Tech Spotlight: Khamzat Asabaev of SoftSmile

TECH SPOTLIGHT

The Queens Tech Corner is a running segment on Chamber social media channels highlighting tech entrepreneurs doing exciting things in Queens. This month, This Is Queensborough features Khamzat Asabaev, the founder of SoftSmile, a Queensbased company that helps doctors model the most optimal treatment for their patients.

Tell us a little more about SoftSmile and how you got your start?

SoftSmile is a tech company committed to providing doctors with efficient and reliable treatment planning software that greatly improves patient outcomes.

We democratize orthodontic treatment by improving affordability and accessibility. The aligners or braces from your dentist or orthodontist will be at least two times cheaper, but way more reliable, thanks to our work at SoftSmile.

What kind of an impact has COVID had on your company and your services?

COVID did not slow our growth, but it has forced us to focus on dental enterprises as potential customers, rather than private practitioners.

Work from home has allowed us to hire brilliant engineers from all around the world without breaking their habits or requiring them to relocate to New York City.

Why are you excited about the future of tech in Queens?

When you walk around Queens, you see many active people, working 24/7. It’s clear that technology continuously makes all of our jobs more efficient and our lives easier. I believe that Queens, as a borough undergoing a fantastic transformation, will be both a hub where state-ofart technology will find grateful users, and a welcoming home for companies and people working in the tech sector. It is certainly the home SoftSmile and I have found in the city.

CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS METROPLUS OPENS FLAGSHIP OFFICE IN FLUSHING

PART OF COMMITMENT TO SERVING DIVERSE COMMUNITY IN QUEENS

Last month, Queens Chamber of Commerce member MetroPlus Health, New York City’s five-star health plan, celebrated the grand opening of a new flagship location at 136-13 Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing.

The new community office will assist Queens residents with enrollment, recertification, renewal, and customer service functions. With the support of its community partners, MetroPlus Health is looking forward to providing critical services needed by the community.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone, every industry, and every area of our city hard,” said Dr. Talya Schwartz, president and CEO of MetroPlus Health. “Throughout, MetroPlus Health has stood in solidarity with our communities, including the AsianAmerican communities in the borough of Queens.”

The new Flushing office reflects MetroPlus Health’s commitment to being more than a health plan to its members and communities.

This year, the plan provided low to no-cost high-quality health insurance to individuals and families; addressed food insecurity by offering free food distributions at Elmhurst Hospital; partnered with NYC Health + Hospitals and its providers to ensure everyone eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine could secure one; and hosted a town hall with Governor Kathy Hochul and other leaders to address the rise of anti-Asian bias and hate crimes in New York City.

The opening celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the morning with a Dancing lion’s performance, followed by an open house to the community.

Guests enjoyed dim sum, desserts, and fruit drinks prepared by local Flushing small businesses, as well as an exceptional performance by Lincoln Center Viola/ Erhu musicians – and brother and sister – Wei-Yang Andy and Kelly Lin. DJ Whutever of iHeartMedia’s Power 105 was also on hand to add even more excitement to the event.

Guest speakers included Linda Sun, former deputy superintendent for International Affairs and chief diversity officer at the state Department of Financial Affairs; Franck D. Joseph II of the Queens Borough President’s Office; Ellen Young, of Assemblyman Ron Kim’s Office; Minwen Yang of State Senator Toby Stavisky’s Office; and Dr. Eric Wei, senior vice president and chief quality officer for NYC Health + Hospitals.

Since 1985, MetroPlus Health Plan has built a reputation for providing affordable, quality health care to residents across New York City. MetroPlus Health doesn’t just cover its members when they’re ill or injured, they believe in keeping them healthy, too.

The “Let’s Get Healthy Together” initiative promotes healthy activities to improve the health and lives of New Yorkers through The MetroPlus Healthy Rewards Program. MetroPlus Health is the plan of choice for over 625,000 New Yorkers and has a five-star rating based on the state’s 2020 Consumer’s Guide to Medicaid and Child Health Plus managed care plans in New York City. It was recently ranked the top health plan among all 15 New York State Medicaid plans in overall quality. For more information about MetroPlus Health plans, benefits, and services, visit metroplus. org.

The MetroPlus Health Flushing office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Contact Victor Lee at 718.335.8600 or Anna Li at 646.335.8638 for enrollment information.