Former Assistant Secretary of the Army Joins Leaf Healthcare Advisory Board

PLEASANTON, Calif., Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas R. Lamont, former Assistant Secretary of the Army who oversaw 1.4 million U.S. Army military and civilian employees, has become a member of the Leaf Healthcare, Inc., advisory board.

Lamont, who has spent more than 35 years managing legal, public and private sector organizations involving complex, multi-billion dollar infrastructure, will counsel company executives on matters of strategy and government affairs. He also brings the personal perspective of someone whose son suffered from pressure ulcers.

"We are extremely fortunate that Tom is sharing his experience with us," said Mark V. Weckwerth, Leaf's chief executive officer. "He understands the needs of complex organizations, as well as the patient pain and complications that result from pressure ulcers. His insight will help Leaf better meet the needs of both provider organizations and patients."

Lamont has significant experience with medical providers. He spent 11 years as a trustee and, later, special counsel to the University of Illinois, a leading research institution, which operates a significant medical school and teaching hospital. As assistant secretary, he oversaw the Army's Medical Command and its treatment facilities, which provide approximately 70 percent of all U.S. Department of Defense medical care, and he worked closely with the combined defense services medical school.

"I have been aware of the challenges to patient comfort that pressure ulcers pose since our youngest son was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Pressure ulcers can undermine the best medical care," Lamont said.  "Our son became very frail. It wrecks you to see a healthy, active child become debilitated from cancer and to see the added pain that he went through because of pressure ulcers – and realize we were powerless to do anything about it."

Leaf is currently organizing its advisory board to counsel the company's executive team on strategic and other issues. The board will be an independent, multi-functional expert panel to create synergy and unique insight to inform the company's strategy and product development.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports that pressure ulcers affect more than 2.5 million U.S. patients annually and extend their hospital stays. Globally, they contribute to 60,000 deaths a year. Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers are a leading threat to quality, modern healthcare. The department estimates that pressure ulcers cost the nation's healthcare system more than $11 billion a year.

The Leaf system is comprised of a small, lightweight, wearable sensor that electronically monitors a patient's position and movements. Data collected by the sensor is communicated wirelessly to central monitoring stations or mobile devices so that caregivers can check on patient position and movement. 

The system provides alerts when necessary to ensure that all patients wearing a Leaf Sensor are repositioned according to their prescribed turning schedules to reduce incidence of pressure ulcers. The device has been cleared for sale by FDA 510(k).   

About Leaf Healthcare, Inc.

Leaf Healthcare creates wireless patient monitoring solutions for health care providers seeking more efficient, cost effective ways to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes. The Leaf Patient Monitoring System wirelessly monitors a patient's position and movement and uses that data to automate and document the management of prescribed turn protocols for patients at risk for Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers (HAPUs). The company continually seeks to incorporate more patient monitoring features and capabilities into its technology platform, enabling ever-broader improvements to patient safety, clinical efficiency and patient outcomes. To learn more, visit www.leafhealthcare.com.  

Leaf Healthcare is a proud supporter of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP).  The NPUAP is an independent organization and does not endorse or promote the products or services of any of its supporters.

SOURCE Leaf Healthcare, Inc.

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED