphan indications, focusing on unmet medical needs in neonatal and pediatric patient populations. Based in Lumberville, Pennsylvania.

Vy Corporation is a software development company based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, specializing in shape detection and object analysis for the medical imaging market. The company offers a cloud-based image analysis and data collection service known as CytoSavvy.com, which utilizes its patented CellQuant™ search technology to identify clusters of cells in various types of biopsies. This service aids pathologists and medical researchers by enhancing their ability to analyze complex cell structures efficiently and reliably. Additionally, Vy Corporation provides VectorSavvy.com, a platform that allows users to access image analysis technology, upload images, and view results. The company also engages in the development of custom projects tailored to specific client needs within the medical imaging sector.

Grand Round Table Inc. is a company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that specializes in developing clinical decision support tools for healthcare providers. Its flagship product, Grand Round Table, is an integrated system designed to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of doctors by leveraging a vast database of deidentified health records, case reports, and evidence-based medical literature. This technology extracts pertinent information from patients' charts and matches it with similar cases, allowing physicians to reference previous treatments and outcomes in comparable scenarios. By facilitating faster and more accurate treatment plans, Grand Round Table aims to improve patient care, reduce unnecessary medical tests and consultations, and ultimately contribute to cost savings for hospitals and clinics. Established in 2011, the company focuses on translating available medical knowledge into actionable insights to support healthcare professionals in making informed decisions for diagnostically challenging cases.

NetMinder specializes in providing a network comparison tool designed for medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health plan provider networks. The company's platform features an intuitive interface that allows users to generate detailed reports and analyses swiftly, facilitating improved decision-making for payers, brokers, and consultants. By offering easily shareable reports and the capability to quickly incorporate new competitors, NetMinder enhances the efficiency of sales teams and recruiters. This objective and validated source of provider network data enables clients to make informed employee benefit decisions, ultimately leading to increased recruitment of providers, more closed deals, and improved client retention.

Relmada Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Its lead product candidate, REL-1017, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is in late-stage development as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder.

Stabiliz Orthopaedics, LLC is a company based in Exton, Pennsylvania, that specializes in the development and distribution of orthopedic devices. Founded in 2009, the company focuses on creating innovative enhancements to orthopedic medical technologies that are FDA approved. Stabiliz Orthopaedics aims to improve clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, addressing the challenges faced by healthcare systems. Through its commitment to advancing orthopedic care, the company seeks to provide effective solutions that enhance patient treatment and recovery.

EyeIC, Inc. is a medical technology company based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, specializing in the development and commercialization of imaging technologies for healthcare applications. Founded in 2004, EyeIC focuses on providing innovative solutions for eye care professionals and clinics. One of its key products, MatchedFlicker, is designed to monitor the onset and progression of glaucoma by detecting changes in time series retinal photographs. The technology automates the alignment and registration of images taken at different times, generating a superimposed view that facilitates analysis. Additionally, EyeIC's platform includes built-in interpretation and reporting tools, streamlining documentation and claims submission while assisting clinicians in identifying various retinal conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. Through its advancements, EyeIC aims to enhance clinical workflows and improve patient care in the field of ophthalmology.

CD Diagnostics is developing assays for orthopaedic surgeons and rheumatologists who would like greater diagnostic confidence in joint fluid analysis. Unlike current technologies, which often yield vague and ambiguous results, CygnaSure™, our lead product, offers orthopaedic surgeons and rheumatologists a rapid, accurate and reliable diagnostic answer.

Prezacor, Inc. specializes in the development and marketing of innovative pain management solutions. The company's primary product, the Energeze™ Patch, utilizes its proprietary Energezics™ technology to deliver low wavelength energy aimed at alleviating both acute and chronic pain. The patch features a unique broad-area surface electrode crafted from a specialized formula that absorbs and resonates with a variety of naturally occurring waveforms found in living tissue. This technology allows users to effectively manage pain and discomfort across different areas of the body without the use of medicine.

Essential Medical, Inc. is a medical device company based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, that specializes in the development and marketing of femoral artery vascular closure devices. Founded in 2010, the company focuses on sealing femoral punctures that occur after diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization procedures. Essential Medical has developed two key devices, including MANTA, which is designed to close large bore punctures ranging from 10 to 24 French following various vascular access procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, and balloon aortic valvuloplasty. These closures are critical in the rapidly growing field of interventional cardiology, enabling physicians to address the need for efficient and complication-free closure solutions. As of October 2018, Essential Medical operates as a subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated.

Real Time Tomography, LLC is a company focused on developing innovative imaging software solutions for medical imaging systems, particularly in the field of breast cancer detection. Founded in 2006 and based in Villanova, Pennsylvania, the company offers products such as Adara, which enhances digital mammography images to improve tissue contrast and lesion visibility, and Briona, a 3D image reconstruction software that transforms 2D projection images into detailed 3D tomographic images. Real Time Tomography also provides technical support and consultation for optimizing detector and system design to enhance image quality and processing speed. Their solutions are primarily aimed at manufacturers of mammography systems and PACS workstations, contributing to advancements in diagnostic accuracy and clinical workflow efficiency in the healthcare sector.

Essential Medical is a family owned & operated business that was started in 1985. We are a broad based supplier of home medical and health related products designed with the needs of the user in mind. Within this online website you will find many different product options to meet a variety of life styles and physical conditions. If you are a home medical equipment dealer and would like to be set up to order Essential products, please click on the Prospective Dealers tab. If you would like to purchase products for yourself, family member or friend, our fine products are available through your local medical equipment dealer or pharmacy. Please consult the yellow pages of your local telephone book under Hospital and Medical Equipment.

Ceptaris Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative treatments for rare cancers. The company is working on a proprietary gel formulation of mechlorethamine hydrochloride aimed at treating early-stage (stages I-IIA) mycosis fungoides, a type of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL). If successful, this investigational drug would be the first topical mechlorethamine product available to alleviate the signs and symptoms associated with this condition. In addition to its primary focus on CTCL, Ceptaris is also advancing YT-1006, an NMDA antagonist designed for treating neuropathic pain while mitigating side effects through a unique stereochemistry approach.

Acuity Pharmaceuticals is a pharmaceutical company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that specializes in developing treatments for ophthalmic diseases, particularly age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Founded in 2007, the company focuses on innovative therapies, including its clinical compound Cand5, a small interfering RNA therapeutic designed to treat vision loss by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor. In June 2011, Acuity Pharmaceuticals was acquired by OPKO Health, further enhancing its capabilities in the field of eye care.

SFA Therapeutics, Inc. is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, that specializes in the development of microbiome-derived metabolites as therapeutic agents for chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. The company focuses on harnessing compounds discovered in the human microbiome to create innovative treatments aimed at addressing conditions such as cancer, liver diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Through its novel platform, SFA Therapeutics seeks to advance the understanding and application of microbiome science in the field of medicine, providing new options for medical professionals in the treatment of these challenging health issues.