FOCUS | HEALTH CARE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
of social isolation and that studies show social isolation is associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia and other serious medical conditions.” For members such as Paula Fleck, 58, of East Providence, Papa’s services are invaluable. “I live alone on a second floor and the stairs are getting really hard for me. I’m pretty much homebound,” Fleck said. “They’ve been very helpful.” Patricia Capuano, an elderly woman from Providence, said pals help her out with her dog and do chores she would be unable to do, such as cleaning the top of her refrigerator. “I don’t know what I would do without this program,” said Capuano, calling her pals hard workers who also watch TV with her. Ottiano said other health insurance companies get help from Papa with gaining higher reimbursement rates from Medicare by increasing star ratings, but that’s not the case for the Medicare-Medicaid plan offered by Neighborhood Health. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, which already has a 5-star rating for its Medicare Advantage plans this year and is the only insurer in the state with that distinction, said it’s not offering the benefit for financial gain. “We encourage our members to see their doctors for well visits and preventive screenings and pals are available to assist with achieving those goals should the member want that type of assistance,” Blue Cross said in an emailed statement. Annagrette Oberholtzer, 32, a pal who was made available by Papa for an interview, said on average each visit lasts about 2½ hours, and she does about 10 or 12 visits per week. The app provides a filtered list of recommended clients and a map view that allows her to pick a visit that’s right for her. When she arrives, Oberholtzer said, the app provides a list of tasks to accomplish. Afterward, she completes a survey through the app about what happened and the mood of the client. Sometimes, visits mean taking a senior to the grocery store or doctor appointments. “I do basically anything grandkids would do for their grandparents,” Oberholtzer said. n
CHECKING IN: This is a sample screen of the Papa Inc. mobile app that allows independent contractors called pals to connect with seniors in their areas who need assistance or companionship. The service is offered through certain health insurance plans provided by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. PBN PHOTO
| FOCUS DIAGNOSTICIMAGING IMAGINGCENTERS CENTERS(ranked(ranked by number of local staff) FOCUS | DIAGNOSTIC by number of local staff) 2022 rank
1
2021: 1
Company | Website Director
Address Phone
Lifespan Corp. 1 | Lifespan.org
167 Point St. Providence, R.I. 02903 (401) 444-4000
Jonathan Pine, administrative director
Total local staff No. of local medical professionals
664 466
Total number of patients in 2020 Number of locations
430,543 9
CLOSER LOOK Services offered
CT scan, mammography, MRI, nuclear medicine, PET scan, ultrasound, Xray
Total local staff:
1,269 LIST RESEARCHED BY James Bessette
2
2021: 2
3
Rhode Island Medical Imaging Inc. | rimirad.com Dr. John Pezzullo, president
125 Metro Center Blvd. Warwick, R.I. 02886 (401) 432-2400
541 340
NA 22
CT scan, mammography, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray
UPCOMING LISTS May 13: Rhode Island’s Largest SBA Loans, Rhode Island SBA Lenders; May 27: Intellectual Property Lawyers, Veteran Employers
2021: 4
Open MRI of New England Inc. 2 | openmriofne.com Dr. Roman Klufas, medical director
525 Broad St. Cumberland, R.I. 02864 (401) 725-6736
50 NA
NA 10
CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray
3 2021: 4
Advanced Radiology Inc. 2 | advanced-radiology.com Dr. Roman Klufas, medical director
525 Broad St. Cumberland, R.I. 02864 (401) 727-4600
50 NA
NA 10
CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray
Coastal Medical Imaging Center | coastalmedical.com/imaging-center Dr. G. Alan Kurose, president
900 Warren Ave., Suite 100 East Providence, R.I. 02914 (401) 383-9662
14 11
NA 1
CT scan, ultrasound, X-ray
5
2021: 6
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1 Lifespan Corp. includes Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children's Hospital Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Audiology; The Miriam Hospital Rehabilitation Department; and Newport Hospital Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center. 2 Advanced Radiology Inc. and New England Inc.BUSINESS were incorporated on June 4, 1999, and are owned by Dr. Roman Klufas. 22 | APRIL 29-MAY 12, Open 2022MRI| ofPROVIDENCE NEWS | www.pbn.com
WANT TO JOIN? For more information about participating in PBN’s Top Lists, or to make additions or corrections, call (401) 680-4838 or write to Research@PBN.com. FOOTNOTES j Lifespan Corp. includes Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children’s Hospital Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Audiology; The Miriam Hospital Rehabilitation Department; and Newport Hospital Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center. Advanced Radiology Inc. and Open MRI of New England Inc. were incorporated on June 4, 1999, and are owned by Dr. Roman Klufas.
