MetaBrain Labs, a leader in neuroscience-driven mental health tech, is excited to announce the appointment of Mark Hammond as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — MetaBrain Labs, a leader in neuroscience-driven mental health tech, is excited to announce the appointment of Mark Hammond as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). This strategic acquisition marks a significant step in MetaBrain’s journey towards continued innovation and ongoing expansion.
MetaBrain Labs is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mark Hammond as our new Chief Operating Officer effective November 1, 2023. Mr. Hammond brings a wealth of experience from the startup investment sector, providing a unique and advantageous perspective on deal-making and strategic growth. His primary focus will be spearheading our fundraising initiatives while overseeing the operational management of the company.
Mark Hammond’s insight is particularly valuable as MetaBrain Labs stands out from the conventional startup landscape. With a market-ready Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and a bold mission to revolutionize the understanding and application of neuroscience insights for enhancing mental and physical health, his appointment is a strategic move towards achieving our expansive vision.
Mark Hammond is a highly accomplished and results-driven professional with a diverse background in product management, business development, and engineering. With a proven track record of successfully leading and executing complex projects, Mark has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth for renowned organizations such as SoftBank, Amazon, and ExxonMobil. Leveraging his extensive network and exceptional business acumen, Mark excels in sourcing new business opportunities by fostering valuable relationships. His ability to support investment proposals through comprehensive analysis provide critical insights for informed decision-making and drive successful ventures. Mark’s strategic thinking has also resulted in achieving high-graded company portfolios and cash positive outlooks. His invaluable contributions have left a lasting impact on Investor Day presentations and overall financial planning.
Alexandrea Day, CEO of MetaBrain Labs, states, “We are thrilled to welcome Mark Hammond to our executive team as Chief Operating Officer. His proven track record and deep understanding of business growth align perfectly with our strategic objectives as a company. We are confident that Mark will be instrumental in leading our operations to new heights and accelerating our growth trajectory.”
The addition of Mark Hammond to the team is anticipated to bolster the company’s commitment to disrupt the mental health and wellness industry, furthering its position as an industry maker.
Mark Hammond commented, “Embarking on this new role at MetaBrain Labs marks a pivotal moment in my career. This company stands at the forefront of technological evolution, helping to redefine how we interact with and influence our mindset. My excitement stems not just from joining a team of unparalleled talent but also from the prospect of contributing to a technology that is set to absolutely flip upside down our approach to mental and emotional well-being.”
For more information about MetaBrain Labs and its leadership team, please visit https://metabrainlabs.com/
About MetaBrain Labs
MetaBrain Labs, led by the pioneering Neurotech Innovator and CEO, Alexandrea Day harnesses the power of their patent-pending Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology to explore and retrain the unconscious mind. This helps individuals unlock and shift hidden mindsets, facilitating rapid behavioral change for a profoundly better life in as little as two weeks. The process, rooted in Adaptive theory and used by Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) spans its use across all human endeavors from improving a golf score to becoming a mindful parent or a better public speaker.
“We are thrilled to partner with Profound Research to form this Clinical Research Center of Excellence,” said Jeffrey Margolis, MD, President of Michigan Health Professionals. “This partnership will allow us to bring novel therapies to the Detroit community and help us advance the development of new treatments and cures. We are committed to working with Profound to provide our patients with the opportunity to participate in clinical trials that could lead to better treatments for their diseases.”
“The Profound-MHP Clinical Research Center of Excellence is a significant partnership that will unlock new care options to a diverse patient population, something very important to the Profound mission,” said Jonathan Feldstein, MD, President of Profound Research. “MHP is a leading provider of healthcare in the Detroit area, and we share a vision of bringing innovative medicines to support the improvement of patients’ lives in the community.”
This Center of Excellence launched its first sites in Detroit this year and is expecting to reach 10 sites by the end of 2024. Profound Research and MHP have partnered on several studies to date and look forward to launching several more in the coming months.
About Profound Research
Profound Research is an integrated clinical research network composed of trial sites embedded into independent physician practices. Profound’s mission is to expand access to clinical research for patients in the community and give community physicians more therapeutic options. Profound Research has locations across Southern California and in the Detroit metropolitan area and is expanding nationwide. The company has a team of experienced and dedicated research professionals who are committed to providing the highest quality clinical research support to physicians and their patients.
About Michigan Health Professionals
Michigan Health Professionals (MHP) is a large multi-specialty medical practice with over 500 physicians and a patient panel of nearly 1 million patients. MHP provides a wide range of medical services, including primary care, specialty care, and surgery. MHP is committed to providing its patients with the highest quality care and improving access to care for patients in the community.
Boston Children’s, a pediatric hospital ranked on the Pediatric Honor Roll for more than 20 years by U.S. News & World Report, asked AMS to apply machine learning to better understand the patient journey for pediatric specialty and complex care. AMS used its Automated Content Evaluator (ACE™), an algorithm developed in collaboration with researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management to identify customer needs and provide input for a detailed journey map. Once trained, ACE™ can process hundreds of thousands of lines of readily available user-generated content, quickly identifying needs and discovering hidden gems of insights.
In this case, ACE™ helped analyze more than 66 thousand sentences from both public and internal patient family-generated discussions on topics such as provider selection, diagnostic testing, and condition management, among others, to explore the stages, needs, and emotional sentiment along the journey map – beyond what is typically uncovered by traditional marketing research. Working with the Boston Children’s team, AMS produced a detailed patient journey map that included 133 needs across more than a dozen phases of the pediatric patient journey. This study provided Boston Children’s with actionable information to further improve the experiences of patients and their families as they face medically complex situations.
ABOUT APPLIED MARKETING SCIENCE (AMS)
For nearly 35 years, AMS has helped product developers, customer experience professionals, and executives use customer insights to develop better products and services. With roots in the MIT Sloan School of Management, we take pride in utilizing systematic, cutting-edge methodologies. Visit our website to learn more about AMS. For any questions about this study or about how you can apply machine learning to your own research project, contact Carmel Dibner at [email protected].
Woburn Dentistry is hosting Dentistry with a Heart for community members in need of dental care.
WOBURN, Mass., Nov. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — On Friday, December 8, 2023, Woburn Dentistry will host “Dentistry with a Heart,” offering free dental cleanings, exams, fillings, and simple extractions to patients in need. Patients must be at least 18 years of age, have a state-issued identification card, wear a face mask, and provide their health history. Appointments will be on a first come, first served basis. For more information, visit us at https://www.woburndentistryma.com/.
Tim Mobley, President of Connext Global Solutions, expressed gratitude for the collective efforts of the entire Connext team. “Reaching the milestone of 1,000 employees is a momentous occasion for us. It underscores the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our talented team members who have been instrumental in our, and our clients, success. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved together and excited about the future possibilities as we continue to grow.”
Connext Global Solutions has always placed a strong emphasis on placing high quality candidates quickly, providing a supportive work culture to prevent attrition, and layering in management support to make employees successful. The company’s success is a reflection of its commitment to both client and employee satisfaction as well as it’s unrelenting focus on recruiting, retention, and high level management support.
In celebration of this achievement, Connext Global Solutions will be organizing an internal event to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of its employees. This event will provide an opportunity for team members to come together, reflect on their collective achievements, and look forward to the future.
As Connext Global Solutions looks ahead, the company remains committed to maintaining its position as a leader in the remote healthcare staffing sector and continuing to provide unparalleled remote staffing services to its clients. Connext now helps clients with roles and functions in revenue cycle management, patient support, virtual nursing, IT and engineering, accounting, back office and much more. The company primarily provides staffing services out of the Philippines but is now starting to build a presence in Colombia. The expansion to 1,000 employees marks a new chapter in Connext’s journey, and the company is poised for even greater success in the years to come.
About Connext Global Solutions:
Connext Global Solutions is a company dedicated to providing high level managed remote staffing services to clients around the world. With a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and client satisfaction, Connext has emerged as a leader in the offshoring and remote staffing sector. For more information about Connext, visit their website at www.connext.solutions.
Brent also gives thanks to Rutemiller’s Army, the group of friends, family members, colleagues and Olympians from the swimming community, who came together to support Brent from diagnosis to partial remission.
“Over the past two years, all my treatments failed to conquer the Multiple Myeloma cancer circulating in my blood. I went through two stem cell transplants, chemotherapy, multiple drug treatments, and cataract, brain, and heart surgery. Along the way, I lost my eyesight, hearing, smell, taste, and feeling in my face, chin, right leg, and toes. But I never lost hope because of the support from the swimming community and Rutemiller’s Army. Now is the time to give back,” said Brent.
Today, Brent has responded well to treatment, surpassing even his doctor’s expectations. He has miraculously recovered and has regained much of his health so that he can swim once again. To mark this occasion, Brent will be swimming in two Arizona pools on November 24-27 and he is encouraging anyone who loves swimming to dive in and join him. He will be joined virtually at other locations by his faithful Rutemiller’s Army, and special guests from his swimming career, including Olympic swimmers Rowdy Gaines, Debbie Meyer, Nathan Adrian, Aaron Peirsol, Elizabeth Beisel, Matt Grevers, Amanda Beard, Roland Schoeman and Darian Townsend. Those who live outside the Arizona-area and want to join in and swim and support Rutemiller’s Army, can swim in their local pool and donate to Rutemiller’s Army.
Brent’s journey to remission is full of many ups and downs, and he has maintained a positive, yet realistic outlook. His story is documented in a self-produced video on swimacrossamerica.org/rutemillersarmy.
“There is no cure for multiple myeloma – there are only treatments,” said Brent. “I am calling on Rutemiller’s Army to swim for a cure.”
Brent is no stranger to the strength of the swimming community. In 1985, he began his association with Swimming World Magazine and he went on to serve as marketing director, publisher, CEO and owner of the magazine. After a 37-year tenure with the publication, he became CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), re-establishing its home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and merging the magazine and its multimedia platforms with the Hall. His leadership was integral to the ongoing construction of the Hall’s new facilities, which include the first high-diving tower of its kind in the world. He retired from his magazine and Hall of Fame positions in 2022 after his cancer diagnosis.
In June 2021, Brent discovered what he believed to be a kidney stone causing intense back pain. It was instead a rare bone marrow cancer called plasma cell leukemia or multiple myeloma. He started chemotherapy almost immediately with MD Anderson before being transferred to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona.
Then in January 2022, he experienced the first setback by suffering a skin reaction to one of his major medications. Doctors took him off the drug and began discussions for a bone marrow transplant. They were hopeful that a stem cell transplant would help conquer the cancer in his blood. With the cancer growing at an exponential rate, they infused Brent with five million stem cells in March, 2022. Within a month his cancer was under control and in early remission.
However, seven months later in September 2022, his cancer returned. He received radiation for cancer in his jaw and began the process of receiving Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in the form of another bone marrow transplant. CAR T-cell therapy is a way to get immune cells called T cells to fight cancer by changing them in the lab so they can find and destroy cancer cells. CAR T-cell therapy is also sometimes talked about as a type of cell-based gene therapy, because it involves altering the genes inside T cells to help them attack the cancer cells.
While waiting for the new, modified T cells to be transplanted, his cancer was intensifying. He received the CAR-T transplant in October and was briefly released from the hospital, though his marrow was not responding to the treatment. The following month while back in the hospital, he dealt with multiple setbacks including high fevers, poor clotting of wounds, and difficulty walking independently.
Ten days before Christmas, his marrow was still not responding. His wife suggested to his doctors to give Brent a stem cell boost with the five million of his stem cells that were still banked in cold storage. After the boost of three million stem cells, his initial tests showed no signs of cancer and he was released on December 28 – the day of his 37th wedding anniversary.
“I couldn’t wait to get home, hold my grandsons, get back in shape, and dive into the pool as soon as I felt strong enough,” said Brent.
In February 2023, Brent received test results from his doctors showing signs that the cancer was undetectable.
“They said I had the cleanest bone marrow they’d ever seen!” shared Brent. “We still needed to wait and let the cells do their job but that was fantastic news.”
Then in March, Brent fought another setback as he received the news that his cancer had returned again, and this time, in the form of a brain tumor. Doctors acted quickly and removed the tumor, leaving a large U-shaped scar on the back of his head.
He then learned that cancer had attacked his heart and a new brain tumor formed after the surgery. Brent received radiation treatments for the brain tumor and a pacemaker in his heart to combat the new diagnoses.
After treatment, Brent was feeling well enough to resume hiking and work on regaining his strength, even though the cancer was still growing in his blood.
“Then everything changed. In late 2022, the FDA had granted emergency approval for a new drug called Teclistamab for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma,” said Brent. “I was lucky to have my doctors know this and I underwent treatment in May 2023. It was my last hope.”
After a 15-day treatment plan was implemented, Brent was feeling hopeful and healthy. His tests revealed that cancer levels in his blood were below normal and his brain tumor resolved. Brent was optimistic and slowly healing. In July 2023, Brent was in a state of “Very Good Partial Remission” and remains in that state today.
“Before that emergency FDA approval, we didn’t know what our next steps were. And to be honest, we still don’t know what will happen from here. But we’re hopeful and grateful, and I want Rutemiller’s Army to be my legacy and continue to fight towards a cure.”
Funds raised by Brent and Rutemiller’s Army will fund a cancer research project guided by the Swim Across America Research and Grants Committee.
Swim Across America was founded in 1987 with its first open water event in Long Island Sound. Since that time, the nonprofit organization has raised more than $100 million to fight cancer. In its 36 years of “making waves to fight cancer,” more than 100,000 swimmers and 150 Olympians have swum the circumference of the earth three times, uniting a movement to fight cancer that has created a groundswell of support spanning all generations. Today, more than 24 communities hold open water swims and charity pool swims each year, from Nantucket to under the Golden Gate Bridge, which support innovative cancer research, detection and patient programs.
Swim Across America’s funding of clinical trials for patients helped contribute to four FDA approved life-saving immunotherapy cancer treatments: Yervoy, Opdivo, Tecentriq and Keytruda. In June of last year, a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was published in The New England Journal of Medicine that showed a 100 percent success rate in treating patients in a phase 2 clinical trial for advanced rectal cancer with dostarlimab, an immunotherapy treatment produced by GlaxoSmithKline. The clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was funded by early-stage grant funding from Swim Across America. More than 60 scientific grants are funded each year and there are now ten dedicated Swim Across America Labs at major institutions including: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, John Hopkins Medicine Baltimore, Rush University Medical Center Chicago, Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center in Dallas, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, Infusion Center at Nantucket Cottage Hospital, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and San Francisco, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, The Swim Across America Pediatric Research Lab at Columbia University Medical Center New York, and at Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, Swim Across America is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To learn more visitswimacrossamerica.org or follow on Facebook @SwimAcrossAmerica or on Instagram or Twitter @SAASwim.
He has a bachelor’s degree with honors in science and biology from the University of South Florida and a Doctor of Medicine with honors from Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Wegerif completed his general surgery residency at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic Florida where he served as chief resident. He then completed a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of New Mexico and earned a chief resident position in his final year. He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and board-eligible by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His extensive knowledge is featured in multiple-authored and co-peer-reviewed medical journal articles and book chapters.
Dr. Wegerif is a Florida native from the Space Coast, and he lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale. He enjoys boating, traveling, and fitness.
Haute Beauty is affiliated with the luxury lifestyle publication Haute Living. As a section of Haute Living magazine, Haute Beauty covers the latest advancements in beauty and wellness, providing readers with expert advice on aesthetic and reconstructive treatments through its network of acclaimed doctors and beauty experts.
Feel Therapeutics, a San Francisco-based company with additional offices in Europe, is at the forefront of digital precision medicine for mental health. With the mission to bring objective and passive monitoring to reinvent the way we diagnose, manage, and care for mental & behavioral health. Furthermore, Feel has partnerships with four of the largest pharma and life science companies to generate evidence in clinical and real-world studies, as well as to improve adherence and patient outcomes alongside medications.
Feel Therapeutics has the mission to bring digital precision medicine to mental health and has been selected to be a member of Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS. For this symposium, Eleftheriou will be participating in a fireside chat alongside Elena Fernandez-Kleinlein, Head of JLABS EMEA at Johnson & Johnson Innovation. This chat will delve into the nuances and intricacies of digital precision medicine applications for mental health in the context of Real-World Evidence studies.
Feel Therapeutics is a Digital Precision Medicine company bringing objective and passive monitoring to reinvent the way we diagnose, manage, and care for mental & behavioral health.
The company is backed by top-tier investors and partners with Pharmaceutical companies and CROs to generate evidence and bring precision Drug+ and DTx solutions to market as standalone or alongside medications.
Feel Therapeutics is headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in Europe.
Fathering Together and City Dads Group Join Forces to Offer Essential Resources to Fathers Around the World
CHICAGO, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Two leading organizations dedicated to supporting and empowering fathers, Fathering Together and City Dads Group, are thrilled to create a stronger and more comprehensive platform to champion engaged fatherhood through local communities and provide vital resources and connections across the globe.
This new organization integrates the collective strengths and expertise to advance the work of promoting active and engaged fatherhood. This strategic partnership will result in a broader network, enhanced programming, and a more significant impact on the lives of fathers, families, and communities.
Cordan James, a respected leader in the field of fatherhood advocacy, will lead the combined organization as Executive Director. Cordan states, “I’m honored to step into this role. As a dad of three kids and as a child of adoption, I understand the important role and influence dads can have on creating positive change in the lives of their children. My goal is to build on the past success and create a movement that brings about a more equitable and inclusive world for all.”
Key benefits of the partnership include:
Expanded Reach: The new organization will reach over 150,000 dads across the globe with in-person groups in Canada, Kenya, Malawi, and the United States.
Innovative Programming: Fathering Together will offer more robust programs including school-based social emotional learning for dads, online panels, in-person meetups to empower dads to be advocates for change.
Inclusive Community: Fathering Together allows members to define fatherhood for themselves. Regardless of background or identity, all are welcome to share their story, and grow together in their journey.
Commenting on the partnership, Matt Schneider, Co-Founder of City Dads Group, said, “We are thrilled to join with Fathering Together to strengthen, sustain and expand our communities. We have a real opportunity to positively impact the way we view and value fathers as a society.”
Brian Anderson, Co-Founder & Board President of Fathering Together, added, “We are honored that City Dads Group places their faith in us to continue advocating for fathers worldwide. We look forward to bringing the City Dads Group community into ours so we might empower dads to be emotionally courageous, connected, and committed to their families.”
As Fathering Together integrates City Dads Group’s operations, it will continue to reimagine fatherhood through intentional communities, championing new narratives and implementing school-based programs for dads.
About Fathering Together:
Fathering Together is a global network of over 125,000 fathers and allies around the world dedicated to promoting active fatherhood and providing support, resources, advocacy, and education for dads. Established in 2018, Fathering Together is passionate about challenging stereotypes and advocating for equitable parenting. Their work has touched the lives of countless dads, offering guidance on parenting, relationships, and personal development. Fathering Together has also been a leading voice in promoting equality in caregiving responsibilities and emphasizing the importance of fatherhood as a cornerstone of healthy societies through virtual panels, workshops, and digital stories. To learn more, visit www.fatheringtogether.org.
About City Dads Group:
City Dads Group is a diverse community of fathers dedicated to being actively involved in their children’s lives. Founded in 2008, City Dads Group has chapters in 41 cities across the United States and Canada and is committed to redefining and promoting modern fatherhood. Their commitment to breaking down stereotypes about fatherhood and fostering inclusive communities has made them a recognized force for positive change. To learn more, visit www.citydadsgroup.com.
Media Contact Rebecca Hochreiter, Fathering Together Board Member, 1 718-909-8923, [email protected]
“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
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.
