All posts by imreal

Society: Christianity

Jo Varshney, Founder and CEO of VeriSIM Life, Wins Gold in Annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business

Leave a comment


Varshney was among seven finalists for “Most Innovative Woman of the Year— Healthcare” and was in elite company alongside healthcare leaders like Axis Research & Technologies COO Jill Goodwin, Biohaven SVP for Clinical Operations Kim Gentile, Recursion COO Tina Larson, Elevance Health CTO Geeta Wilson, SUN HOPE President Masami Toda, and Dr. Lisa Langer, Ph.D.

“I am honored to be chosen as the 2023 recipient of the Gold Stevie Award alongside so many influential women in the healthcare field from all over the world,” said Varshney. “This award is a testament to each woman who has dedicated their lives to innovation in the healthcare industry.”

Originally from India, Varshney moved to the United States in 2010 to study comparative oncology, genomics, and bioinformatics. Through her research, Varshney discovered the difficulties of translating drug candidates from the lab to clinical trials. Varshney built out the concept in a hackathon, won, and founded VeriSIM Life shortly after.

Varshney was nominated for the Healthcare Stevie Award for her leadership in the novel use of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to improve the value of drug candidate intellectual property early in the development lifecycle. VeriSIM Life’s technology uses AI and ML to derive a drug development “credit score,” which radically decreases the risk of errors and failure in the drug research process, improves clinical trials and early patient application success rates, and ultimately decreases time-to-market for novel therapeutics.

“I am proud to be part of a new solution to address the cost and time it takes to bring drugs to market, which has doubled every 10 years, resulting in only 40 new drug approvals annually, while 300 million patients with unmet diseases await new therapies,” added Varshney.

Under Varshney’s leadership, VeriSIM Life is one of the fastest-growing drug discovery technology companies. In 2022, VeriSIM Life closed a $15M Series A round of financing, which brought in more than $25M in operating capital for the company. The company has since secured a multi-year partnership with Mayo Clinic and is expanding its customer base across the globe.

About VeriSIM Life

VeriSIM Life has developed a sophisticated computational platform that leverages advanced AI and ML techniques to improve drug discovery and development by significantly reducing the time and money it takes to bring a drug to market. BIOiSIM® is a first-in-class ‘virtual drug development engine’ that offers unprecedented value for the drug development industry by narrowing down the number of drug compounds that offer anticipated value for the treatment or cure of specific illnesses or diseases. The platform predicts the likelihood of a candidate’s success in clinical trials early in the preclinical stage, while reducing unnecessary experimentation and better informing key program decisions. For more information, visit www.verisimlife.com.

About the Stevie® Awards

Created in 2002, the Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

Media Contact

Melanie Anderson, Pitch Public Relations, 1 480-225-7148, [email protected], www.pitchpublicrelations.com 

SOURCE VeriSIM Life

Health: Abortion

CardioVascular Coalition Calls for Immediate Congressional Action to Prevent Further Clinical Labor Cuts

Leave a comment


The CardioVascular Coalition (CVC) strongly supports the Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act of 2023 (H.R. 3674), introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA-29), Rep. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC-3), and Rep. Danny Davis (IL-D-7). This bipartisan legislation will prevent ongoing cuts to office-based specialists for the next two years. By doing so, it helps stop major disruptions for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Amidst a barrage of reductions in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) over recent years, with decreases surpassing 20% stemming from the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule and clinical labor policy, these ongoing cuts will exacerbate the financial strain on healthcare providers during a period of unparalleled economic instability.

If the cuts are left unaddressed, the end result will be providers closing their doors, therefore depriving peripheral artery disease patients of care in the outpatient settings they prefer. The CVC believes that the cuts will worsen health equity problems and accelerate the consolidation trend across the United States.

“The CVC is gravely concerned how these ongoing cuts would increase instability and further limit patient access to revascularization services that are critical for patients and reduce costs,” said vascular & interventional radiology specialist Jerry Niedzwiecki, MD. “We are asking for Congress to step in and stop these cuts from harming patients and forcing providers to close their doors. H.R. 3674 is a bipartisan solution that can pass before the end of the year, but Congress must make this a priority.”

Dr. Niedzwiecki continued, “To address the issues of patient access and systemic health inequity in our country, Congress must pass the Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act of 2023 (H.R. 3674). Further, CMS must work closely with Congress to fundamentally reform the Physician Fee Schedule so that any future unjustified cuts to specialty provider services can be avoided.”

Media Contact

Grant Herring, CardioVascular Coalition (CVC), 2022802554, [email protected], https://www.cardiovascularcoalition.com/

SOURCE CardioVascular Coalition (CVC)

Health

Prime Superior Awarded Patent For World’s First Biological Cloning Honey

Leave a comment


“We are very proud,” said President & Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Paul Rushton M.A., Ph.D., “to have received the world’s first patent for a Biological cloning honey.”

Prime Superior’s choice of honey as the main constituent of Prime Superior Clone was based on wanting to produce an organic and all-natural product. Synthetic rooting gels that contain synthetic hormones are not natural and are registered as biopesticides. Prime Superior Clone does not require this registration, and in fact, many Prime Superior products are OMRI-listed for organic growing.

“Prime Superior Clone is a clever and ground-breaking product.” continued, Dr. Rushton. “This is because it is more than the sum of the parts. The product not only sets up the beneficial symbiosis with many benefits to the plant but also the honey feeds both the growing plant and the fungus. Prime Superior Clone therefore gives the new plant two boosts neither of which you get from normal cloning gels.”

To learn more about Prime Superior products, visit: primesuperior.com.

About Prime Superior

Prime Superior is a division of LPC Naturals LLC, a new company that promotes and distributes a successful and safe range of seed treatments and other products that establish a beneficial interaction with a proprietary strain of the symbiotic fungus Beauveria bassiana. This natural symbiotic partnership can result in increased yields and improved quality (such as higher yields of cannabinoids and terpenes).

Media Contact

Christopher J. Lent, Prime Superior, 1 716-633-1940 304, [email protected], https://primesuperior.com/

Nicholas Bianco, Prime Superior, 1 716-633-1940 232, [email protected], https://primesuperior.com/

SOURCE Prime Superior

Home and Family: Marriage / Relationships

ParentPowered Expands Their Family Engagement Program to Support Families of Children from Birth through Grade 12

Leave a comment


Recognizing this, ParentPowered’s new high school curriculum empowers families to support their teens during this unique stage of growth and development. Delivered via text message, this sequenced curriculum offers easy, actionable activities that support families as they hone the skills teens need to enter adulthood.

“Numerous research studies highlight the benefits of engaged families at the high school level,” said Terri Soutor, Chief Executive Officer at ParentPowered. “From positive impacts on attendance and healthy behaviors to a greater chance of high school graduation and career clarity, involved families make a real difference in students’ lives. ParentPowered’s high school curriculum framework provides the support students need and provides families tangible, evidence-based activities to better support their children at home.”

Since its launch in 2016, partnering with Head Start programs, preschools and early elementary school administrators, ParentPowered has expanded and grown significantly. In 2021, ParentPowered began serving middle school families and is now committed to serving students and their families from birth through grade 12.

ParentPowered’s high school curriculum framework includes resources addressing important high school-specific topics, including:

  • Academics and Lifelong Learning
  • College and Career Readiness
  • Well-Being and Life Skills
  • Home and School Partnership
  • Approaches to Parenting

The high school curriculum framework includes content covering self-reflection, financial literacy, communication and more—building and strengthening the crucial skills high school students need to grow and thrive.

ParentPowered’s high school curriculum framework is aligned with the Dual Capacity-Building Framework for family-school partnerships, individual state learning standards and college and career readiness standards. In addition, the framework is aligned with the Individualized Learning Plan (IEP) process required in most states.

ParentPowered’s high school curriculum framework will be available for the 2024–2025 school year, and partners can pre-purchase licenses now.

To learn more about ParentPowered, please visit https://www.parentpowered.com.

About ParentPowered

ParentPowered, formerly known as Ready4K, is the leading digital family engagement provider for schools, districts, Head Starts, community organizations and government agencies serving families from birth through high school. ParentPowered makes family engagement easy for all, with evidence-based programs that reach parents and caregivers wherever they are with just-right ways to support their child’s learning and development. The ParentPowered approach fosters positive relationships between caregivers, children and schools to improve student outcomes. Founded in 2016, the company has partnered with over a thousand educational institutions to serve over one million families across all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Media Contact

ParentPowered, ParentPowered, 1 (608) 216 7300 107, [email protected], https://parentpowered.com/

SOURCE ParentPowered

Lifestyle: Self Help

Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing Appoints New Dean

Leave a comment


Dr. Glassman has been an outstanding leader in higher education administration and health care throughout her career at New York University (NYU) Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Her roles there included clinical professor, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Associate Dean of Partnership Innovation, and Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer of NYU Langone Medical Center.

“We are honored and excited to welcome Dr. Glassman to our leadership team. Her strategic vision will propel our academic programs, grow our future cohorts, and provide our nursing students with an excellent foundation that prepares them for a rewarding nursing career,” said, Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive and Senior Vice President, Cardiac Services, Mount Sinai Health System.

“I look forward to working with her closely to continue the momentum at the School,” Dr. Oliver continued. “We have invested in infrastructure and programs with innovative classrooms and simulation programs in upper Manhattan with close proximity to The Mount Sinai Hospital and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and have created partnerships with our Harlem community to create bridge programs for youth with interest in nursing careers. These efforts will grow a robust pipeline of nurses and nursing leaders who are mission-driven in bettering the health of all people and all communities.”

Dr. Glassman will create a dynamic and strategic road map for the future of the school. This will include identifying new areas of growth and innovation; establishing PSON as a leader in nursing education in New York City; developing a regional model for addressing the critical shortage of front-line nurses; identifying new avenues for attracting, retaining, and developing outstanding faculty; providing strong fiscal management of PSON; and building strong relationships across the Mount Sinai Health System and community. Additionally, she’ll look to design and advance interprofessional education alongside health system nursing leadership and ideate strategies to ensure best practices for clinical rotations and retention of graduates. Dr. Glassman will report to Dr. Oliver and PSON’s Board and will work in collaboration with faculty, students, and staff.

She has presented nationally on a variety of clinical and nursing leadership topics; coauthored the book Data Makes the Difference: The Smart Nurse’s Handbook for Using Data to Improve Care, published by the American Nurses Association; and written many chapters for textbooks and peer-reviewed journal articles. She also has received many prestigious awards, including the Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City and the Distinguished Achievement Medal from the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Dr. Glassman has served on a variety of boards and advisory groups, including the advisory board for EBSCO Health, Nurses Improving Care for Health-systems Elders (NICHE) program, and the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine’s RN to BSN program. She is also the former president of the New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders and a former representative of the Nursing Alliance for Quality Care to the National Quality Forum Measures Application Partnership Hospital Workgroup, which advises performance metrics to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Dr. Glassman received both her PhD in Theory and Research Development and her Master of Nursing Administration from NYU. She was honored as an inaugural Fellow of the American Organization of Nurse Leaders, is a graduate of the Johnson & Johnson Wharton Fellows Program in Management for Nurse Executives at the University of Pennsylvania, and is an alumna of the Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Executive Fellow Program. She has been named a Fellow of both the New York Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Nursing; and is a member of the American Nurses Association, American Organization of Nurse Executives, Association of Leadership Science in Nursing, Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, and Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society.

About Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing

Founded in 1904, PSON is dedicated to the professional education of undergraduate nursing. In addition to the RN to BSN, the school offers an Accelerated BSN. The school has designed a variety of innovative curricula responding to the special needs of working adults interested in entering the nursing profession, nurses interested in advancing their careers, and foreign-educated physicians and nurses who wish to pursue nursing practice in the United States. In 2014, the National League of Nursing designated the school a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education in the category of Student Learning and Professional Development. Located in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, convenient to public transportation, the school currently enrolls close to 300 students. In addition to CCNE, the School is accredited in nursing for its baccalaureate program by the New York State Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 43,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time—discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it. Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 7,400 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. Hospitals within the System are consistently ranked by Newsweek’s® “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals, Best in State Hospitals, World Best Hospitals and Best Specialty Hospitals” and by U.S. News & World Report’s® “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals.” The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report® “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll for 2023-2024.

Media Contact

Emma Stoneham, Mount Sinai Health System, 212-241-9200, [email protected], https://www.mountsinai.org/

SOURCE Mount Sinai Health System

Health

Wooster Community Hospital’s Eric Gasser Earns the 2023 Stoltenberg Future Fund Health IT Leadership Scholarship

Leave a comment


“The Stoltenberg Future Fund Scholarship is a symbol of the ongoing support and investment in my aspirations. It is not just financial assistance for my MBA; it’s an endorsement of the transformative power of education in healthcare leadership,” Gasser said. “I’m profoundly grateful to both CHIME and Stoltenberg Consulting for their incredible support. This scholarship represents a significant step in my journey toward making a lasting impact on healthcare technology and patient care. It’s a reminder that no matter where you start, with dedication and support, you can achieve remarkable heights in your career.”

Gasser is a seasoned HIT professional with 19 years of information systems experience. He, however, began his healthcare career as a registered nurse before discovering a passion for informatics and clinical technology. Following this direction, Gasser quickly advanced within Wooster Community Hospital’s IT department. Early in his tenure, Gasser led the organization in implementing CPOE (Computerized Physician Order Entry), electronic physician documentation, and the MEDITECH emergency department application. Upon promotion to director of information systems, Gasser effectively led the conversion from MEDITECH Magic to MEDITECH 6.0, with which Wooster Community Hospital achieved Meaningful Use Stage 1 and Stage 2 certifications.

Now, serving as vice president and CIO, Gasser has spearheaded initiatives for increasing EHR satisfaction, reducing physician burnout, and optimizing the use of technology to facilitate meaningful patient interactions. At home, Gasser and his wife Lisa are raising six children, having recently officially adopted their 6-year-old daughter into their family. Gasser plans to utilize the Stoltenberg Future Fund Scholarship toward his MBA education at the University of Akron this fall.

Stoltenberg Consulting committed to hosting the annual CHIME Education Foundation scholarship over a span of 25 years. Gasser is the 14th scholarship recipient of the Stoltenberg Future Fund program since its inception in 2009. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be CHIME members in good standing, express need for financial support for continuing education, and describe their professional accomplishments and aspirations in the healthcare IT industry. Previous recipients include IT leaders from UC Davis Health, Ascension Saint Thomas, Dayton Children’s Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, UNC Health Care, Brooke Army Medical Center, UPMC Chautauqua, and Jackson Health System.

To learn more about the Stoltenberg Future Fund Scholarship, visit stoltenberg.com.

About Stoltenberg Consulting

For over 28 years, Stoltenberg Consulting has exclusively served the healthcare industry by providing customizable IT support solutions. FlexSourcing, Stoltenberg Consulting’s three-time Best in KLAS Partial IT Outsourcing program, delivers day-one ROI through a versatile, certified health IT support workforce — including Tier 1+ help desk services — that can scale up at any time. Averaging 15 years of experience, Stoltenberg analysts are skilled in both financial and clinical EHR systems with best practice expertise for Epic, Oracle Cerner, MEDITECH, NextGen, Veradigm (Allscripts), Altera, and eClinicalWorks. To see how Stoltenberg simplifies healthcare technology, visit stoltenberg.com.

Media Contact

Shana Tachikawa, Stoltenberg Consulting, 1 (412) 854-5688, [email protected], https://www.stoltenberg.com 

Twitter

SOURCE Stoltenberg Consulting



health and fitness

“A Deeper Connection” Releases Today to Provide New Approach and Guide to Managing Conflict in All Relationships

Leave a comment


“A Deeper Connection” delves into the complexities of conflict and presents a fresh perspective on how to transform the way we think about it. By offering this unique approach, the author encourages readers to use conflicts as opportunities for learning and growth, and creating connections with others, rather than viewing them as negative experiences. In addition to a system for addressing conflict, readers will learn from practical examples to help them apply the mindset and principles to various relationship scenarios. Whether it’s a conflict with a partner, family member, friend, or colleague, the strategies presented can be adapted to any situation.

Even before its official release, “A Deeper Connection” has received accolades from relationship experts and leaders around the world:

“With four generations currently trying to effectively deal with each other, conflict frequently arises. ‘A Deeper Connection’ presents clear communication tools to resolve the issues. An important read!”

––Dr. Allan Colman, Author, Speaker, and Revenue Generator

“Most people avoid conflict. Few thrive on it. This book offers the tools to build the confidence you need during any conflict. Use these tools and keep the relationship intact even after conflict occurs.”

––Janelle Bruland, Bestselling Author of The Success Lie, 9x Inc. Fastest Growing Company

“A Deeper Connection” is available at all major bookstores and online retailers.

###

About the Author:

John Sherrodd is a licensed counselor, Emotionally Focused Therapist, and life coach, helping couples and individuals improve their mental health and live their best lives. Learn more at www.johnsherrodd.com.

Media Contact

John Sherrodd, John Sherrodd, Author of A Deeper Connection, 1 206-295-8772, [email protected], www.johnsherrodd.com

SOURCE John Sherrodd, Author of A Deeper Connection

Health: Psychology

AristaMD and Sitka Form Single Company, Secure Series C of $16.5M for the Expansion of Specialty Care Access via Electronic and Video Consultation Services

Leave a comment


“To succeed in value-based care, an industry-wide strategy to improve population health and reduce total healthcare cost, providers must utilize tools to match patients with care in the most appropriate setting,” said Brooke LeVasseur, CEO of AristaMD. “Primary care providers prioritize digital health solutions, like ours, that alleviate the expense and time associated with referring patients for a face-to-face specialist appointment. With the addition of Sitka’s service offering and provider group, AristaMD will now offer more ways for primary care providers to expand their scope of services, work at the top of their license and improve patient access.”

The solutions offered by AristaMD and Sitka facilitate provider enablement, care coordination and navigation, and timely access to care. These solutions support organizations in their quality measures, including Medicare Star Ratings. AristaMD and Sitka partners report that digital health consults improve patients’ ability to get timely access to care, which is critical to Medicare Star Ratings.

“Together, we are untangling the economic incentives and bottlenecks that prevent patients from obtaining timely and cost-effective care,” said Kelsey Mellard, founder and former CEO of Sitka and the new president of AristaMD. “PCPs are often at risk for the cost of care but have no visibility to what happens when they refer a patient. Patients may not make it to the appointment at all, or the appointment could take place 6–8 weeks after the PCP referral. These challenges inflate costs as patients turn to costly care settings, like the ER, or experience worsened outcomes due to delayed or lack of specialist guidance.”

“With timely diagnosis and treatment available through eConsults and vConsults, PCPs can deliver care without delay to improve health outcomes and patient experience,” said Dr. Julia Jezmir, Chief Medical Officer, AristaMD. “Together, we will expand care pathways, promote health equity and deliver accessible care for patients. These efforts are particularly important as Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers roll out more robust value-based payment models that prioritize patient outcomes and rein in healthcare spending.”

AristaMD referral nurse navigators, a team of registered nurses that curate eConsults on behalf of PCPs, and Sitka’s referral coordination team will provide complementary skills to reduce provider burden and support accessible care. The combined company’s joint software platforms lay a foundation to build comprehensive specialty services and expand offerings that improve efficiency and simplify the eConsult and vConsult request process.

“I am thrilled to join forces with a team of talented professionals motivated to improve healthcare delivery,” said LeVasseur. “We look forward to the evolution of our service offering. Our customers will benefit from state-of-the-art technology, increased functionality and the innovation of the combined entities.”

MTS Health Partners, L.P. acted as the exclusive financial advisor, and Fenwick & West LLP acted as legal counsel to Sitka in connection with the transaction.

About AristaMD

AristaMD’s care transition solutions now include eConsult, vConsult and referral management tools, empower providers to conduct electronic physician-to-physician consultations to inform patient diagnoses and care, facilitate the selection and scheduling of in-person specialist visits, and schedule peer-to-peer reviews for insurance authorization. Electronic referral management and digital consults significantly improve the patient referral process and deliver greater access to timely, equitable, high-quality care. The company’s virtual specialty provider group offers primary care providers nationwide access to specialist advice. For additional information, visit http://www.aristamd.com or follow AristaMD on LinkedIn and X.

Media Contact
Kate McDonald, AristaMD, 1 7703284919, [email protected], www.aristamd.com
Kate McDonald, AristaMD, 1 7703284919, [email protected], AristaMD

Twitter, LinkedIn

SOURCE AristaMD



Health: Mental Health

Kimberley R. Alexander Named Executive Director Of Moms Of Black Boys United, Inc. (MOBB United) And M.O.B.B. United For Social Change, Inc. (MUSC)

Leave a comment


With a remarkable 30-year career in healthcare, Alexander steps into her role as Executive Director with a multifaceted understanding of operations, management, and communications. Her experience as an Assistant Director of Nursing at East View Healthcare and Zion Healthcare, her tenure as an Assisted Living Manager at Brazos Towers Assisted Living, and serving in significant roles of increasing responsibility at Texas Children’s Health Plan exemplifies her capacity to lead with compassion and efficiency.

In addition to her extensive healthcare background, Kimberley has made significant contributions to M.O.B.B. United as a national leader and board member, demonstrating her dedication to empowering and advocating for Black boys and young men. She created vital mental health and autism awareness programs, offering invaluable support to families facing the unique challenges presented by having children with special needs. Kimberley has counseled families navigating the challenges of loss, and played a key role in advocating for initiatives such as criminal justice reform in Louisiana; ‘Raise The Age’ Legislation in New York; and Bail Reform in California. She also spearheaded a successful internship program, promoting opportunities and nurturing the growth of 13 interns since its inception.

Kimberley’s dedication to advocacy is deeply rooted in her role as a mom of four, especially as the parent of children with special needs. This personal experience informs and fuels her unwavering commitment to the mission of M.O.B.B. United, as she intimately understands the unique challenges and injustices faced by Black boys and men. It’s this empathy and firsthand understanding that propels her to strive for a more inclusive and just society for all.

“I am honored to take on the role of Executive Director at Moms of Black Boys United. Our mission is close to my heart, and I am committed to empowering Black boys and young men to navigate a world that often misunderstands them. Together, we will make a difference,” said Alexander.

Kimberley’s relationship with M.O.B.B. United began when her then 9-year-old son faced the unwarranted threat of arrest, prompting her to channel her outrage into action. This pivotal moment inspired Alexander – whose path to motherhood began as an unwed teen – to join the organization and advocate not just for her son, but for all children facing systemic racism and a lack of voice.

Now, as the new Executive Director of M.O.B.B. United, Kimberley is steering the organization toward a future defined by inclusivity, justice, and empowerment. Her vision includes strategic initiatives such as a new podcast titled “The New Talk: For Moms Of Black Boys,” which will launch on November 28, focused on empowering moms to change how they talk to, about, and for their Black sons to navigate our world. The podcast will be available on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Spotify.

In line with M.O.B.B. United’s organizational pillars, Kimberley will advance critical mission directives rooted in these core principles:

  • Change Perceptions: continuing efforts to challenge and transform prevailing societal perceptions of Black boys and young men, fostering a world where they are seen through a lens of humanity and equity.
  • Influence Policy: advocating for policy reforms that address systemic issues affecting Black boys and young men.
  • Demonstrate Our Power: mobilizing the M.O.B.B. United community to collectively assert its influence and advocate for meaningful change.
  • Partner Strategically: seeking alliances and partnerships that amplify M.O.B.B. United’s impact and reach.
  • Promote Self-Care: developing programs that support the well-being and resilience of the M.O.B.B. United community.

With Kimberley R. Alexander at the helm, M.O.B.B. United is destined for an even greater impact as she galvanizes moms in their work to foster a society that sees their Black sons through the lens of humanity, dignity, and respect that they undeniably deserve.

For more information, visit M.O.B.B. United at mobbunited.org and join the conversation on social @mobbunited.

Press Contact:
Tosha Whitten | FrontPage Firm | [email protected] | 909.741.6835

About Moms of Black Boys United, Inc. (MOBB United) & MOBB United for Social Change, Inc. (MUSC)

Moms of Black Boys (MOBB) United, Inc. and MOBB United for Social Change, Inc. (MUSC) are sister organizations on a dedicated mission to positively influence the perception and treatment of Black boys and men, particularly in their interactions with law enforcement and society at large. MOBB United is a nationwide coalition of concerned moms of Black sons, representing diverse races, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, marital statuses, and education levels. The common thread among the membership is an unwavering love for their Black sons and the shared desire for others to perceive them through the same proud eyes.

Founded by Depelsha Thomas McGruder, a mother of two Black sons, MOBB United began as a supportive Facebook group in July 2016, growing to more than 180,000 members. Since then, it has evolved into a national movement with 17 chapters around the U.S. that instills hope, empowerment, and an unyielding commitment to action.

Moms of Black Boys United, Inc. (MOBB United) provides critical information and support to moms of Black sons, emphasizing positive images of Black boys and men. The organization is dedicated to changing perceptions, promoting self-care, and fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Black boys and men in America. This is achieved by sharing their stories, celebrating their achievements, and facilitating connections to meaningful opportunities.

MOBB United for Social Change, Inc. (MUSC) stands as the advocacy arm, steadfast in influencing policy at federal, state, and local levels to ensure fair and equitable treatment of Black boys and men. MUSC is particularly dedicated to eradicating harassment, brutality, and the unwarranted use of deadly force by law enforcement.

Learn more about MOBB United or get involved at mobbunited.org, and follow on social @mobbunited.

Media Contact

Tosha Whitten, FrontPage Firm, 1 202.246.7875, [email protected], www.frontpagefirm.com

Twitter, LinkedIn

SOURCE Moms of Black Boys United (M.O.B.B. United)



Society: Christianity

Latinas in Aviation Welcomes Visitors to its Third Annual Global Festival at College Park Aviation Museum; Held successful book launch of “Latinas In Aviation Vol. III”

Leave a comment


The festival also launched the new “Latinas in Aviation Vol. III,” available on Amazon, and had a special proclamation from a Prince George’s County representative.

The event opened with a bittersweet moment for College Park Aviation Museum Director Kevin Cabrera, who after three years, is moving on to a new role. He was grateful, humble, and thankful to those who believed in the idea of the festival and supported it during his tenure. Nadine Boksmati will take over as museum director.

“It’s really heartwarming to see how this program has grown over the last three years and how this community has continued to come together and support each other,” Cabrera said.

Ruiz witnessed the friendly curiosity and fascination as the authors offered their personal experiences.

“I’m so proud of these talented and confident women who work behind the scenes or take passengers to their travel destinations,” she said. “They very much are positive examples of what happens when your dream and goals take flight with planning, determination, and grit. We thank Kevin for his partnership and involvement with Fig Factor for this festival; we look forward to continue to break boundaries working with Nadine in the future.”

Several Volume III authors were excited to share their stories during the celebration.

Raiberys Lima works for Jet Blue in its safety department. For her, being a Latina in aviation means being “a trailblazer who creates a path for Latinas as future aviators. The festival is a great opportunity to inspire future aviators and let them know about the different opportunities in the aviation industry. The biggest advice that I have for Latinas is to never give up on themselves and know there’s always a different way to achieve a goal. It may not be plan A that you thought about, but you can go for plan A, B, C, D up to Z.”

Sofia Beltran is a commercial pilot and prospective Certified Flight Instructor from Colombia.

“Being a Latina in Aviation is a privilege and an advantage since there are very few of us,” she said. “As an author, we do have a responsibility and that is to spread the word to more Latinas and to more females who are wondering if they can pursue these types of careers in aviation and aeronautics. To any Latina or female, please remember that it’s not always about talent but more determination. For me, as a Latina, I tell you that it is doable.”

For more information about Latinas in Aviation, visit the website.

About Fig Factor Media:
Fig Factor Media Publishing is an international publishing company with a “beeping” heart. Fig Factor Media has helped many authors achieve and support their dream of impacting their communities in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Fig Factor Media is the official publisher of Today’s Inspired Latina. For information, visit http://www.figfactormedia.com.

About the College of Aviation:
The College Park Aviation Museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting aviation innovations at College Park Airport and in Prince George’s County while fostering research, inventiveness, and lifelong curiosity about the history and science of flight. The College Park Aviation Museum opened in 1998 and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. For information, visit https://www.pgparks.com/facilities/college-park-aviation-museum. Contact College Park Aviation Museum Director Kevin Cabrera at [email protected] or College Park Aviation Museum Public Program Manager Jamie Jones at [email protected].

Media Contact
Marie Lazzara, JJR Marketing, 630-400-3361, [email protected], https://jjrmarketing.com/

SOURCE Latinas in Aviation