Health Care

WASHINGTON—Petros Fichidzhyan, a California man, pleaded guilty to health care fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering in connection with scheme to defraud Medicare of more than $17 million through sham hospice companies and his home health care company, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Fichidzhyan is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14.

DETROIT—Amesite Inc., a technology company specializing artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, was recently recognized by NASDAQ for the launch of its AI app, “NurseMagic,” through a feature on the NASDAQ Tower in Times Square. The app aims to support nursing professionals and home health care workers in their patient care efforts throughout the health care industry.

AKRON, Ohio—ACU-Serve, a health care revenue cycle optimization company, announced the appointment of Sidney Simmons III as its new executive VP of sales. In this new role, Simmons aims to oversee the company’s sales team and expand sales operations. 

SAN FRANCISCO—Seniors Helping Seniors, an in-home care services franchisor, announced the opening of three new franchise locations in the Silicon Valley, including San Jose, West San Jose and Santa Clara, California. The new locations will be led by Sara Leonard, who has a background in corporate business operations.

OWINGS MILLS, Maryland—The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) announced the 2025 board of directors’ executive committee, the election of two new members and the retirement of Immediate Past Chairman Wayne Rosen.

BRONX, New York—Essen Health Care, a New York-based medical services provider, announced it has been selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model, a new Medicare alternative payment model.

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—Aeroflow Sleep, a durable medical equipment (DME) and CPAP supplies provider, released the results of a women’s sleep quality survey, which found that women often experience a lack of sleep quality and a shortage in sleep health care provision.

FRISCO, Texas—Soleo Health, a specialty pharmacy services provider, announced it has earned specialty pharmacy accreditation from URAC, a nonprofit accreditation entity.

WATERLOO, Iowa—VGM & Associates announced Randy Piper has joined the leadership team as VP of vendor contract management. In his new role, Piper aims to drive new vendor business development, optimize contracts and ensure compliance across vendor agreements.

NEW YORK—HHAeXchange, a homecare management solutions company, announced that Anna Pavlik, the company’s former global vice president of human resources, has been promoted to chief human resources officer, and Mark Cope has joined the provider sales team as chief revenue officer. 

BETHESDA, Maryland—The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) announced its support of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health’s Idea Lab, which will be a part of its Home as a Health Care Hub initiative.

MELVILLE, New York—Henry Schein Inc., a health care solutions provider for office-based dental and medical practitioners, announced it has completed the acquisition of Acentus, a national medical supplier specializing in the delivery of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).

WATERLOO, Iowa—VGM Group Inc. announced the acquisition of SleepGlad, a sleep technology solutions provider. The acquisition aims to enhance VGM Group's portfolio in sleep technology solutions. 

WASHINGTON—LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit providers of aging services, announced the launch of a leadership diversity fellowship program, an initiative supported by a $250,000 grant from the Next50 Foundation, a Colorado-based foundation for aging societies. 

HOUSTON–Hospice providers and several state associations filed a lawsuit Thursday, Jan. 16, against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to block the implementation of the Special Focus Program (SFP).

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina—U.S. Attorney Dena King announced the United States and the State of North Carolina have filed a complaint against durable medical equipment (DME) supplier Benson Ejindu, alleging that Ejindu knowingly submitted or caused to be submitted false claims to North Carolina Medicaid for more expensive medical supplies than were provided to the Medicaid recipients.

WATERLOO, Iowa—VGM, a member service organization for post-acute health care, announced a newly redesigned website that aims to offer a streamlined, user-friendly experience. The new website intends to make the resources and information about the VGM Heartland Conference easily accessible. Additionally, the website incorporates the company’s new logo and colors, which launched in November.

DALLAS—Axxess, a global technology platform for health care at home, announced a partnership with WOTC.com, a provider of work opportunity tax credit solutions. The partnership aims to provide Axxess clients access to workforce-related tax credits through WOTC.com’s services.

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia & WASHINGTON—The National Alliance for Care at Home (The Alliance) issued the following statement in response to President Biden signing S 141, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act (Dole Act), into law.

INDIANAPOLIS—MedEdge, an ancillary software and data services company, announced the appointment of Jon Love as president and chief growth officer. The company said this leadership change aims to elevate pharmacy, leverage data, enhance efficiency and improve financial performance.

CLEVELAND & MOORESTOWN, New Jersey—AnewHealth, a national pharmacy care management provider, announced the retirement of CEO John Figueroa and the appointment of Brian Adams as its new CEO and president.