Kerasal® Launch in Canada Progresses at Major Drug Chains and Walmart Supercenters

Cedar Knolls, NJ July 10, 2012 – Alterna LLC, makers of Kerasal®, is progressing with its launch in Canada. The Canadian launch initiated in March of this year with the listing of two Kerasal SKUs at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores. In recent months, Kerasal has added distribution in most Walmart stores, Jean Coutu, Uniprix, and other chains.
Kerasal is an iconic brand in foot care, with US distribution in all major chains and Walmart. Kerasal One Step Exfoliating Moisturizing Foot Ointment is the non-prescription brand most often recommended by U.S. podiatrists for softening severely dry feet. In addition to Kerasal One Step, Kerasal ultra20 Moisturizer Daytime Therapy Foot Softening Cream is available in Canada. Kerasal ultra20 is absorbed quickly by the skin, so it is perfect for daytime use.
“Canadian consumers, like our US customers, are savvy,” says Don Carswell, Director of International Sales at Alterna. “They want a product that is fast, effective and clinically proven. Kerasal One Step exfoliates and moisturizes the skin of the feet in a single step, which saves time and increases efficacy giving consumers softer feet faster.” Mr. Carswell noted that the Kerasal One Step Foot Ointment has been awarded the seal of approval by the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association.
Alterna is supporting the launch in Canada with national television advertising with English and French versions of its new television commercial. In addition to consumer support, Kerasal samples are being distributed to over 100 Canadian podiatrists who have requested samples. Alterna LLC, the US-based maker of Kerasal, has teamed up with Associated National Brokerage, Inc., of Newmarket, Ontario to serve its customers in Canada. Alterna plans to bring additional products to the Canadian market in the near future.

HealthTech Solutions Group® Promotes Brian Montfort to Vice President of Software Development

Plano, TX Jul 20, 2012 – Brian Montfort has been promoted to vice president of software development at HealthTech Solutions Group®, a leading provider of cloud-based revenue cycle management solutions.
“Brian’s expertise has been instrumental in the development and expansion of our breakthrough, cloud-based receivables management platform, myCLAIMIQ AlphaCollector™,” said Derek Morkel, chief executive officer at HealthTech. “His knowledge and experience will continue to lead our talented team of technology professionals while supporting our company vision.”
Since joining HealthTech Solutions Group in 2010, Montfort had held the position of senior software engineer, focusing on the development of new revenue cycle software solutions. He also was responsible for providing implementation and technical guidance to hospitals accessing the company’s proprietary software.
“The incredible reception that we have had to myCLAIMIQ AlphaCollector™ and the exciting pipeline of new software developments is a direct result of the work from Brian and his team,” said Morkel. “We are extremely excited at the possibilities as we extend the functionality of our integrated, cloud-based platform to new areas of the revenue cycle.”

Alterna LLC Expands Kerasal® Brand’s Distribution

Cedar Knolls, NJ Jul 10, 2012 – Alterna LLC, makers of Kerasal® and Kerasal® Nail™, today announced that Kerasal Foot Ointment, already sold in approximately 3,200 Walmart stores, will be available in all 3,871 Walmart stores in late August. Kerasal Foot Ointment is the #1 one podiatrist recommended mass distributed non-prescription foot softener for severely dry feet, and has been sold in food, drug, and mass retail stores for over 8 years.
As a result of its successful launch this past year, Alterna’s newest product – Kerasal Nail Fungal Nail Renewal Treatment – will also expand its distribution at the world’s largest mass retailer from approximately, 1,300 stores to over 3,500 stores. Kerasal Nail is a clinically proven topical formula for rapidly improving the appearance of nails damaged by fungus or psoriasis. It is the only nail penetrating formula on the market with multiple clinical studies showing clinical signs of improvement in just two weeks. Alterna holds the exclusive license in the United States for the patented formula, developed by Moberg Derma AB.
Kerasal and Kerasal Nail are widely distributed, and also available at leading drug chains including Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid. Fueled by a multi-million dollar television and print advertising campaign, the Kerasal brand has experienced double digit retail sales growth over the last 52 weeks for 52 weeks ending May 13, 2012, according to data reported by IRI.

Dignity Health to Acquire U.S. HealthWorks. Health system will expand to 16 states, adding 172 medical centers

San Francisco, CA Jul 2, 2012 – Dignity Health, the fifth largest health system in the nation, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of U.S. HealthWorks, the largest independent operator of occupational medicine and urgent care centers in the United States. The deal is subject to certain regulatory approvals and is expected to be finalized in August 2012. Terms were not disclosed.
Dignity Health is extending its mission into new care settings in order to deliver quality care more efficiently and improve the overall health status of the communities it serves. The acquisition reflects organization’s vision to become a national, integrated delivery network by 2020. U.S. HealthWorks, a portfolio company of Altaris Capital Partners and Three Arch Partners, operates 172 locations nationwide, and has a network of more than 2,700 employees, including approximately 800 medical providers who deliver quality care to more than 12,000 patients each day. “We are excited to bring U.S. HealthWorks into the Dignity Health family,” said Lloyd H. Dean, president/chief executive officer of Dignity Health. “This allows us to expand our health care ministry into 16 states, and it strengthens our ability to deliver the integrated, quality care that people expect and deserve.”
Based in Valencia, Calif., U.S. HealthWorks facilities offer occupational health care and urgent care services, preventive care, pre-employment and post-offer exams and screening, and return-to-work rehabilitative care. U.S. HealthWorks partners with more than 80,000 employers, many of which are Fortune 100 companies, to help manage and reduce the cost of work-related injuries. “We are very pleased to become part of a dynamic organization like Dignity Health,” said Daniel D. Crowley, chief executive officer of U.S. HealthWorks. “Dignity Health provides a great platform for us to continue growing our network to provide high-quality health care services throughout the country.” Mr. Crowley will continue on as the president and chief executive officer of U.S. HealthWorks, which will operate through a wholly-owned, for-profit subsidiary of Dignity Health focused on the occupational health care practice.
Dignity Health plans to expand the U.S. HealthWorks operations nationally. The organization is also investing in ambulatory surgery and imaging centers through its partnerships with United Surgical Partners International (USPI) and SimonMed Imaging. Dignity Health currently has 17 joint-venture surgical centers with USPI, and 35 imaging centers with SimonMed.
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Dignity Health on the transaction. Goldman Sachs acted as exclusive financial advisor to U.S. HealthWorks.