DI News History - December 28, 2017
TEN YEARS AGO - Healthcare media studio unveiled at Benefitfocus
In the December 27, 2007 issue of The Daniel Island News, a feature article announced the unveiling of Benefitfocus’ newest venture at the time - a multi-million dollar in-house media studio dedicated to serving healthcare consumers and providers. At a ribbon-cutting celebration commemorating opening of the new studio, Benefitfocus CEO Shawn Jenkins told those gathered that the convenience of the internet was poised to dramatically change how we access content - and our nation’s most expensive commodity, healthcare. Already an industry leader in technological applications for insurers, brokers and employer groups, Benefitfocus’ state-of-the-art media facility expanded its footprint in the $2.2 trillion healthcare marketplace by creating tools to educate consumers. The healthcare studio embedded new features to the company’s existing software applications, such as easy-to-understand health videos and interactive broadcasts including patient and doctor testimonials. In business news, Salon Unhwa celebrated its one year anniversary. The owner of the salon, UnHwa Ruckel, marked the occasion by throwing a party for current and future customers, as well as staff. UnHwa decided that she would one day take the plunge to buy her own salon after hearing the wise words of wisdom of a colleague from Atlanta, who suggested that “if you want to become a successful hair stylist, then you need to follow your dreams.”
FIVE YEARS AGO - Woodward family battles Crohn's disease with healthy diet changes
In the December 27, 2012 issue of The Daniel Island News, an article featured the Woodward family of Daniel Island and their establishment of the Woodward Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (WCCF) to support non-pharmaceutical options for keeping Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) symptoms under control. According to Gisele Woodward, three of her family members (daughter Kristina, son Jack, and husband Mark) have been diagnosed with Crohn’s and Colitis, together known as IBD. Both are incurable and can be painful and incapacitating during flares. As part of their fight against the disease, the Woodwards focused on their diet as a way to treat their symptoms. Their doctor suggested “The Specific Carbohydrate Diet,” a program that had helped other pediatric IBD patients in his practice. As per the diet, patients must eliminate all complex carbohydrates, refined sugars, and certain categories of dairy products. The Woodwards took an “all in” approach and agreed the entire household would adopt the diet. They all had remarkable results. Five years later, their foundation is still going strong and they have raised a tremendous amount of money for the cause. For more information on the Woodward Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, please visit www.woodwardccf.org or email Gisele at gisele@woodwardccf.org.