Andrew Schwartz and Bhavik Patel reunite after xtraCHEF to build an AI platform designed specifically for restaurant operators

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- xtraCHEF co-founders Andrew Schwartz and Bhavik Patel are teaming up again to launch Tandem, an AI company focused on transforming how restaurants operate. Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Michael Schulson has joined the company as a Founding Partner, bringing decades of restaurant operating experience directly into Tandem's product strategy and development.

Schwartz and Patel previously built restaurant technology company xtraCHEF, which was acquired by Toast. After spending years working alongside thousands of restaurant operators, the pair are returning to restaurant technology with a new thesis: AI creates an opportunity to fundamentally rethink how technology supports restaurant operators and their teams.

Tandem has also closed an initial seed financing to accelerate product development, expand its team and support its early restaurant deployments. The company is already working with operators across 100 restaurant locations through its pilot program, with a growing waitlist of additional restaurant groups interested in deploying the platform.

Restaurants today operate across an increasingly fragmented technology ecosystem spanning point-of-sale, labor, accounting, inventory, purchasing, reservations, delivery, marketing and more. While these systems have digitized much of the restaurant, operators and their teams still spend significant time manually moving information between platforms, analyzing data, identifying issues and completing repetitive administrative tasks.

Tandem is being built to change that.

Rather than adding another dashboard or standalone application for restaurant teams to manage, Tandem is building AI agents designed to work across the systems restaurants already use. These agents can help operators analyze information, identify what requires attention, automate repetitive workflows and take action across the business. Tandem will also act as a multiplayer workspace for the human employees to communicate with their agentic co workers.

"Bhavik and I spent years building technology alongside restaurant operators at xtraCHEF, and we came away with a very clear understanding of both the power and limitations of traditional restaurant software," said Andrew Schwartz, Co-Founder and CEO of Tandem. "Restaurants don't need another system to log into or another dashboard to manage. We believe AI gives us the opportunity to build technology that actually works alongside the operator — understanding what's happening across the business, handling repetitive work and helping teams take action."

As Co-Founder and CPO/CTO, Bhavik Patel leads Tandem's technology, AI and engineering strategy. Patel previously served as CTO and Co-Founder of xtraCHEF, where he helped build the technology platform that ultimately became part of Toast following the company's acquisition.

"The technology available to us today allows us to approach restaurant operations in a fundamentally different way," said Patel. "We're moving beyond software that simply stores data or presents information. AI gives us the ability to build systems that can understand context, reason across multiple sources of information and help execute work. Our focus at Tandem is turning those capabilities into reliable, practical products that solve real problems for restaurant operators."

Joining Schwartz and Patel as a Founding Partner is Michael Schulson, one of the country's most accomplished chefs and restaurateurs and founder of Schulson Collective. Schulson brings decades of hands-on experience building and operating successful restaurant concepts and will work closely with Tandem on product strategy, operator needs and the real-world application of AI inside restaurants.

Schulson's involvement reflects a core part of Tandem's approach: build with restaurant operators, not simply for them.

"There is an enormous opportunity for AI in restaurants, but it has to solve the problems operators actually deal with every day," said Schulson. "What excited me about Tandem is the opportunity to build this from the operator's perspective. We're identifying the work that takes time away from our teams and asking a simple question: why can't technology do more of this work for us?"

Together, Schwartz, Patel and Schulson bring a combination of restaurant technology, product development, AI expertise and hands-on restaurant operating experience to Tandem.

The company sees applications for AI across nearly every part of restaurant operations — from finance and accounting to labor, purchasing, inventory, marketing, guest engagement and day-to-day operational management. Tandem's strategy is to introduce agents around specific, high-value workflows and increasingly connect those capabilities across the restaurant organization.

Tandem is also developing integrations across the restaurant technology ecosystem, allowing its agents to work with the systems operators already rely on rather than requiring restaurants to replace their existing technology stack.

The company will use its seed capital to expand its engineering and product teams, deepen these integrations and accelerate deployments with restaurant groups.

"We think the restaurant technology industry is entering a major new chapter," Schwartz added. "The last generation of restaurant technology was about digitizing workflows and putting software into every part of the restaurant. We believe the next generation will be about intelligence and action — technology that understands the business and actively helps operators run it. That's the company we're building with Tandem."

About Tandem

Tandem is an AI platform built specifically for the restaurant industry. The company develops intelligent agents that work across restaurant systems to automate operational and administrative tasks, analyze information and help restaurant teams take action.

Tandem was co-founded by Andrew Schwartz and Bhavik Patel, the co-founders of restaurant technology company xtraCHEF, which was acquired by Toast. Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Michael Schulson serves as a Founding Partner, bringing deep restaurant operating expertise to Tandem's product development and strategy.

Tandem is operated by AI Labz Inc.

Media Contact

Andy Schwartz

[email protected]

www.usetandem.xyz

SOURCE Ai Labz Inc

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Scanova Transforms Its Platform to Take QR Codes from Scan Counts to Business Outcomes

The company's largest release reorganizes the product around what happens after a code is scanned — for brands and manufacturers whose QR Codes stay in the market for years.

NOIDA, India, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Scanova, the QR Code platform from Trycon Technologies India, today released the most significant update in its history: built on one idea: a QR Code should be judged by the outcome it produces, not the scans it records.

Scanova integrates with 14 marketing and sales tools, so QR data flows into the systems businesses run on. This release carries it down the funnel. Conversion tracking now follows the visitor onto the brand's own site, reporting pages opened, links clicked and actions taken. That separates codes generating traffic from codes generating action, and puts QR in the same terms as other channels. Scanova's 2026 QR Code Benchmark Report, built on 69.9 million scans, found the top 5% of codes drive 78 to 95 percent of all scans.

Knowing which codes perform matters only if acting on it is quick. Scanova now opens on a small set of starting points, matched to a common objective, so teams begin with the outcome in mind rather than deciding where to start.

Moving quickly stalls in one place: the page behind the code. Campaigns wait on design resources, and codes point to generic URLs never built for the scan. Scanova's AI Studio removes that dependency — describe the page a campaign needs, and the platform generates it. Teams can refine it block by block, put multiple pages behind one QR Code, and control each page's theme and SEO.

A destination built for its purpose still has to keep working, and a code printed on packaging cannot be recalled if it stops. The new Health Center surfaces expired schedules, unpublished drafts and unverified domains before customers meet a dead end. Passkey sign-in, two new languages and dark mode complete the release.

"Scan counts tell you a code was noticed, not whether it did its job," said Gautam Garg, CEO of Trycon Technologies India. "Businesses invest in QR for an outcome. Our job is to make it measurable, so QR earns its budget like any other channel."

The update reaches all Scanova accounts, including free trials, on 21 September. Account owners choose when to switch, API integrations are unchanged, and printed codes keep scanning as normal.

About Scanova

Scanova is the QR platform for businesses running long-lived QR programs, where printed codes must stay accurate, editable and trackable for years and deliver measurable return. Over 10,000 companies use Scanova, including Amazon, AT&T, Nestlé and Walmart. It serves manufacturers, retailers, hospitality, healthcare and financial organizations, along with agencies and packaging partners supporting them. Scanova is ISO/IEC 27001:2022, GDPR and SOC 2 compliant, and a multiple-time G2 Leader.

SOURCE Scanova

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The article explains how needling techniques may address muscle tightness and movement limitations as one part of a broader rehabilitation plan.

REXBURG, Idaho, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What is dry needling in physical therapy?

HelloNation has published an article that provides the answer, featuring insights from Physical Therapy Expert Paul Dye of Rexburg Rehabilitation in Rexburg, ID.

The HelloNation article explains that dry needling is a technique some therapists use as part of rehabilitation. A physical therapist inserts a thin needle into selected muscles or areas that may contribute to pain, tightness, or restricted movement. The needles contain no medication, and nothing is injected into the body.

Treatment areas are selected after the therapist considers symptoms, mobility, strength, movement patterns, and other physical findings. Trigger points are sensitive areas within muscles that may feel tight or tender when pressed. Targeting trigger points may be considered when muscle tension appears to interfere with movement or everyday activities.

The article also distinguishes the technique from acupuncture. Although both approaches use thin needles, acupuncture developed from traditional Chinese medicine and follows a different treatment framework. Needling in rehabilitation is used with a focus on anatomy, movement, and physical function.

A physical therapist generally does not use needling as a complete treatment by itself. It may be combined with stretching, strengthening, mobility work, movement training, and physical therapy exercises. These approaches can address limitations that require continued attention beyond an individual needling session.

One technique can combine needling with electrical stimulation. After needles are positioned in selected muscles, a low-level electrical current can stimulate tissue below the surface. This approach may be considered when muscle knots or tight areas contribute to restricted movement.

Another technique may involve controlled needle movement around a tendon or other selected tissue. The article explains that this can create small, localized tissue irritation intended to produce a limited inflammatory response and increase blood flow. The approach may then be combined with strengthening or loading exercises based on the tissue involved.

Sensations during treatment can differ from person to person. Some patients may notice pressure, aching, muscle twitching, or brief cramping. Muscle soreness can also occur afterward and may feel similar to discomfort following exercise. The intensity and duration of muscle soreness can vary with the technique, treatment area, and individual response.

A physical therapy evaluation helps determine whether the technique may be appropriate for a particular patient. Pain and movement restrictions can have several possible causes, including muscle tension, weakness, joint stiffness, tendon problems, previous injuries, or movement habits. A physical therapy evaluation allows these factors to be considered before determining how needling might fit into rehabilitation.

The article notes that treatment for muscle pain often involves examining more than the location where symptoms are felt. Therapists may assess how nearby muscles and joints function during common activities. This broader approach can help identify limitations that may contribute to discomfort or restricted movement.

Physical therapy exercises can then focus on strength, flexibility, mobility, and movement control. When used alongside treatment for muscle pain, exercises can address ongoing limitations and be adjusted as movement and tissue tolerance change.

The therapist can also monitor range of motion, soreness, strength, movement tolerance, and function throughout rehabilitation. Those findings help determine whether dry needling should remain part of the plan or whether the approach should be modified.

What Is Dry Needling in Physical Therapy? features insights from Paul Dye, Physical Therapy Expert of Rexburg, ID, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America's Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative "edvertising" approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

SOURCE HelloNation

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HOUSTON'S CAR SCENE TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT AS ALL-STARS CAR SHOW RETURNS TO DAIKIN PARK

Expanded schedules, guest appearances, and featured zones power the second year of the car show

HOUSTON, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Daikin Park will host the second All-Stars Car Show November 7-8, continuing to make Houston the only market in the country to host a car show at a Major League Baseball stadium. The ballpark will become a full-scale automotive showcase, featuring more than 300 vehicles, immersive brand activations, live entertainment and guest appearances, all celebrating Houston's emergence as a powerhouse in global car culture.

All-Stars Car Show will feature seven exclusive zones throughout Daikin Park including:

- Exotic Car Zone - hypercars, supercars, rare collector vehicles, luxury marques

- 713 Classics Zone - Houston lowriders, American classics, pre-war vehicles

- Motorsports Zone - professional race cars, racing simulators, pit crew demonstrations

- EV Zone - Tesla showcase, Lucid showcase, autonomous ride-along

- Indigo Zone - Porsche driving experience, luxury brand showcase

- Kids Zone - bounce house, face painting, games, giveaways

- Showcase Field - premium vehicle display, hypercar collection, collector cars

- Please note: Field Access or VIP ticket required for this section

"We spent the last year building the lineup for All-Stars to be bigger and better than last year," said Abe Levitz and Jorge Verdejo, proprietors of Coffee and Cars "We set the bar extremely high, but we want to keep building the show to be something that represents the global car market that Houston is."

Showcasing Houston's deep and diverse car culture, the majority of vehicles will come from local collectors, many of whom are displaying their prized cars publicly for the first time. The show will feature an expanded on-field warning track along with zones throughout the stadium concourses and outdoor lots of Daikin Park.

Beyond the featured zones, attendees can expect appearances by Orbit and the Shooting Stars.

"Because of last year's success, the All-Stars Car Show has expanded to a two-day event at Daikin Park. We were able to donate $10,000 in event proceeds to the Astros Foundation in 2025, and we hope to continue that tradition following this year's event," said Anita Sehgal, Astros Executive Vice President of Marketing & Communications.

VIP tickets, All-Star Club Premium tickets and field access tickets are still available but sold out in advance of the event in 2025. General admission tickets start at just $35 with children 2-years-old and under getting in free.

For more information, visit https://allstarscarshow.com.

DROPBOX FOR PHOTOS (HERE) – Please give Photo Credit to the Houston Astros.

SOURCE All-Stars Car Show

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- An exceptional edition crafted from leaves that have undergone a rigorous additional aging process of at least three years, featuring a limited production of 5,000 numbered boxes of 20 Habanos each, as well as an ideal gift case containing 3 Habanos.

HAVANA, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Habanos, S.A. unveiled the Trinidad Vigía Reserva Cosecha 2022 in a world premiere. This launch marks a historic milestone for Trinidad, representing the debut of the brand's first Reserva.

The new Reserva is presented in the Vigía vitola - one of Trinidad's emblematic formats and the one with the largest ring gauge in its current portfolio - measuring 54 x 110 mm in length and delivering a medium-strength profile.

Since its inception in 1969, Trinidad has built an identity associated with exclusivity, subtle elegance, and the excellence of Cuban tobacco. Its name pays tribute to the historic city of Trinidad - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - while its origins were linked to its status as a Habano reserved as a state gift for international dignitaries.

Trinidad Vigía Reserva Cosecha 2022 marks a new chapter in its history: it is the first Reserva from the Trinidad brand.

The exclusivity of this first 'Reserva' is also reflected in its production in two formats. Only 5,000 individually numbered boxes - each containing 20 Habanos - and 5,000 gift boxes containing 3 Habanos, will be available at points of sale worldwide.

The presentation features a distinctive 'Reserva' band with NFC technology, allowing aficionados to access product information and verify the authenticity of each Habano.

The combination of selected leaves, additional aging of at least three years, artisanal craftsmanship, limited production, and authentication technology makes the Trinidad Vigía Reserva Cosecha 2022 an edition specially designed for collectors and aficionados seeking exceptional pieces within the world of Habanos.

World premiere in Montreux

The global unveiling of Trinidad Vigía Reserva Cosecha 2022 took place on 19 September at the Petit Palais of the Fairmont Montreux Palace in Montreux (Switzerland), during an event organized in collaboration with Intertabak, the exclusive distributor of Habanos for the Swiss market.

The celebration brought together 300 international guests, including members of the Intertabak board of directors, aficionados, business partners, and media representatives. Attendees had the exclusive opportunity to experience the new Reserva from the Trinidad brand, which was presented by Tony Hoevenaars, Managing Director of Intertabak AG.

Inspired by the world of private clubs and the brand's signature sophistication, the event combined gastronomy, pairings, and entertainment centered around Trinidad.

The highlight of the evening was the pairing of the Trinidad Vigía Reserva Cosecha 2022 with The Dalmore King Alexander III. The pairing programme also featured Henri Giraud PR 90-20 champagne served with the Trinidad Esmeralda.

Tasting notes

- Brand: Trinidad

- Product name: Trinidad Vigía Reserva Cosecha 2022

- Factory name: Torres

- Dimensions: 54 x 110 mm in length

- Strength: Medium

- Format: Parejo with pigtail

Unlit, the Trinidad Vigía Reserva Cosecha 2022 offers notes of cedar and toasted hazelnut.

In the first third, the smoke is smooth and creamy, with cedar and hazelnut predominating, accompanied by a slow, even burn and dense, aromatic smoke.

During the second third, the experience intensifies, maintaining the brand's characteristic medium strength while developing nuances of dark cocoa, sweet spices, and roasted coffee.

In the final third, the Habano achieves a deeper, more lingering expression, featuring notes of aged leather, sweet undertones, and a delicate hint of white pepper.

Smoking time: Approximately 50 minutes

*PDO (Protected Designation of Origin)

Recommended retail price

- 3,800 USD / 3,276 EUR per box of 20

- 660 USD / 570 EUR per gift box of 3

*Prices may vary by market

About Habanos, S.A.

Habanos, S.A. is the world leader in the marketing of premium cigars. It operates through a distribution network spanning five continents and more than 130 territories. For more information, visit www.habanos.com.

Habanos have been crafted "Totally Handmade" for over 500 years and have set the global standard ever since.

About the distributor

Intertabak AG, based in Pratteln (Switzerland), is the distributor for Habanos, S.A. in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Founded in 1995, the company is the official direct importer of Habanos in both markets and supports a network of specialized retailers and La Casa del Habano boutiques.

Notes for editors

High-resolution product images HERE

High-resolution launch event photography HERE

SOURCE HABANOS, S.A.

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Dallas-Plano marks the company's first U.S.-based corporate-operated location, after two decades of U.S. franchise growth

DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sportball, a leader in developmentally appropriate youth sports programming, is accelerating its U.S. expansion with two new openings: its first corporate-operated U.S. location in Dallas-Plano this fall and a new franchise location in Frisco-McKinney, expected to open in early 2027.

While the Canadian-based company has had a presence in the U.S. via franchises since 2005, the milestone of its first corporate location gives Sportball a direct operating presence in the U.S., as it continues to grow its franchise network nationwide.

Building Sportball's U.S. Footprint

For more than 30 years, Sportball has offered fun-first, multi-sport programming designed to build physical literacy and help children develop a lifelong love of movement. Sportball has been steadily increasing its U.S. investment, as demand grows for youth sports programs that emphasize development and fun over early specialization and competition.

Texas Emerges as a Key Growth Market

The new corporate and franchise openings build on four existing Texas locations, making the state a key market in Sportball's U.S. growth strategy. The expansion comes as Texas presents both a strong sports culture and an opportunity to engage more children earlier. While Texas leads the nation in high school athletics participation, just 51% of youth ages 6 to 17 participate in a sports team or lessons, compared with 56.7% nationally, according to the National Survey of Children's Health.

"Opening our first corporate location in the U.S. is a meaningful step forward and a clear message that we're dedicated to building in the states for the long term," said Quinten Griffiths, CEO of Sportball. "Our existing franchises have shown us that U.S. families, especially in Texas, are looking for developmentally appropriate options that prioritize fun, confidence and skill-building. These new locations reflect both our confidence in the market and our broader commitment to building physical literacy in kids across the U.S."

The Dallas-Plano location will also serve as a testing ground for Sportball's continued U.S. growth, allowing the company to try new classes, formats and experiences that can be introduced across its franchise system.

"I've spent more than 20 years helping develop and evolve Sportball programming, and we're always looking for new ways to get kids moving and excited about sport," said Jason D'Rocha, Vice President and Growth Coach at Sportball. "Having a corporate-operated location in the U.S. gives us the opportunity to continue testing new ideas while staying focused on our ultimate goal: helping kids build a positive relationship with movement that lasts."

New Programming for Dallas-Plano Families

Sportball Dallas-Plano will launch its inaugural season on October 10, 2026, with parent-and-child classes for children ages 16 months to 3 years and drop-off classes for ages 3 to 5. Expanded multi-sport programs and camps for children through age 12 will follow.

Programs will initially be offered at Liberty Recreation Centre, Plano Day School and Little Marvels Montessori, with additional locations planned. Families can now register for these programs at Sportball.com or join the mailing list to be the first to know about new locations opening soon.

The new Sportball Frisco-McKinney franchise is expected to open in early 2027, with programming and location details to be announced in the coming months. Families can sign up to be updated when registration opens.

In addition to the two new locations, Sportball operates in the U.S. from coast to coast, with locations in Phoenix, AZ, Southern CA; Boston, MA; Brooklyn, NY; and Austin, Katy, North Houston and San Antonio East, TX. The company plans to continue expanding across the U.S. through a combination of franchise growth and strategic investment in new markets.

To learn more about Sportball or find a program near you, visit Sportball.com. For franchise opportunities, visit SportballFranchise.com.

About Sportball

Founded in Toronto in 1995, Sportball is a leader in youth sports, redefining the industry with a fun-first, multi-sport approach designed to get kids moving and loving physical activity from an early age. Serving children ages 16 months to 12 years, Sportball's mission is to shape a generation of healthy, confident kids who experience "Fun with Purpose" by building physical literacy through play. The company has more than 900 locations across four countries, including Canada, the U.S., Singapore and India, reaching more than 70,000 kids each year. Sportball partners with schools, community centers and research institutions to offer programs and align its curriculum with the latest research for cognitive, social and motor skills development. For more information, visit: sportball.com.

SOURCE Sportball Systems Inc.

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The article explains how families can match everyday support and clinical services to an older adult's changing needs

KEENE, N.H., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What is the difference between home care and home health care? A HelloNation article provides the answer, featuring insights from Home Healthcare Expert Samantha O'Neil of Custom Helpers Home Health Care in Keene, New Hampshire.

The HelloNation article explains that although home care and home health care sound similar, they serve different purposes. Understanding those differences can help families determine what kind of support an older adult needs to remain safe and comfortable at home.

Home care focuses on assistance with everyday activities. According to the article, a professional caregiver may help with meals, transportation, companionship, errands, light housekeeping, and daily routines. This support can become useful when age, illness, or limited mobility makes ordinary tasks more difficult.

The article notes that personal care assistance can also be included in home care. This may involve bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and moving safely around the home. The amount of help needed depends on the individual's abilities, routines, and available family support.

Home health care serves a different role because it addresses medical and clinical needs. The article explains that nurses, therapists, and other qualified health professionals may provide these services based on a care plan. Services can include medical monitoring, rehabilitation therapy, wound support, and other care requiring clinical training.

Skilled nursing is one example of clinical support provided at home. The article describes how a nurse might monitor a health condition, provide wound care, administer certain medications, or complete ordered treatments. These responsibilities require professional medical judgment and fall outside the usual duties of non-medical caregivers.

Home Healthcare Expert Samantha O'Neil's insights also help frame why evaluating individual needs is important. The article explains that an in-home care assessment can review mobility, health conditions, personal routines, safety concerns, and family availability. This process can help determine which services are appropriate and how often support is needed.

Scheduling is another important difference. Home care may involve a professional caregiver visiting for several hours each week, several hours daily, or longer periods. Home health care may instead consist of scheduled nursing or therapy visits based on treatment goals, medical needs, and physician instructions.

The HelloNation article also explains that some older adults may need both services. Someone returning from a hospital stay, for example, could receive skilled nursing for wound care while also receiving non-medical assistance with meals and household routines. Keeping these responsibilities distinct allows each provider to work within the appropriate role.

Care needs may also change over time. An older adult might initially need transportation, companionship, or meal preparation before later requiring personal care assistance. After an illness or surgery, someone may temporarily require clinical services before transitioning to ongoing non-medical support.

The article notes that safety and family availability should also be considered. Families can identify which daily tasks a person cannot safely complete alone, which responsibilities require medical judgment, and how frequently assistance is necessary. An in-home care assessment can then help organize those needs into a practical plan.

The article concludes that choosing between home care and home health care begins with understanding the difference between daily assistance and qualified medical services. When both needs exist, coordinated support can help keep responsibilities clear while allowing the care plan to change as the person's circumstances evolve.

Choosing Between Home Care and Home Health Care features insights from Samantha O'Neil, Home Healthcare Expert of Keene, New Hampshire, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America's Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative "edvertising" approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

SOURCE HelloNation

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FREMONT, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- THINK Surgical, Inc., an innovator in the field of orthopedic surgical robots, today announced that Rick McDowell has joined the company as Vice President, Sales. In this role, Rick will report to Chris Marrus, Executive Vice President, and will lead THINK Surgical's national sales organization, driving market strategy and growth as the company continues to scale its commercial operations.

Rick brings more than 20 years of experience in medical device commercialization, clinical strategy, and capital sales, with a career spent building and leading high-performing sales, clinical, and marketing teams across the surgical robotics industry. He joins THINK Surgical from Gigly, Inc., where he served as Chief Commercial Officer, directing enterprise-wide commercial strategy, brand positioning, and go-to-market execution. Prior to Gigly, Rick led capital sales for Procept BioRobotics across the North Central United States and spent over a decade at Stryker Robotics/Orthopaedics, most recently as Area Sales Director for the Southeast region. Rick began his career in robotic surgery at MAKO Surgical, where he held progressively senior sales leadership roles over more than four years, including Director, Clinical Sales, where he led an 8-district, 90-member, $85 million national clinical sales organization.

Across his career, Rick has generated over half a billion dollars in lifetime capital and disposable sales. He is the recipient of the Tim Scannell Legacy Award (Stryker) for Contributions Over Time (2022) and was named Stryker Robotics/Orthopaedics Area Sales Director of the Year (2016). Rick is recognized as an expert in concept selling, hospital procurement, and long-cycle capital equipment negotiations, and has played an instrumental role in the launch and market expansion of some of the most disruptive technologies in orthopedic robotics.

"I'm excited to join THINK Surgical at such a pivotal point in the company's growth," said Rick McDowell. "THINK Surgical has built something special in the orthopedic robotics space, and I look forward to working alongside Chris and the broader team to accelerate our commercial momentum and bring our technology to more surgeons and patients."

About THINK Surgical, Inc.

THINK Surgical, Inc., is a privately held U.S.-based technology innovator that develops and markets orthopedic robots. THINK Surgical robots are open platforms providing support for implant brands from multiple manufacturers, enabling the choice of implant to be driven by the surgeon.

THINK Surgical actively collaborates with healthcare professionals around the globe to refine our orthopedic products, improving the lives of those suffering from advanced joint disease with precise, accurate, and intelligent technology. Please refer to the instructions for use for the TMINI Miniature Robotic System for a complete list of indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. For additional product information, please visit www.thinksurgical.com.

THINK Surgical and TMINI are registered trademarks of THINK Surgical, Inc.

Media Contact:

THINK Surgical Inc.

Jon Gibson

SOURCE THINK Surgical, Inc.

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Partnership expands access to a new primary care model designed to improve the care experience and help employers address total healthcare costs.

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gateway Business Health Coalition (Gateway BHC), representing approximately 70 employers nationwide, including Fortune 500 companies and public employers, today announced a partnership with Rezilient Health to expand access to primary care for organizations providing health benefits to employees and their families.

Rezilient Health is a hybrid primary care company built for employers. Serving as the front door to healthcare, Rezilient combines same-day primary and urgent care, specialty consults and care navigation to help employers improve access, guide employees to high-value care and lower total healthcare costs.

The partnership starts with primary care but is designed to address a much larger employer challenge: the cost and complexity of what happens next. By connecting primary care with specialty consults and care navigation, Rezilient gives Gateway BHC members a model designed to improve access, simplify the care journey and help people get the right care at the right time.

"Primary care is foundational to solving employers' biggest challenges around cost and quality. When employees have real access to a primary care provider, preventive care and chronic condition management improve, and the utilization patterns that drive higher costs and poorer health outcomes begin to change. Partnering with Rezilient gives BHC members a solution they can count on, with same-day access and a better care experience. We're proud to support a model that expands access to primary care, and especially proud to partner with a company that was born and built right here in St. Louis," said Laurel Pickering, President and CEO of Gateway Business Health Coalition.

Gateway Business Health Coalition has represented leading employers nationwide for almost half a century, providing organizations with the tools, technology, insights and collective voice needed to advance high-quality, value-driven healthcare.

"Our goal isn't simply to give employers another primary care option. We want to help change the economics of care by intervening earlier, resolving more at the front door and helping people get the right care when they need it," said Danish Nagda, MD, CEO and founder of Rezilient Health.

Rezilient delivers care through its hybrid CloudClinic model, pairing an in-person clinical medic with a provider joining live over secure video. Connected diagnostic devices allow the provider to conduct a true physical exam, while testing, labs and basic imaging can be completed during the visit. Unlike traditional telehealth, the model combines the convenience and scalability of virtual care with the clinical capabilities of an in-person visit.

Rezilient is partnering with Gateway BHC to build something specifically for its members: a connected care model designed to make healthcare easier to access, easier to navigate and more effective for employers and their people.

Learn more about the Gateway BHC and Rezilient Health partnership here.

About Gateway Business Health Coalition

Since 1982, the Gateway Business Health Coalition has supported employer efforts to improve the well-being of their enrollees and enhance the quality and overall value of their investments in health benefits. A nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, MO and serving employers across the U.S., the Gateway BHC strives to make health care work better for businesses, their employees, and the communities they call home.

About Rezilient Health

Rezilient Health is a St. Louis-founded healthcare company delivering employer-sponsored primary and specialty care through a hybrid CloudClinic model. Rezilient consolidates primary care, urgent care, care navigation and specialty consults into a single connected care experience, replacing the fragmented mix of point solutions most employers stitch together. The company serves self-funded employers, health system partners and coalitions across the United States.

SOURCE Rezilient Health

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The Diamond Collective will unite the industry behind a shared ambition: reconnecting people with the rarity, meaning and enduring emotional power of diamonds.

LONDON, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Natural Diamond Council becomes The Diamond Collective unveiling a new global strategy to reconnect natural diamonds with culture, strengthen consumer confidence and drive long-term relevancy.

Shaped by new CEO Amber Pepper following six months of consultation with producers, retailers, brands, creatives and consumers, the strategy responds to a fundamental shift in how people discover, value and buy luxury. It sets a clear ambition for The Diamond Collective: to reignite desire for natural diamonds and convert that desire into sustained demand.

The strategy connects culture, retail, trust, advocacy, digital discovery, partnerships and industry alignment through three priorities:

- UNITE - bring producers, retailers, brands, designers

and new voices together around shared priorities for growth.

- PROTECT - strengthen consumer confidence through clarity, transparency and facts; challenge misinformation; and clearly differentiate diamonds 

from synthetic diamonds.

- INSPIRE - create desire through culture, creativity and globally connected storytelling, with a clear path to consideration and purchase.

Together, these priorities signal a decisive shift: from defending the category to renewing desire; from isolated campaigns to a connected global growth programme; and from industry representation to shared action, investment and measurable commercial impact.

The strategy will come to life through a new generation of global programmes, including culturally relevant campaigns, a universal Trustmark, stronger origin and provenance narratives, renewed retailer and brand partnerships, and investment in AI and digital discovery. Further initiatives will strengthen evidence-led responses to misinformation, elevate producer nations and create new forums for collective industry leadership.

More details, alongside additional senior appointments, will be announced in the coming months.

A new Diamond Desire Index will measure whether the strategy is changing how consumers feel and act. Launching with a baseline across the US, India and China, it will track consideration, purchase intent, sentiment and recommendation, creating a consistent global view of desire for natural diamonds and supporting annual reporting on changes in behaviour and demand.

The strategy will also introduce a broader participation model, enabling organisations across the value chain to contribute expertise, perspective and support to shared priorities. This will give more of the industry a meaningful role in shaping and delivering the category's long-term growth.

The new identity of The Diamond Collective will be the organisation's public-facing name in most markets, while the Natural Diamond Council will remain its legal entity. The change is more than a rebrand: it represents a more ambitious way of working; consumer-first, evidence-led and collective by design.

Amber Pepper, CEO of The Diamond Collective, said:

"Natural diamonds are among the Earth's rarest treasures, formed deep beneath its surface over billions of years. Each is entirely unique, yet their greatest value lies in the meaning we give them: the people, promises and moments we never want to forget.

"Since taking on this role, I have listened to people across our industry and beyond. Their insight, experience and belief in natural diamonds have shaped this strategy. What I have heard gives me enormous confidence in the opportunity ahead and a clear sense that we will only realise it by acting together.

"The Diamond Collective will build on that shared ambition: to bring the extraordinary story of natural diamonds into culture, strengthen trust in what makes them unique and inspire a new generation to choose them. This is how we will transform enduring emotional desire into lasting demand."

For further details, please read the full strategy here.

About The Diamond Collective

The Diamond Collective* is a global, industry-funded not-for-profit dedicated to the future of natural diamonds. It brings together the people, stories and expertise behind natural diamonds to inspire desire, protect consumer confidence and unite the industry around a shared ambition: more people choosing natural diamonds, more often.

*The Diamond Collective operates under the legal entity Natural Diamond Council.

Website: www.thediamondcollective.world

Instagram: @thediamondcollective

TikTok: @thediamondcollective

Facebook: @thediamondcollective

YouTube: @thediamondcollectiveofficial

LinkedIn: @thediamondcollectiveofficial

Snapchat: @TheDiamondCol

X: @TheDiamondColl

Reddit: @thediamondcollective

WeChat: 天然钻石协会

Weibo: 天然钻石协会

Red Note: 天然钻石协会

SOURCE The Diamond Collective

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