Operation Smile’s Unique Way of Thanking COVID-19 Frontliners

SP Investment Fund, LLC manager Gil Seton handles the acquisition of general and limited partner in limited partnerships which own affordable apartment units. Gil Seton supports various charitable institutions, such as Operation Smile.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Operation Smile medical volunteers continue to show up to provide patients with medical attention they need. In order to show gratitude and thanks to Operation Smile medical volunteers and other healthcare professionals on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19, Operation Smile has launched the “Thank You” campaign.

Operation Smile co-founder Kathy Magee said that the Thank You campaign is a way to thank healthcare volunteers for their dedication and bravery, and for relentlessly working hard in order to save lives. The campaign was launched on April 17, 2020 in time for the observance of the National Doctor’s Day, a day in a year when doctors are appreciated for saving lives.

Under the Thank You campaign, Operation Smile staff members are sending messages of encouragement and thanks to frontliners. Pictures of them holding these messages were posted in different social media platforms for the volunteers to see.

Volunteers, such as family medicine practitioner at a Seattle hospital Dr. Jennifer Lin, knew of the Thank You campaign and were grateful for the support they get during this difficult time. Dr. Lin said the messages helped her to stay positive.

Benefits of Including Amenities in Affordable Housing Units

SP Investment Fund LLC executive Gil Seton has been involved with efforts to preserve affordable housing stock in a number of states located across the United States. Many of these renovations involve renovating affordable housing communities with amenities usually found in market-rate or luxury buildings.

As the benefits of amenities in all types of housing (including low-income and affordable housing) become clear, more developers are incorporating communal areas into multi-unit building plans. Many cities with federally designated opportunity zones also encourage builders to include spaces that contribute to a higher quality of life, including shared green areas, fitness centers, and child care centers.

Open spaces and community areas encourage neighbors to interact and contribute to a strong sense of community. Gyms and fitness centers also make it easier for residents to stay active and healthy. Developers are also experimenting with buildings that house community-based organizations on site. These organizations may conduct vital programming such as job training, as well as healthy living initiatives that promote sustainable practices like urban gardening.

Improving Medical Outcomes for Under-served Populations

As the manager of SP Investment Fund LLC, Gil Seton oversees investment opportunities in socially impactful companies and projects. During Gil Seton’s tenure, the investment firm has funded the work of a number of life sciences start-ups, including Coral Genomics, a company that aims to improve diversity in clinical trials to ensure that medical research findings apply to a wider range of people.

Despite the changing racial and ethnic demographics of the United States that soon will make minority groups the majority, people of color are still underrepresented in clinical and medical trials. Similar disparities exist in every demographic.

The majority of clinical trial participants are healthy, middle-aged, white males. This means that approved drugs may harm other groups who are not proportionally represented in the trial process.

Experts in the research field have sought strategies to boost participant diversity. One of the most effective efforts is the widening of trial criteria.

Many trials exclude people because of their age, weight, or health conditions. These criteria should be removed or modified to ensure that participant pools are more reflective of end-users.

Further, to make participation more accessible to a wider group of people, researchers should address logistical barriers, such as a lack of transportation. Additionally, focusing recruitment efforts in areas with more diversity attracts more participants from varied backgrounds.