Jack Kavanaugh's Schools

• University of California, Los Angeles Bachelors

Jack Kavanaugh's Publications

• The Light Adjustable Lens Implant Procedure, By Dr. Jack Kavanaugh April, 2013 The light adjustable lens implant allows surgeons to adjust the lens after implantation and customize it according to each patient’s needs. Surgeons use ultraviolet light to affect slight changes in the shape and refraction of the lens. While the actual implant procedure does not vary from standard cataract surgeries, the patient will experience a different post-surgical process. First, patients must wear a special, protective lens to prevent stray ultraviolet rays from changing the shape of the implanted lens during the adjustment period, usually for a few weeks. The surgeon can make several different adjustments until the patient becomes satisfied, and the patient may need to make several trips back to the surgeon during the healing period. After the patient achieves optimal vision, the surgeon then “locks” the lens by applying light to the entire surface, which eliminates further need for the protective lens. At this point, ultraviolet light will no longer affect the lens’ shape. About the Author: Dr. Jack Kavanaugh earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Southern California and completed a residency in ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute. At present, Dr. Jack Kavanaugh who also holds an MBA from UCLA remains actively involved with several biotechnology and medical research organizations.

• Thoughts on Healthcare Reform in the United States, By Dr. Jack Kavanaugh May, 2013 Prior to Obamacare, the United States provided the best healthcare in the world. The goal of Obamacare, to emphasize expanding access to full coverage to the uninsured without risking a lowered standard of care for everyone else, is noble and correct. Unfortunately, the reality of Obamacare will compromise the quality of care and the level of care available. In a failing effort to intercept the rush of physicians leaving the roles of Medicare providers, as reimbursements are cut back to pay for Obamacare, those cutbacks have been stalled. Physicians are still leaving and the original politicized budget is out the window. The deficits will be measured in trillions and the level of care and availability of care will continue to fall. The segment hardest hit is that of seniors. Instead of protecting them, Obamacare reduces their access to care. As an example, neurosurgeons were told by an administration official that in the case a 70 year old has a stroke, a procedure which could successfully intercept the stroke and avoid the devastating consequences is now under Obamacare under the authority of a non-physician committee to approve. Let’s take a moment to examine this case. If you or your parent or grandparent has a stroke, instead of the neurosurgeon (average 4 years medical school and at least 7 years of additional training), making the decision, a non-physician committee needs to approve it. An additional problem is that this procedure needs to occur within 90 minutes of the stroke in order to be effective. So, the patient needs to sit in the hospital (perhaps at 2:00 a.m.) and wait to see whether the non-physician committee can be reached for approval. Of course, this is consistent with the Obama administration’s statements about “controlling” senior healthcare, which in actuality means “restricting.” Healthcare decisions belong in the hands of the people and their doctors, not the government. Reformers should begin focusing on ways to cut healthcare costs, such as addressing the high costs of malpractice insurance or opening state borders to competition among various insurance providers. Additional taxes on liquor and tobacco could fill the gap and provide healthcare in the form of insurance for all those not previously covered. It would additionally reduce the use of the two greatest costs to the healthcare system: alcohol and tobacco use. About the Author: An experienced medical professional and businessman, Dr. Jack Kavanaugh served as an ophthalmologist in the greater Los Angeles area. Dr. Jack Kavanaugh earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Southern California and additionally holds a Master of Business Administration and a Doctor of Dental Surgery, both from the University of California, Los Angeles.

• ZetaRx Biosciences Spearheads Immunocancer Therapeutics Research May, 2013 An accomplished financial professional and biotechnology administrator with considerable experience in both sectors, Jack Kavanaugh co-founded ZetaRx Biosciences, Inc., in 2009. Under the initial forward-looking leadership of Jack Kavanaugh and fellow members of the executive team, ZetaRx endeavors to develop immunocancer therapeutics that use modified versions of the body’s own immune cells with chimeric antigen receptors. ZetaRx also benefits from exclusive technology licenses with organizations such as City of Hope and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. ZetaRx inspires a high level of confidence in the efficacy of its products, which the company believes to be significantly more advanced and better-defined than many similar products.

• The Los Angeles Italia Film Festival: A Hollywood Tradition May, 2013 Throughout his career as a medical professional and biotechnology executive, Jack Kavanaugh has maintained an active role in several Italian heritage organizations in his community. In February 2013, Jack Kavanaugh hosted a cocktail party during this year’s Los Angeles Italia Film Festival. The festival, which takes place every year during the week before the Academy Awards, honors the accomplishments of individuals with Italian heritage working in the film industry. In 2013, the LA Italia Film Festival recognized the career achievements of Al Pacino by screening The Godfather: Part II and presenting the actor with a special award. David O. Russell received the Director of the Year award for Silver Linings Playbook, while Django Unchained director Quentin Tarantino and star Christoph Waltz honored the work of spaghetti western pioneer Franco Nero. To learn more about the Los Angeles Italia Film Festival, please visit www.losangelesitalia.com.

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