SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cricket Health, a developer of technology-enabled solutions for patients living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), announced that Carmen A. Peralta, MD, MAS, and Anna Malkina, MD, prominent nephrologists from the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF), have joined the company as Chair of Cricket Health's Medical Advisory Board and Medical Director, respectively.
The additions bring another level of clinical and medical research experience to the company as it rolls out Health Options Patient Education (HOPE), an online program which connects advanced stage CKD patients to engaging content, clinical expertise and a network of healthcare professionals, peers and mentors. The platform empowers patients to choose end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treatment options that fit their lifestyle and reflect their personal values.
Dr. Peralta is an Associate Professor of Medicine at UCSF, a practicing nephrologist at the UCSF Nephrology and Hypertension Faculty Practice, and a clinical investigator and Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Kidney Health Research Collaborative. As Chair of Cricket Health's Medical Advisory Board, Dr. Peralta will advise the company in developing effective identification and intervention programs for persons with CKD. Her extensive research background will help Cricket ensure application of the best evidence in management of persons with CKD.
"I am honored to join the team, especially at this critical time when healthcare is emphasizing improved patient outcomes and reduced costs," said Dr. Peralta. "With a focus on patient education and engagement, particularly when it comes to ongoing treatment options for those managing CKD, Cricket Health has the potential to improve the care and confidence of people managing CKD."
Dr. Malkina is an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCSF and a practicing nephrologist at the UCSF Nephrology and Hypertension Faculty Practice. In her role as Medical Director, she will help develop and deliver Cricket Health's technology-enabled kidney care programs, leveraging advanced analytics for CKD patient identification and risk stratification. She also will determine clinical goals and operational standards to ensure care programs are safe, effective, durable and scalable.
"Cricket Health is educating patients with advanced stage CKD, empowering them with critical knowledge about their treatment options and opportunities for self-care," said Dr. Malkina. "I'm proud to be part of a team and company that strives to help patients, to improve patient experience living with CKD through knowledge and human connections, and as a result reduce complications and hospitalizations."
CKD affects over 20 million adults in the United States, yet most patients go undiagnosed until the late stages of the disease, when they are progressing toward kidney failure (also referred to as End Stage Renal Disease, or ESRD). Furthermore, almost 90 percent of ESRD patients currently end up on a form of care called in-center hemodialysis despite the fact that there are better, less expensive treatment options available for many of these patients.
"Carmen and Anna bring a tremendous amount of clinical knowledge and research experience to the table and will provide valuable expertise to the company as we execute on our strategic imperatives in 2016 and beyond," said Cricket Health Co-Founder and CEO Arvind Rajan. "We look forward to benefiting from their vision and experience."
Members of Cricket Health's Board of Advisors include Joachim Ix, MD, Chief of Nephrology, University of California, San Diego (UCSD); Joel Glickman, MD, professor of clinical medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Michael Shlipak, MD, Chief of Medicine, San Francisco VA, UCSF; Danuta Trzebinska, MD, Director CKD Clinic, UCSD; Ann Robar, BSN, RN, CNN, former Vice President of Clinical Operations, Satellite Healthcare; Glenn Chertow, MD, Chief of Nephrology, Stanford University; Bijal Patel, MD, Director, Home Programs, Balboa Nephrology Medical Group; and Suzanne Watnick, MD, professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University and acting chief of nephrology at the VA Portland Health Care Center.
Cricket Health is funded by leading venture capitalists including First Round Capital, BoxGroup, Nexus Venture Partners, NFX Guild, and Seven Peaks Ventures.
About Cricket Health
Cricket Health is a developer of scalable healthcare technology services designed to fundamentally transform the care and treatment of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are at high-risk of progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Cricket Health's goal is to significantly improve patient's lives and reduce the clinical, psychosocial and economic burdens associated with chronic kidney disease. Cricket Health's flagship education platform HOPE helps CKD patients understand their treatment options and plan ahead to ensure an orderly transition for those who progress to ESRD. The company's team and advisors include leaders in healthcare, technology and design from Stanford, UCSF, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Proteus Digital Health and Aberdare Ventures. Cricket Health is based in San Francisco, CA. Learn more at www.crickethealth.com.
Media Contact:
Matt Schlossberg
Amendola Communications for Cricket Health
630.935.9136
mschlossberg@acmarketingpr.com
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SOURCE Cricket Health
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