CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM I JUNE 10, 2024
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The accelerating retirement rate of increasingly older workers presents another hurdle for employers. PAGE 9
Portfolio company accuses Society Brands of fraud
UH CEO views quality over quantity approach as key
Primal Life Organics founder sues Amazon aggregator
Says health system is a leader in value-based care
By Jeremy Nobile
By Paige Bennett
Society Brands, a self-described tech-enabled consumer products company, made “serial misrepresentations” about its enterprise that allegedly induced a smallbusiness owner in Fairlawn to agree to a sale that she otherwise wouldn’t have, according to a lawsuit filed in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. Trina Felber, the founder of Primal Life Organics, a maker of natural and organic skincare and den-
tal products, is accusing Society and its leaders in this case of fraud, fraud in the inducement, negligent misrepresentation and breach of contract, among other things. Felber claims that she and the business she founded 12 years ago have suffered damages “in excess of” $15 million since Primal Life was acquired by Society just months ago. Society asserts that any claims against it are meritless. See FRAUD on Page 17
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University Hospitals CEO Dr. Cliff Megerian | UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS
The phrase “quality over quantity” is a cliche, but proponents of value-based care — including University Hospitals CEO Dr. Cliff Megerian — believe applying that philosophy to health care reimbursement is a key to improving overall care. With a value-based health care model, providers are compensated based on patient health outcomes, encouraging both improved and more efficient means of care. Me-
REAL ESTATE Developer with track record of Ohio City projects readies apartments and rehab near West Side Market.
SPORTS Cleveland Charge are leaving Wolstein Center to play home games at the Public Auditorium.
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gerian, who has been at the helm at UH since 2021, said the health system views itself as a national leader in the model. The Cleveland-based health system, which encompasses 21 hospitals and boasts a workforce of roughly 32,000, is a participant in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Shared Savings Program. Under that program, hospitals, doctors and other health care See HEALTH on Page 16
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