Tag Archives: Hospitals and Nursing

EPIC trends Announce 3rd Annual Bringing Christmas Home campaign to donate creatively decorated Christmas Trees to children and families facing hardship

Designer Decorated Trees will Deck the Halls of CHOC OC, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, OC Speech and Language, the TERi Campus and the homes of families with children in the hospital

CERRITOS, Calif., Nov. 25, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — This year families with children undergoing treatment at local children’s hospitals can check one thing off their holiday to-do list, getting a Christmas tree, thanks to a local brand representative firm and its clients. EPIC trends and partners launched their 3rd annual holiday campaign, Bringing Christmas Home, by delivering 200 undecorated Christmas trees to its diverse group of clients in design around Southern California. Each designer will create a theme and decorate a tree to compete for top honors in one of nine categories.

Photo caption: Trees decking the halls of Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.

These creatively themed trees will eventually deck the halls of children’s hospitals and other organizations bringing smiles to families in hardship throughout Southern California.

The 200 decorated trees will be collected during the first week of December and lined up in the EPIC warehouse in Cerritos where the team will judge and designate winners in each category.

The trees will be delivered to Children’s Hospital LA December 9th, Children’s Hospital of Orange County December 10th, and OC Speech Language and Learning Center December 12th. On Dec 2, the trees will be delivered to TERi Campus in San Diego.

Children in the hospitals will be able to pick out the tree they like and place it in their rooms. Other trees will deck the hallways and spread cheer in the areas where families gather.

“While most families are looking forward to decorating their homes, those facing illness are missing out,” said Terri Burkhart, Principal, EPIC trends. “We are grateful for the chance to drop off the decorated trees and see so many faces light up from the fun and imaginative designs.”

Each local design firm provides the theme, the ornaments, the lights, and the creativity. Winners and noteworthy designs from years prior included a minions themed tree, a hand-flocked snowscape tree complete with polar bears, a tree turned into a big penguin and a Candyland themed tree with a candy village around the base.

“We are grateful to the design firms who collaborated with us on the opportunity to deliver joy to families enduring hardships during the holidays,” said Sabrina Benavides, A&D Manager, EPIC trends.

Many parents at the recipient organizations will bring a tree home and hopefully be relieved to have one less thing to do during this busy holiday season.

2024 CATEGORIES:

Top Tree, Traditional and Timeless, People’s Choice, Theatrical/thrilling (best use of a movie, song or tv show), Terrific Toyland (best use of toys, activities, games or playfulness), Tasty Treat (Candyland or food inspired), Precious Pets (use of any animal), True Touchdown (sports team Inspired), Totally Out of this Tree (out of the box or wild idea).

For images go to https://www.epictrends.net/community

About EPIC trends:

EPIC trends is a brand representative firm based in Cerritos, California. They work with the top designers around the world in furniture for commercial, hospitality and higher education environments. They are a dedicated group of individuals committed to fostering the Christmas spirit and year-round with goodwill with a “Pay it forward” attitude in their local communities. The company believes in making the world a brighter and more festive place by creating memorable experiences that bring joy to people’s hearts.

@epicsocal

https://www.pinterest.com/epictrendssocial/

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Photo caption: Trees decking the halls of Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.

NEWS SOURCE: EPIC trends

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (EPIC trends), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/epic-trends-announce-3rd-annual-bringing-christmas-home-campaign-to-donate-creatively-decorated-christmas-trees-to-children-and-families-facing-hardship/

Magnifi Group Teams up with Kalon Staffing to Launch IEP Physician Search – Specifically Targeting Fellows

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Magnifi Group, Inc. and Kalon Staffing, LLC, today announced the launch of IEP Physician Search - iep-search.com - a Fellows search service to place Orthopaedic, Pain Management and Electrophysiology (EP) Fellows in US Medical Centers.

Magnifi Group is uniquely positioned to ensure IEP Physician Search's success due to the didactic courses it holds for Fellows in numerous Orthopaedic specialties, Pain Management and Electrophysiology.

Teaming up with Kalon will further accelerate the accomplishments of IEP Physician Search due to the company's extensive experience placing proven specialists into highly skilled positions.

Andrew Wolpe, president and COO of Magnifi Group said demand from Medical Practices for Fellows entering their respective fields is significantly high due to the relatively small number that are available each year. "We're looking at an average of only 100 Fellows per specialty, per year," said Wolpe. "Since we meet them at our IEP Courses, it's a natural next step to assist these Fellows in their career placement," Wolpe said.

Liesl Bernard, CEO of Kalon Staffing, said her team assesses the criteria for all Fellows has when placing them. "For some, it's geography, for others it's the size of practice and of course it comes down to chemistry," Bernard said. Bernard added that she and her team play a critical role in working with both the medical centers and the Fellows to ensure the perfect match.

Magnifi Group, Inc. is a developer of an FDA-compliant eLearning platform for the medical device and biologics industries. The company also hosts the Spine IEP Live Fellows Course; the Lower Extremity IEP Live Fellows Course; the Hip and Knee IEP Live Fellows Course; the Electrophysiology IEP Live Fellows Course and the Pain Management IEP Live Fellows Course.

Kalon Staffing, LLC. is an executive search firm focused on making precision placements in specialized health and medical fields.

Learn more: http://iep-search.com/

Magnifi Group, Inc. and Kalon Staffing, LLC, today announced the launch of IEP Physician Search - iep-search.com - a Fellows search service to place Orthopaedic, Pain Management and Electrophysiology (EP) Fellows in US Medical Centers.

Related link: https://www.magnifigroup.com/

Olea Kiosks Unveils its Chicago Healthcare Check-In Kiosk: Enhancing Patient Experience with ADA-Compliant Design

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Olea Kiosks®, Inc. is excited to announce the launch of its latest advancement in healthcare technology, the Chicago Healthcare Check-In Kiosk. This innovative and inclusive solution offers a sleek, modern ADA-compliant design, elevating the user experience for all.

One of the standout features of the Chicago is its commitment to accessibility. This new design includes an offset monitor to provide easier wheelchair access and a tilt bracket to assist people of all heights. For those with low vision, the unit includes the thoughtful integration of an Audio Nav system and a keyboard to improve the user experience.

"This new design is the result of conversations with many healthcare companies that are all trying to figure out how to implement self-service properly. We wanted to ensure it addressed ADA, but not just for the sake of checking boxes, but making it user-friendly and comfortable for all users," explained Frank Olea, CEO.

"We also wanted to offer facial recognition as part of the standard product because that requirement is coming soon, so we incorporated the camera and the tilt bracket to ensure the picture can be taken properly regardless of height. You're juggling HIPPA and several requirements into one design so we're proud to deliver a kiosk that is better designed and includes more features and is better value than what's on the market today," added Olea.

The Chicago is available in three form factors: a Height-Adjustable, Freestanding and Desktop.

By streamlining the check-in process, healthcare providers can reduce wait times, optimize staff efficiency, and ultimately enhance patient satisfaction.

For more information on the Chicago Healthcare Check-In Kiosk, visit https://www.olea.com/product/chicago-healthcare/

A first-customer deployment of the Chicago kiosk is anticipated to be operational by the end of October.

About Olea Kiosks, Inc.:

Olea Kiosks® Inc., is a self-service kiosk solution provider for government, healthcare, hospitality, travel, and entertainment. Its technologically advanced, in-house manufacturing, design, and innovation have made it an industry leader. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, customers include Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Geisinger, Greyhound, Johns Hopkins, Kaiser Permanente, SmarteCarte, Subway Sandwiches, and Universal Studios. Olea Kiosks can be found wherever high-volume authentications and transactions are required, including 50+ major airports, amusement parks, and premier stadiums across all 5 major US sports leagues.

For more information, visit https://www.olea.com/.

Olea Kiosks®, Inc. is excited to announce the launch of its latest advancement in healthcare technology, the Chicago Healthcare Check-In Kiosk. This innovative and inclusive solution offers a sleek, modern ADA-compliant design, elevating the user experience for all.

Related link: https://www.olea.com/

The Pap Corps Makes Historic $8.4 Million Donation for Cancer Research – Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to Benefit from Nonprofit’s Largest Gift

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research (thepapcorps.org) recently presented a historic donation to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of $8.4 million. This gift came in two parts, $3.4 million through the volunteers' fundraising efforts and $5 million from an anonymous donor. This is the largest single gift in the nonprofit's 70-year history. The Pap Corps supports research for all types of cancer at Sylvester and has over 20,000 volunteer members in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.

"We are thrilled to make this unprecedented gift to Sylvester," said Sally Berenzweig, CEO of The Pap Corps. "Thanks to the tremendous efforts of our members and the incredible generosity of our anonymous donor, this gift will be used to support groundbreaking research that results in lifesaving treatments for cancer patients."

During the check presentation event, which took place at Boca West Country Club, Dr. Antonio Iavarone, the deputy director of Sylvester and a renowned expert in glioblastoma and other aggressive brain tumors, spoke to the over 400 members in attendance about the outstanding advances that are occurring thanks to cancer research. During his presentation, he acknowledged the incomparable support of The Pap Corps members and thanked them for their untiring dedication.

"Today was one of the most exciting days in the history of The Pap Corps," said Susan Dinter, Chair. "We are so grateful for the remarkable support of our members, who work tirelessly year after year to fund these multimillion-dollar donations, and to our benevolent donor whose commitment to our mission inspires us all! For 70 years, we have supported cancer research and will continue to do so until a cure can be found."

June is National Cancer Survivor Month and thanks to incredible advances during the past decades, death rates have declined, but The Pap Corps' job is far from over. The members of this organization know that revolutionary new treatments are on the horizon, but funding is critical to reach the next level of success. Achieving greater survival rates, year after year, is what keeps the organizations' over 20,000 members motivated!

To join The Pap Corps, learn more at: https://www.thepapcorps.org/.

About The Pap Corps:

Since its founding in 1952, The Pap Corps, a 501(c)(3), has donated more than $110 million to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, including a historic $50 million pledge in 2016. The Pap Corps derives its name from Dr. George Papanicolaou, a pioneer in cytopathology and early cancer detection, who introduced the world to the revolutionary 'Pap' test. A small group of women began the organization to support his efforts, and over the decades it has grown into an organization of over 20,000 men and women, in over 50 chapters, raising funds to support research for all types of cancers.

About Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center:

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth - University of Miami Health System and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated and nationally ranked cancer center in South Florida. NCI designation recognizes that Sylvester has met the most rigorous standards for cancer research, beginning in our laboratories, extending to patient care, and meeting specific needs in our community. Sylvester is known as South Florida's leader in patient-focused cancer research and care, offering the only Phase 1 Clinical Trials program - the first step in evaluating how patients respond to the latest investigational treatments.

NCI designation further expands Sylvester's ability to provide access to novel therapies through more clinical trials and collaboration with other designated centers. Equipped with a highly qualified team of more than 2,400 cancer-focused physicians, researchers and support staff working together, Sylvester discovers, develops, and delivers more precision cancer care. To serve current and future patients, Sylvester has a network of conveniently located outpatient treatment facilities throughout South Florida.

The Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research (thepapcorps.org) recently presented a historic donation to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of $8.4 million. This gift came in two parts, $3.4 million through the volunteers' fundraising efforts and $5 million from an anonymous donor. This is the largest single gift in the nonprofit's 70-year history.

Related link: https://www.thepapcorps.org/

OverSightMD Inc. Launches Connected Therapy Cloud and Hourly Relapse Monitoring Service for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder

SILICON VALLEY, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- OverSightMD Inc. announces the launch of Connected Therapy Cloud℠, a revolutionary solution for return-to-use prevention and ongoing relapse management for individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Connected Therapy Cloud will provide hourly relapse rounding by specialized nurses and immediate coordination with their therapist.

According to a report by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 40.3 million adults aged 12 years and older had a substance use disorder in the US in 2020. Managing relapse is one of the most significant challenges of addiction treatment. Connected Therapy Cloud forms a continuous therapy link between a therapist and their patient by providing a connected platform, which incorporates the expertise of specialized nurses, patient-reported data, and wearable technology to detect early signs of return-to-use.

Connected Therapy Cloud enables specialized virtual OverSightMD nurses to take the lead in hourly relapse rounding, which helps to identify potential signs of return-to-use in time and take proactive measures to provide timely interventions as needed. The platform also allows for secure and easy communication between the patient's clinical team and therapist, ensuring coordinated and integrated care.

Connected Therapy Cloud is customizable based on the patient's relapse risk, with round-the-clock monitoring available to fit the individual's unique needs. This tailored approach ensures that patients receive the support they need when they need it, ultimately improving the quality of care, reducing the likelihood of preventable readmissions, and improving relapse management.

The Founder and CEO of OverSightMD, Mark Godwin, said, "We are thrilled to offer Connected Therapy Cloud as a comprehensive solution to help individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorder to manage their addiction and improve their overall wellness. With this, we hope to reduce the number of relapses and hospitalizations related to substance use disorder and, ultimately, enhance care for the patients and the clinical teams who provide them with quality care."

For more information on Connected Therapy Cloud℠ for providers, please visit the company website at https://oversightmd.com/connected-therapy-cloud-providers/.

About OverSightMD Inc.:

OverSightMD (https://oversightmd.com/) Founded in 2013, OverSightMD Inc. is a leading integrated health management company providing healthcare solutions tailored for hospital systems, providers, and employers. The OverSightMD platform integrates state-of-the-art technology with an experienced clinical team of physicians, nurses, behavioral health clinicians, and care coordinators continuously monitoring and screening the well-being of patient populations. Their personalized patient care approach encompasses data tracking from various sources, including self-reported symptoms, nurse wellness calls, advanced RPM, and wearable devices. Their proactive intervention strategy aims to improve daily health management and prevent incidents like disease relapse, unnecessary ER visits, and hospital readmissions.

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OverSightMD Inc. announces the launch of Connected Therapy Cloud℠, a revolutionary solution for return-to-use prevention and ongoing relapse management for individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Connected Therapy Cloud will provide hourly relapse rounding by specialized nurses and immediate coordination with their therapist.

Related link: https://oversightmd.com

North Carolina Hospitals Awarded National Distinction by The Leapfrog Group

CHARLOTTE, N.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Leapfrog Group announced Monday that 18 hospitals in North Carolina, more than any other state, have been named to its 2022 national list of Top Hospitals. The full list of institutions honored as 2022 Top Hospitals, is available at www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals. The elite award is one of the most competitive honors American hospitals can receive in safety and quality. The winning facilities were officially recognized at Leapfrog's 2022 Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner. The North Carolina Business Group on Health (NCBGH) is the Leapfrog Regional Leader for North Caroline, working with providers, purchasers, payors and patients across North Carolina to drive safe, high-quality health care.

"We are so pleased with the commitment to safety and quality by the healthcare providers in our state," said Jon Rankin, president and CEO of NCBGH. "These 18 institutions exemplify dedication in our state to the highest standards of care, and highlight North Carolina's standing as a national leader in patient safety."

The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit watchdog organization that rates hospitals on how well they protect patients from errors and infections, as well as the effectiveness of procedures and other care they provide. A total of 115 hospitals were selected as Top Hospitals, including: 12 Top Children's Hospitals, 32 Top General Hospitals, 13 Top Rural Hospitals and 58 Top Teaching Hospitals.

"We are honored to recognize our 2022 Top Hospitals including the 18 Top Hospitals in North Carolina. Their commitment to transparency and excellence saves lives and enriches communities every second of every day," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "The North Carolina Business Group on Health continues to lead the way to improve the safety and quality of health care in North Carolina."

The Top Hospital award is given to teaching, general, rural and children's hospitals that publicly report their performance through the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and meet the high standards defined in the Top Hospitals Methodology. This includes infection rates, maternity care and a hospital's ability to prevent medication errors, among other standards. To see the full national list of institutions honored as 2022 Top Hospitals, please visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.

About The Leapfrog Group:

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.

About North Carolina Business Group on Health:

Founded in 2011, NCBGH is a non-profit coalition of employers and other key healthcare stakeholders across the state using their collective voice to influence decisions and impact the quality and cost of healthcare delivery systems across North Carolina. For more information, visit https://ncbgh.org.

The Leapfrog Group announced Monday that 18 hospitals in North Carolina, more than any other state, have been named to its 2022 national list of Top Hospitals. The North Carolina Business Group on Health (NCBGH) is the Leapfrog Regional Leader for North Caroline, working with providers, purchasers, payors and patients across North Carolina to drive safe, high-quality health care.

Related link: https://ncbgh.org/

National Nurses Week Kicks Off with Virtual Portrait Exhibition Honoring Pandemic Healthcare Workers

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Producer and photographer Mariana Tosca of Blue Jasper Productions and Tosca Photography announces the launch of "Covid Courageous" (CovidCourageous.org). This unique virtual exhibition blends photographic portraiture with interviews of frontline healthcare workers, which spotlight each individual's personal pandemic experience.

The permanent virtual exhibition will open at the beginning of National Nurses Week, an annual week-long celebration which begins May 6 and ends on May 12, 2022, the birthday of Florence Nightingale who was the founder of modern nursing. This moving tribute to nurses and healthcare providers comes alive through the words and images of frontline workers who were each photographed with an item which represented their personal experience while working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christopher Johnson and Glenn Rossney of The Misty Falls Motion Picture Company assisted in this endeavor.

Photographer Mariana Tosca shares, "Throughout the pandemic, the collective nursing and frontline worker community has served with unparalleled courage and an unflinching commitment to duty. I wanted to offer my skills in gratitude and recognition of theirs. While the exchange of energy isn't commensurate with their sacrifice and risk, the gesture was meant to remind them that they are deeply valued and appreciated, and that what they've done in the face of an unprecedented global disaster has made all the difference."

She continues, "These remarkable people have put their lives on the line every day, under the most perilous circumstances, to save others. I wanted to take them off of the frontlines for a little while to celebrate their efforts and make them feel like the superstars that they are."

Filmmaker Christopher Johnson adds, "Imagine what it must take for someone to help people during a crisis when that very act of compassion could cost them their lives. It's daunting to consider. I have profound respect for these extraordinary people, so I am very happy to have helped showcase their stories, let them know we care, and tell them firsthand that we're grateful for all they've done and continue to do."

To learn more, visit: http://www.CovidCourageous.org or https://www.mtosca.com/ and follow @CovidCourageous @Tosca.Photography @MarianaTosca1 @chrisjohnsonfilms on Instagram and Twitter.

About Blue Jasper Productions:

Blue Jasper Productions was founded by producer Mariana Tosca as a development, production, and post-production vehicle for feature films, television, corporate promotions, commercial, marketing/product videos and other media. Learn more: https://www.toscaphotography.com/fine-art

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Producer and photographer Mariana Tosca of Blue Jasper Productions and Tosca Photography announces the launch of "Covid Courageous." This unique virtual exhibition blends photographic portraiture with interviews of frontline healthcare workers, which spotlight each individual's personal pandemic experience.

Related link: https://www.toscaphotography.com/

Top South Florida In-home Healthcare Company Expands Reach

BOCA RATON, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Amerihome Healthcare is excited to announce that due to a recent new hire, it will expand its geographic reach and operations. For more than 10 years, it's been a leader in Palm Beach's home health care industry and will now service Broward County as well to focus on in-home health care staffing.

Josh Andreacci, the new operations director, brings years of experience to Amerihome in terms of management and operations. He plans to work to maintain the company culture which prides itself on being an owner-operated business with an impeccable track record and 100 percent customer satisfaction.

This growth comes at the ideal time. COVID-19 made many rethink the idea of a retirement home and revisit how they could stay in their own home and not only extend their quality of life, but their safety too.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average employment growth in all industries is projected at 7 percent. The in-home healthcare industry is currently projected to grow by 54 percent and add 738,200 jobs. That's pretty breathtaking. And, U.S. expenditures on in-home health care are projected to hit $186.8 billion by 2027.

Amerihome Healthcare, which specializes in Alzheimer's, dementia care, palliative care, companion services, light house chores and daily tasks is poised for this growth. It's ready to provide affordable, quality in-home care service for the elderly and senior population in South Florida.

"Our support staff and operation resemble that of a large corporation, but unlike a large corporation, we give clients truly personalized care. We offer peace of mind and affordable service," Tina Andreacci, founder and CEO, says. "Amerihome will begin scaling operations with an aggressive multimedia campaign that encompasses TV and social media starting towards the end of 2022."

For more information: https://amerihomehealthcare.com/

About Amerihome Healthcare, LLC

Amerihome Healthcare refers a variety of caregivers who provide personal care and custodial care services. It offers hourly services, 24/7 care and live-in services provided by HHAs, CNAs, and LPN. It also provides RN case management, hospital and in-home caregivers who are meticulously matched to cope with their client's needs and care preferences whether in home, hospice, hospital or assisted living facilities. Each caregiver is fully credentialed and thoroughly screened prior to registry onboarding. Professional references are checked; criminal backgrounds are conducted and level two fingerprinting checks are made. A motor vehicle record background and physician medical screening are also done. Amerihome's registry is licensed, bonded, and insured.

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Amerihome Healthcare is excited to announce that due to a recent new hire, it will expand its geographic reach and operations. For more than 10 years, it's been a leader in Palm Beach's home health care industry and will now service Broward County as well to focus on in-home health care staffing.

Related link: https://amerihomehealthcare.com/

6 Certified Nursing Assistants Are Leaving Profession for Every 1 Certified (Q2 2021) – Florida Patient Care at Risk Ahead of November Covid Vaccine Mandates

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Today, Premier Nursing Academy launched the CNA Shortage Index, a quarterly estimate of how well the production of new certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is keeping up with attrition of CNAs out of the career. The latest data indicate that the state of Florida faces an acute shortage that will compromise the quality of patient care if not remedied quickly.

At a Glance:

* As of Q2 2021, an estimated 6.15 certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are leaving the profession for every 1 new CNA certified in the state of Florida.

* Covid vaccine mandates widely expected in November by employers ahead of federal government regulations for healthcare facilities will greatly exacerbate the staffing shortage

* Already beleaguered nursing homes, long-term care, and other skilled nursing facilities will be hardest hit

The CNA Shortage Index estimates that as of Q2 2021, there are 6.15 CNAs leaving the profession for every 1 new CNA certified in the state of Florida.

This release of the CNA Shortage Index-published by state-approved CNA training provider Premier Nursing Academy based on data about newly minted CNAs in Q2 2021 by the Florida Board of Nursing-quantifies the staffing gap among this entry-level nursing labor force. Certified nursing assistants are a critical component of the frontline patient care workforce, including in hospitals, long-term care, dialysis, and hospice facilities, and home care settings. CNAs may also fill roles such as patient care technician or home health aide.

Evidence confirming these recent CNA staffing shortages in Florida is all the more alarming given the looming change by most healthcare employers to require Covid vaccinations among their staff in anticipation of a federal Covid vaccine mandate for all Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities. A widespread vaccine mandate is expected to make filling open roles in healthcare more challenging for employers, but especially for an occupation that has average Covid vaccination rates of less than 50% and provides much of the direct patient care in many facilities. Nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to CNA shortages, because CNAs make up the largest employee job group in these facilities by far, and state regulations require minimum ratios of CNAs to residents.

"The current shortage of CNAs is about to be exacerbated in a big way by self-imposed or government regulatory requirements for healthcare staff to be vaccinated against Covid," explains Matt Killday, Chief Operating Officer of Premier Nursing Academy. "Regardless of your point of view about vaccine mandates as a policy, the business and social implications are clear: the quality of patient care is at risk in many of Florida's health facilities if there are not enough qualified CNAs to employ."

"All stakeholders in the CNA supply pipeline-healthcare employers, CNA training programs, the Florida state government, and nursing associations-need to work together in unprecedented ways to navigate this upcoming shortage for the good of public health," said Mike McHugh, Premier Nursing Academy's Chief Executive Officer.

About the CNA Shortage Index

The CNA Shortage Index estimates the replacement rate of CNAs, expressed as the number of new CNAs entering the workforce in recent quarters for every CNA leaving the profession. It is calculated based on the latest release of data from the Florida Board of Nursing (FBON) about the preceding quarter's CNA exam pass rates, as well as employment data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics for the nursing assistant occupation.

The index is published by Premier Nursing Academy, a Florida Board of Nursing-approved CNA training provider. This is the inaugural release of the CNA Shortage Index. For more details, visit https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/cna-shortage-index .

About Premier Nursing Academy

Premier Nursing Academy is a contract training provider serving aspiring healthcare professionals. Founded in 2017, Premier Nursing Academy offers an innovative no-cost training program in which candidates are hired by employers who pay for their training through Premier Nursing Academy. Premier Nursing Academy assists these employers by addressing their staffing shortages in skilled, entry-level healthcare roles.

Premier Nursing Academy currently focuses on training certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 6-week programs that prepare graduates to pass their CNA exam. It operates training centers in Pinellas Park (Tampa metro area) and Bradenton (Sarasota metro area), with plans to expand to the Jacksonville metro area. Premier Nursing Academy has been licensed by the Florida Board of Nursing to provide CNA training since 2019. For more information visit https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/.

Today, Premier Nursing Academy launched the CNA Shortage Index, a quarterly estimate of how well the production of new certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is keeping up with attrition of CNAs out of the career. The latest data indicate that the state of Florida faces an acute shortage that will compromise the quality of patient care if not remedied quickly.

Related link: https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/

Mopec Introduces Guardian Quick-Deploy Coolers under Guardian Systems Line

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. /ScoopCloud/ -- Mopec, the nationwide leader in pathology, anatomy, mortuary and necropsy equipment and supplies, is proud to announce the latest innovation and addition to its Guardian Systems product line. The Mopec Guardian Quick-Deploy Cooler is adaptable, portable, and is a rapidly deployable system for the long term storage of human remains.

Mopec has integrated its new patented rack technology along with patent-pending insulation technology to create an expandable remains storage platform that will instantly increase morgue surge capacity. This compact, rapidly deployable system can be easily transported and assembled in under 30 minutes with no tools required.

While the current system holds 12 bodies, the optional expansion module allows the system to quickly expand from holding 12 decedents to 24. Mopec will also be introducing a smaller, 110V 4-body version in the next few months that will allow the user to easily plug it into any regular outlet.

"The Guardian Quick-Deploy Cooler addresses the needs for many of our customers dealing with surge capacity," says Kirk Gossett, Vice President of Sales for Mopec. "Plenty of organizations are still struggling to find immediate solutions when decedent capacity overwhelms their current availability. Mopec hopes that this portable, expandable, and quick-assembly system can help resolve these issues."

Guardian Quick-Deploy Coolers are included under the Mopec Guardian Systems line and are the ultimate solution when dealing with surge capacity morgue overflow. While the first production run of coolers has already sold out, Mopec is currently accepting pre-orders for the second run of products.

For more information, or to obtain a quotation, please visit https://www.mopec.com/, or call (800) 362-8491.

About Mopec:

Mopec, based in Madison Heights, Michigan, is a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality pathology, anatomy, mortuary, and necropsy equipment and products. Founded in 1992, Mopec differentiates itself through its extensive engineering process, superior design, and market-leading quality. Mopec is Better By Design and specializes in solutions for hospitals, universities, morgues, and a variety of other markets. Mopec is committed to the production innovative products and providing high quality customer service. For more information, visit https://www.mopec.com/.

Mopec, the nationwide leader in pathology, anatomy, mortuary and necropsy equipment and supplies, is proud to announce the latest innovation and addition to its Guardian Systems product line. The Mopec Guardian Quick-Deploy Cooler is adaptable, portable, and is a rapidly deployable system for the long term storage of human remains.

Related link: https://www.mopec.com/

ACNM Reaffirms Opposition to Legislative Threats to Abortion Care

SILVER SPRING, Md. /ScoopCloud/ -- American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is committed to people having unfettered access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortion care, that are readily available, affordable, and guided by objective evidence-based information. Given this position, ACNM is dismayed by the failure of the United States Supreme Court to block the implementation of Texas Senate Bill 8, legislation that allows for the ban of abortions (which would include cases of rape or incest) as early as six weeks into pregnancy.

This decision sets in motion a dangerous precedent of upending the protections afforded under Roe v. Wade by allowing the most restrictive abortion law to go into effect in the second largest state in the country.

ACNM opposes legislative threats to abortion care. ACNM President, Cathy Collins-Fulea states, "ACNM continues to stand by our position that as midwives, we trust our patients as the experts of their own well-being and support each person's right to self-determination, access to comprehensive health information, and active participation in all aspects of an individualized plan of care."

The ACNM Code of Ethics mandates that midwives engage in the process of non-coercive, evidence-based informed consent and shared decision-making. Therefore, we object to any legislation and/or regulation that interferes with the patient-provider relationship.

"ACNM is committed to individual patient autonomy across the spectrum of reproductive health, including abortion. This commitment includes advocating to keep abortion access unconditionally safe and legal for all people midwives serve, but especially for vulnerable populations with limited resources and unequal access to quality healthcare," stated ACNM CEO Katrina Holland.

American College of Nurse-Midwives actively stands together with our other colleagues in sexual and reproductive health care and social justice advocates as we voice our strong objection to the erosion of bodily autonomy and access to essential health care services, including abortion care.

About ACNM

With over 6,500 members, ACNM is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. ACNM promotes excellence in midwifery education, clinical practice, and research. With roots dating to 1929, our members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. ACNM provides research, administers, and promotes continuing education programs, establishes education and clinical practice standards, and creates liaisons with state and federal agencies and members of Congress to increase the visibility and recognition of midwifery care.

Learn more at https://www.midwife.org/.

American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is committed to people having unfettered access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortion care, that are readily available, affordable, and guided by objective evidence-based information. Given this position, ACNM is dismayed by the failure of the United States Supreme Court to block the implementation of Texas Senate Bill 8.

Related link: https://www.midwife.org/

ACNM Dorothea Lang, Excellence in Leadership and Innovation, and Lifetime Visionary Award Winners

SILVER SPRING, Md. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACNM Award Winners -- The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is pleased to announce the winners of Dorothea Lang Award Winners, Excellence in Leadership and Innovation Award, and Lifetime Visionary Award.

Dorothea Lang Award Winners

This award is given by the A.C.N.M. Foundation, Inc. to an exceptional midwife who has demonstrated vision and leadership, has been certified for 10 years, and represents exceptional "unsung heroines" who have demonstrated pioneering vision and innovative leadership in midwifery.

Pandora Hardtman, DNP, CNM, RN, FACNM
Elizabeth Hill-Karbowski, PhD, CNM, FACNM
Pamela Reis, PhD, CNM, NNP-BC, FACNM

Excellence in Leadership and Innovation Award

Honors an exceptional CNM/CM who is an ACNM member, has been certified for less than ten years, and has demonstrated innovative, creative endeavors in midwifery and/or women's health clinical practice, education, administration, or research.

Simon Ellis, CNM, ARNP

Simon's extraordinary work spans multiple domains including clinical practice, education, research, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), and the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health (JMWH). Simon has provided gender affirming health care for TNB individuals since becoming a midwife. They developed and implemented a gender health program at Cedar Rivers Clinic in Washington state to provide services previously unavailable in the area. Currently, Simon provides full-scope perinatal care, full spectrum family planning care, gynecologic and well-person care, and transgender perinatal and gynecologic care.

They have completed advanced trainings not only in transgender care, but also in Centering Pregnancy facilitation and miscarriage management, increasing the range and quality of the care they provide. Their broad scope of practice brings the art and science of midwifery to a wide variety of patients, many of whom only have the opportunity to go to a midwife because Simon has been a pioneer in the profession.

Simon has put immeasurable time and energy into educating other clinicians about how to provide high-quality health care to individuals who are TNB. One of Simon's most creative and wide-reaching accomplishments is the Transgender Health Care Toolkit. They were the primary contributor and project manager for this transgender health care guide for clinicians that is freely available online and has been accessed by midwives and other types of clinicians across the United States and around the world.

Lifetime Visionary Award

Honors an exceptional CNM/CM who is an ACNM member, has been certified for at least ten years, and has provided either continuous outstanding contributions or distinguished service to midwifery and/or MCH, or contributions of historical significance to the development and advancement of midwifery, ACNM, or MCH.

Peter Johnson, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM, FAAN

Dr. Johnson is a rare blend of excellence, innovation, and leadership across many disciplines. As a distinguished role model among ACNM's men in midwifery, he has achieved a progressive and substantive identity within the local, regional, national, and international communities of the professions of nursing and midwifery. Throughout his career as a midwifery clinician, educator, regulatory expert, scholar, researcher, professional association leader, and global midwifery and health strategist, he has demonstrated diversity and inclusion as a framework for action.

The advancement of gender equity, the empowerment of women and the protection and promotion of human rights are among his guiding principles. He has been identified on the world stage as an articulate advocate for the dual professions of nursing and midwifery, speaking forcefully for standards of quality in health care, and respect for professional skills, decision-making and leadership in advancing maternal and newborn health.

About ACNM

With over 6,500 members, ACNM is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. ACNM promotes excellence in midwifery education, clinical practice, and research. With roots dating to 1929, our members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. ACNM provides research, administers, and promotes continuing education programs, establishes education and clinical practice standards, and creates liaisons with state and federal agencies and members of Congress to increase the visibility and recognition of midwifery care.

Learn more at https://www.midwife.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
ACNM Membership & Communications
240.485.1813; membership@acnm.org

ACNM Award Winners -- The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is pleased to announce the winners of Dorothea Lang Award Winners, Excellence in Leadership and Innovation Award, and Lifetime Visionary Award.

Related link: https://www.midwife.org/

Melissa D. Avery, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN Named New Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health

SILVER SPRING, Md. /ScoopCloud/ -- The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is pleased to announce that Melissa D. Avery, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN will be the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the "Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health" (JMWH) starting January 1, 2022, succeeding Frances E. Likis, CNM, NP, DrPH, who has served as EIC since 2008.

"We look forward to Dr. Avery's contributions to the Journal, building on its strong foundation and bringing new ideas, skills, and energy," said ACNM Chief Executive Officer, Katrina H. Holland.

Dr. Avery is a Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota. Her recent research has examined prenatal care practices to enhance maternal confidence for physiologic labor and birth. She is Co-Principal Investigator on a nationally funded project to develop and implement an interprofessional education curriculum for graduate midwifery students and obstetrics-gynecology residents. Dr. Avery is a past ACNM president and is a Fellow of ACNM and the American Academy of Nursing (AAN).

Dr. Avery received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University, her Master of Science in Nursing with midwifery specialization from University of Kentucky, and the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Nursing from the University of Minnesota. She has authored and co-authored a variety of articles for JMWH and received JMWH's Best Paper of the Year Award in 2003 as a co-author of "Vaginal birth after cesarean birth: A national survey of U.S. midwifery practice." She has been a JMWH peer reviewer since 1992, contributing editor from 2012-2014, education consulting editor from 2019-2020, and associate editor since 2020.

Dr. Avery looks forward to continuing the tradition of excellence the JMWH has maintained in its 66 years of publication. To learn more about JMWH, visit http://jmwh.org.

About ACNM

With over 6,500 members, ACNM is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. ACNM promotes excellence in midwifery education, clinical practice, and research. With roots dating to 1929, our members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. ACNM provides research, administers, and promotes continuing education programs, establishes education and clinical practice standards, and creates liaisons with state and federal agencies and members of Congress to increase the visibility and recognition of midwifery care. Learn more at https://www.midwife.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT
ACNM Membership & Communications
240.485.1813; membership@acnm.org

The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is pleased to announce that Melissa D. Avery, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN will be the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the "Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health" (JMWH) starting January 1, 2022, succeeding Frances E. Likis, CNM, NP, DrPH, who has served as EIC since 2008.

Related link: https://www.midwife.org/

Apology and Truth and Reconciliation Resolution from the American College of Nurse-Midwives Board of Directors

SILVER SPRING, Md. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Board of Directors (BOD) of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is committed to creating a future that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion and supports the continuing process to become an anti-racist organization. As part of this process, the BOD tasked the ACNM Ethics Committee to develop a resolution on truth and reconciliation and make recommendations to the BOD for next steps in the process. The Ethics Committee convened a Truth & Reconciliation Task Force (T&R TF) to meet this charge.

The Truth and Reconciliation Resolution document developed by the BOD is based upon the extensive information and recommendations submitted to the BOD by the T&R TF. The document can be found at https://www.midwife.org/truth-and-reconciliation.

The BOD of ACNM would like to sincerely apologize for the systemic racism that has existed and continued in our organization since it incorporated in 1954. We recognize that the BOD, through many presidencies and CEOs, perpetuated actions that were racist, exclusive, discriminatory, and harmful to individual members of ACNM. Systemic racism is among the greatest long-term threats to our nation, the profession of midwifery, and the people we serve. For ACNM to be an organization to which everyone can feel they belong and can thrive, the BOD and our organization must hold ourselves accountable for our contributions to systemic racism.

Speaking the truth on our history and the harm caused by it through ACNM's denial, gaslighting, censorship, and exclusion is the first step in long-overdue restorative measures for our community of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), allowing us to promote inclusion, belonging, and a safe space for all midwives. For these reasons, ACNM is issuing its Truth and Reconciliation Resolution that acknowledges the harms caused by its previous actions and establishes a set of resolutions in response.

ACNM acknowledges that it can no longer continue to attribute the white washing of midwifery to a lack of qualifications or interest by Black and Indigenous people. This fails to acknowledge that white supremacy acted as suppressor, then law enforcer and "teacher", then eliminator and replacer of Black and Indigenous traditional midwives with white midwives.

ACNM leadership acknowledges and apologizes for past and present harms to BIPOC midwives and the organization's role in perpetuating and maintaining systemic racism in midwifery and healthcare. Historical facts clearly illustrate that the exclusion of Black and Indigenous midwives was intentional and by design, with the resulting whiteness of the profession of midwifery as the intended outcome. Unless efforts at inclusion are explicit, tailored, continuous, and well resourced, the result is exclusion. In the coming months, the BOD and ACNM is undertaking a full audit of actions and history and making changes to web pages, documents, and processes to ensure they are anti-racist and inclusive.

About ACNM

With over 6,500 members, ACNM is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. ACNM promotes excellence in midwifery education, clinical practice, and research. With roots dating to 1929, our members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. ACNM provides research, administers, and promotes continuing education programs, establishes education and clinical practice standards, and creates liaisons with state and federal agencies and members of Congress to increase the visibility and recognition of midwifery care. Learn more at https://www.midwife.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT
ACNM Membership & Communications
240.485.1813; membership@acnm.org

The Board of Directors (BOD) of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is committed to creating a future that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion and supports the continuing process to become an anti-racist organization.

Related link: https://www.midwife.org/

Congressman Ron Kind praises vaccination clinic in La Crosse

LA CROSSE, Wis. /ScoopCloud/ -- AMI Expeditionary Healthcare along with three partnering organizations - the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, the Department of Health Services and the La Crosse County Health Department - welcomed Rep. Ron Kind, on March 23, as he toured a COVID-19 vaccination site that has distributed more than 2,000 doses since its opening on March 9.

"We are proud of the work being done here by the AMI team and all of its partners," said Daniel Beck, senior operations manager for AMI Expeditionary Healthcare who is helping to oversee several vaccination centers throughout the state.

Rep. Ron Kind on Tuesday toured the community-based vaccination clinic at UW-La Crosse, as the site continues to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine in the Coulee Region.

"This is an unbelievable vaccine site operation - it's a well-oiled machine," Rep. Kind said, noting that Wisconsin is among the top five states in the country when it comes to distributing vaccine in a timely manner. "It's because of planning, preparation and vaccine sites like this that keep people safe."

Julie Willems Van Dijk, deputy secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, said it's been a team effort to get as many people vaccinated as possible, as quickly as possible.

"It's all players, all working together, all the time," she explained. "We've provided vaccine to health care, pharmacies, local health departments, employers, tribal nations ... and they're all distributing the vaccine quickly."

AMI Expeditionary Healthcare works with the state to identify locations to address gaps in vaccine access and support vaccination efforts. Factors including population demographics, local health capacity, operations, and concentration of other vaccine providers are taken into consideration when planning for clinics.

DHS community-based clinics are operated by AMI Expeditionary Healthcare through collaboration with the University of Wisconsin System, local public health departments, and other local partners.

For more information, contact info@ami.health

If you would like to learn more about AMI and their services, please visit https://ami.health/

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AMI Expeditionary Healthcare along with three partnering organizations - the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, the Department of Health Services and the La Crosse County Health Department - welcomed Rep. Ron Kind, on March 23, as he toured a COVID-19 vaccination site that has distributed more than 2,000 doses since its opening on March 9.

Related link: https://ami.health/

Announcing the 2021 Fellows of the American College of Nurse-Midwives

SILVER SPRING, Md. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Fellows of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (FACNM) Board of Governors is delighted to share the names of the 81 exemplary midwives who have been accepted for Fellowship in 2021. Last year, we revised the Fellowship criteria to increase diversity and inclusivity, resulting in our welcoming the largest group of inductees in ACNM history.

Fellowship in the American College of Nurse-Midwives is an honor bestowed upon those midwives whose demonstrated leadership within ACNM, clinical excellence, outstanding scholarship, and professional achievement have merited special recognition both within and outside of the midwifery profession. The ACNM Fellowship was first established in 1994. With the addition of the 2021 Fellows, there will be 558 FACNMs.

The new FACNMs will be inducted at this year's virtual Annual Meeting, May 23-25, 2021. Learn more at https://annualmeeting.midwife.org/.

Congratulations to our new 2021 FACNMs!

Lauren Abrams, CNM, MSN
Molly Altman, CNM, PhD, MPH
Elizabeth (Betsy) Arnold-Leahy, CNM, LM, DM
Susanrachel Balber-Condon, CNM, DM
L. Kim Baraona, CNM, DNP, CNE
Donna Barisich, CNM, MS
Julie Blumenfeld, CNM, DNP, IBCLC
Carolyn Bottone-Post, CNM, DNP
Suzanne Carrington, CNM, DNP
Linda Karen Church, CNM, MSN
Emma Clark, CNM, MSN, MHS
Lee S. Clay, CNM, MS
Susanna R. Cohen, CNM, DNP, CHSE, FAAN
Lastascia Coleman, CNM, MSN, ARNP
Joan L. Combellick, CNM, PhD, MPH, MSN
Elizabeth Cook, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNL, CPM
Jeanann Sousou Coppola, CNM, DNP, CNE, C-EFM
Barbara Davenport, CNM, MSN
Melissa G. Davis, CNM, FNP, DNP
Stephanie Devane-Johnson, CNM, PhD
Meghan Eagen-Torkko, CNM, PhD
Simon Adriane Ellis, CNM, ARNP, MSN
Jessica Ann Ellis, CNM, PHD
Elise N. Erickson, CNM, PhD
Melicia Escobar, CNM, WHNP-BC, MSN
Christina Felten, CNM, DNP, RNC-OB, PMH-C
Kate T. Finn, CM, CPM, LM, MS
Brooke A. Flinders, CNM, DNP
Diane Folk, CNM, DNP
Gwendolyn A. Foster, CNM, MSN
Mary Franklin, CNM, DNP
Kimberly Garcia, DNP, CNM, WHNP
Tamara Joy Gardner, CNM, MSN
Ami L. Goldstein, CNM, MSN, FNP
Cathy Gordon, CNM, FNP-BC, MS
Patricia Hanson, CNM, MSN
Beth Helme-Smith MS, APN, CNM, WHNP-C
Susan J. Hernandez, CNM, MSN
Kathy S. Higgins, CNM, MS
Carol Hirschfield, CNM, MS
Karen Johnson Feltham, CNM, PhD
Theresa Kouadio, CNM, MSN
Ann Konkoly, CNM, MBA, MSN, APRN
Dianna E. Kristeller CNM, DNP, APRN
Rochelle Lipshutz, CNM, OB/GYN NP, MS
Phyllis Lynn, CNM, MS
Nancy MacMorris-Adix, CNM, MN
Laura Manns-James, CNM, PhD, WHNP-BC, CNE
Linda R. McDaniel, CNM, DNP, RNFA
Emily C. McGahey CNM, DM, MSN
Amanda McPherson Shafton, CNM, DNP
Shaunti Meyer, CNM, PhD
Alexandra Michel, CNM, PhD
LaVonne M. Moore, DNP, APRN, CNM, BC-WHNP, IBCLC, ICCE
Jeremy L. Neal, CNM, PhD
Emily Neiman, CNM, MS
Nancy A. Niemczyk, CNM, PhD
Robin L. Page, CNM, PhD
Komkwuan P. Paruchabutr, CNM, WHNP-BC, FNP-BC, DNP
Deborah K. Price, CNM, DrPH
Krysta Ramirez Henry, CNM, DNP
Gayle L. Riedmann, CNM, MS
Karen Robinson, CNM, PhD
Susan Rooks, CNM, MPH, Capt. (ret.) USPHS
Lee Roosevelt, CNM, PhD, MPH
Tonja M. A. Santos, CNM, MSN
Ann M. Schaeffer, CNM, DNP, MEd, CNE
Judith M. Schlaeger, CNM, LAc, PhD, FAAN
Nicole L. Sczekan, CNM, MSN, CARN-AP
Roseanne Seminara, CNM, MS
Holly Smith, CNM, MSN, MPH
Denise C. Smith, CNM, PhD
Venus Standard, CNM, MSN, LCCE
Kristin Stovern, CNM, MSN, APRN-C
Margaret C. Taylor, CNM, DNP
Joanne S. Tennyson, CNM, WHNP-BC, MSN
E. Brie Thumm, CNM, PhD, MBA
Stephanie Tillman, CNM, MSN
Kim Updegrove, CNM, MSN, MPH, APRN
Shaughanassee Vines, CNM, DNP, CNE

ABOUT ACNM:

With over 6,500 members, ACNM is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. ACNM promotes excellence in midwifery education, clinical practice, and research. With roots dating to 1929, our members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health.

ACNM provides research, administers, and promotes continuing education programs, establishes education and clinical practice standards, and creates liaisons with state and federal agencies and members of Congress to increase the visibility and recognition of midwifery care.

Learn more at https://www.midwife.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT
ACNM Membership & Communications
240.485.1813; membership@acnm.org

The Fellows of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (FACNM) Board of Governors is delighted to share the names of the 81 exemplary midwives who have been accepted for Fellowship in 2021. Last year, we revised the Fellowship criteria to increase diversity and inclusivity, resulting in our welcoming the largest group of inductees in ACNM history.

Related link: https://www.midwife.org/

Midwives for an Equitable and Sustainable Future: ACNM Extends Year of Nurse and Midwife, Begins Decade of the Midwife

SILVER SPRING, Md. /ScoopCloud/ -- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization extended the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife into 2021 in Europe, to celebrate and recognize the hard work of nurses and midwives fighting the pandemic. The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) supports this decision and hereby extends this recognition to the United States.

The COVID-19 pandemic has showcased the critical role midwives play in keeping people healthy across the lifespan. It has also exposed the weaknesses in our healthcare systems and the enormous challenges midwives face every day, as well as shined a light on their incredible commitment and courage. Finally, it has given us the opportunity to reconsider and explore models of care that center midwifery care. As the world's oldest profession, midwives must play an integral part in the future of the world's healthcare.

2021 also kicks off the "Decade of the Midwife" (2021-2030), an initiative led by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). We are at a pivotal point in history, and the actions we take over the next ten years will determine the future direction of healthcare. This initiative will aim to highlight the role of midwives as gender champions in their communities and disseminate evidence about the vital need for midwives to transform quality sexual and reproductive healthcare for a sustainable future.

"We are thrilled to extend the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife and kick off the Decade of the Midwife," stated ACNM President, Cathy Collins-Fulea, DNP, CNM, FACNM. "Given the critical roles midwives have played in the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever there is a need to celebrate, uplift, and center midwives in the conversation about improved healthcare."

ACNM's goals for the Decade of the Midwife center around four categories: practice, education, research, and policy. This initiative will integrate seamlessly with our strategic goals, mission, campaigns, and contributions over the next ten years. By focusing on how we can center the midwife in the fight for equitable and sustainable global healthcare, we can work to achieve sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.

About ACNM

With over 6,500 members, ACNM is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. ACNM promotes excellence in midwifery education, clinical practice, and research. With roots dating to 1929, our members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. ACNM provides research, administers, and promotes continuing education programs, establishes education and clinical practice standards, and creates liaisons with state and federal agencies and members of Congress to increase the visibility and recognition of midwifery care.

Learn more at https://www.midwife.org/.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization extended the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife into 2021 in Europe, to celebrate and recognize the hard work of nurses and midwives fighting the pandemic. The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) supports this decision and hereby extends this recognition to the United States.

Related link: https://www.midwife.org/

Senate Reintroduces Legislation to Federally Invest in Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Program

SILVER SPRING, Md. /ScoopCloud/ -- Yesterday, the Senate reintroduced the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA) Act, critical legislation that seeks to reduce the disparate maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates, especially among Black and Brown birthing people and infants. The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) strongly supports the MOMMA Act.

Spearheaded by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the MOMMA Act would, among other initiatives, establish grant opportunities for entities with proven approaches to improving our nation's mortality rate by offering better maternal and postpartum health care.

Specifically, the MOMMA Act would invest federal funding in the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) program, a national partnership of organizations, including ACNM, with goals improving the culture of care to eliminate preventable maternal mortality and severe morbidity across the care continuum.

The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) strongly supports the MOMMA Act and applauds Senators Durbin and Duckworth for their leadership and commitment to improving the culture of health for pregnant and postpartum people.

"All pregnant and birthing people and babies should be served by a maternity care system that delivers safe, equitable, ethical, and patient-centered care, the hallmarks of midwifery," stated ACNM President, Cathy Collins-Fulea, DNP, CNM, FACNM. "Midwives stand ready to work with policymakers and stakeholders to implement evidence-based solutions, including reducing primary cesarean sections and increasing access to midwives and midwifery-led care models, to help improve maternal health outcomes for all people and communities."

Every year across the United States, of the 4,000,000 people who give birth, about 700 suffer fatal complications during pregnancy, while giving birth, or during the postpartum period, and 70,000 suffer near-fatal, partum-related complications. These statistics disproportionately impact Black and Brown pregnant and birthing people. Through the implementation of a comprehensive set of policies to improve data collection, dissemination of information on effective interventions, and expansion of access to health care and social services for postpartum people, the MOMMA Act is another piece of critical legislation that if realized, can help address escalating rates of maternal mortality and morbidity disproportionately impacting these communities.

Contact Amy Kohl (akohl@acnm.org) ACNM Director, Advocacy & Government Affairs, for more information on the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA) Act.

About ACNM

With over 6,500 members, ACNM is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. ACNM promotes excellence in midwifery education, clinical practice, and research. With roots dating to 1929, our members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. ACNM provides research, administers, and promotes continuing education programs, establishes education and clinical practice standards, and creates liaisons with state and federal agencies and members of Congress to increase the visibility and recognition of midwifery care.

Learn more at https://www.midwife.org/.

CONTACT INFO:
ACNM Membership & Communications
240.485.1813; membership@acnm.org

Yesterday, the Senate reintroduced the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA) Act, critical legislation that seeks to reduce the disparate maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates, especially among Black and Brown birthing people and infants. The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) strongly supports the MOMMA Act.

Related link: https://www.midwife.org/

JNL Technologies Launches Quantum SA Standalone Wander Management Control Unit

IXONIA, Wis. /ScoopCloud/ -- JNL Technologies, maker of Quantum nurse call, wander management, and access control systems, is now shipping Quantum SA, a standalone wander management system. Using the same proven Bluetooth technology as JNL's Quantum DCS product line, the Quantum SA does not require cable installation or the purchase of a Quantum server and is perfect for smaller areas that do not require centralized management.

"We are proud to release a version of our technology in a door monitor that doesn't require wire runs or a server to control it. The Quantum DCS has been installed in facilities across the country and works well in areas that other wander management systems fail due to old technology and interference issues," says JNL President, Jim Gleason. "We felt it was time to develop a cost effective, single door wander management control unit that can replace unreliable older systems."

To simplify installation, the Quantum SA controller provides industry standard input and output options, and in many cases, is a drop-in replacement. The controller and wander management transmitters are managed with a provided Android tablet. With the tablet, users are able to quickly adjust door settings, test transmitter batteries, and turn off unused transmitters.

According to Gleason, "We have always wanted to provide our wander management system to the entire market, and this allows us to do just that. To protect your investment, Quantum SA can be field upgraded when you are ready to transition to the full Quantum system."

The Quantum system is comprehensive and scalable and is designed to meet both budget and community size requirements. Due to this flexibility, Quantum has seen rapid adoption by facilities across the country. In an effort to meet this demand, JNL is actively recruiting new dealers.

More information: https://jnltech.net/quantum-sa-wander-management/

About JNL Technologies:

JNL is a leading provider of nurse call and resident monitoring technology in the senior housing market. JNL has over 30 years of hands-on experience in health care, nurse call, remote monitoring, and wander management technology. With a network of vetted and trained partners, JNL offers fully featured senior safety technology to long-term care communities.

For more information, visit https://jnltech.net/, or contact info@jnltech.net

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0209s2p-quantum-sa-300dpi.jpg
*Caption: JNL Technologies Quantum SA, a standalone wander management system.

JNL Technologies, maker of Quantum nurse call, wander management, and access control systems, is now shipping Quantum SA, a standalone wander management system. Using the same proven Bluetooth technology as JNL's Quantum DCS product line, the Quantum SA does not require cable installation or the purchase of a Quantum server and is perfect for smaller areas that do not require centralized management.

Related link: https://jnltech.net/

Mopec Announces New Morgue Overflow Cold Storage Container Systems

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. /ScoopCloud/ -- Mopec, the nationwide leader in pathology, anatomy, mortuary and necropsy equipment and supplies, announced a new all-inclusive cold storage container system available on a monthly rental basis to provide morgues, funeral homes, and healthcare organizations with increased decedent refrigeration capacity.

These refrigerated containers are perfect for any organization looking for additional on-site refrigerated space. This temporary and expandable system sits at ground level and comes with an attachable ramp for easier loading and unloading. Available in a 20-foot or 40-foot system, these containers can handle 16 to 50 bodies at max capacity.

"There were a number of problems with the refrigerated semitrailers organizations ran into when the pandemic first hit that we have been working with our customers to solve," said Kirk Gossett, Vice President of Global Sales for Mopec. "We combined all of their feedback with our decades of engineering and design experience and created a whole new system that better fits the varying needs across the country."

While the system is electrically powered via "shore" power, it can be easily converted for use with a diesel generator. Because the unit sits on the ground, it eliminates the need for a loading dock or large and dangerous ramps. Offered as an all-inclusive system, the refrigerated container comes with everything needed to increase surge capacity, including Guardian Four or Five Tier Body Storage Racks, Body Storage Trays, Body Bags, and a Battery Powered Body Lift.

Guardian Morgue Overflow Cold Storage Container Systems are included under the Mopec Guardian Systems line and are the ultimate solution when dealing with surge capacity morgue overflow. Mopec Guardian Systems also includes PPE, the patented MERC portable cooling systems, body bags, the Guardian Rack system, and the MaxAir CAPR System.

For more information, or to obtain a quotation, please visit https://www.mopec.com/, or call (800) 362-8491.

About Mopec

Mopec, based in Madison Heights, Michigan, is a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality pathology, anatomy, mortuary, and necropsy equipment and products. Founded in 1992, Mopec differentiates itself through its extensive engineering process, superior design, and market-leading quality. Mopec is Better By Design and specializes in solutions for hospitals, universities, morgues, and a variety of other markets. Mopec is committed to the production innovative products and providing high quality customer service. For more information, visit https://www.mopec.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeff Pemberton
248.284.0871
jpemberton@mopec.com

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0106s2p-mopec-container-300dpi.jpg

*Caption: Mopec Guardian Systems.

Mopec, the nationwide leader in pathology, anatomy, mortuary and necropsy equipment and supplies, announced a new all-inclusive cold storage container system available on a monthly rental basis to provide morgues, funeral homes, and healthcare organizations with increased decedent refrigeration capacity.

Related link: https://www.mopec.com/

Premier Nursing Academy Launches New Center to Train CNAs for Free and Grow Bradenton-Sarasota Area Healthcare Jobs

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Premier Nursing Academy, an institution offering free, state-approved training to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA), has launched its second Florida location in Bradenton. The new Bradenton location is expected to train as many as 500 students in 2021 from the broader Bradenton and Sarasota metro area.

This new campus makes Premier Nursing Academy's innovative no-cost training model available to more students and progressive healthcare employers. Premier Nursing Academy works with area employers who sponsor training and commit to employing candidates who complete Premier Nursing Academy's Florida Board of Nursing-approved CNA program. Attendees of Premier Nursing Academy do not pay any tuition or fees and are also guaranteed a CNA job upon graduation with one of many Bradenton-area employers sponsoring classroom seats.

Premier Nursing Academy's new campus location is 5720 14th St. W, Bradenton, Fla. 34207, in the Southwood Shoppes Shopping Mall. The first class at this location started on November 30, and additional classes are seated on a rolling basis thereafter. Both day and evening class schedules for 4-week and 6-week programs, respectively, are open for approved and sponsored candidates.

Interested applicants may view upcoming classes and apply on the Premier Nursing Academy website: https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/locations/florida/bradenton

"Employers we surveyed overwhelmingly confirmed their need for qualified CNAs in Bradenton and surrounding areas, including Sarasota, Sun City, and Palmetto," says Matt Killday, Chief Operating Officer. "Local healthcare facilities could collectively employ 1,000 or more CNAs in 2021 if they had enough qualified personnel available for them to hire. What we're doing at Premier Nursing Academy is working with employers to identify promising talent and provide them training for free, to get more people certified and into these skilled local jobs that might otherwise go unfilled."

Premier Nursing Academy's training program combines classroom instruction at one of its campus locations with onsite clinical instruction conducted at a participating employer-partner facility. Stringent COVID-19 protocols are in place at all training facilities for the health and safety of Premier Nursing Academy trainees, staff, employers, and patients.

"CNAs play a crucial role on the frontlines of patient care. We're doubling our capacity in Florida to train entry-level health professionals at a critical time," says Killday. "Our graduates-whether they continue to be CNAs or decide to go into more advanced nursing-are in a high-demand field and are making a difference."

Premier Nursing Academy was started with the goal of creating an training-to-employment pipeline and has graduated close to 1,000 CNAs since its inception in 2017. Founders Chris Palevich, President of Premier Nursing Academy, and his father Rob Palevich recognized a shortage of qualified CNAs in their area and set out to create a solution that could benefit both employers and prospective healthcare workers looking for a streamlined, debt-free pathway into the healthcare profession.

About Premier Nursing Academy

Premier Nursing Academy is a contract training provider serving aspiring healthcare professionals. Founded in 2017, Premier Nursing Academy offers an innovative no-cost training program in which trainees are sponsored by an employer and work for the employer after completion of their program. Premier Nursing Academy engages with employer partners by assisting them in recruiting and training new employees for entry-level healthcare positions or offering training to their existing workforce.

Premier Nursing Academy currently focuses on training certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 4- to 6-week programs that prepare graduates to pass their CNA exam. Premier Nursing Academy operates training centers in Pinellas Park (Tampa metro area) and Bradenton (Sarasota metro area). Premier Nursing Academy is licensed by the Florida Board of Nursing to provide CNA training.

For more information visit https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/

Media Contact:
Chris Palevich, MBA, MSM
President, Premier Nursing Academy
Telephone 260-450-9647
chris.palevich@premiernursingacademy.org

Premier Nursing Academy, an institution offering free, state-approved training to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA), has launched its second Florida location in Bradenton. The new Bradenton location is expected to train as many as 500 students in 2021 from the broader Bradenton and Sarasota metro area.

Related link: https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/

Houston Methodist Improves Patient Access with Blockit’s Digital Care Coordination Platform

MCKINNEY, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Blockit, the leader in highly integrated digital care coordination and scheduling solutions for health systems, and Houston Methodist, a national recognized healthcare innovation leader and leading academic medical center serving the Greater Houston area, today announced that Houston Methodist has selected Blockit's consumer scheduling, referral management and imaging scheduling platform to enable its highly ambitious digital access strategy.

The two organizations have partnered to build a robust healthcare delivery resource directory for Houston Methodist and leverage it to power a new strategy for identifying, scheduling and coordinating the right care experience.

Serving millions of patients across south Texas through a network of six hospitals and more than 1,890 physicians, Houston Methodist's mission is passionately focused on improving the health of the people and communities it serves, and the health system is ambitiously leading the nation with their efforts to improve patient access through innovation.

To enhance both patient and provider experience, Houston Methodist started by leveraging Blockit's referral solution to quickly and seamlessly integrate both employed and affiliated provider's scheduling availability and workflow into one easy to use experience. Quick success from this phase led to significant improvements in reducing leakage and therefore high patient follow through while also improving patient and provider satisfaction.

Blockit's sophisticated data management combined with proprietary EMR integration strength allows patient data and appointments to be normalized for improved user experience while also leveraging existing healthcare infrastructure and workflows.

"We are excited to partner with Blockit on these innovative access strategies. These tools will allow our patients faster access to our services wherever and whenever they want them," said Cathy Easter, Senior Vice President and CEO at Houston Methodist.

In collaboration with Blockit, Houston Methodist has launched online appointment scheduling, referral management, lab and imaging scheduling solutions powered by the Blockit platform. Houston Methodist will deliver on its vision to lead healthcare innovation that improves patient care.

Through Blockit's sophisticated integration with multiple underlying electronic health record systems, Houston Methodist is now able to provide a convenient and highly effective consumer scheduling and care coordination experience for both new and existing patients completely within existing health system workflows.

"Especially considering Houston Methodist leadership in innovating healthcare, it is a real honor for Blockit to be recognized by Houston Methodist as a strategic partner," said Jake McCarley, CEO of Blockit. "We're excited for the promise of our platform to be realized by Houston Methodist for their patients."

About Blockit:

Blockit's focus on simplifying healthcare processes for everyone motivated the company to build technologies that improve patient access and lead to better patient outcomes. By combining advanced technology with expert service and support, Blockit removes the barriers that stand in the way of patient access and care. Learn more at: https://www.blockitnow.com/

About Houston Methodist:

Houston Methodist is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas and among the top 20 hospitals nationwide. Houston Methodist is the only nationally ranked Honor Roll hospital in the state and is designated as a Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing.

Media Contact:
Dave Gregorio
Chief Customer Officer
dave.gregorio@blockitnow.com
‪(248) 215-2729‬‬‬

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0918s2p-blockit-logo-300dpi.jpg

Blockit, the leader in highly integrated digital care coordination and scheduling solutions for health systems, today announced that Houston Methodist has selected Blockit's consumer scheduling, referral management and imaging scheduling platform to enable its highly ambitious digital access strategy.

Related link: https://www.blockitnow.com/

Children’s Hospital LA Study on Mobile Devices includes UV-C Disinfection

LINDON, Utah /ScoopCloud/ -- Use of smartphones and other mobile devices in the healthcare setting has skyrocketed over the past decade, but infection prevention protocols designed to keep them clean have not kept pace, says PhoneSoap. In fact, research suggests as few as 13-37% of healthcare providers report regularly cleaning their devices.

This leaves a significant gap in healthcare infection prevention and control efforts as mounting evidence shows mobile devices frequently carry pathogenic bacteria and viruses on their surfaces, posing a significant infection risk to healthcare providers and the patients they treat.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles takes disinfecting of mobile devices very seriously. Recently, their Infectious Disease physicians conducted and published a study in the American Journal of Infection Control titled, "Shining a light on the pathogenicity of health care providers' mobile phones: use of a novel Ultraviolet C wave disinfection device."

The study evaluated the disinfection efficacy of a UV-C device, PhoneSoap Pro generation 1, for the mobile phones of pediatric residents and nurses working a 12-hour shift on a pediatric medical/surgical unit. The researchers found that total pathogenic bacterial counts were reduced by 98.2% after one 30-second disinfection cycle and by >99.99% after two disinfection cycles.

"The use of UV-C light allows us to disinfect cell phones in a sustainable manner without the use of wipes or cleaning products," said Sanchi Malhotra, MD, a fellow in infectious diseases at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and primary investigator of the study. The researchers also point to the fact that many wipes are not intended for use on mobile devices, are not recyclable, and are subject to shortage.

The effective pathogenic reduction seen after just a 30-second disinfection cycle aligns with the needs of the healthcare industry for which time constraints and workflow patterns demand a rapid and efficient solution. The technology also provides an opportunity for establishing an easily-implemented disinfection protocol.

Jeffrey Bender, MD, a specialist in infectious diseases at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, said, "In hospitals, we are already using UV-C light to disinfect equipment, patient rooms, and other spaces. Using a UV-C device allows us to standardize the process of disinfecting personal cell phones and potentially further reduce risk of infection."

Citing survey results demonstrating that the staff overwhelmingly endorsed use of the device, the study authors conclude that the phone and tablet disinfecting technology offers a valuable and well-received approach to reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections and protecting healthcare providers.

ABOUT PHONESOAP:

PhoneSoap was invented by cousins Dan Barnes and Wes LaPorte after recognizing the need to decontaminate hand-held devices. They conducted testing and results proved that the average phone is 18 times dirtier than a public bathroom. PhoneSoap has sold over two million consumer units and continues to grow at a rapid speed. In the past three years, additional models have been released as well as newer devices including PhoneSoap Go, HomeSoap and screen-cleaning accessories like the PhoneSoap Shine and Microfiber Pad 3-pack. PhoneSoap's focus continues to be making the world a healthier place.

Learn more at: https://www.phonesoap.com/

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0728s2p-med-pro-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: Med Pro with table stand.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Denise Graham
deniseAgraham@gmail.com (202)294-6314

Kelli Sprunt
kelli@phonesoap.com (951)505-3374

Use of smartphones and other mobile devices in the healthcare setting has skyrocketed over the past decade, but infection prevention protocols designed to keep them clean have not kept pace, says PhoneSoap. In fact, research suggests as few as 13-37% of healthcare providers report regularly cleaning their devices.

Related link: https://www.PhoneSoap.com/

Healthcare Career Pathways Collaborative Program Honors Third Cohort Graduates

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Healthcare Career Pathways, a collaborative educational program created by Mt. Diablo Adult Education; Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda; and Opportunity Junction, is proud to announce the graduation of its third cohort of Certified Nursing Assistants, who are set to take the front lines as critical care staff for older adults in nursing homes, residential care facilities, and hospitals.

This program funded by the John Muir Community Health Fund is an innovative partnership designed to provide opportunities for students with addressable barriers to enter the medical field. The training program expands beyond the basic curriculum and includes supportive services such as transportation, food, and more.

"Our collaborative has developed creative solutions to keep our students on track toward their goal of completing training and serving seniors," says Opportunity Junction's Vice President of Programs, Brianna Robinson. "During this time, we have transitioned to a distance learning model, all while providing students with extensive ongoing support to help them on their way to full-time employment. We look forward to celebrating them during our socially distanced graduation on July 24."

As a program developed to address the critical shortage of healthcare workers, Healthcare Career Pathways has proven itself by attracting national attention in the Root Cause Coalition's "Status of Health Equity Report," and is a necessary model for answering the need for healthcare workers trained in person-centered care principles.

The graduation is set to take place outside at Mt. Diablo Adult Education on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 6 p.m.

About Healthcare Career Pathways:

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program offers motivated job seekers the opportunity to enter the healthcare field, earn a higher wage, and access pathways to greater economic success. The program, in partnership with Mt. Diablo Adult Education; Opportunity Junction; and Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda, includes 12 weeks of CNA training, life skills training, hands-on clinical experience, and job placement assistance. For more, visit: https://opportunityjunction.org/need-a-job/cna-training.

About Mt. Diablo Adult Education:

Mt. Diablo Adult Education provides lifelong learning opportunities for adults of all ages and abilities to achieve their education, employment, community, and personal goals. We also value and are committed to partnerships and collaborations that better serve the diverse Mt. Diablo Unified School District community. For more information, visit: https://mdae.mdusd.org.

About Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda:

Ombudsman Services is the only organization mandated by law to make unannounced visits to long-term care facilities to ensure that residents are free from abuse and are receiving quality care. We have been aiding the community for more than 40 years, and all services are free of charge. We serve Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda counties with our team of highly trained Ombudsman staff and volunteers. For more information, visit http://www.ccombudsman.org/.

About Opportunity Junction:

We believe that everyone who is willing to work hard deserves an opportunity to succeed. Unfortunately, too many of our neighbors face barriers to employment, such as a lack of skills or confidence that they cannot overcome on their own. They need training and support to break the cycle of low-wage jobs and public assistance. Opportunity Junction helps low-income Contra Costa residents get and keep good jobs by providing training, support, experience, and employer introductions. When we work together, motivated job seekers get what they need to launch a career. For more information, visit: https://opportunityjunction.org.

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT:
Susie Hays
760-458-9201
Susie@Q2Mark.com

Healthcare Career Pathways, a collaborative educational program created by Mt. Diablo Adult Education; Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda; and Opportunity Junction, is proud to announce the graduation of its third cohort of Certified Nursing Assistants.

Related link: https://www.ccsombudsman.org/

Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda, Together with Collaborative Partners, Distributes Free PPE to Facilities in Alameda County

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda today announces the upcoming free drive-through PPE distribution to Alameda County facilities on Friday, June 26, 2020.

"We have a dedicated team supporting long-term care residents in the Alameda community," says Nicole Howell, Executive Director of Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda. "We are so happy to come together with other organizations and community partners to help the hardworking frontline staff care for our seniors."

This will be the third distribution of gloves, sanitizer, and face masks in the East Bay Area for Ombudsman Services, helping to protect a portion of the 29,000 long-term care residents that it serves.

To reserve supplies, employees of Licensed Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs)and Adult Residential Facilities (ARFs) in Alameda County should visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM5HSLgJRfqNsJse-RPsaNeraWpTrDEbZ6udUZG9Ar7ZIUjQ/viewform by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Facilities will receive an emailed confirmation alerting them to a pickup time and location for Friday morning.

Because this is a contactless pickup, those attending should write the name of their facility on an 8.5 x 11-inch piece of paper and place it on their dashboard.

Friday's distribution in Alameda County will be held in partnership with Creating New Hope, East Bay Community Energy, EBPPE.Org, as well as with the City of Dublin and the California National Guard.

About Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda:
Ombudsman Services is the only organization mandated by law to make unannounced visits to long-term care facilities to ensure that residents are free from abuse and are receiving quality care. We have been aiding the community for more than 40 years, and all services are free of charge. We serve Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda counties with our team of highly trained Ombudsman staff and volunteers.

For more information, visit https://www.ccsombudsman.org/.

About Creating New Hope:
We specialize in identifying quality assisted living communities. We are specific and comprehensive in our approach. Our senior living advocates prescreen each community, checking licensing and regulatory history directly from the California Department of Social Services database. By providing families with relevant information, they can choose an appropriate assisted living community that will meet their loved one's needs.

We are advocates who share unbiased insights and recommendations. We understand how difficult this process is, and our intention is to be a guiding light during this transition.

Learn More: https://creatingnewhope.org

About East Bay Community Energy:
East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) is the local electricity supplier in Alameda County. EBCE provides cleaner, greener energy at competitive rates to our customers. EBCE reinvests earnings back into the community to create local green energy jobs, local programs, and clean power projects.

Learn More: https://ebce.org

About EBPPE.Org:
We are the members of Music4Heart, a volunteer organization that performs music for seniors and children with special needs, and now we have turned our attention to COVID-19. We are planning to have a virtual concert at the end of this month. At the same time, we would like to organize a fundraising campaign to help donate masks and other PPE to hospitals and communities.

Learn More: https://www.ebppe.org

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT:
Susie Hays
760-458-9201
susie@q2mark.com

Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda today announces the upcoming free drive-through PPE distribution to Alameda County facilities on Friday, June 26, 2020.

Related link: https://www.ccsombudsman.org/

CareSight Addresses the Need for Reliable And Secure Vocera Voice Communications During The COVID-19 Crisis

WESTPORT, Conn. /ScoopCloud/ -- CareSight is excited to offer two custom headsets, suitable for use with all B2000, B3000, and B3000N Vocera voice badges, that easily allow healthcare personnel to combine hands-free and private conversations with Vocera.

We developed our unique line of Vocera-friendly headsets with a deep understanding of our hospital customers' high-noise environments and privacy-sensitive situations. Comfortable, ergonomic, and featuring the perfect cord length, these affordable solutions ensure clear, private communications-even in the noisiest environments. CareSight's 13-inch cord single earbud headsets and 20-inch cord over-the-ear C-ring headsets come with a 30-day warranty and are compatible with other 2.5mm voice devices.

"Vocera voice is an essential part of Northern Westchester Hospital's focus on exceptional patient experience. Reducing noise and ensuring privacy is at the core of all of our communication initiatives. Headsets have been part of our Vocera strategy for many years. We worked with the CareSight team to develop a solution that staff can wear comfortably for an entire shift and that delivered a high-fidelity voice experience," says George Weldon, Administrative Director, Ambulatory Surgery, POS--Operating Room at Northern Westchester Hospital.

To learn more, visit https://voceraheadsets.com/.

ABOUT CARESIGHT

CareSight's team has deployed and supported Vocera voice since 2003 and has provided custom Vocera-specific headset solutions to customers since 2009-including whole hospital mandatory headset initiatives. The CareSight analytics platform is often deployed as part of comprehensive noise reduction initiatives. Headsets provide our customers with another tool to abate noise and reinforce a quieter hospital environment.

First deployed in 2012 as part of T2 Technical Services' work supporting clinical communications deployments, CareSight became its own dedicated company in 2016. CareSight integrates and unifies data from patient management data systems, nurse call systems, patient monitoring, and real-time location devices to provide visibility and insight into patient care operations. By combining an experienced team with a comprehensive, multi-source view of the alarm activity in hospital environments, CareSight enables hospitals to confidently execute data-driven improvements.

To learn more, visit https://voceraheadsets.com/.

Vocera(R) is a trademark of Vocera Communications, Inc., registered in the United States and other jurisdictions. CareSight, LLC is an independent service provider and is not part of Vocera Communications, Inc.

CareSight is excited to offer two custom headsets, suitable for use with all B2000, B3000, and B3000N Vocera voice badges, that easily allow healthcare personnel to combine hands-free and private conversations with Vocera.

Related link: https://voceraheadsets.com/

Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda Issues Statement on COVID-19 Outbreak at Orinda Convalescent Facility

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- At least 49 people test positive for the novel coronavirus at Orinda nursing home. "We are saddened to find out about the situation at the Orinda Care Center, where it has been reported 27 residents and 22 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19," says Nicole Howell, executive director of Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda.

"These seniors are our community's most vulnerable and valuable members, and they deserve access to the highest level of care and protection we can provide. Ombudsman Services is privileged to serve these residents, and we are on standby to offer support and resources to them during this challenging time."

Nicole adds, "It is almost surreal that we are all faced with a situation that just a month ago, we could not have fathomed. We are hopeful as we see our country and communities rise to the challenge, seeking to protect our most vulnerable, but there is so much more to be done. This local outbreak underscores the urgent need for us to double up on our commitments to practice all safety guidelines for this virus while working to maintain high engagement and connection with our seniors. We call on all members of our community to connect with the old adults in their lives via phone call, Zoom, social media, email, and other forms of digital communication."

"Unfortunately, our most vulnerable seniors are those in long-term care facilities like Orinda Care Center, and they require the most protection. To ensure their safety, it is of utmost importance that facilities and caregivers have access to all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE)," Howell goes on to say. "Further, facility staff should only be working at one facility to prevent possible spread to other facilities and should be compensated accordingly."

Nicole emphasizes, "We call upon cities, counties, elected officials, and all citizens to engage in this process and ensure that senior care facilities have the necessary supplies, food, and means to keep their residents safe. We hope you will all join us in taking a stand and ensuring that our seniors are safe."

About Nicole Howell:
As the executive director for Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda, Nicole is responsible for ensuring that the nearly 500,000 seniors in those counties have access to the highest level of care and respect and, above all, are able to live free of abuse and neglect.

Throughout her decadelong career in the nonprofit community, Nicole has helped cultivate change through a belief that there are power and equity in shared leadership. She believes that powerful leadership is met with equal parts enthusiasm, engagement, and connection to the team and those you are working with.

"I've always had a passion for the nonprofit community, but when I became part of Ombudsman Services, something just clicked. I quickly found myself becoming a fierce advocate for seniors and dependent adults and was driven to immerse myself in culture-changing initiatives and person-centered care philosophies. It's a true honor to be able to use my voice for those who don't quite know how to or can't."

An avid speaker on all topics on elder advocacy and elder justice, Nicole is honored to serve and be a part of the Solano Partners Against Violence as a Solano County appointed board member, a member of the Core Project Team for the Alliance to End Abuse, a member of the Steering Committee for the California Elder Justice Coalition, a member of the Council for Age-Friendly Communities - Alameda County, a board member for the Trinity Center - Contra Costa County, a member of the Rotary Club of Walnut Creek Sunrise, and 2020 Walnut Creek Chair for Wine, Women, and Shoes.

About Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda:

Ombudsman Services is the only organization mandated by law to make unannounced visits to long-term care facilities to ensure that residents are free from abuse and are receiving quality care. We have been aiding the community for more than 40 years and all services are free of charge. We serve Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda Counties with our team of highly trained Ombudsman staff and volunteers.

For more information, visit https://www.ccsombudsman.org/

At least 49 people test positive for the novel coronavirus at Orinda nursing home. "We are saddened to find out about the situation at the Orinda Care Center, where it has been reported 27 residents and 22 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19," says Nicole Howell, executive director of Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda.

Related link: https://www.ccsombudsman.org/

TryTank Experimental Lab launches ‘Dial-A-Priest’

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- TryTank Experimental Lab is making Dial-A-Priest available to hospitals around the country starting Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Dial-A-Priest is a free service that connects callers to an Episcopal clergyperson who can offer the "Ministration at the Time of Death" from the Book of Common Prayer by telephone to hospital patients.

The hotline can be reached 24 hours a day at (213) 423-3600. The number can easily be found at www.dialapriest.com. On mobile devices the site functions as one-click dialing.

"The anticipated number of people who will die from this pandemic will be too large for our hospitals medically and has already exceeded what the Church can respond to pastorally," said the Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, director of the TryTank. "Too many people are dying at the same time, and without the physical presence of a local pastor. This is a way to use the gifts of clergy from all over the United States to help where there is the most need."

While the clergy on the hotline are all Episcopal, they will offer the prayers to any person who wishes to receive them.

After conceiving the idea, TryTank put out a call to mainly retired Episcopal priests through Facebook and other channels. Within hours more than 75 volunteers had been screened and were undergoing orientation on how to use the system.

"What strikes me about this tragedy is how alone everyone is. We are all alone in our various isolations," the Rev. Alice Downs said. "But through this project I can reach into someone's aloneness. From way over here on an island off the coast of Maine I can say to someone dying alone those ancient sacred words that bind us as one people."

TryTank Experimental Laboratory for Church Growth and Innovation is a joint project between Virginia Theological Seminary and the General Theological Seminary. TryTank offers inventive approaches to the challenges facing the Episcopal Church. Working in partnership across the Episcopal Church, TryTank works to understand the forces threatening the church in order to identify creative ways to equip future leaders to reinvigorate the church.

Learn more at: https://www.dialapriest.com/

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0406s2p-Rev-Lebrija-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija director of the TryTank Experimental Lab.

TryTank Experimental Lab is making Dial-A-Priest available to hospitals around the country starting Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Dial-A-Priest is a free service that connects callers to an Episcopal clergyperson who can offer the "Ministration at the Time of Death" from the Book of Common Prayer by telephone to hospital patients.

Related link: https://www.dialapriest.com/

OverSightMD activates self-quarantine support service for vulnerable seniors and employees on quarantine

MILPITAS, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- OverSightMD Inc., headquartered in Milpitas, California, has activated a self-quarantine support service through its existing Push Button Care division. The purpose is to apply our Push Button Care senior health monitoring program to meet the health monitoring needs of the medically vulnerable or others who may need to self-quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak.

We have adapted the Push Button Care health monitoring service to offer self-quarantine support at $29.95 a month. Push Button Care provides tracking of symptoms, vitals, and health concerns. Complex health conditions can be tracked: pain level, blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen, temperature, respiratory rate, weight, and glucose, as well as symptoms associated with the Coronavirus including fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Push Button Care keeps the communication line open with the client's entire care team so that healthcare providers can monitor without bringing vulnerable patients into offices, emergency departments, and clinics unnecessarily. Through a simple mobile application, key health metrics can be tracked and shared with anyone authorized by the client.

The Push Button Care personal assistant team coordinates non-emergency support with primary care physicians, licensed home health nurses, and caregivers.

4 Simple Steps to Report Symptoms, Vitals and Concerns:
1. Log in to the Push Button Care online platform
2. Enter vitals, symptoms, and concerns and Press Submit
3. Information is sent and analyzed by the Push Button Care platform and shared with healthcare providers authorized by the client
4. Appropriate levels of medical response and assistance are tracked by the Push Button Care team to make sure each client receives timely care and attention

OverSightMD's website at https://oversightmd.com/ contains full information about Push Button Care services and our mission to support seniors and others while keeping them safe at home.

"When I saw the coronavirus outbreak developing, I realized we could adapt our senior independence support product to create a self-quarantine support service as a monitoring and response solution for our most vulnerable citizens," says Mark Godwin, CEO of OverSightMD. "We also encourage hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies among others, to contact us to see if we can partner on a solution for them to monitor vulnerable patients and staff at home."

About OverSightMD:

OverSightMD Inc. (https://oversightmd.com/) is a care management organization that provides comprehensive aging in place solutions through its Push Button Care division. Healthcare plans and non-affiliated hospitals, physicians, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and home care companies can function as a unified healthcare delivery system through the Push Button Care network. OverSightMD maintains the Push Button Care integrated healthcare network and care management platform to actively coordinate care and information to improve aging in place while reducing ER visits and hospitalizations.

Follow on social media:
Main: https://www.facebook.com/OverSightMD
Push Button Care: https://www.facebook.com/PushButtonCare/

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OverSightMD Inc., headquartered in Milpitas, California, has activated a self-quarantine support service through its existing Push Button Care division. The purpose is to apply our Push Button Care senior health monitoring program to meet the health monitoring needs of the medically vulnerable or others who may need to self-quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Related link: https://oversightmd.com

Bernhard and ProStar announce national agreement with HealthTrust for Energy-as-a-Service solutions

DALLAS, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Bernhard and ProStar Energy Solutions (ProStar) announced today an agreement with HealthTrust to offer Energy-as-a-Service solutions to member hospitals and health systems nationwide. The agreement offers HealthTrust members a comprehensive choice of services including engineering design, construction, operations & maintenance and financing that are designed to reduce energy consumption.

"The Bernhard ProStar team has an innovative and valuable service offering that aligns perfectly with HealthTrust's mission of improving operational excellence through total spend efficiency," said Ed Jones, HealthTrust President and CEO. "We are excited to welcome them and look forward to the benefits that their Energy-as-a-Service solutions will bring to our membership."

Bernhard currently works with nearly 1,400 hospitals nationwide, with healthcare facilities making up more than half of its Energy-as-a-Service operations. This agreement marks a decisive expansion in this space. Already, the firm calculates savings of $50 million in operating expenses every year for the healthcare facilities it serves.

"I am certain this first-of-a-kind agreement will prove beneficial to countless healthcare providers and the communities they serve," said Bernhard CEO Ed Tinsley. "The unique capabilities of the Bernhard ProStar team are proven to reduce operating costs, enhance resiliency and reliability, transfer risk, and improve the bottom line."

ProStar has more than 30 years of experience and has completed over 10,000 projects focused on energy optimization and sustainability, through lighting and solar solutions. ProStar is currently one of three LED vendors to provide lighting audit and design services, lighting product procurement, labor and installation services, and energy rebate administration to the members of HealthTrust. ProStar and Bernhard are currently delivering an Energy-as-a-Service project for AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

"We have a long history with Bernhard and are excited about this new opportunity to share our turnkey solutions in the healthcare sector with HealthTrust's diverse membership," said Jerry Jones Jr, ProStar Chairman.

To learn more, visit Bernhard.com, ProStarEnergy.com, and HealthTrustPG.com.

About Bernhard

Bernhard is one of the largest privately-owned engineering, mechanical and electrical contractors in America with 100+ years of energy and infrastructure project experience servicing higher education, healthcare, commercial and specialty markets. Bernhard combines development, financing, design, construction and operations to deliver turnkey Energy-as-a-Service solutions that reduce energy use, risk and cost so that our clients can focus on their everyday work. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Bernhard has more than 2,000 employees in more than 20 office locations across the country. Information: https://bernhard.com/.

About ProStar Energy Solutions

ProStar is dedicated to helping businesses save money by providing the best turnkey energy-efficient and renewable energy solutions available. ProStar's portfolio of solutions includes LED lighting, automated controls, solar, HVAC, mechanical systems, utility bill auditing and energy procurement services. ProStar is headquartered at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Information: https://prostarenergy.com/.

About HealthTrust

HealthTrust (HealthTrust Purchasing Group, L.P.) is committed to strengthening provider performance and clinical excellence through an aligned membership model and the delivery of total spend management advisory solutions that leverage operator experience, scale and innovation. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., HealthTrust serves more than 1,600 hospitals and health systems, and more than 43,000 other member locations including ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, long-term care and alternate care sites. Information: https://healthtrustpg.com/.

Bernhard and ProStar Energy Solutions (ProStar) announced today an agreement with HealthTrust to offer Energy-as-a-Service solutions to member hospitals and health systems nationwide. The agreement offers HealthTrust members a comprehensive choice of services including engineering design, construction, operations and maintenance.

Related link: https://prostarenergy.com/

CALNOC Announces the CALNOC Nightingale Research Fund: Raising Nursing’s Voice in Health Services Research

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- CALNOC is pleased to introduce The CALNOC Nightingale Research Fund, an innovative and opportune resource in health services research focused on and administrated by nursing. "We are excited to announce the Research Fund today in honor of Florence Nightingale and in celebration of the Year of the Nurse 2020. This fund will stimulate and support new research and clinical inquiry with emphasis on nursing's contribution," said Dr. Mary E. Foley PhD, RN, FAAN and Chairperson of CALNOC.

"This Fund will provide awards and matching funds to qualified individuals and non-profit institutions in support of clinical inquiry on nursing's contributions to improving clinical care of patients, population health management, staff engagement and satisfaction, and health care operations," added Tony Sung, Chief Executive Officer of CALNOC.

Each year CALNOC will commit substantial support to the fund and announce its research priorities for the current year. Individuals and non-profit institutions are encouraged to apply.

For more information, priorities for funding as well as application process, please go to our website at https://calnoc.org/.

About CALNOC:

Since 1996, CALNOC has been at the forefront of supporting inter professional, nursing focused patient care excellence, creating the first database registry of nursing sensitive quality indicators. As a health services research organization, CALNOC conducts and supports research and clinical inquiry with a focus on nursing's contribution to improving healthcare. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, CALNOC is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation.

For more information, call 833-225-6621 or visit https://calnoc.org/

CALNOC is pleased to introduce The CALNOC Nightingale Research Fund, an innovative and opportune resource in health services research focused on and administrated by nursing. We are excited to announce the Research Fund today in honor of Florence Nightingale and in celebration of the Year of the Nurse 2020.

Related link: https://calnoc.org/

OverSightMD Saves Precious Time for Family Caregivers Nationwide with Push Button Care Service

MILPITAS, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- OverSightMD is expanding its Push Button Care service with two new exciting products for Family Caregivers. A family caregiver support package and a family caregiver assistant are now part of the Push Button Care lineup of aging in place support solutions.

The Complexity of Aging in Place for Older Adults
Millions of families and friends make sacrifices daily to support an aging in place decision for their loved ones. 87% of older adults aged 65 and over want to stay in their own home and avoid moving into a senior community. The average cost of assisted living facilities across the country is around $4,000 per month, a cost that is too high for most Americans and their families.

Supporting Family Caregivers
There is currently 40.4 million family caregivers across the country and Push Button Care is designed to help them reduce the stress of caring for a loved one. The number of tasks family caregivers do on a daily basis is immense. As a result it can quickly consume an entire day before they even notice. It is common for family caregivers to suffer from depression, burn out, anxiety, and heightened levels of stress due to the demands. Our support team is standing by to help coordinate care, schedule doctor's appointments, hunt down prescription refills, track down a home health care nurse, investigate a medical equipment order or talk to you about any of your other caregiving concerns.

"We understand the need and importance of aging in place for older adults," says Mark Godwin, CEO of OverSightMD, "so we have designed a suite of services at a price point every family can afford."

The Push Button Care family caregiver support package includes access to our cloud-based caregiver platform which includes several tools designed specifically to manage the daily care of a loved one. Our integrated personal health record keeps track of important contacts, tracks vital signs and symptoms, and is perfect for note taking for future visits with care professionals. Also, share real-time wellness updates through an online family dashboard to keep all family members informed to save time.

The Push Button Care family caregiver support service is comprehensive and accessible anytime and anywhere through a small lightweight cellular pendant. The pendant is equipped with automatic fall detection, GPS tracking, a two-way speaker and access to a 24/7 medical alert team. If a family caregiver is having trouble with accessing care and needs to switch a care provider. They can reach out to the Push Button Care support team to receive options for well vetted and highly recommended providers. The Push Button Care aging in place network includes physicians, home health agencies, home care companies, and other local service providers that specialize in supporting seniors aging in place.

Push Button Care Benefits for Family Caregivers

* Aging in Place Advisor
Access an aging in place advisor for local service providers and home safety product recommendations. Stay connected with local senior community resources to avoid isolation and loneliness.

* Automatic Fall Detection
The Push Button Care cellular pendant has automatic fall detection built-in to provide added protection if a fall happens when a caregiver needs to step away.

* Care Coordination Support Team
The Push Button Care support team can lighten the daily workload with setting up appointments and other time consuming tasks related to managing care.

* 24/7 Mobile Medical Alert
A highly trained operators will determine and coordinate the appropriate care - be it a family member, caregiver, emergency medical, fire, or police.

* Symptoms & Vital Signs Tracking
Common symptoms to track are: pain, headaches, fatigue, depression, anxiety, lack of motivation, inflammation, memory problems and insomnia. Family caregivers can also track important vital signs like blood pressure, oxygen levels, and weight on a regular basis to share with care providers through our mobile app.

* Personal Health Record and Family Dashboard
The personal health record is an easy to use online health record for storing and sharing of important health information with physicians or family members. All data is stored in a safe and secure HIPAA compliant cloud infrastructure.

* Wellness Reviews
Our support teams will call and conduct routine wellness reviews to discuss current health or wellness concerns and provide education and recommendations if needed.

* Preventive Care Reminders
Never miss an important annual check up, recommended test or screening again. Our support team keeps family caregivers updated year-round to help reduce the stress of preventive care management.

Learn more: https://pushbutton.care/product/family-caregiver-assistant-kit/

About OverSightMD:
OverSightMD Inc. (https://oversightmd.com/) is a care management organization that provides comprehensive aging in place solutions through its Push Button Care division. Healthcare plans and non-affiliated hospitals, physicians, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies and home care companies can function as a unified healthcare delivery system through the Push Button Care network. OverSightMD maintains the Push Button Care integrated healthcare network and care management platform to actively coordinate care and information to improve aging in place while reducing ER visits and hospitalizations.

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT
Mark Godwin
OverSightMD Inc.
media@oversightmd.com
408-509-2500

*IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1118s2p-oversight-aging-in-place-300dpi.jpg

OverSightMD is expanding its Push Button Care service with two new exciting products for Family Caregivers. A family caregiver support package and a family caregiver assistant are now part of the Push Button Care lineup of aging in place support solutions.

Related link: https://oversightmd.com

November Is C. diff. Awareness Month

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- The C Diff Foundation reemphasizes that the month of November is "C. diff. awareness month" and is being recognized with its partners around the globe again in 2019.

Nancy Caralla, Founding President, Executive Director of the C Diff Foundation, and three-time C. diff. Survivor said, "The month of November was chosen for two reasons. On November 1, 2012 the C Diff Foundation came to fruition. Also, after suffering through the second newly diagnosed CDI with nine-recurrences over a year's time, the month of November was chosen because it was the first month that I received a negative CDI test result without further recurrences."

Caralla further explained that over the past seven years other organizations and survivors, with their families, have joined the C Diff Foundation in "Raising C. diff. Awareness," especially in the month of November originally coined by the C Diff Foundation worldwide.

At the 7th Annual International C. diff. Awareness Conference and Health EXPO held in St. Louis, Missouri on November 6-7, the conference program included Government Agency healthcare professionals and representatives who delivered presentations focused on, but not limited to, Clostridioides difficile. Global organization health care professionals in attendance also recognize November is C. diff. Awareness Month through their presentations, posters, and by introducing products and/or services preventing, treating, diagnosing a CDI and maintaining safer environments in the healthcare community.

C Diff Foundation expresses their gratitude to the numerous state Governors who have recognized C. diff. infections as a leading Healthcare-associated infection by raising awareness during the month of November in their respected states.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Clostridioides difficile infection (aka C. diff., C. difficile, CDI, CDAD) "has become the most common microbial cause of healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals and costs up to $4.8 billion each year in excess health care costs for acute care facilities alone."

Statistics provided by the CDC suggest that C. difficile infections cause nearly 500,000 infections in patients in the U.S. annually. In one study noted by the CDC, among infected patients, nearly 29,000 died within 30 days of being diagnosed, and more than half of those deaths (15,000) were directly attributable to a C. difficile infection.

Learn more at: https://cdifffoundation.org/

About The C Diff Foundation:

C Diff Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established 2012, comprised of 100% volunteering professionals is dedicated at supporting public health through education and advocating for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) prevention, treatments, clinical trials, AMR, and environmental safety worldwide. Listen to "C.diff. Spores and More" Tuesdays at 1 p.m. EST (http://www.cdiffradio.com/), sponsored by Rebiotix, a Ferring Pharmaceuticals company.

Follow C Diff Foundation on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Twitter @cdiffFoundation #Cdiff2019

Media Contact:
Kathy Bischoff
C Diff Foundation
kathy@cdifffoundation.org
Office: (727) 205-3922

The C Diff Foundation reemphasizes that the month of November is "C. diff. awareness month" and is being recognized with its partners around the globe again in 2019.

Related link: https://cdifffoundation.org/

C Diff Foundation’s Junior Infection Fighters Program Takes Action against Harmful Germs One Community at a Time Worldwide

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- C Diff Foundation announced today that the inaugural C Diff Foundation Junior Infection Fighter Program was introduced to families and their children/teens in Chester County, Pennsylvania on October 12, 2019.

Dayle Skelly, Director of the Junior Infection Fighter Program and C. diff. Survivor said, "There shouldn't be an age limit for raising awareness of infection prevention. Children are our future and take forth the torch of knowledge to be shared with everyone in each community."

The volunteer program has been developed for children/teens with the participation and support of their parents/legal guardian and supervision of C Diff Foundation adult volunteers. C Diff Foundation's Junior Infection Fighters Program mission: "To educate and advocate for infection prevention with the children and teens and to inspire their social, academic, personal, and health care knowledge and partner with parents who share the same mission to prepare them to be members of ever changing global health care in societies worldwide."

C Diff Foundation's Junior Infection Fighter guidelines have been brought to fruition, under the direction of a leading infection preventionist, Maureen Spencer, RN, M.Ed., CIC.

Ms. Spencer who has been an Infection Preventionist for over 30 years and board certified in infection control (CIC). As one of the early pioneers in infection control, she was awarded the APIC National Carole DeMille Award in 1990 and was selected as one of the APIC Heroes of Infection Prevention in 2007 for her work in establishing a MRSA and Staph aureus Elimination Program at New England Baptist Hospital, an Orthopedic Center of Excellence in Boston. The ground breaking work was published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

All volunteer attendees enjoyed spending time learning more about practicing healthy habits combined with infection prevention information during the inaugural community event.

"We work together to carve new paths in the multi-faceted patient and family programs offered by C Diff Foundation. Together we build awareness and advocate for C. diff. infection prevention, treatments, clinical trials, antibiotic-resistance, and environmental safety worldwide. We are truly grateful to the dedicated members taking the C Diff Foundation's mission to greater levels changing lives, and saving lives across the globe," said Nancy C. Caralla, Founding President, C Diff Foundation.

About The C Diff Foundation:

C Diff Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established 2012, comprised of 100% volunteering professionals is dedicated at supporting public health through education and advocating for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) prevention, treatments, clinical trials, AMR, and environmental safety worldwide. Listen to "C.diff. Spores and More" Tuesdays at 1 p.m. ET (www.cdiffradio.com), sponsored by Rebiotix, a Ferring Pharmaceuticals company.

Learn more at: http://cdifffoundation.org

Follow C Diff Foundation on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Twitter @cdiffFoundation @Cdiff2019

Media Contact:
Dayle Skelly
Director Junior Infection Fighters Program
C Diff Foundation
info@cdifffoundation.org
Office: (727) 205-3922

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Costs associated with dissemination of this news announcement were donated to the C Diff Foundation by NEOTROPE®, a California-based marketing company.

C Diff Foundation announced today that the inaugural C Diff Foundation Junior Infection Fighter Program was introduced to families and their children/teens in Chester County, Pennsylvania on October 12, 2019.

Related link: https://cdifffoundation.org/

C Diff Foundation Raises Clostridioides difficile Awareness in St. Louis on Nov. 6-7 at 7th Annual International Conference and Health EXPO

ST. LOUIS, Mo. /ScoopCloud/ -- C Diff Foundation announced today that the 7th Annual International C. diff. Conference and Health EXPO is honored to welcome over 30 international topic-experts dedicated in disciplines of healthcare, pharma, biotech, academia, and Government agencies.

Presenters will deliver data and discuss critical information on a leading Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI), Clostridioides difficile with global healthcare-associated issues on November 6 - 7, 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Westport Hotel, 1973 Craigshire Road, St. Louis, MO 63146; Telephone: +1 (314) 434-0100.

To learn more about this extraordinary conference, guest speakers, and the diverse topics being presented visit: https://cdifffoundation.org/2019-guest-speakers/

All attendees will have the highest levels of peer networking and learning opportunity at the Conference and Health EXPO.

C Diff Foundation expresses their gratitude to Pfizer for being the conference Diamond Sponsor. Pfizer is appreciated for their continued support and partnering with the C Diff Foundation in promoting C. diff. Awareness worldwide. This activity has been supported by an independent patient advocacy Grant from Merck & Co., Inc., and the members of the C Diff Foundation are truly grateful.

Attendee Paul Feuerstadt MD, FACG, AGAF stated, "The annual C Diff Foundation conference and health expo is an essential conference for me to attend, given the comprehensive presentations about epidemiology, disease state, patient experience, infection control and innovations with treatment of C. difficile. The level of detail and data presented has a wonderful balance that is understandable for someone casually interested in the infection but also exceeds the expectations for those who are experts in the field wanting to share and exchange ideas with other thought leaders."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Clostridioides difficile infection (aka C. diff., C. difficile, CDI, CDAD) "has become the most common microbial cause of healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals and costs up to $4.8 billion each year in excess health care costs for acute care facilities alone."

Statistics provided by the CDC suggest that C. difficile infections cause nearly 500,000 infections in patients in the U.S. annually. In one study noted by the CDC, among infected patients, nearly 29,000 died within 30 days of being diagnosed, and more than half of those deaths (15,000) were directly attributable to a C. difficile infection.

About The C Diff Foundation:

C Diff Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established 2012, comprised of 100% volunteering professionals is dedicated at supporting public health through education and advocating for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) prevention, treatments, clinical trials, AMR, and environmental safety worldwide. Listen to "C.diff. Spores and More" Tuesday's at 1 p.m. EST (www.cdiffradio.com) sponsored by Rebiotix, a Ferring Pharmaceuticals company.

Learn more at: https://cdifffoundation.org/.

Follow C Diff Foundation on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Twitter @cdiffFoundation #Cdiff2019

Media Contact:
Angelo Ortiz
C Diff Foundation
angelo.ortiz@cdifffoundation.org
Office: (727) 205-3922

*IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1015s2p-cdiff-nov-expo-300dpi.jpg

C Diff Foundation announced today that the 7th Annual International C. diff. Conference and Health EXPO is honored to welcome over 30 international topic-experts dedicated in disciplines of healthcare, pharma, biotech, academia, and Government agencies. November 6 - 7, 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Westport Hotel.

Related link: https://cdifffoundation.org/