Curative and Vytalize Health finalize network agreement, expanding hassle-free, $0-Copay healthcare access in the Northeast. Aug 17, 2026, 12:11 ET AUSTIN, Texas and HOBOKEN, N.J., Aug. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Curative, a leading health insurance provider known for its disruptive $0-deductible, $0-copay plans, and Vytalize Health, a premier risk-bearing provider enablement platform, today announced the finalization of a major network contract. Under the newly finalized agreement, all primary care physicians within the vast Vytalize Health network - including those affiliated with the Independent Practice Association of New York Inc. (IPANY) - will be officially included in the Curative provider network, dramatically scaling up healthcare access for members. The partnership brings together organizations explicitly aligned on removing administrative friction and lowering the financial barriers that traditionally prevent patients from seeking timely medical care. "We are incredibly excited to contract with a progressive health plan like Curative," said Michael Ruiz, Northeast President at Vytalize Health. "Curative is fundamentally focusing on helping members access the right care, rather than putting up roadblocks to prevent care. Because their model eliminates financial burdens for members - offering zero copays, zero deductibles, and no out-of-pocket costs - our physicians don't have to worry about the administrative headache of collecting money from their patients. Instead, they can focus entirely on what matters most: providing the high-quality care that their patients truly need." "Welcoming Vytalize Health and its extensive network of independent physicians into the Curative provider network marks a significant milestone as we continue expanding our national footprint," said David Van Houtte, Vice President of Network at Curative. "As the leader responsible for our Northeast network strategy, I'm especially excited to strengthen our presence across New York and the broader tri-state region through this partnership. Vytalize Health has built a highly respected physician network that shares our commitment to delivering high-quality, value-based care. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible by removing financial barriers for patients while reducing administrative complexity for physicians. Vytalize Health and IPANY exemplify the innovative, patient-centered organizations that are helping us build the future of healthcare." By integrating Vytalize Health's extensive clinical footprint into Curative's revolutionary insurance structure, the agreement ensures that patients can seek essential medical attention without fear of surprise billing, while doctors are empowered to prioritize clinical outcomes over payment collections. About Vytalize Health & IPANY Vytalize Health is the fastest-growing value-based care enablement platform in the United States. The company empowers primary care providers with advanced data analytics, technology, and financial incentives to deliver vastly improved patient outcomes. Vytalize Health supports more than 5,000 primary care providers and shapes the healthcare experiences of over 400,000 patients across 30 states. Vytalize Health's primary affiliate in the Northeast is the Independent Practice Association of New York Inc. (IPANY). As the largest IPA in New York and one of the fastest-growing in the nation, IPANY represents a physician membership base of 3,000 independent physicians dedicated to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care while maintaining clinical autonomy. About Curative Curative is an employer-sponsored health insurer built to reduce the cost and complexity that too often stand between members and their care. Members start with $0 copays and deductibles for in-network care and preferred prescriptions from day one. To keep no out-of-pocket costs for the plan year, members complete an annual Baseline Visit within their first 120 days - a one-on-one session with a Curative clinician and Care Navigator that helps members understand their health and make the most of their benefits. While primarily serving employers headquartered in states like Texas, Florida, Georgia, and the Maryland/DC region, Curative provides robust, nationwide network access to its members across the country. Backed by an AM Best rating of A-, Curative transforms health insurance into a strategic advantage for modern employers. Learn more at www.curative.com. SOURCE Curative Services LLC

Shaker Schools Foundation names 7 to Alumni Hall. * JIMMY OSWALD [email protected] * Posted 13 hrs ago at 6: 00 PM. The Shaker Schools Foundation recently announced its Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 2026, which will be celebrated with a Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at Shaker Heights Country Club at 3300 Courtland Blvd. Colson Baker, better known by his stage name mgk, Matt Buder Shapiro, Richard Lash, Thomas Miller, Tiffany Mizen, Sanford Watson and Lorna Wisham are the seven inductees set to join the over 345 graduates who have been placed in the hall since it was established in 1986. Baker, class of 2008, is a Grammy-nominated multi-platinum recording artist who has had two albums hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. His latest studio album, "Lost Americana," was released in 2025 and marked his seventh overall top 10 and third-consecutive No. 1 rock and alternative album. Baker also founded The 27 Club coffee shop in the Flats and hosts "mgk day weekend" every August. Buder Shapiro, class of 2008, is the CMO and a partner at Denver-based Ensemble Performing Arts, a community of more than 130 music and dance studios and 2,500 teachers across the United States. He was previously the CMO and head of growth at Hoboken, N.J.-based Vytalize Health, where he helped scale the company to more than $3 billion in revenue. He also founded MedPilot, a digital health platform acquired by Vytalize, and serves as mayoral appointee to the board of directors for Destination Cleveland. Lash, class of 1977, has served as chief medical officer and executive Vice president of operations at Irving, Texas-based Caris Life Sciences, where he developed a unique practice model resulting in measurable and significant improvement in the quality of care to over 1.2 million patients each year. His current role is in Dallas at UT Southwestern Medical Center as a clinical professor of pathology, and he has published six medical book chapters and 88 research publications with over 3,000 citations. Miller, class of 1973, was a pediatrician for nine years in Cleveland before he was forced to retire in 1991 due to an illness. He moved to Los Angeles and obtained an MFA in film and television production at the University of Southern California, which kicked off a 30-plus year career as a multi award-winning documentary editor, director, producer and writer. His films focus mostly on topics of social justice, LGBTQ+ issues, and American culture. He served as a full professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts for 22 years, teaching editing, documentary filmmaking and running the Alfred P. Sloan Science film program. Mizen, class of 2002, most recently served as the head of real estate and facilities at New York City-based Bridgewater Associates, where she led global workplace operations and chaired the firm's operational sustainability committee. She has managed major portfolios for SL Green, Cushman & Wakefield, JLL, IBM, and Bridgewater. Her passions also included fighting for equity and mentoring underrepresented talent. She founded Proper Decorum Inc. to support women's professional development, and as a mother of an autistic child, he advocates for autism awareness and supports working mothers navigating similar journeys. Watson, class of 1981, is a member of the Cleveland-based law firm McDonald Hopkins, LLC, where he is primarily a trial lawyer. He has also served as the chief prosecutor as well as director of public safety for the city of Cleveland and as vice chair of the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct. He has served as a trustee or board member for number nonprofits, including Cleveland Institute of Music, Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation, Karamu House and the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. Wisham, class of 1984, is a corporate affairs and philanthropy executive with more than three decades of leadership across government, corporate strategy, and community investment. She has worked with mayoral administrations and lobbied Capitol Hill. As vice president of corporate affairs and president of the FirstEnergy Foundation, where she directed over $72 million in philanthropic investments across the mid-Atlantic region until her retirement in 2025. Wisham remains involved on the boards of Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, United Way of Greater Cleveland, First Tee of Cleveland, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Tickets for the dinner and celebration are $125 per person. To purchase tickets, visit shorturl.at/cdV5y How do you feel about this article? Choose from the options below. (0 Ratings) CJN most popular. Choose from the CJN's informative e-newsletters. Submit your news. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!