![]() ![]() ![]() Schwartz and the center’s research team are now working to develop a new therapy that creates retinal pigment epithelium cells from each patient’s own induced pluripotent stem cells. These immunosuppressive drugs carry substantial health risks, particularly for the elderly. However, because this treatment method used cells that were not genetically matched to the patient, trial participants were required to take drugs that suppress the immune system long-term so that their bodies did not reject the new cells. The trial showed that retinal pigment epithelium cell replacement strategies are safe and possibly effective in addressing retinal blindness. This trial replaced retinal pigment epithelium cells, which are lost in many blinding eye conditions – including dry age-related and myopic macular degeneration, and Stargardt’s macular dystrophy – with cells that had been derived from human embryonic stem cells. More recently, Schwartz led the first clinical trial in the United States to use human embryonic stem cell-derived cells in patients to treat eye disease. The development of ranibizumab and similar therapies changed the prognosis of wet macular degeneration from a 90 percent risk of legal blindness within two years of diagnosis to a 95 percent chance of stabilization of vision and 35 percent chance for significant improvement over two years. ![]() With wet macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. In dry macular degeneration, the center of the retina deteriorates. Age-related macular degeneration affects the retina, which lines the inner surface of the back of the eye, and is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over the age of 65. Schwartz was a principal investigator in a number of early-stage clinical trials for retinal diseases, including the initial studies for ranibizumab (Lucentis) – an injectable drug that is now a common treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration. Schwartz leads clinical trials of novel cell therapies and drugs to treat blinding eye diseases. He aims to translate basic biological discoveries into new treatment strategies, and to develop and evaluate novel medical device technologies, imaging technologies, surgical equipment (including surgical robots) and drug delivery systems. Virgin Islands.Steven Schwartz, M.D., is an ophthalmologist whose primary research areas include early diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic eye disease. He is licensed as a CPA in New York Florida and the U.S. He has presented to the California Primary Care Association (CPCA), the Bi-State Primary Care Association (serving Vermont and New Hampshire), the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut (CHCACT), the Georgia Primary Care Association (GPCA), and the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), as well as at the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) conferences and trainings. In addition to his work on internal training for the firm, Steve also lectures on financial and regulatory topics of note within the healthcare industry through various external webinars and speaking engagements at board trainings. ![]() More recently, Steve has provided clients with guidance relating to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and other government relief programs available through the CARES and American Rescue Plan Acts, and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), through his role as a member of the firm’s SBA Task Force. He is exceptionally knowledgeable in critical areas that impact his clients, such as the 340B Drug Pricing Program, Medicare/Medicaid cost reports, Federal Financial Reports (FFR), and Uniform Data System (UDS) reports, as well as other government regulatory reports required by the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Steve performs auditing, accounting, and management advisory services for clients and has extensive knowledge in Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) and Federal Single Audit under the Uniform Guidance (formerly OMB Circular A-133). His clients include community/migrant health centers, foster care agencies, health homes, homeless programs, HIV programs, drug treatment programs, prepaid health service plans, adult day care centers, and other not-for-profit organizations and for-profit corporations. With 25 years of experience in the healthcare field, Steve concentrates his practice on serving FQHCs. Schwartz, CPA, a partner with CohnReznick, leads the Healthcare Industry Practice in our New York office, and is a member of the Firm’s Not-for-Profit and Education Industry Practice. ![]()
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