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In this episode of CarePoints, Kenny Schiff sits down with healthcare technology leader, Steve Tyler, to discuss why less is more when it comes to clinical communication tools. Learn how aligning technology with real clinician workflows—not just adding more features—can reduce alert fatigue, improve staff efficiency, and enhance patient safety. From the importance of user-centered design to the role of AI and data integration, this episode breaks down what it takes to build healthcare technology that truly supports care teams and drives better outcomes.
This Episode's Guests
Steve Tyler
Formerly CTO at Vocera and Extension Healthcare, and VP at TigerConnect, Tyler specializes in building scalable, user-centered tools that support clinicians and improve care delivery. Passionate about aligning technology with real-world needs, Steve helps organizations design solutions that make healthcare safer, smarter, and more efficient.
Connect: Website
Key Takeaways
Effective healthcare technology should align with clinician workflows, not just add more features—tools must reduce burden and improve patient outcomes.
Feature overload is often fear-driven, leading to unnecessary alerts and inefficiency; instead, solutions should be based on real problems and situational awareness.
Strong infrastructure is essential, as reliable networks and seamless integration form the foundation for successful clinical tools.
User-centered design and product integrity are key, ensuring solutions are built with direct clinician input and only include features that truly add value.
AI and data tools hold promise, but must be thoughtfully integrated to support—not replace—clinicians, relying on high-quality data and real-world testing to be effective.
Connect with Lone Star Communications
☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].
CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
In this episode of CarePoints, Kenny Schiff chats with the CEO of Ocuvera, Steve Kiene, about the future of fall prevention in hospitals. Learn how predictive technology, staff workflow integration, and solid infrastructure are helping reduce unassisted bed exits by over—and what it means for the future of safer care.
This Episode's Guests
Steve Kiene - CEO for Ocuvera
With a background spanning software, computer vision, hospital tech, and product development, Steve brings both technical expertise and a patient‑centered perspective. His leadership helped build the largest proprietary video dataset of patient room behavior, enabling Ocuvera's AI to achieve significant reductions in falls and real outcomes for hospitals, caregivers, and patients.
Connect: LinkedIn
Key Takeaways
Ocuvera's AI-enabled technology identifies patient movements that signal a likely unassisted bed exit, helping staff intervene before a fall occurs.
Successful adoption depends on involving frontline staff early, integrating alerts into existing workflows, and providing ongoing training to build trust and reduce resistance.
Predictive tech needs more than just hardware; it relies on strong Wi-Fi, integrated nurse call systems, and proper alert routing. A solid infrastructure is key to reliable performance.
Hospitals using predictive systems have cut unassisted bed exits by 60% and saved millions by reducing sitter costs and fall-related penalties, while also boosting staff satisfaction.
Ocuvera's platform has potential beyond fall prevention, including pressure injury prevention and rounding compliance. This is just the beginning of smarter, safer care delivery.
Connect with Lone Star Communications
☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].
CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 34 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
Podcast Episode Summary
In this episode of CarePoints, Kenny Schiff chats with Kassaundra McKnight-Young about how technology is transforming healthcare with real-time data, wearable devices, and innovative solutions. Together, they explore how these advancements improve patient safety, speed up care, and enhance the overall healthcare experience.
This Episode's Guests
Kassaundra McKnight-Young
Healthcare CNIO Industry Principle for Zebra Technologies
With 30 years of experience in healthcare, Kassaundra is committed to driving nursing excellence through technology integration, championing patient safety, staff empowerment, and healthcare innovation. Known for her collaborative approach and problem-solving skills, she thrives in dynamic environments where innovation meets real-world application.
Connect: LinkedIn
Key Takeaways
Advancements in technology now allow healthcare professionals to access real-time data, enabling quick responses to patient needs. This ensures faster decision-making and improved care delivery.
Wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers continuously monitor health metrics like heart rate and sleep patterns. These devices provide valuable insights into a patient's health, allowing for proactive interventions before issues escalate.
Telehealth and virtual consultations are growing rapidly, expanding access to healthcare, especially in rural or underserved areas. These solutions allow patients to receive medical attention without the need for travel, saving time and reducing healthcare costs.
Automation tools and predictive analytics are being implemented to streamline hospital operations, from scheduling to resource management. These technologies enhance efficiency and contribute to better patient outcomes.
By integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced data analysis, healthcare systems are becoming more accurate in diagnosing conditions and predicting potential risks, leading to better patient safety and long-term health outcomes.
Connect with Lone Star Communications
☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].
CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
Podcast Episode Summary
In this episode of CarePoints, Kenny Schiff chats with Donna Montgomery and Kevin Henderson about the company's new StarCare CX program, which focuses on evolving customer experience based on ever-changing industry needs. They discuss how Lone Star is shifting from transactional service to a collaborative, results-driven approach, with an emphasis on proactive support, continuous improvement, and aligning technology with providers' goals.
This Episode's Guests
Donna Montgomery
Chief Clinical Informatics Officer at Lone Star Communications
Through advanced healthcare technology solutions, Donna leads initiatives to improve patient care and outcomes. She is passionate about addressing key healthcare challenges and is committed to driving continuous improvement in healthcare organizations through her leadership in Lone Star's customer experience programs.
Connect: LinkedIn
Kevin Henderson
Chief Operating Officer of Lone Star's Arkansas region
Kevin is focused on fostering long-term partnerships with clients through proactive engagement and continuous support. He plays a key role in Lone Star's customer experience initiatives, driving the adoption of tailored solutions that improve healthcare workflows, enhance patient care, and deliver measurable results for clients.
Connect: LinkedIn
Key Takeaways
Lone Star's StarCare CX program shifts the company from a transactional model to a more collaborative, results-driven approach. This evolution involves proactive support to ensure solutions align with evolving customer needs and optimize workflows.
The program strongly emphasizes understanding and aligning with customer goals, moving away from merely selling products. Lone Star works closely with clients to deliver tailored technology solutions that directly improve organizational outcomes.
Key healthcare challenges, such as improving patient experience and reducing falls, are central to the StarCare CX program. Through advanced technology like bed exit alarms and upgraded nurse call systems, Lone Star helps clients meet critical metrics that impact patient care and reimbursement rates.
Lone Star's "high-touch" service model ensures customers receive continuous, hands-on support. Frequent communication and in-depth understanding of client challenges enable Lone Star to provide solutions that address both immediate and long-term needs.
The program focuses on continuous improvement, with an emphasis on delivering measurable outcomes. This approach ensures that Lone Star stays engaged with clients, making adjustments as needed to improve customer care and operational efficiency.
Connect with Lone Star Communications
☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].
CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
Episode Summary
In this episode of CarePoints, Kenny Schiff chats with Patti Artley and Amy Ricords about the challenges and successes of hospital technology adoption. They emphasize involving frontline staff in tech decisions, bridging gaps between purchasing and implementation, and the importance of thorough planning and ongoing education. The episode also explores the potential of data integration and AI in enhancing patient care and hospital efficiency.
This Episode's Guests:
Amy Ricords
Vice President of Customer Relationship Peak Outcomes
Amy's expertise lies in understanding client challenges and ensuring that technology solutions enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Passionate about the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, she is dedicated to balancing technological advancements with streamlined processes to improve outcomes for both patients and clinicians.
Connect: LinkedIn
Patti Artley
Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer at Medical Solutions
Patti's leadership is characterized by a commitment to evidence-based practices and the advancement of healthcare quality through innovative solutions. She is a strong advocate for enhancing data integration within healthcare systems, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with health information experts to drive meaningful improvements in patient care and clinical workflows.
Connect: LinkedIn
Key Takeaways
Involving frontline staff in identifying challenges and solutions is crucial for successful technology adoption, as it ensures the tech addresses real needs.
Clear communication between purchasing and implementation teams prevents disconnects that can hinder success. Dedicating significant time to planning (60%) over implementation (10-20%) leads to better outcomes and smoother rollouts.
Continuous training and collaboration with vendors are essential for effective, sustained technology use. This ongoing partnership helps adapt to updates and ensures tech solutions remain beneficial long-term.
Establishing clear metrics before implementation is critical for tracking ROI and assessing effectiveness.
Better data integration optimizes patient care and operational efficiency by allowing systems to work cohesively. Involving health information experts can enhance interoperability, maximizing technology's potential.
Technology alone doesn't transform healthcare; effective integration and thoughtful utilization are what drive meaningful change. By focusing on strategic use, hospitals can maximize technology's impact on patient care.
Connect with Lone Star Communications
☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].
CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 32 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation
Podcast Episode Summary
In this episode of CarePoints, Kenny Schiff chats with Guy Meger, Elaine Bridge, and Tim O'Malley about the challenges of implementing new at-home technologies to prevent falls in elderly patients. They discuss the critical need for seamless integration of these technologies into daily routines and the importance of training patients and caregivers to maximize their effectiveness. The conversation also highlights the role of data analytics in monitoring patient safety and the ongoing evolution of fall prevention strategies within healthcare settings.
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This Episode's Guests
Guy Meger
Vice President and Head of the Vayyar Care Business unit, Vayyar
Focusing on leveraging data analytics and wearable technologies, Meger has led initiatives that transform healthcare practices through continuous monitoring and predictive insights. His work aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical healthcare applications, enhancing both patient outcomes and operational efficiency in clinical settings.
Connect: LinkedIn
Elaine Bridge
Principal Consultant, Over the Bridge Consulting, LLC
She has dedicated much of her career to improving patient care, focusing on safety, quality, and operational efficiency in healthcare settings. Her passion for patient advocacy and nursing excellence has shaped her approach to leadership, driving her efforts to create better outcomes for both patients and healthcare staff.
Connect: LinkedIn
Tim O'Malley
Vice President and Division Manager of TPC Systems healthcare unit, TPC Systems
With extensive experience in leading health tech organizations, O'Malley has been instrumental in developing and implementing cutting-edge solutions that improve clinical workflows, patient care, and overall hospital efficiency. He is dedicated to using technology to enhance healthcare delivery and drive more effective, patient-centered outcomes in clinical settings.
Connect: LinkedIn
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Key Takeaways
Connect with Lone Star Communications
☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].
CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 32 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
Podcast Episode Summary
In this episode of CarePoints, Kenny Schiff chats with Stryker's Peter Kraslawsky and Lone Star Communication's Jonathon Murphy, where they discuss the integration of Stryker's Vocera wearable communications platform with Rauland's educational platform, Telecenter U—an integration that aims to enhance communication and life safety in educational institutions. Their discussion covers the features, benefits, and use cases of the integration, as well as the future of the Vocera solution in schools.
This Episode's Guests
Peter Kraslawsky Manager - Strategic Partnerships, Stryker Peter is a seasoned professional at Stryker, where he leverages his extensive expertise in healthcare and educational technology and solutions to drive innovation and improve patient outcomes and school safety. With a strong background in product development and strategic management, Peter has successfully led numerous projects that enhance operational efficiency and support healthcare and educational professionals. His dedication to excellence and passion for advancing medical technology make him a valuable asset to Stryker, the healthcare and education industries.
Connect: LinkedIn
Jonathon Murphy Technology Innovation Specialist, Lone Star Communications Jonathon began working for Lone Star in 2000 and has worked in almost every department—starting in installation, then as a service technician, and eventually in IT. As a service technician and system programmer, he gained valuable experience in building direct customer relationships, which led to a position as an education sales representative and his current role as a technology innovation specialist.
Key Takeaways
Chapters
[00:23] Introduction to the Stryker-Lone Star partnership
[02:15] Exploring the Vocera solution for education
[03:20] Vocera vs. traditional communication and life safety platforms
[05:52] Integration of Vocera and Telecenter U for emergency communication
[08:27] Examples of voice-enabled mobility and lockdown initiation
[12:58] Capabilities and advantages of Vocera over walkie-talkies
[14:04] Comprehensive communication solutions for educational institutions
[15:56] The four pillars of security and the future of Vocera
[18:27] Built-in voice command scenarios
[21:00] How to find out more about Stryker and Vocera
Connect with Lone Star Communications
☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].
CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 32 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
Podcast Episode Summary
In this episode of CarePoints, Kenny Schiff interviews digital health specialists John Elms and Brian McAlpine about the role of middleware and clinical communication and collaboration (CC&C) in the hospital enterprise. They explore the evolution of connected devices and workflows, the challenges in managing medical device alarms and alerts, and the impact of accidental architecture in healthcare organizations. Also discussed is the intersection of CC&C and patient engagement, the future of nurse call systems in an EHR-centric universe, and the potential for a single comprehensive platform for communication in healthcare.
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This Episode's Guests
John Elms
Strategic Adviser, Meerkat Technologies
Co-founder of Connexall USA and former Chief Product Officer at TigerConnect, John is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in the high tech industry. His career spans various roles, including CEO positions at public and privately held companies, venture backed startups and his own entrepreneurial ventures.
Connect: LinkedIn
Brian Mcalpine
Digital Health Consultant, Cirkel Consulting Group
Brian McAlpine has spent most of his 30-year career assisting innovative startups with developing and taking to market solutions focused on the provider side, primarily in acute care. His career has been focused on developing new markets in healthcare IT including device data integration, connectivity workflows, alarm management, clinical surveillance, clinical communications, patient engagement, and medical devices segments.
Connect: LinkedIn
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Key Takeaways
Middleware and CC&C play a crucial role in the hospital enterprise and have evolved from bridging systems like nurse call and telemetry to enabling clinical workflow on smartphones and other devices.
Progress in managing medical device alarms and alerts has been limited due to manufacturers' reluctance to cede control of workflow and integration.
"Accidental architecture" comes from the lack of a comprehensive design and planning process, and has resulted in complex and unmanageable integrated systems in healthcare organizations.
There is a need for a comprehensive platform that combines messaging, patient engagement, and all forms of communication in healthcare.
The future of nurse call systems in an EMR-centric universe depends on regulatory changes and the ability to integrate with IP-based patient engagement systems.
Patient engagement technologies are becoming increasingly important, both inside and outside the hospital, and may impact the future of CC&C and nurse call systems.
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Chapters
[00:25] Introductions
[01:05] The evolution of middleware and CC&C in hospitals
[04:45] A tug of war between customers' and manufacturers' needs
[06:55] Impact and challenges of "accidental architecture"
[12:00] Epic-centric alarm and alert presentations
[15:00] The obstacles facing standalone middleware
[19:15] Mid-term prospects and the role of building automation systems
[22:15] The need for more patient engagement
[28:15] Towards a comprehensive platform
Connect with Lone Star Communications
☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].
CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare industry. For over 32 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare through innovation and empowering improved caregiver and patient experiences.
Episode Description
In today's episode, Kenny Schiff sits down with Myron Wallace, founder of Cirkel Consulting Group, and discusses the challenges healthcare organizations face when integrating new mobile devices into their facilities. Myron provides insights into the differences in implementation between iPhones and purpose-built devices such as Zebra and Spectralink, the special technology requirements of a hospital environment, and how organizations without the proper infrastructure in place can prepare themselves for a secure and effective rollout.
Episode Summary
In this episode of CarePoints, Kenny Schiff chats with Myron Wallace, founder of Cirkel Consulting Group, about mobile device integration in healthcare. They discuss the challenges and considerations in selecting and deploying mobile devices, particularly iPhones and purpose-built devices. They also explore the shortcomings of Epic in collaboration and communication and the importance of integrating alarms and notifications from various systems. Myron emphasizes the need for organizations to assess their readiness, consolidate technologies, and have a clear roadmap for device and platform selection. He also highlights the value of working with experienced consultants in the healthcare industry.
The Episode's Guest
Myron Wallace
Founder & Principal Consultant, Cirkel Consulting Group
Myron has been at the forefront of revolutionary business solutions for over 20 years. He has led teams to build technologies that have enabled tech start-ups to launch into the market, changed how businesses operate, and transformed how they communicate both internally and with their customers. His career spans product leadership experience within start-up and hyper-growth technology firms, such as TigerConnect, Alianza, consultant for various unified communications providers, and Halo Health. He's a Senior Director and Product Line Executive at TigerConnect, where he drives the innovation of next-generation collaboration products for healthcare clients while continually optimizing product development and implementation practices and processes.
Connect: LinkedIn
Key Takeaways
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction
[00:58] Mobile Device Integration Journey
[06:35] Challenges with iPhone and Purpose-Built Devices
[07:57] Device Management and Infrastructure
[09:21] Considerations for Sustainable Solutions
[10:17] Challenges with Purpose-Built Devices
[11:14] Voice Calling Capabilities and Enterprise Communication
[12:42] Complexities of Healthcare Architecture
[13:36] Shortcomings of Epic in Collaboration and Communication
[15:02] Consolidation and Workflow Optimization
[18:24] Hybrid Approach and Vendor Consolidation
[20:49] Considerations for the New Enterprise
[22:12] Operationalizing Devices and Infrastructure
[23:41] Getting Help from Healthcare Integration Experts
[24:11] Introduction to Cirkel Consulting Group
[25:38] Conclusion
Connect with Lone Star Communications
Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].
CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare industry. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare through innovation and empowering improved caregiver and patient experiences.
Episode Description
In this episode of CarePoints, host Kenny Schiff sits down with Vizabli's Ron Nelson and Sarah Cannon. They discuss how Ron co-founded Vizabli to address the need for an acute care engagement solution that integrates data from multiple healthcare systems into a single platform that can serve clinical staff, patients and their families. Vizabli's solution goes beyond traditional patient engagement by bringing together digital whiteboards, mobile applications, virtual access to patient rooms, and real-time notifications for family members. Listen to the episode to find out more!
Episode Summary
Kenny Schiff, Ron Nelson, and Sarah Cannon discuss Vizabli, a company that offers an acute care engagement solution. Ron and Sarah discuss how Vizabli was conceived and its mission to improve communication and engagement in hospitals.
They explain that Vizabli's solution goes beyond traditional patient engagement by offering such features as digital whiteboards, mobile applications, virtual access to patient rooms, and real-time notifications for family members.
They also discuss current trends in the healthcare industry, including the need for technology to save time and address nursing shortages, the importance of family involvement in care plans, and the consolidation of devices.
Sarah explains the process of implementing Vizabli's solution, which involves close collaboration with the hospital and integrators to customize the system according to their needs. Ron mentions that Vizabli is focusing on standardizing their solution and enhancing the capabilities of their digital whiteboards and virtual care models in the coming year.
The episode concludes with information on how to learn more about Vizabli.
This Episode's Guests
Ron Nelson, Vizabli
Co-founder and CEO
An accomplished, high-performance executive sales and marketing leader, Ron has an established history of success in driving overall company performance in global sales organizations by embedding proactive change, building motivated sales, marketing, and sales operations teams, and generating game-changing business models in competitive markets.
Connect: LinkedIn
Sarah Cannon, Vizabli
VP of Operations
Sarah is an experienced business and sales operations manager with a demonstrated history of working in the medical device industry. She is adept at growing small businesses, being agile and working with ambiguity, as well as being knowledgeable in HR, finance, legal, logistics, fulfillment and production.
Connect: LinkedIn
Key Takeaways
Vizabli was created as a result of its founders experiencing a series of communication obstacles while caring for their hospitalized parents.
Vizabli's platform adds new layers to traditional acute care engagement, including enhanced patient, family, and clinical engagement that allows real-time visual communication and interactive data display across multiple screens and devices.
Vizabli integrates a variety of hospital systems, such as Epic, through the Vizabli platform and disperses the data—schedules, care teams, visual alerts—to digital whiteboards, mobile devices, and other locations.
Vizabli's technology addresses staff shortages by saving time, introducing digital whiteboards, getting virtual access into rooms, involving families in care plans, and consolidating devices to save wall space.
Vizabli weaves together many elements into an elegant, seamless, customizable presentation, making sure that patients, family members, and the care team all have a consistent level of understanding about a patient's condition and needs.
Chapters
[00:30] Introduction of Vizabli's Ron Nelson and Sarah Cannon
[00:53] Vizabli's origins
[03:34] What makes Vizabli's approach to acute care management unique, including patient, family, and clinical engagement
[05:00] The many aspects of Vizabli's clinical engagement platform
[06:53] Vizabli integrates data—such as schedules, care teams, and visual alerts—from a variety of hospital systems and disperses it to multiple devices and displays
[08:10] What's driving current trends in the industry and how Vizabli offers an ideal solution
[10:48] A step-by-step look at a typical Vizabli project, from discovery through implementation
[13:00] The ongoing conversation between Vizabli and its customers, which allows for ultimate customization
[14:12] The special value of Vizabli's presentation: presenting info through "a single pane of glass"
[15:18] What's next for Vizabli in 2024
Connect with Lone Star Communications
☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].
CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare industry. For over 32 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare through innovation and empowering improved caregiver and patient experience.
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