Medical Training Program Gets a Healthy Boost

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Medical Training Program Gets a Healthy Boost
Internet café in the Village at Northridge retirement community campus.

A UCLA tech transfer venture offering specialized medical training is another step closer to becoming a standalone company, thanks to an infusion of capital from the Department of Defense.

Pelagique LLC, a Malibu spinoff of the UCLA Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology, has developed a computer-based training program that helps train military doctors and medics how to use ultrasound to determine which casualties need to be airlifted to hospitals.

Co-founder Dr. Eric Savitsky said the technology has the potential to be a valuable training tool in the civilian world, noting that UCLA Health Systems nurses are helping test it.

The laptop system utilizes a specialized joystick that acts as a virtual ultrasound probe. Private sector hospitals and ultrasound equipment manufacturers have expressed interest in Pelagique’s training products, which include videos based on real-life field cases and tutorials on other emergency situations.

“The DOD was interested in us because it’s important that people in the field be able to decide who has injuries serious enough to take the risk of airlifting them out of a combat zone,” said Savitsky, a professor of emergency medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine who serves as Pelagique’s president and the university surgical center’s executive director.

Since 2007, the Defense Department has poured nearly $2 million into the company through a program designed to get companies with innovative ideas ready for private financing. The company recently received $1 million in follow-on defense funding, and has received $200,000 from private sources. Savitsky said his company will be looking to raise at least $3 million from angels and other investors.

Despite a Malibu mailing address, Pelagique right now is more of a virtual company. Savitsky who came up with the idea for the software training tool, said he and other founding partners are looking for office space closer to UCLA, and to hire a chief executive and other full-time staff.

Founding partners include professionals with experience in emergency medicine like Savitsky, as well as information technology, software development and film production veterans.

It Takes a Village

Robin Forman, a sales and marketing manager for Senior Resource Group, said it takes more than a luxury resort atmosphere to lure affluent seniors from their homes to a retirement community in the San Fernando Valley.

So in addition to gourmet food, a lounge, Internet café and shuttle service to nearby malls, Senior Resource’s new Village at Northridge is soliciting partnerships with local health care providers and other businesses to better integrate the complex that opened this spring into the community.

“We want our residents not to have to travel to receive valuable health care programming, and we want to encourage people from outside the Village to come here, too, for programs,” said Forman, a Northridge-based executive for the San Diego senior housing developer.

Among the retirement community’s partners is Providence Health & Services, which operates three Valley hospitals and recently opened a medical building in nearby Porter Ranch. Its staff is offering a variety of health and wellness education programs and services.

In addition, certified trainers from the Arthritis Foundation will provide exercise and aquatic classes at the gym and pool.

Another partnership with California State University Northridge will offer classes, lectures and workshops taught by faculty. Students at its Department of Health Sciences will get the opportunity to gain real-world experience through internships and study groups. The 275-unit complex houses both active seniors and those who need assisted-living support.

“Our average resident is older than 85 and interested in living an active life, so we are offering many wellness and fitness programs,” said Michael Grust, president of Senior Resource, which has an older facility in Sherman Oaks.

No Other Takers

Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. said it expects to go private through a $205 million buyout offer from Leonard Green & Partners now that no competing offers have emerged.

The managed care company and hospital operator, based in Los Angeles near Westwood, said that at least 68 potential bidders were contacted or approached them, and five conducted due diligence. However, none made a formal offer prior to the end of a 40-day “go shop” provision it had in an agreement with the West L.A. leveraged buyout firm.

Shareholders will be paid $8.50 a share, a 39 percent premium over the company’s closing price Aug. 15, before the deal was announced. Nearly 50 percent of the company’s outstanding shares, held by insiders, have been committed in favor of the deal.

Staff reporter Deborah Crowe can be reached [email protected] or at (323) 549-5225, ext. 232.

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