{"id":1208,"date":"2020-12-31T13:42:13","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T18:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/?p=1208"},"modified":"2020-12-31T13:42:14","modified_gmt":"2020-12-31T18:42:14","slug":"big-dreams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/big-dreams\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Dreams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

More Than Skin Deep<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PA Zecharia Lind, Dermatologist and Inventor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Y. Sekula and P. Nussbaum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it\u2019s late in the evening and you can\u2019t reach him, he\u2019s probably busy giving emergency stitches to a child, teenager, or adult with a serious cut. A unique and remarkable member of our local medical community, PA Zecharia Lind is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a dermatologist and inventor. His story is one of kindness and inspiration, challenge and persistence, and ultimately, success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A career and a calling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up in Brooklyn, Lind was raised with an appreciation for all members of Klal Yisrael. After learning in Eretz Yisrael in Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim, he married his wife Raizy, an American who grew up in Eretz Yisrael, where they lived for a few months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The couple returned to the States to pursue their educations at Touro College in Brooklyn. Lind earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology combined with training to be a physician assistant (PA), with a focus on dermatology. He further studied dermatology at Downstate University, and was a post-graduate resident at the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Yeshiva University\u2019s Albert Einstein College of Medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since his teenage years, Lind had been a lifeguard, swim instructor, and Hatzolah member; a career in the medical field was a natural outgrowth of those experiences. Specifically, Lind was drawn to the specialty of dermatology because of its exciting range of patients of all ages and populations, with a variety of needs and treatments\u2014general, cosmetic, surgical, and medical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lind worked for several years at his first job, a private dermatology practice in Brooklyn. He later worked with another dermatologist for almost 20 years while he lived with his family in the Passaic\/Clifton community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was accepted to medical school, but PA school was the right decision for him and his family at that time. He felt he had so much to offer, which he has indeed shared with thousands of patients over the course of two decades. He feels \u201ccontent and thankful to Hashem for putting me on the right path on this wonderful journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lakewood living<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lind moved to Toms River about five years ago so that one of his children could benefit from a specialized educational program in Lakewood. The family has enjoyed meeting new neighbors from various communities and using their spacious backyard to host kiruv<\/em> events. He reveals, \u201cLakewood is different from most other communities. It\u2019s a big mix\u2014people who are learning and people who are working. Only over here, when I\u2019m working mostly with Yidden<\/em>, I feel I have more of an achrayus.<\/em>\u201d He feels Lakewood is a place where one can make a tremendous kiddush Hashem<\/em> and, chalilah<\/em>, the reverse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA non-Jewish patient was recently in the office,\u201d he shares. \u201cAfter she left, she told us, \u2018I heard negative things about your community and I believed them! But now I came here, and I\u2019m blown away. It\u2019s so pleasant here, and I see that you are totally different!\u2019 She was so thrilled and said, \u2018I\u2019m going to post my experience here online and how nice and beautiful Jews really are.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lind notes, \u201cI feel that if I came here just to give off that impression, the kiddush Hashem<\/em> alone is worth it. It means a lot to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helping and healing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another motivation in moving south was to open his own practice with Dr. Steven Weissman, his \u201cpartner and friend.\u201d The office of Ocean Dermatology is spacious and modern, and, despite posters on the walls exhibiting various forms of skin conditions, quite inviting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to their website, \u201cOcean Dermatology has grown to become one of the leading dermatology clinics in South Jersey, specializing in all kinds of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lind explains, \u201cWe are here to service people. It\u2019s good to help those who need us.\u201d He and Weissman work hard, often late into the night, patiently assisting as many patients as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One patient posted an online review saying, \u201cIt is such a pleasure to be treated by PA Lind. He is extremely knowledgeable about skin issues and treatment for each situation. He takes the time to explain medical jargon in layman\u2019s terms. His bedside manner is top-notch, and he provides alternative treatment for each individual case.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy favorite part of being a dermatologist is the ability to help patients,\u201d Lind says. \u201cWe sometimes find skin cancers that are one hundred percent curable since we found them at an early stage. Patients can come in complaining about a rash, and we\u2019ll find something on their legs, such as a suspicious lesion. We\u2019ll do a biopsy\u2014and it can sometimes be cancerous\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This should be a lesson to all: if in doubt, check it out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A problem for patients<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years in the dermatology field, Lind encountered a big problem. \u201cPatients would come to the office with a pretty common ailment, skin tags. (A benign growth on the skin, usually on the neck, shoulders, or back.) Insurance usually does not cover the cost of having them removed. It ends up being very expensive,\u201d he explains. It can cost upward of $200 per visit, depending on the situation. Skin tags can grow back even after they are removed, causing years of expensive and uncomfortable office visits. Lind wanted to change that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concept<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTen years ago, I told a friend that I had a crazy idea. I wanted to create a device that would allow people to remove skin tags from the comfort of their home, without paying a dermatologist\u2019s fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He told me, \u2018Zecharia, it\u2019s not so crazy. It actually sounds like a great idea. You have to bring it to the market. You have to patent it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lind is candid describing his introduction to the invention industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had no experience whatsoever,\u201d he shares. \u201cI had a conceptual idea. I knew how I wanted it to look, but I didn\u2019t know exactly how to do it. And I knew that it would cost a lot of money.\u201d He would soon find out that it would cost serious money. <\/em>And he didn\u2019t have it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The average price of an international patent (to ensure that someone cannot copy someone else\u2019s idea) can cost between seven hundred fifty and forty thousand dollars! \u201cIt was a daunting task. I partnered with a CEO to establish a company for our device. We struggled to raise the funds. We went to Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky shlit\u201da<\/em> and Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlit\u201da<\/em>. We asked for brachos<\/em>. We davened<\/em>. And we raised money from friends, family, and investors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each country requires its own patent, which can cost between 2,000 and 4,000 dollars per country. Different countries offer differently-sized markets; the largest ones are the US and China; and in Europe, Russia and the UK. Patents must be renewed at different time intervals, which also has its costs. If a small country proves to have only a small market for the product, the inventor may decide to drop the patent there, as there is a very slim chance of anyone copying the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claritag has both a design patent and a utility patent. It is managed by a company of patent attorneys based in Israel, who do the legwork to monitor the patents and the renewals in each country. In today\u2019s competitive world, is Lind concerned others may steal his idea? The Claritag has very specific details; even though some may try, it would not be simple to replicate them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The product<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Claritag is a sleek device that looks somewhat like very large, sophisticated tweezers. It uses cryogenic material, extremely cold liquid that is 25 degrees Fahrenheit below freezing, which converts to a gas. Lind explains, \u201cThe liquid gets activated onto absorbent foam pads on the device, which then encapsulate the skin tag so that it freezes and turns white from the cold. It falls off up to a week later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since skin tags are often recurring, the product is usable for up to 12 treatments. Claritag is, therefore, a wise long-term investment, as the patient can purchase and repeatedly use the device independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The package includes a high-tech user manual, which is a mini-video the size of a business card. Lind explains, \u201cThe success of our device is based on people\u2019s experiences, so we had to make it as foolproof as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The product\u2019s website reassures patients that Claritag was created after more than \u201cten years of dedicated research and innovation, using cutting-edge proprietary technology.\u201d Jeremy Josephson, CEO of DGI Technologies, the manufacturer of Claritag and other cosmetic skincare products, explains, \u201cSome people are aware of our product and have benefitted immensely from it, while others are reluctant to try an online\/over-the-counter product.\u201d He explains, \u201cWe understand the need for awareness and caution, which is why we went this route. We want everyone to feel secure and benefit from all the work put in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People like it, Lind affirms, and most importantly, it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from the issue of funding, he needed to find the right people who could catapult his dream device into the hands of customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe struggled to find the right attorneys and designers. We had the device designed completely from top to bottom to appeal to the patient, which cost one hundred thousand dollars,\u201d Lind says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next hurdle was obtaining clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. \u201cWe hired a team of FDA consultants to help us create a company based on a certain high standard. We needed to be a licensed medical device company, with government regulators coming down to inspect the facilites every few months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FDA clearance and approval<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe created the device,\u201d Lind continues, \u201cand proved its safety and efficacy. We demonstrated that it is relatively painless, and that it is the first of its kind in the over-the-counter (OTC) market for skin tag treatment in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claritag received both FDA clearance and approval. It is currently available on Amazon and Walmart, where about 30,000 units have been sold. Many more units are being produced, where they will soon be sold in medical offices and on the shelves of major pharmacies in the US and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lind is not directly involved with the day-to-day business of his invention. Josephson is responsible for actively pursuing relationships with companies and facilitating sales. They also hired a professional marketing group that promoted the product to major news outlets such as NBC, FOX, and CBS. The ads were tracked and \u201cmade a buzz\u201d; there was a proven increase in sales after the media publicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Lind afraid his own product will put his and other dermatologist offices out of business? \u201cNot quite.\u201d He chuckles. Skin tags comprise merely one issue that the office treats, and patients will usually consult with their doctor before trying the home treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pandemic problems<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like the rest of the world, COVID-19 impacted Claritag. Though the product had been heading quickly in the right direction, things have slowed down while markets react and companies wait. There are currently no trade shows at which to present the invention, and corporations are not ready to spend on new acquisitons. One benefit of quarantine, however, may have been increased usage by patients at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big dreams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lind has more plans coming down the pipeline. \u201cWe\u2019re coming out with something for acne, to help diminish those painful pimples that teenagers can get on their face, chest, and back. It will also be a treatment to use at home.\u201d Other future plans include products to be used on warts, scars, toenail fungus, and molloscum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lind and his partners are currently in talks with several major pharmaceutical companies who want to distribute Claritag through their private labels together with their other household-name products, perhaps eventually offering a buy-out for full ownership. Lind\u2019s ultimate goal is for a major company to buy Claritag so he can focus on developing more \u201cinnovative, safe, and effective\u201d products to treat patients\u2019 dermatological needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Process and perspective<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on his journey, Lind shares, \u201cThere\u2019s a big world out there. I found a niche for a unique product that people can use. Patients appreciate it, and they tell others about it, which is rewarding. It\u2019s also cool for people I know to say, \u2018I know the guy who made that.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But he also endured many ups and downs. The process was a massive undertaking, and they changed their plans constantly\u2014and almost gave up. \u201cWe made a lot of mistakes. We made friends and lost friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After years of trial and error and learning from experience, Lind is offering to help others navigate the maze of inventions and patents. \u201cInventing something unique and bringing it to market is rare and rewarding. If someone out there has an idea for an invention and wants to build a business, I\u2019ll be happy to help as a mentor, to guide them through the process. We have designers, molders, patent attorneys, etc. We can put you in touch with the right people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After many years in their field, some professionals may become bored, feeling they\u2019ve reached a plateau. Lind feels like he has received a new lease on life and encourages others to channel their expertise into a new direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI never thought I could accomplish all that, but once I did, now it\u2019ll be much easier to continue developing new products. After all those years, now the door is open for new opportunities, and it is very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He acknowledges that it is risky, and that it indeed took years for him and his partners to start seeing profits. Inspired readers should not run to quit their day job just yet, but should still jump in. Lind encourages future entrepreneurs, \u201cOnce you have your goal and idea, go with it and try to bring it to market. Don\u2019t be afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lind\u2019s journey is proof that with hard work and siyatta d\u2019Shmaya, <\/em>one can pursue and fulfill his dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PA Lind can be reached at zak@tuviderm.com.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information, visit www.claritag.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

More Than Skin Deep PA Zecharia Lind, Dermatologist and Inventor Y. Sekula and P. Nussbaum If it\u2019s late in the evening and you can\u2019t reach him, he\u2019s probably busy giving emergency stitches to a child, teenager, or adult with a serious cut. A unique and remarkable member of our local medical community, PA Zecharia Lind […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1209,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[19],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1208"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1208"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1208\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevoiceoflakewood.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}