All posts by imreal

American Society for Clinical Pathology Awarded $631,983 Grant from the CDC to Strengthen the Laboratory Workforce


“ASCP is proud to be part of the CDC’s OneLab initiative,” says ASCP CEO Blair Holladay, PhD, MASCP, SCT(ASCP)CM. “The CDC initiated OneLab to create a central hub where, in the case of a public health emergency, medical and public health laboratory professionals can easily access the latest news and education on diagnostic practices, quality, and biosafety. ASCP’s involvement in the OneLab initiative is part of the Society’s comprehensive strategies to address the medical laboratory workforce shortage.”

Successful programs that ASCP launched last year as the first part of the OneLab grant include:

  • Building Bridges Across the Laboratory Community, a webinar series highlighting the collaborative efforts of a variety of laboratories (academic, public health, research, reference, and clinical) to develop innovative strategies to address public health emergencies. Recordings are available at http://www.supportcdconelab.org.
  • Micro-learning Series, a new approach to educate time-strapped adult learners by sending them an email every few days with a question pertaining to laboratory issues, such as effective test utilization or supply chain mitigation strategies. Recipients respond at their convenience and receive immediate feedback regarding their response to increase their knowledge and track their competence.
  • Negotiation and Advocacy Toolbox, providing practical education and tools to laboratory directors and managers so they can demonstrate the value of their laboratory to hospital administrators and others who make funding decisions. The intent is to support laboratory leaders to advocate for higher staff salaries, hiring additional staff, and assist with strategic salaries, hiring additional staff, and assist with strategic planning, quality improvement, and team building. This year, it has addressed the first two “pillars” of the program, enhancing laboratory visibility and creating a culture within the laboratory that nurtures the environment as the best place to work within pathology and laboratory medicine. The latter would be achieved by cultivating diverse, lifelong learners and the next generation of leaders within the laboratory field.

“This type of toolbox to support the medical laboratory leaders has never been done before,” says ASCP President Marsha C. Kinney, MD, MASCP. “What is special about this toolkit is that it is comprehensive and was developed by three laboratory leaders and subject matter experts who were integral in developing the Leading Laboratories program, an initiative of ASCP and The Joint Commission. The toolbox utilizes workforce data ASCP has collected to support laboratory leaders in effectively advocating for their laboratories’ needs.”    

In Year 2 of the CDC OneLab grant, ASCP will expand the Building Bridges series by reaching out to an even broader range of laboratories, including animal health laboratories and public health laboratories.    

“With so many animal-borne disease outbreaks, it’s important that laboratories are sharing critical information and collaborating with each other,” says Ken Landgraf, MSc, Executive Director of ASCP’s Center for Global Health and Principal Investigator for the grant. “We are really creating a community to strengthen the workforce and improve public health.”

Also in Year 2, ASCP will build out the Negotiation and Advocacy Toolkit, adding additional resources that address its three remaining pillars: Quality, Service and Growth, and Financials.

Moving into the second year of this three-year grant, ASCP’s efforts remain centered around strengthening the laboratory workforce, and maintaining our role as the go-to resource for laboratory advocacy.

ASCP actively demonstrates our StrongerTogether mission through its ability to quickly reach out to disseminate information to its members, to other groups with whom it partners, and to the Medical and Public Health Workforce Coalition which ASCP worked collaboratively to establish.

About ASCP
Founded in 1922 in Chicago, ASCP is a medical professional society with more than 100,000 member board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologists, pathology residents and fellows, laboratory professionals, and students. ASCP provides excellence in education, certification, and advocacy on behalf of patients, pathologists, and laboratory professionals. To learn more, visit http://www.ascp.org.‥Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ascp_chicago and connect with us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ASCP.Chicago.

Media Contact

Susan Montgomery, American Society for Clinical Pathology, 312.541.4754, [email protected], www.ascp.org

SOURCE American Society for Clinical Pathology



Ideal World TV Channel Makes a Grand Return with an Unbeatable Selection of Lifestyle Products


Audiences will have the pleasure of reacquainting themselves with their favourite presenters, who are eager to showcase Ideal World’s latest and most exceptional offerings.

One of Ideal World’s long standing presenters, stated, “We are delighted to welcome our valued customers back to their preferred destination for top-tier brands. Their absence has been felt, and we are eager to reintroduce them to the finest in lifestyle products.”

About Ideal World

Ideal World is a leading television channel that focuses on an array of lifestyle products, including fashion, beauty, home decor, pet essentials, and technological gadgets. With an unwavering commitment to quality and diversity, Ideal World strives to cater to a broad audience.

Media Contact

Jennife Carr, Shop TJC LTD, 44 07432562209, [email protected], www.idealworld.tv

SOURCE Ideal World

Mount Sinai Announces New System Chief of Genomic Medicine


Michael F. Murray, MD, Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has been named the new System Chief of the Division of Genomic Medicine and the Clinical Director of the Institute for Genomic Health at Mount Sinai. He will lead its efforts to harness the power of genomic discovery to develop new ways to prevent and treat diseases, including cancers, heart problems, and genetic disorders. Dr. Murray has distinguished himself as an internationally renowned expert in using DNA-derived information as a screening tool in clinical care, population health, and public health.

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Michael F. Murray, MD, Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has been named the new System Chief of the Division of Genomic Medicine and the Clinical Director of the Institute for Genomic Health at Mount Sinai. He will lead its efforts to harness the power of genomic discovery to develop new ways to prevent and treat diseases, including cancers, heart problems, and genetic disorders.

Dr. Murray has distinguished himself as an internationally renowned expert in using DNA-derived information as a screening tool in clinical care, population health, and public health.

Before joining the Mount Sinai Health System, he led cutting-edge efforts to integrate genomic medicine into clinical care delivery at Harvard Medical School, Geisinger Community Medical Center, and Yale New Haven Health System. These efforts included developing and leading genomic sequencing programs to enable early disease diagnosis and prevention in patients.

Dr. Murray helped develop new ways to translate these data into patient care, enabling large health systems to provide this information to patients and their care providers in order to help improve health outcomes.

In addition to these innovations, Dr. Murray has gained national recognition for his work in genomic medicine education. He was the Founding Director of the Combined Residency in Internal Medicine and Medical Genetics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and Director for the “Genetic Basis of Adult Medicine,” an annual continuing medical education course at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Murray is an alumnus of Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, and completed further training at Cleveland Clinic, the University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard Medical School. He has co-authored numerous publications in medical, genetic, and infectious disease journals.

Dr. Murray is a member of the board of directors of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

“With the investment that the Mount Sinai Health System has made in genetics and genomics technology in the clinical and research arenas, we are making an impact upon the care we provide to patients in a significant way,” said Monica Kraft, MD, the Murray M. Rosenberg Professor of Medicine and System Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai Health System and Icahn Mount Sinai. “The Department of Medicine’s Division of Genomic Medicine needs a leader who can work with stakeholders across our Health System to seamlessly integrate genetics and genomic science to advance the clinical care that all our adult and pediatric patients receive. Dr. Murray has expertise in this area and comes to us at the right time to make this happen.”

“I am delighted to join hands with the Department of Medicine and welcome Dr. Murray on this exciting bridge-building journey. Together, we will work toward harnessing the power of genomic discovery to pioneer novel strategies for preventing and treating disease, ultimately benefiting patients,” said Eimear Kenny, PhD, a Professor of Medicine, Genetics and Genomic Sciences, and Founding Director of the Institute for Genomic Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

About the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is internationally renowned for its outstanding research, educational, and clinical care programs. It is the sole academic partner for the eight- member hospitals* of the Mount Sinai Health System, one of the largest academic health systems in the United States, providing care to a large and diverse patient population.

Ranked 14th nationwide in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding and among the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, Icahn Mount Sinai has a talented, productive, and successful faculty. More than 3,000 full-time scientists, educators, and clinicians work within and across 44 academic departments and 36 multidisciplinary institutes, a structure that facilitates tremendous collaboration and synergy. Our emphasis on translational research and therapeutics is evident in such diverse areas as genomics/big data, virology, neuroscience, cardiology, geriatrics, as well as gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

Icahn Mount Sinai offers highly competitive MD, PhD, and Master’s degree programs, with current enrollment of approximately 1,300 students. It has the largest graduate medical education program in the country, with more than 2,000 clinical residents and fellows training throughout the Health System. In addition, more than 550 postdoctoral research fellows are in training within the Health System.

A culture of innovation and discovery permeates every Icahn Mount Sinai program. Mount Sinai’s technology transfer office, one of the largest in the country, partners with faculty and trainees to pursue optimal commercialization of intellectual property to ensure that Mount Sinai discoveries and innovations translate into healthcare products and services that benefit the public.

Icahn Mount Sinai’s commitment to breakthrough science and clinical care is enhanced by academic affiliations that supplement and complement the School’s programs.

Through the Mount Sinai Innovation Partners (MSIP), the Health System facilitates the real-world application and commercialization of medical breakthroughs made at Mount Sinai. Additionally, MSIP develops research partnerships with industry leaders such as Merck & Co., AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, and others.

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is located in New York City on the border between the Upper East Side and East Harlem, and classroom teaching takes place on a campus facing Central Park. Icahn Mount Sinai’s location offers many opportunities to interact with and care for diverse communities. Learning extends well beyond the borders of our physical campus, to the eight hospitals of the Mount Sinai Health System, our academic affiliates, and globally.

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  • Mount Sinai Health System member hospitals: The Mount Sinai Hospital; Mount Sinai Beth Israel; Mount Sinai Brooklyn; Mount Sinai Morningside; Mount Sinai Queens; Mount Sinai South Nassau; Mount Sinai West; and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.

Media Contact

Karin Eskenazi, Mount Sinai, 332-257-1538, [email protected], mountsinai.org

SOURCE Mount Sinai

GeoComm Announces New Vice President and General Manager of Safety and Security


GeoComm, provider of Public Safety Location Intelligence®, announces a new Vice President and General Manager of Safety and Security, appointing Bill McCullough. Bill will be responsible for leading and directing safety and security solutions as we build GeoComm School Safety, a solution for keeping students and faculty safe.

ST. CLOUD, Minn., Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — St. Cloud, MN: GeoComm, provider of Public Safety Location Intelligence®, announces a new Vice President and General Manager of Safety and Security, appointing Bill McCullough. Bill will be responsible for leading and directing safety and security solutions as we build GeoComm School Safety, a solution for keeping students and faculty safe.

Bill is a trusted leader in the education technology industry with over 25 years of experience in the public sector with a primary focus on education, working with school districts in all 50 states. Bill is an advocate for children’s safety and has a personal mission of keeping children safe. In the last 10 years, he has continued to fulfill his passion of keeping children safe, specializing in companies that provide students safety and mental health solutions.

With the last 7 years at Gaggle, a company that focuses on school safety and provides schools with technology for mental and emotional help, Bill understands the importance of early intervention and creating a safe environment for learning. Bill also has experience at Robin, a company that builds strong connections, support systems, and compassion within school communities to promote student, educator, and parental growth. Through his experience, Bill has developed a strong ability to recognize when children are unsafe and create safer learning environments.

“Joining GeoComm is an exciting opportunity and will allow me to continue building on my personal and professional values,” said Bill, “GeoComm School Safety is an important part of creating safer learning environments for students and faculty, and I am honored to lead the initiative and advocate for the safety of children.”

“With the addition of Bill to the GeoComm team, we are excited to see where his leadership takes us,” said Jeff Liebl, GeoComm President and CEO, “He has a strong sense of integrity and experience leading school safety initiatives across the country.”

To learn more about GeoComm School Safety, visit http://www.geocomm.com/school-safety and schedule a free demonstration with our team of experts.

About GeoComm: GeoComm, provider of Public Safety Location Intelligence®, has a national reputation as a leading provider of public safety GIS systems. These systems route emergency calls to the appropriate 9-1-1 call center, map the caller’s location on a call taker or dispatcher map, and guide emergency responders to the scene of the accident on mobile displays within police, fire, and ambulance vehicles. Over the last 28 years, GeoComm has grown to serve local, regional, statewide, and military agencies in forty-nine states, helping keep more than 100 million people safe. Through the years our statewide NG9-1-1 GIS project footprint has expanded to include seventeen‥statewide projects across the country. More recently, GeoComm’s innovative solutions are enhancing emergency response situational awareness by empowering emergency responders with a visual representation of indoor spaces for key buildings in their response areas and by converting raw z-axis (vertical) position measurements into a dispatchable location.

Media Contact

Susan Becker, GeoComm, 3203812169, [email protected], www.geocomm.com

SOURCE GeoComm

Lightbridge Academy Announces First Franchise Signing in Colorado, Bringing High-Quality Early Child Care to the Rocky Mountain State


Lightbridge Academy, a rapidly expanding early childhood education franchise, has signed its first franchise agreement in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with experienced franchisees Sara and Zach Van Hilsen. The couple shares Lightbridge Academy’s Circle of Care philosophy and aims to provide high-quality early childhood education to the community. With this signing, Lightbridge Academy continues its growth momentum, offering essential childcare services and educational programs in new markets like Colorado, further solidifying its position as a leading franchise in the child care education industry.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Lightbridge Academy®, Innovators in Educational Child Care® and one of the fastest-growing early childhood education franchises with over 150 centers either open or in development, announces its latest franchise signing in Colorado Springs with new franchise owners Sara and Zach Van Hilsen. The signing includes an agreement for their first franchise unit in the Rocky Mountain States, bringing its Circle of Care philosophy and innovative programs to the Olympic City community. The award-winning franchise has continued growth momentum across the country as investors, with an interest in education, recognize the opportunity to introduce an essential and rewarding service to their local community through Lightbridge Academy’s proven franchise business model.

Sara and Zach share Lightbridge Academy’s Circle of Care philosophy® and are thrilled to be making an impact within the community as The Solution for Working Parents® with the first franchise signing in Colorado.

About three years ago, Sara and Zach made the decision to leave their separate careers and join forces to build a business that involves the entire family. After much research and thought Sara and Zach took a leap and purchased a turf franchise for Colorado. They hit the ground running and broke revenue records for any startup in the network. As the business grew, Zach and Sara began looking for ways to provide an even greater benefit to their community. The idea of providing superior early education and innovative care is something they both felt passionate about offering. “We’ve not only found a wonderful franchise brand; we’ve discovered a shared dream worth investing in,” Sara Hilsen said regarding choosing Lightbridge Academy with her husband Zach. “We see this as a partnership with a growing brand that is more than just a signed contract; it’s the foundation of our future journey, nurturing not only our business but building the future of the community with the little ones we nurture.”

Lightbridge Academy is filling the local need for high-quality educational child care, as the industry continues to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.18%, according to Grand View Research. In 2023 Lightbridge Academy has celebrated 15 franchise signings for a total of 24 franchise units, entering new markets including Colorado, Florida and Texas while continuing to grow in existing markets across the Mid-Atlantic region. As an industry leader in educational child care franchising, Lightbridge Academy is making significant strides in expanding its presence nationwide, bringing The Solution for Working Parents® to vibrant communities in need of high-quality educational child care across the nation. With a commitment to providing exceptional care and fostering a nurturing environment, Lightbridge Academy is poised to make a positive impact on the local Colorado Springs community, supporting families in their pursuit of a balanced work-life dynamic.

“We’re excited to announce our first franchisees in Colorado, the Van Hilsen’s, and extend our Circle of Care to the families in Colorado Springs,” said Chief Executive Officer, Gigi Schweikert. “This new signing is a testament to our dedication to providing unparalleled early childhood education programs to working families and highlights Lightbridge Academy’s impressive growth throughout the country. We are incredibly proud of our proven business model that allows us to make established partnerships with dedicated franchisees who make a transformative impact in communities in need of quality child care.”

As a category disruptor and the renowned option for successful franchise investors because of its proven business model, Lightbridge Academy is thrilled to partner with passionate and qualified franchisees like Sara and Zach Hilsen in new and existing markets across the United States in the growing child care industry. Ranked as one of the fastest-growing franchises in the essential child care education industry, Lightbridge Academy leads with visionary business-minded innovation and technological advancements, provides ongoing support infrastructure and trainings, and collaborates with dedicated franchisees to transform the child care education space.

To learn more about Lightbridge Academy’s early childhood education programs in Colorado Springs, visit, LightbridgeAcademy.com.

To learn more about franchising opportunities throughout Colorado and other states, visit LightbridgeAcademyFranchise.com.

About Lightbridge Academy:

Established in 1997, the company was founded as a family business based on core values and a Circle of Care philosophy that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners and the community. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Lightbridge Academy provides quality early education and child care programs to children aged six weeks through kindergarten. The company currently has over 150 child care centers either open or in development throughout Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Lightbridge Academy also follows enhanced health and safety measures with The Lightbridge Promise as the Gold Standard in the child care industry. In 2020, the company was featured on the Inc. 5000 ranking, Franchise Times Top 200+ awards, and on Newsweek’s 2021 list of America’s Best Customer Service. In 2022, Lightbridge Academy was featured for the 7th year on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 and for the 2nd year on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies.

Media Contact

Konnect Agency, Lightbridge Academy, 1 7133060270, [email protected]

SOURCE Lightbridge Academy

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Meridian Health of Michigan and Community Leaders from Lansing Stand Up for Students' Mental Health at 'Strong Youth Strong Communities' Summits



Hall of Fame athletes shared life experiences and methods for success with more than 600 high school students across Lansing DETROIT, Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Meridian, a Michigan‑based provider of government‑sponsored health plans and wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation,…

NextUp Launches “You Are NextUp” Campaign Celebrating Women in Business


One of the iconic women featured is glass ceiling breaker Anna Sutherland Bissell, one of the country’s first female CEOs, who took over running the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Co. in 1889. Bissell has been advancing women since 1876 and Anna Sutherland Bissell was not only a pioneering businesswoman, but she was also an advocate for women’s rights.

Another iconic woman featured in the “You Are NextUp” campaign is Mattel’s Barbie! Since 1959, the purpose of the Barbie brand has been to inspire the limitless potential in every child. That message is still relevant today as Barbie is inducted into NextUp and awarded an honorary lifetime membership in the organization. This honor is rarely bestowed, with only a few women previously receiving this distinction.

“We are thrilled to have an incredible Board and members of our leadership team that represent companies like Mattel and Target, who have joined forces with us on the ‘You Are NextUp’ campaign and recognize the importance of highlighting the empowerment of women,” said Lisa Baird, CEO of NextUp. “Inducting Barbie as a lifetime member is especially important as Barbie has been an iconic symbol of empowerment, representing more than 250 jobs and personas, from President of the United States to astronaut, fashion designer, pilot, computer engineer, doctor, and so many more, and along the way, inspiring and empowering young girls everywhere that anything is possible. Being a part of NextUp is another step Barbie can use to further her platform to empower more to be all that they dream they can be.”

Target, a long-time supporter of both Barbie and women in leadership roles, is proudly sponsoring Barbie’s lifetime membership with NextUp.

In honor of the “You Are NextUp” campaign, NextUp and Mattel are donating 500 Barbie Career Dolls to the Union League Boys & Girls Club of Chicago in support of their SMART Girls programming. This initiative aims to foster leadership roles for young girls interested in pursuing careers in business and inspire the next generation to believe they can be anything.

“‘You Are NextUp’ is more than a campaign,” noted Lisa Baird. “We know that companies who embrace gender diversity in the workplace increase their profitability by 21 percent or more. We also know that companies with 30 percent more female executives are more likely to outperform other companies by ten-to-30 percent. NextUp helps women and companies succeed. In today’s economy, we need equitable workplaces more than ever before. We are all truly NextUp.”

NextUp’s vision is a professional world where equity has been achieved and women have seats at every table. The NextUp community is thriving as more women make a substantial impact on their companies’ success and reach their career goals in record time. However, NextUp exists out of necessity. Even as gains are made with women in leadership, new challenges emerge and women have yet to cross the finish line of achieving total equality in the workplace. NextUp helps women bring that vision into reality and creates a world where women have equal opportunities at work and equal opportunities to build their lives and careers exactly the way they want them.

For more information about the “You Are NextUp” campaign or to learn more about NextUp, visit nextupisnow.org.

About NextUp

For more than 20 years, NextUp has brought professional women, allies and corporate partners together to champion gender equity and Advance All Women in Business. NextUp has a powerful, growing community of more than 17,000 members and 300+ national corporate partners and regional sponsors. NextUp works to create leadership opportunities, amplify women’s voices in the workplace and ensure that all women in business can seize opportunities now and in the future. To learn more about NextUp, visit nextupisnow.org or on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @nextupisnow.

Media Contact

Jenifer Howard, NextUp, 1 203-273-4246, [email protected], https://www.nextupisnow.org/

SOURCE NextUp



Ascent Protein Partners with Susan G. Komen® with Custom Pink Packaging


“We are honored to partner with Susan G. Komen® to help raise awareness and invest in research to prevent and cure breast cancer” says Kirsten Karlsson, Head of Marketing at Ascent Protein. “As a company committed to the health and wellness of our community, envisioning a world without breast cancer is something we whole-heartedly support on a local and global level.”

Because one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, nearly everyone has been affected by this disease. Breast cancer not only affects the person that is diagnosed, but it also has a big impact on family and friends. Komen is the trusted partner of breast cancer patients, survivors and their families, providing critical information and support throughout the breast cancer journey.

Ascent offers a full line of sports nutrition products that support athletes and health-conscious consumers. Our clean products use only real food ingredients, no artificial flavors or sweeteners. All of Ascent’s products are Informed Sport Certified, meaning they are third-party tested for banned substances.

About Ascent Protein

Ascent® was created to naturally improve athletic performance and is The Official Sponsor of Hard Work®. Ascent launched in 2016 and has continued to bring innovative products to the market, while remaining committed to their high-quality standards and offering products with straight-forward ingredients. All Ascent products contain zero artificial flavor or sweeteners and are Certified Gluten Free, and Informed Sport Certified meaning they are third party tested for banned substances. Aligning with the admirable qualities in the athletes that Ascent serves – going the extra mile, completing an extra set, and never backing down from a challenge, Ascent pushes for high-quality results, knowing they do not come without hard work. For more information, visit www.ascentprotein.com.

About Susan G. Komen®

Susan G. Komen® is the world’s leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow’s cures. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at ww5.komen.org/social. Connect with Susan G. Komen.

Media Contact

Kim DeVigil, Ascent Protein, 1 720-550-3751, [email protected], https://www.ascentprotein.com/ 

Sara Brewer, Ascent Protein, 1 303-600-2558, [email protected], https://www.ascentprotein.com/  

SOURCE Ascent Protein