Norton

Fisk University has announced a $1 million gift from Robert W. Norton, a retired Pfizer executive and member of the Fisk University Board of Trustees, and his wife Janice. The Norton’s gift will be used to provide scholarships for deserving students.

A 1965 graduate of Princeton University, Norton also holds an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Fisk University. Following graduation, he joined the Procter and Gamble Company before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. A military veteran, Norton served in the Vietnam War and was commissioned at the Officers Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia.

Norton joined Pfizer Inc. in its Corporate Human Resources Division in New York, in what would become a 33-year career with the company.

He would later move to Nairobi, Kenya where he assumed HR responsibilities for Pfizer’s Africa-Middle East Region. After five years in Africa, Norton and his family relocated to Brussels, Belgium where he assumed HR responsibility for Pfizer, Europe.

After returning to the United States, Norton would assume several roles with Pfizer’s global pharmaceutical business before retiring in 2004 as Senior Vice President of Corporate HR.

Brentwood’s RCCH expands network

Brentwood-based RCCH HealthCare Partners has announced a public-private partnership with UW Medicine to own and operate community hospitals in Washington, Alaska and Idaho.

The partnership will take the form of a limited liability company that will own and operate community hospitals or other healthcare entities.

RCCH will operate and manage these facilities and UW Medicine will provide clinical and quality expertise.

RCCH will operate and manage each of the community hospitals, and they will retain their unique identities and names but will be further branded as “A UW Medicine Community Health Partner.”

UW Medicine has an existing relationship with RCCH. Capital Medical Center in Olympia, Washington, is owned and operated by RCCH.

Cracker Barrel opens 1st California location

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, based in Lebanon, has opened its first location in California.

The restaurant is in Victorville in San Bernardino County. The new store has created approximately 270 full and part-time jobs.

“We are thrilled to welcome Victorville families to Cracker Barrel by opening our first location in California,” says Nick Flanagan, senior vice president of restaurant and retail operations.

“In the last two years, Cracker Barrel has been expanding out West, including opening our first stores in the Las Vegas and Portland areas, and we look forward to bringing our unique version of Southern hospitality and charm to Victorville and the state of California.”

In Victorville, Cracker Barrel’s new store celebrates the history and culture of the local area through decorative walls that pay homage to the famous Route 66, the area’s contributions to the film industry and California’s Gold Rush era.

Cracker Barrel has established a $10,000 endowment to the Victor Valley College to fund an annual scholarship in perpetuity to restaurant management students among other charitable efforts in the community.

Captain D’s expands to Midwest, Southwest

Nashville-based Captain D’s has announced the signing of franchise development agreements to expand throughout the Midwest and Southwest.

New restaurants will be built in the greater Dallas, St. Louis, Missouri and Columbus, Ohio regions.

“Captain D’s continued success has reinforced our position as the leader of the fast-casual seafood segment,’’ says Michael Arrowsmith, chief development officer of Captain D’s.

“Our outstanding business model and exceptional franchisee support have helped us attract new candidates as well as fuel growth from our existing franchise system. We’re excited to accelerate these development efforts further in 2018.

“Texas, Missouri, and Ohio are each key regions in our overall growth strategy, as we geographically expand the footprint of our brand. We are thrilled to be developing new restaurants with such experienced franchisees who share our passion and commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience.’’

A rebranding with a beach design is part of the company’s strategy moving forward. To date, nearly 75 percent of all restaurants have been reimaged to the brand’s new vibrant, coastal design.

United Derm Partners adds Oregon clinic

United Derm Partners, a Nashville-based physician services company focused on dermatology space, is expanding.

The firm has moved into Oregon with the addition of Bend Dermatology Clinic as an affiliate practice.

The premier dermatology provider to Central Oregon for nearly 40 years, Bend Dermatology brings five physician partners and three physician assistants across five locations to United Derm’s growing family of practices.

Founded in 1980, Bend offers a full spectrum of general and medical dermatologic services – including Mohs micrographic surgery – at its primary location in East Bend and additional clinics in West Bend, Redmond and Klamath Falls.

United Derm will provide Bend with operational support, revenue cycle management, regulatory assistance, contract negotiation and capital for growth. Backed by Frazier Healthcare Partners, the firm is committed to helping dermatologists streamline and monetize their practices while ensuring physician autonomy related to patient care.

Since being founded in 2016, United Derm has grown its practice group to nearly 50 providers across 20 locations.

Amerigroup honored for long-term care

Nashville-based Amerigroup Tennessee, Inc., a statewide provider of TennCare Medicaid managed care services, has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Amerigroup has been awarded a Long-Term Services and Supports Distinction, an honor that recognizes organizations for coordinating long-term services and supports that deliver efficient, effective person-centered care.

“This is a well-deserved honor for Amerigroup and once again reinforces the value that managed care organizations can bring to serving people with complex support needs,” says Patti Killingsworth, TennCare’s chief of Long-Term Services and Supports. “The commitment to providing high-quality, person-centered services is evident in the way Amerigroup is supporting people with disabilities, helping them to live a meaningful and fulfilling life in the community.”

Earning the award demonstrates that an organization is dedicated to coordinating the delivery of care in a person-centered and integrated manner to help individuals function optimally in their preferred setting.

Amerigroup has implemented tough new standards for administrating long-term services and has demonstrate best practices in person-centered approaches to assess individuals’ needs, manage care setting transitions, handle critical incidents and coordinate services between individuals, caregivers, doctors and other care providers.

“Long-term Services and Supports Distinction moves us closer to measuring quality across population health management initiatives,” says Margaret E. O’Kane, president, NCQA. “Not only does it add value to existing quality improvement efforts; it also demonstrates an organization’s highest level of commitment to improving the quality of care that meets people’s needs.”

Nashville Elvis Festival scheduled for March

The four-day Nashville Elvis Festival will be held March 22-25 at the historic Franklin Theatre. Organizers have planned for celebrity appearances, live music performances, an Elvis movie screening with special guests and 25 of the best Elvis tribute artists.

Two special VIP events will feature live recreations of a Sun Records recording session and a Jungle Room recording session - both events will take place inside Paragon Studios.

The Nashville Elvis Festival is produced by Tom Brown and Brian Mayes for Music City Festivals, LLC, and hosted by Tom Brown, a longtime host of select Elvis Week events, one of the hosts of the “Gates of Graceland” web series and the former Vice President of Original Production for Turner Classic Movies.

Tickets: www.NashvilleElvisFestival.com

U.S. defense agency picks Change Healthcare

Nashville-based Change Healthcare has announced it has been awarded a new Digital Imaging Network-PACS IV contract by the United States Defense Logistics Agency.

The DIN-PACS IV contract is a multiyear, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with a combined five-year base period and one five-year option period.

Under the DIN-PACS IV contract, the Military Health System and Veterans Health Administration facilities can procure the full suite of McKesson enterprise imaging solutions, which are now part of Change Healthcare.

With more than 3000 installations, the company’s industry-leading portfolio of enterprise imaging solutions includes diagnostic imaging and workflow products, picture archiving and communication systems, radiology solutions, and cardiovascular imaging systems.

The award follows several key military installations completed at Camp Pendleton, Walter Reed Medical, Fort Belvoir, Malcolm Grow, and other facilities.

“We have a track record of meeting the U.S. government’s stringent requirements for system security, interoperability, and patient safety,” says Erkan Akyuz, EVP and president of Imaging, Workflow and Care Solutions, Change Healthcare.

“The government expects secure, flexible, scalable, and reliable imaging solutions, and it is an honor to provide these mission-critical solutions to support military families and veterans.”

Murfreesboro facilities bought by Inspirit

Inspirit Senior Living has announced it has acquired two senior living facilities in Murfreesboro.

The facilities were previously owned and operated by Sunnington LLC and Sunnington II, LLC., and will now be named Rutherford Assisted Living and Rutherford Memory Care. They were formerly Sunnington Assisted Living and Sunnington Memory Care, respectively.

Virginia-headquartered Inspirit is a new venture headed by industry veteran David McHarg.

“Inspirit is proud to add the Rutherford properties to our steadily growing family of communities,’’ McHarg says. “We look forward to working with the local teams to make them even better places for Tennessee’s seniors to call home.”

Purchase price and other details of the private transaction were not disclosed.