All posts by imreal

Nike Tennis Camps Wraps Up Another Excellent Year, Summer 2019


Nike Tennis Camps wraps up a successful 2019 season.

Nike Tennis Camps wraps up a successful 2019 season.

Coming off a very successful year, Nike Tennis Camps looks to continue the momentum of 2019 by providing quality, fun tennis camps for campers to return to year after year and provide new locations for junior and adult tennis players to improve their game.

As a staple division of the company, Nike Tennis Camps looked to build on its long-standing overnight tennis camps that have been running for more than 10 years including: Amherst College, Lawrenceville School, USD, Duke, Stanford and Lake Tahoe at Granlibakken Resort. Other strong locations such as MIT, Minnesota and Michigan State all saw significant spikes in camper popularity.

While the growth of top tier, long standing locations was a large focus, Nike Tennis Camps also looked to grow their day tennis camp market. The additions of Fayetteville High School, Middlesex School, Quail Ridge Country Club, Jack Kramer Club and Agawam Hunt Club were solid additions that look to have strong growth in 2020. Quail Ridge/Middlesex led the charge by bringing in over 375 campers that left players and parents looking forward to next year, “Great team, the coaches are professional, they support and nature my kid’s passions. My boy’s skills got sharpened and of course, he had a lot fun. We will be back next year” says a parent of a Quail Ridge camper.

Nike Tennis Camps also introduced three new programs to their summer junior tennis programs this year: U10 (10 and Under Tennis), Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) and USTA Tournament Challenge (offered at Amherst College).

U10 locations were able to create groupings for under aged campers to use lower compression balls (red, orange and green dot) so they are easier to hit, allowing kids to get to the ball and develop optimal swing patterns. Nike Tennis Camps and UTR have developed a special partnership where campers that are enrolled for camps at a specific camp location get to create or develop their UTR score. UTR has become increasingly popular for tennis players to improve their skills and evaluate their matches.

The USTA Tournament Challenge at Amherst College was a one-of-a-kind program where campers were able to enroll for a 2-week camp. The first week was dedicated to mental and skill development to prepare for the tournament weekend. Players then got to experience competing in an official USTA tournament over the weekend. The second week is devoted to further fine-tuning skills based on what was charted during the USTA matches. When asked about her daughter’s experience, a parent nothing but positive comments, “My daughter had another wonderful week at camp. She loves the on-court time with coaches who care about her and want to help her improve.”

Coming off a very successful year, Nike Tennis Camps looks to continue the momentum of 2019 by providing quality, fun tennis camps for campers to return to year after year and provide new locations for junior and adult tennis players to improve their game. They will look to add more adult locations, offer more junior tennis camps in the winter and spring, and continue to build the day camp business.

Campers, Parents and Coaches interested in receiving more information regarding 2020 Nike Tennis Camps can visit http://www.ussportscamps.com/tennis or give us a call at 1-800-645-3226.

About US Sports Camps

US Sports Camps (USSC), headquartered in San Rafael, California, is America’s largest sports camp network and the licensed operator of Nike Sports Camps. The company has offered summer camps since 1975 with the same mission that defines it today: to shape a lifelong enjoyment of athletics through high quality sports education and skill enhancement.

Share article on social media or email:

Patients Rank BioPlus #1 Among Independent Specialty Pharmacies


A recent survey of specialty pharmacies conducted by Zitter Health Insights awarded the #1 patient satisfaction ranking to BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy (BioPlus) among independent specialty pharmacies.

BioPlus scored the highest of the top 12 surveyed independent specialty pharmacies in Zitter’s Specialty Pharmacy Patient Satisfaction Survey (Quarter 2, 2019). This ranking was based on a metric known as the ‘Net Promoter Score ™’ (NPS). NPS measures consumer loyalty and is considered an unbiased benchmark for patient loyalty.

“Our mission is to make the patient experience fast and easy. Therefore, we take NPS very seriously. We are pretty proud of our score and continue to strive for patient satisfaction day after day. The 5-point increase from the NPS in the Q1 2019 survey helps us feel good about the work we’re doing,” explains Stephen Vogt, Pharm.D., CEO of BioPlus. This NPS score places BioPlus at the top of the pack, leading some of the most notable specialty pharmacies.

Nobody can say it better than the actual BioPlus patients included in this survey, who shared what they valued from BioPlus, including: “excellent, reliable service. Knowledgeable and professional staff, who are easy to work with. Financial aid provided is especially appreciated.” It’s not surprising, then, that the majority of current BioPlus patients (77%) feel very loyal to BioPlus and would be “very unhappy” if they were forced to change from BioPlus to a different specialty pharmacy.

Nine out of ten BioPlus patients receive their medication refills within just three days – which is 14% greater than the overall industry average. “Sure, this score gives us some bragging rights, however, our greatest satisfaction comes in seeing patients get on therapy quickly and easily. We’re faster than other pharmacies, which stems from our first-of-its-kind 2-hour, 2-day, 2-click promises,” shares Nicholas Maroulis, Pharm.D., Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Services.

Our service model starts with the 2-Hour Patient Acceptance Guarantee™, which ensures notification to physician offices in less than two hours whether a referred patient is accepted for treatment or not. After that, prescriptions move though our 2-Day Ready 2 Ship™ process. Throughout every step, our copay assistance team helps ensure that financial hardships don’t stand in the way of patient treatment. And, it takes patients only 2-clicks to refill their qualifying prescriptions online.

Zitter Health Insights Specialty Pharmacy Patient Satisfaction Survey covers the time period of Quarter 2, 2019 and was based on 4,000 patients in at least 10 therapeutic areas at the top 12 specialty pharmacies.

If you are a healthcare provider who wants your patients to receive the highest level of patient satisfaction during their medication therapy, refer your patients to BioPlus.

About BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy

Meet the first and only independent, national specialty pharmacy to back up the promise of ‘fast and easy’ with a 2-Hour, 2-Day, and 2-Click promise. The 2-Hour Patient Acceptance Guarantee™ ensures notification to physician offices in less than two hours whether a referred patient is accepted for treatment or not. Then, prescriptions move through the 2-Day Ready 2 Ship™ process. For qualifying prescriptions, medication refills are only 2-clicks away. It’s the Power of 2.

Ranked #1 by both patients and prescribers, BioPlus provides a complete range of specialty pharmacy services for cancer, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, and other complex, chronic conditions. BioPlus, Where Healing Begins in 2 Hours™.

For information: http://www.bioplusrx.com or

Contact: info@bioplusrx.com

Phone: 1-888-292-0744

Share article on social media or email:

Frasco, Inc.’s Noelle Harling Elected to PBSA Board of Directors


News Image

Noelle is an invaluable member of the Frasco family and her industry experience allows her to provide exceptional knowledge to the PBSA organization.

Frasco® Profiles, a global provider of enterprise-level employment screening, is pleased to announce that Noelle Harling, Vice President, has been elected to serve on the Professional Background Screening Association’s (PBSA) Board of Directors for the 2019-2020 term.

PBSA, formerly known as the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), was founded as a non-profit trade association in 2003. The name change reflects the PBSA’s transformation into a global association, with councils in the United States, APAC, Canada and Europe. PBSA currently represents nearly 900 member companies and is recognized as the leading resource for professionals in the background screening industry.

An active member since the inception of the Professional Background Screeners Association (PBSA), Ms. Harling was the first ever Chair of the Ethics & Accreditation Committee and was responsible for leading the committee in drafting the association’s Code of Ethics, as well as the Standard for the Background Screening Agency Accreditation Program. Ms. Harling has also previously served on the PBSA Board of Directors and is a former Chair of the Background Screening Credentialing Council, a thirteen member governance committee that oversees the accrediting of background companies nationwide. Ms. Harling is also the first recipient of the PBSA Distinguished Service Award and was presented this award based on her overall service to PBSA and the consumer reporting industry as a whole.

“I am honored to serve the PBSA as a member of the Board of Directors during this exciting transition to a truly global association. We have an amazing Board of talented and dedicated professionals, and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and contributing to what is going to be a milestone year for the background screening industry,” said Noelle Harling, Vice President, Frasco, Inc.

“We are all very proud of Noelle’s accomplishments since joining the company in 1992,” said John Simmers, CEO of Frasco, Inc. “Noelle is an invaluable member of the Frasco family and her industry experience allows her to provide exceptional knowledge to the PBSA organization.”

About PBSA

The Professional Background Screening Association is the trusted global authority for the screening profession. In pursuit of their mission to advance excellence in the screening profession, PBSA promotes and advocates for ethical business practices and fosters awareness of privacy rights and consumer protection issues. PBSA provides relevant programs and training aimed at empowering members to better serve clients and maintain standards of excellence in the background screening industry and presents a unified voice in the development of national, state, and local regulations. Visit http://www.thepbsa.org to learn more about the association.

About Frasco® Profiles

Frasco® Profiles is a full-service Consumer Reporting Agency providing mid market and enterprise-level employment background checks, occupational health screening, international screening, and electronic Form I-9 and E-Verify services. Founded in 1964, Frasco has been delivering actionable operational intelligence to employers for over fifty years. Offering everything from basic criminal background checks to comprehensive executive-level due diligence investigations, Frasco® Profiles empowers employers to Decide Without Doubt™. Frasco® Profiles is a founding member of the Professional Background Screeners Association (PBSA) as well as a member of Concerned CRAs, an organization dedicated to maintaining the highest level of ethical standards in the consumer reporting industry. Located in Los Angeles, California, Frasco maintains six U.S.-based operational centers and serves over 3,000 clients annually, providing data from over one hundred countries. Frasco maintains SOC II Type 2 – certified security measures and provides robust online compliance tools to help employers easily navigate complex consumer reporting laws. A core values-focused company, Frasco operates under the guiding principles of gratitude, respect for all, genuine value, and uncompromising integrity. For more information on Frasco® Profiles products and services, visit http://www.frascoprofiles.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Personify Creates New Executive Roles and Grows Client Base for its Constituent Management and Engagement Portfolio


“As we continue to expand our product lines and broaden our client base, these leaders are uniquely qualified to drive strategic prioritization and accountability with a laser-focus on operational excellence to support our clients,” said Eric Thurston, President and CEO of Personify.

Personify, Inc. (“Personify”), the market-leading provider of technology solutions for associations, nonprofits and organizations, today announced that in addition to significant growth in bookings posted for the second half of the year, Personify has grown its leadership team, with newly created roles for the organization. New hires include Jeff Lyons as Chief Operating Officer, Joe Hermes as Chief Financial Officer and Cindy Johnson as Global Vice President, People Operations.

Previously Senior Vice President of Professional Services for Skillsoft, Jeff led the global services team for the Skillsoft and SumTotal business units. As Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff for SumTotal, Jeff Lyons led integration and transformation efforts as he helped grow the company to the largest independent provider of integrated HR solutions, and helped lead the sale of SumTotal to Skillsoft. Prior to SumTotal, Jeff was co-founder and Chief Client Officer of MindSolve Technologies, a pioneer in employee performance management software.

Joe Hermes joins Personify from Marketo, a marketing automation software company, where he served as head of Financial Planning and Analysis and guided the successful acquisition and integration of the company to Adobe, creating one of the world’s leading marketing software programs. At Personify, Joe leads all finance, accounting and corporate development.

Cindy Johnson was formerly Chief People Officer at Rubicon Project, an advertising technology firm, and Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Concur Technologies, now SAP. Cindy has also held human resources leadership roles at Philips Medical Systems and AGRA Earth & Environmental. Cindy leads all people operations including talent acquisition, talent management and serves as the cultural steward for Personify leading merger and acquisition integration efforts.

Personify has also seen significant growth across its business units, with net new clients and client expansions that include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Allen Press, Inc., Blackboard, Bonnier Corporation and others.

“As we continue to expand our product lines and broaden our client base, these leaders are uniquely qualified to drive strategic prioritization and accountability with a laser-focus on operational excellence to support our clients,” said Eric Thurston, President and CEO of Personify. “They are joining an already successful, energetic leadership team at the perfect time to drive Personify’s continued growth.”

About Personify

Personify is the market-leading Constituent Management and Engagement (CME) platform that empowers organizations to better engage their constituents, maximize revenue and optimize operations. For over 20 years, Personify has served as the technology foundation for associations, nonprofits, event professionals and show organizers as well as YMCAs and JCCs. For more information, visit https://personifycorp.com/.

Share article on social media or email:

Face and Buccal Lift – A New Technique to Address Aging Face


Dr. Babak Azizzadeh

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh

“I want every patient of mine to love how they look, which means their facial appearance is naturally youthful and balanced. That can be achieved with the Facial and Buccal Lift

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, Chairman and Director of the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, has developed an innovative approach to achieve a more sculpted and symmetrical facial appearance. With the Face and Buccal Lift, the board-certified and Harvard-trained Dr. Azizzadeh offers an incredibly transformative and customizable technique that draws patients from around the world to his Beverly Hills, California-based CENTER.

This Face and Buccal Lift procedure restores a youthful harmony to a patient’s facial appearance by combining buccal fat pad removal and a facelift. Dr. Azizzadeh tailors this approach to each patient, carefully removing just the right amount of buccal fat, also known as cheek fat, via the inside of the patient’s mouth to reduce the appearance of chubby cheeks. The result is a beautifully balanced and symmetrical facial appearance, without any visible scars.

At the same time, Dr. Azizzadeh performs a facelift to rejuvenate and refresh the appearance of the face. As with the buccal fat pad removal, the facelift is finely tuned to each patient’s specific needs and is performed by Dr. Azizzadeh with unparalleled technical and aesthetic prowess. During the facelift, the buccal fat that has been removed from the cheeks is used as an injectable filler to address issues such as forehead lines, thinning lips, and lines around the mouth. The facelift is completed with small surgical incisions that are placed inconspicuously within the patient’s hairline for complete concealment.

The Face and Buccal Lift can only be the creation of a leading facial plastic surgeon such as Dr. Azizzadeh, who understands that the aging process affects everyone differently and has an unmatched eye for detail to help every patient achieve their facial rejuvenation goals.

“I want every patient of mine to love how they look, which means their facial appearance is naturally youthful and balanced. That can be achieved with the Facial and Buccal Lift,” Dr. Azizzadeh says. “With this technique, I can enhance the contours of a patient’s face to obtain a beautiful symmetry while also tightening facial muscles and fixing loose skin. No two patients are alike, so no two procedures are alike. I spend a great deal of time evaluating each patient and talking with them about their goals in order to devise a holistic, detailed treatment plan that delivers the best possible results.”

To learn more about the procedure, please visit https://www.facialplasticsbh.com/face/fat-transfer/


For more on Dr. Azizzadeh and the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, visit http://www.facialplasticsbh.com.

About Dr. Babak Azizzadeh and the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery:

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, Chairman and Director of the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, is one of the leading international experts in facial plastic surgery. His expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery has made him one of the most sought-after physicians. Dr. Azizzadeh’s client list not only includes celebrities, executives, physicians and dignitaries from around the world, but also amazing people from all walks of life. He has been featured in The Oprah Winfrey Show, People Magazine, New York Times, Discovery Health, Los Angeles Times, Beverly Hills Courier and numerous other media outlets for his expertise in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Azizzadeh is one of a select group of surgeons who are double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. His plastic surgery colleagues have consistently chosen him as one of the Top Doctors in Beverly Hills, CA. For more information, please visit https://www.facialplasticsbh.com/

Media Contact: Chloe Belteau , CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, 310-657-2203, chloe@facialplasticsbh.com

Share article on social media or email:

Zappix to Attend Contact Center Ideas and Innovation Tour 2019


Attendees can access event information, directions, provide feedback, and more at any time by scanning this QR code with their smartphones thanks to Zappix technology.

Attendees can access event information, directions, provide feedback, and more at any time by scanning this QR code with their smartphones thanks to Zappix technology.

Events like the Ideas and Innovations Tour and the 2019 SOCAP Fall Kickoff are a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry professionals, learn about the future of Contact Centers and Customer Service, and experience the best our industry has to offer.

Zappix will participate in an expert panel discussion, host a round table, and attend the morning’s SOCAP New England Fall Kickoff event.

The leader in Visual IVR and On-Demand Customer Service Solutions has also provided event organizers and attendees with on-demand access to event information, registration, agenda, directions, and a digital survey to drive attendee engagement and create a more productive, successful event. Event organizers, attendees, and those looking to attend the event can access these services 24/7 thanks to Zappix technology by visiting socap.zappix.com.

“Events like the Ideas and Innovations Tour and the 2019 SOCAP Fall Kickoff are a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry professionals, learn about the future of Contact Centers and Customer Service, and experience the best our industry has to offer,” said Yossi Abraham, Zappix president. “We are excited to showcase the capabilities of Zappix On-Demand Customer Service Solutions at the event and improve the customer experience of our fellow attendees.”

During a panel discussion Zappix President, Yossi Abraham, and Radial Director of COE and Technology Enablement, Robin Gomez, will discuss how modern automation and innovation are transforming the contact center industry.

The “Harnessing the Power of AI, Automation & Live Agents to Exceed Customer Expectations” round table discussion hosted by Yossi Abraham, will explore how customer care professionals can utilize new developments in CX technology to achieve impressive ROI quickly:


  • Enhance customer satisfaction with increased self-service
  • Reduce the number of repetitive calls sent to live customer service representatives
  • Deliver high containment rates
  • Actively lower call center costs
  • Empower agents to focus on high-value, complex calls
  • Reduce agent burnout

The event, held on November 5, 2019 from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy, MA, brings together contact center and customer care professionals from across New England to discuss key topics concerning the state of the industry — a perfect context to share the power of Zappix On-Demand Customer Service Solutions including Visual IVR, On-Demand Apps, Outbound Engagement, and more.

For more information on the event click here.

About Zappix

Zappix delivers On-Demand Customer Service Solutions: Visual IVR, On-Demand Apps, Outbound Engagement and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). The cloud-based solutions improve the customer journey during contact center interactions. The open platform enables workflow automation, rapid deployments, and seamless integration to back-end systems (CRMs, ERPs, etc.), and IVRs, and provides a comprehensive Analytics Suite.

The Zappix solution provides significant benefits and ROI: reducing costs by increasing containment rates for contact centers, improving customer experience and Net Promoter Score (NPS), creating new revenue opportunities using targeted promotional banners and automation of revenue-generating use-cases.

To learn more about Zappix, go to http://www.zappix.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Mikey’s Way Foundation reaffirms that today’s technology can help kids cope with the strain of cancer treatment


Pediatric cancer patient with Mikey's Way gift of a brand new laptop computer

Pediatric cancer patient with Mikey’s Way gift of a brand new laptop computer

“Electronic devices can help children and teens reconnect to ‘their world’ and introduce a measure of normalcy.”- Dr. Abraham Bartell

Today, on the eve of the 15th anniversary of its founding, Mikey’s Way Foundation is reaffirming its commitment to help kids cope with cancer using today’s technology. The challenges pediatric cancer patients face often lead to stress, depression and anxiety. Research in the field of Psychoneuroimmunology (mind/body connection) shows that stress and depression affect the body’s immune response to cancer and infections.

Mikey’s Way Foundation gives technology tools such as laptop computers, tablets, and other Wi-Fi ready electronics designed to help pediatric patients cope with the physical and emotional strain of long-term treatment. The gifts provide diversion, mental support and connection to friends, family and school during prolonged periods of isolation.

“The mind/body connection between emotional wellness and physical well-being is important for all cancer patients but is more pronounced in young people,” says Dr. Abraham Bartell, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. “The pediatric population has the added complexity that results from the insult to their ‘normal development’ during their cancer experience. Electronic devices can help children and teens reconnect to ‘their world’ and introduce a measure of normalcy and a corrective developmental experience.”

“Having gifted more than 8,000 electronics since our founding, it is apparent now more than ever, that Wi-Fi ready devices such as laptop computers, tablets and gaming systems have become vital tools for children in treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses,” says Les Friedman, CEO of Mikey’s Way Foundation. “As an organization, Mikey’s Way is reaffirming our commitment to helping kids cope just as Mikey envisioned nearly 15 years ago, keeping kids connected with friends and family during their treatment.”

Mikey’s Way Foundation was founded by Michael “Mikey” Friedman, who was diagnosed at 15 with a rare form of cancer. The Foundation gives laptop computers, tablets, and other Wi-Fi ready electronics to children affected by the emotional and physical hardships of long-term debilitating treatment. They distribute these electronic gifts via their Mikey’s Way Day and Mikey’s Wish List programs to children all over the country. The gifts provide diversion and connection with family and friends, helping kids to cope with cancer…Mikey’s Way.

For more information about Mikey’s Way Foundation, visit http://www.mikeysway.org and follow Mikey’s Way on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

To read more from Dr. Abraham Bartell: https://www.mikeysway.org/why-were-different/a-message-from-dr-abraham-bartell-child-adolescent-psychiatrist/

To read more about Psychoneuroimmunology: https://www.mikeysway.org/mind-body-medicine/

Share article on social media or email:



Disability Rights Ohio Executive Director to Retire


https://www.prweb.com/

Thanks to the work of a dedicated and motivated team, we have ensured the right of Ohioans with disabilities to make their own decisions. That is perhaps our greatest contribution, and that is why DRO exists. It has been a fight the last 32 years, one that I have relished…

After more than twelve years as Executive Director of Disability Rights Ohio (DRO), Michael Kirkman is announcing his decision to retire, effective early 2020. Kirkman’s roots with the organization run deep, as he was Legal Director for its predecessor, Ohio Legal Rights Service, for 20 years before assuming the leadership position.

“I consider guiding the transition from a state-run organization – OLRS – to a non-profit, private organization – DRO – as one of my greatest accomplishments as Executive Director,” Kirkman said. “It took more than five years to move into the private sector, and since then I have watched the organization grow into a vibrant work environment dedicated to establishing and expanding the rights of Ohio residents with disabilities.”

Spearheading that transition is only one of Kirkman’s impressive successes. During his tenure, Disability Rights Ohio brought and resolved several major court cases, milestones in the fight to ensure that the rights of those with disabilities are recognized and honored. These include:

  • A settlement in the class action lawsuit, filed by DRO, the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson, and The Bazelon Center against the State of Ohio, will shortly be submitted to the Court for approval. The comprehensive settlement agreement focuses on improving outcomes for students with disabilities by identifying specific steps school districts must take to maximize student achievement, including integration into the regular classroom, and emphasizing the use of assistive technology to boost learning. The ruling also includes strategies for improving the transition to post-secondary education for students with disabilities.
  • Preliminarily approval of a comprehensive settlement agreement in the class action Ball v. DeWine suit, granted after more than three years of litigation. DRO, the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP, the Center for Public Representation (CPR), and attorney Sam Bagenstos brought the suit on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. As part of the settlement, the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) has agreed to continue and expand programs that will allow more people with developmental disabilities the option to live and work in their communities with the supports they need. DODD will expand options counseling and pre-admission counseling programs, maintain peer-to-peer and family-to-family programs, increase access to state-funded Individual Options waivers for people who choose a waiver, support and expand programs for integrated, affordable housing and integrated employment and day services, and continue follow-along visits for people after they have left their care facilities.
  • A nationally recognized federal court opinion that led to resolution of a dispute between DRO and The Buckeye Ranch that advances a strong working relationship between the organizations as they seek to ensure the safety and care of children with disabilities. The settlement outlines DRO’s access authority and the means by which its advocates will conduct abuse and neglect investigations going forward, minimizing interference into residents’ schooling.

“I’ve worked closely with Michael for the past decade and became a member of the DRO Board five years ago, and it has been one of the greatest and most fulfilling experiences of my career,” said Jennilee Mohler, DRO Board of Directors President. “The growth in this organization has been astounding, and Michael’s ability to visualize change – and diligence in making it happen – has been inspiring. He not only has to deal with the day-to-day pressures involved in litigation, but also with external challenges such as keeping funding sustained and obtaining grants. I have watched DRO grow, expanding its staff to include a team of professionals dedicated to empowering people, no matter what their challenges. It has truly been an honor to work alongside Michael.”

The search to find Kirkman’s successor will begin immediately. The Board has established a Search Committee that will identify potential candidates and make recommendations on which should be interviewed by the full Board. Applications from both internal and external applicants are currently being accepted and may be submitted to execsearch@disabilityrightsohio.org through November 27, 2019.

“The most exciting experience has been to watch the way our work at DRO has truly transformed the lives of our clients,” Kirkman noted. “Those who might have been institutionalized 20 years ago because there were no other options now can live, work and worship in their communities. Thanks to the work of a dedicated and motivated team, we have ensured the right of Ohioans with disabilities to make their own decisions. That is perhaps our greatest contribution, and that is why DRO exists. It has been a fight the last 32 years, one that I have relished, and the fight will continue long after I’m gone. Thanks to everyone at DRO for allowing me to be part of the organization, I know you will continue to move forward.”

About DRO

Disability Rights Ohio is designated under federal law as the Protection and Advocacy System and Client Assistance Program for the state of Ohio. The mission of Disability Rights Ohio is to advocate for the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio. Disability Rights Ohio provides legal advocacy and rights protection to a wide range of people with disabilities. Find more information at disabilityrightsohio.org.

Share article on social media or email:

Pelican Water Systems In-Home Services Now Offered in Oklahoma City


News Image

Pelican Water Systems, now a part of Pentair, is delighted to expand its signature in-home services to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the surrounding areas of Edmond, Bethany, Yukon, and Moore. With a simple phone call, residents interested in Pelican water filtration and softening systems can schedule a complimentary consultation from a certified water expert. Pelican Water in-home water consultants travel to your home in a mobile retail center that contains everything necessary to test and treat your home drinking water. The mobile retail center includes a stocked mini showroom, a water test station, and industry-leading Pelican Water products to remedy individual water quality problems.

Oklahoma City sources its public drinking water from seven distinct surface water reservoirs in the surrounding five counties, including Canton Lake in northwest Oklahoma and Sardis Lake in southeastern Oklahoma. The high concentration of minerals in the surrounding landscape contributes to water hardness in city residences, and a combination of regional drought and aging infrastructure can affect water quality. When Pelican Water experts visit a home, they take the time to test the water sample for a variety of cosmetic and quality concerns that are common in and around Oklahoma City.

Approximately 70,000 homes around Oklahoma utilize private wells, which are not monitored by the EPA. An in-home service appointment represents a holistic testing and treatment solution for families with private wells or municipal drinking water. Pelican Water trained professionals discuss budget, water quality, and lifestyle with each customer to arrive at the most effective and affordable water treatment system for their needs. Experts correctly size and securely install a new system in just three days so Oklahoma City residents can rest easy with higher-quality, great-tasting water.

Oklahoma City families concerned about their general water quality can now call and schedule a free in-home consultation. All installations in Oklahoma City are performed with white-glove service, and every Pelican Water in-home consultation is backed by a 90-day labor guarantee. For a full list of locations where in-home services are offered, visit the Pelican Water in-home services page.

About Pelican Water Systems

Pelican Water Systems provides professional knowledge and leading technologies in whole house water filtration, countertop water filtration systems, UV bacteria disinfection systems, and salt-free water conditioning systems. Pelican Water’s mission is to help families enjoy cleaner, safer, better-tasting water in their homes in an environmentally friendly way. Pelican Water is proud to offer under-counter reverse osmosis systems that are small enough for practical use in RVs and marine vessels. Acquired by Pentair in February 2019, Pelican Water continues to be the global market leader in salt-free water treatment technology. For more information about Pelican Water Systems’ in-home services in Oklahoma City, visit PelicanOKC.com.

About Pentair

At Pentair, we believe the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean, safe water. We deliver a comprehensive range of smart, sustainable water solutions to homes, business and industry around the world. Our industry-leading and proven portfolio of solutions enables our customers to access clean, safe water. Whether it’s improving, moving or enjoying water, we help manage the world’s most precious resource. Smart, Sustainable Water Solutions. For Life.

Pentair had revenue in 2018 of $3 billion, and trades under the ticker symbol PNR. With approximately 110 locations in 30 countries and 10,000 employees, we believe that the future of water depends on us. To learn more, visit pentair.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Liberty IT Solutions Awarded $434M Health Integration and Modernization (HI&M) Task Order


Liberty IT Solutions LLC, which specializes in Health Information Technology has been awarded their largest award to date with the 60-month (1-year base period, plus 4 option years) Health Integration and Modernization (HI&M) Task Order from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This $434M Task Order will consolidate the Enterprise Portfolio Management Division (EPMD) Health Portfolio’s application under one modernization effort. This will allow VA to institute leading development practices to benefit all applications. Liberty will partner with Geek Sources Inc. and Ad Hoc LLC on the HI&M Task Order, both bringing unique experience and expertise to the program.

Through the modernization effort, Liberty will consolidate Office of Information and Technology (OIT) EPMD Health Portfolio projects and products into the Cerner Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This will require Liberty to create a System of Systems (SoS) that supports Cerner and the Health Portfolio.

Liberty CEO, Bill Greene, says of the win: “Liberty is honored to take on the Health Integration and Modernization Task Order. Our abilities, along with those of our partners, will prove to be a successful match for delivering a high-quality product to Veterans Affairs. The modernization of the EPMD Health Portfolio’s applications is an exciting opportunity for Liberty, and we look forward to our partnership with VA on this important Task Order.”

Under this Task Order, Liberty and partners will deliver Human-Centered Design (HCD) and Application Performance Monitoring (APM) at scale to inform opportunities to deliver Veteran-centric products that preemptively resolve practical issues users face by developing user-focused products. This robust APM solution will inform developers and VA staff about issues before they impact the Veterans/users.

Share article on social media or email: