Christensen was one of AmSpa’s very first employees and has played a key role in developing the organization’s membership program, its essential products and services, and its acclaimed live events, including its Medical Spa Boot Camps, the new Women in Aesthetic Leadership Conference and Advanced Practice Management Symposium, and the industry-leading Medical Spa Show.
“I can’t say enough about Cathy’s leadership, commitment and influence, not only on AmSpa but the aesthetics industry as a whole,” says AmSpa CEO and Founder, Alex R. Thiersch, JD. “There are several moments of demarcation in any business’ life-cycle—things that happened before that moment and everything that happened after. Cathy Christensen joining AmSpa was one of those moments for this company. She has been critical to building the infrastructure and systems needed to run and scale AmSpa, and I can say confidently that I wouldn’t be where I am—and AmSpa wouldn’t be where it is—without her continued contributions and dedication. She deserves to be recognized as a leader of AmSpa, and naming her our first corporate president will hopefully show the industry how proud we all are to have her on our team.”
Christensen will next appear for AmSpa at its Medical Spa Boot Camp at La Jolla, California, on September 22 – 24, 2023, and will also appear at the Medical Spa Boot Camps at Asheville, North Carolina, on October 13 – 15, and Miami on November 3 – 5. Learn more about AmSpa’s Medical Spa Boot Camp at http://www.americanmedspa.org/medspabootcamps.
About the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa)
The American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) provides business, legal and clinical training and resources to medical spas and aesthetic practices throughout the country. AmSpa’s events—including Medical Spa Boot Camps, Academy for Injection Anatomy trainings and Medical Spa Show—provide business and legal best-practices to anyone entering the medical spa space or looking to improve their existing practice. AmSpa Members receive access to legal summaries of laws governing medical spas in their state, discounts, a robust and growing webinar library, and many other benefits. For more information visit http://www.americanmedspa.org, call 312-981-0993, or email [email protected].
Forget Me Not Videos September 5th – 30th / 24×7 Throughout the month of September, Jack London Square will post moving videos featuring real Alzheimer’s patients along with their caregivers and family members on TikTok. In these videos, which the center encourages everyone to watch, these brave people will tell their stories, offer advice for living with Alzheimer’s Disease, and detail the organizations they tapped for the vital life-enhancing services needed to fight this insidious disease. To watch the videos, search for @JackLondonSq on TikTok throughout the month of September.
Enter-to-Win Contest September 5th – 23rd / 24×7 Area families whose loved ones have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease are encouraged to create a short video showcasing a treasured memory they don’t want their loved one to forget, then share it with the community by uploading it to the Jack London Square website for a chance to win a dinner, movie and shopping package at the center. To enter, visit http://www.jacklondonsquare.com.
Information and Statistics September 1st – 30th / 24×7 Jack London Square will also post important information about Alzheimer’s Disease on its website throughout the month of September. This critical information will include a test that people can take if they are concerned that they or their loved ones are showing signs of Alzheimer’s as well as tips for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. To access this information, visit http://www.jacklondonsquare.com.
Little Free Puzzle Library September 11th – September 30th / 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Jack London Square will host a Little Free Puzzle Library from September 11th through September 30th in the Plaza by Plank. The community is invited to stop by the Little Free Puzzle Library each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to pick up free puzzles to give to their friends or family members with Alzheimer’s Disease. Puzzles – particularly jigsaw puzzles – are an excellent way for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s to strengthen their cognition, reduce agitation, and promote a feeling of accomplishment. They also provide therapeutic exercises for improving brain functions, especially short-term memory, activities which can ward off cognitive decline at any age. Additionally, completing puzzles together can also be a fun way for family or caregivers to engage with their loved one.
Memory Puzzle Drive September 11th – September 30th / 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. From September 11th through September 30th, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Jack London Square will host a memory puzzle drive. During this event, the community is encouraged to donate new puzzles, particularly jigsaw puzzles, which will be given to local area Alzheimer’s care facilities. Donated puzzles can be placed in the collection bin in front of the Management Office (near Bike East Bay) throughout the day.
Colorful Decor September 5th – 30th / 24×7 Throughout the month of September, Jack London Square will honor local Alzheimer’s victims and their families and caregivers by bathing the center in the signature purple colors symbolic of the fight against this sinister disease. For the entire month of September, the center will light its trees with purple lights and display purple lawn signs near the center’s palm trees to share positive messages of hope with the community.
The Forget Me Not Main Event September 23rd / 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The culmination of the Forget Me Not month-long program will be a family-friendly, fun-filled event that includes an array of free activities to honor and aid those who are in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease today. Most activities during this very special event take place in the plaza near Plank. The highlight of this event will be the drone show at 8 p.m., which features a synchronized light show performance with 80 quadcopters.
DJ (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.): Sponsored by Jack London Square, a live DJ will play upbeat, festive music throughout the event.
Concert (Two Performances Between 7:10 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.): Two performances by the non-profit cultural education organization Oaktown Jazz Workshops (OJW) will feature an array of young local musicians sharing their talent with the community. This concert is free of charge and open to the public; no pre-registration is required.
Kids Craft Station (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.): Children will enjoy decorating identity bracelets which will be donated to Alzheimer’s patients residing in local memory care facilities (while supplies last).
Live Art Project (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.): Local artists will create paintings on site, live and in person. Their finished pieces will be auctioned during the event with the proceeds being donated to the Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay (ASEB) to further the organization’s supportive work and services.
Selfie Station (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.): Guests can take their own commemorative photos in front of the Jack London Square Forget Me Not purple balloon selfie station, then post them on Instagram tagging @jacklondonsq for a chance to win a $500 prize package from the center.
Purple-Attired Stilt Walker (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.): Lending to the festive nature of the event, a purple-attired stilt walker will distribute treats to event attendees throughout the day.
Information & Guides (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.): Members of the Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay (ASEB) will be on hand to offer education and Alzheimer’s services and support for those in need.
Drone Show (8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.): Sponsored by Jack London Square, this incredible drone show will feature 80 quadcopters equipped with multiple purple LED lights flying in synchronized, expertly choreographed aerial formations that create a purple ribbon (i.e., the Alzheimer’s symbol), a forget-me-not flower, and other images that convey love and hope. Resembling shooting stars, this array of brightly colored drones is both breathtaking and environmentally friendly, creating no air pollution or debris as is common with pyrotechnic displays.
About Jack London Square Situated along the estuary, Jack London Square is Oakland’s only publicly accessible mixed-use waterfront area and has been a well-known landmark since the mid-1880’s. With its rich history as the heart of Oakland’s port operations, Jack London Square is one of the Bay Area’s premier recreational, dining, and commercial districts. Jack London Square offers visitors and local residents an authentic, vibrant hub for dining, outdoor recreation, special events and entertainment options including Ben & Jerry’s, BevMo, Bike East Bay, California Canoe & Kayak, Farmhouse Kitchen, Forge Pizza, Heinhold’s First and Last Saloon, Noka Ramen, Oakland Supply Co., Plank, Regal Cinema, Rosenblum Cellars, Scott’s Seafood, Seabreeze on the Dock, The Bay Trail, Timeless Coffee & Bakery, Visit Oakland, Waterfront Hotel, Yoshi’s Oakland, and more. To learn more, visit the Jack London Square website at http://www.jacklondonsquare.com or follow Jack London Square on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contacts: Deborah Blackford Blackford & Associates [email protected] 714-280-8765
With on-demand video training and an array of activities and resources on topics centered on emotional and mental health – such as communication skills, psychological safety, and mental health first aid, this certification program offers a comprehensive self-paced guide to facilitating optimal working conditions and safety standards where workers can thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically.
“As an industry, we must continuously strive to adapt measures and tactics that ensure the safety of our workers onsite. Total worker health provides another perspective that is often overlooked when discussing safety,” says Jamie Evans, Director of Safety for Turner Construction. “Fostering a work environment where workers can openly express themselves, feel cared for, and engage in healthy behaviors is a vital component in decreasing the risk for injury. Because when people feel their best, they perform their best – keeping themselves and others safe.”
About Wellness Workdays: Workdays is a Massachusetts company with offices in New York, Florida, and Texas that designs and delivers workplace wellness programs to promote employee health, productivity, and a culture of well-being. Our subsidiary, OMC Wellness, based in Portland, Maine, provides population health management solutions utilizing onsite health coaching and proprietary technology to sustain measurable outcomes. A Certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise, we have earned industry recognition and best practices awards for our clients, which include New Balance, Turner Construction, Merck KGaA, Brown University, the Maine Department of Transportation, Rockland Trust Bank, The Maine Bankers Association and Harvard Business School. Visit us at http://www.wellnessworkdays.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Media Contact
Media Relations, Wellness Workdays, 781.741.5483, [email protected], wellnessworkdays.com
This webinar highlights the transformative power of technology in clinical trials, enabling accurate study requirements, diverse applications and optimized protocols for patient populations. It emphasizes the patient-centric approach, reducing burdens on participants and staff. Telemedicine and innovative trial designs overcome geographical challenges, enhancing patient engagement. Decentralized solutions foster inclusivity, bringing trials to patients’ homes. Ethical considerations are explored, and the latest U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance on decentralized trials and patient diversity plans are covered, empowering attendees to confidently navigate the regulatory landscape.
Register now to learn how clinical trial diversity and inclusivity can be improved through the use of telemedicine decentralized solutions and other technologies.
Join the following experts from Thermo Fisher Scientific’s PPD clinical research business: Rose Blackburne, MD, MBA, VP and Global Head of General Medicine & Women’s Health; Jennifer Urwongse, DCT Strategy and Innovation Director; and Julie Hockett, Feasibility Strategist, for the live webinar on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 11am EDT (4pm BST/UK).
Xtalks, powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., is a leading provider of educational webinars to the global life science, food and medical device community. Every year, thousands of industry practitioners (from life science, food and medical device companies, private & academic research institutions, healthcare centers, etc.) turn to Xtalks for access to quality content. Xtalks helps Life Science professionals stay current with industry developments, trends and regulations. Xtalks webinars also provide perspectives on key issues from top industry thought leaders and service providers.
In addition, Sunfish now offers a new Membership Program through which Sunfish creates a custom financial plan for each family to achieve pregnancy through IVF. The highly beneficial aspect of the membership program is Sunfish’s guarantee to refund up to 90% of a patient’s fertility treatment and family building costs if their financial plan underestimates the expenses required to achieve pregnancy.
“Unfortunately, even in a state like New York with a fertility insurance mandate, many patients still do not have coverage for fertility treatment and family building services. Boston IVF is pleased to partner with Sunfish to offer this innovative program that reduces the financial burden for individuals and couples,” said David Stern – Chief Executive Officer of Boston IVF.
“Through our collaboration with Boston IVF, we are reshaping the landscape of fertility care, ensuring that aspiring parents can focus on the joy of building families rather than financial stress. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in making fertility treatment accessible and compassionate,” says Angela Rastegar, co-founder and CEO of Sunfish.
The new Sunfish partnership is one of Boston IVF’s many financial assistance programs for fertility care. In early 2023, Boston IVF announced its collaboration with Lending Club, which offers lower-cost monthly financing options for individuals who wish to freeze their eggs for future use.
Boston IVF is one of the largest and most experienced fertility networks in the United States, with more than 150,000 babies born since 1986. Founded as one of the nation’s first private practice IVF centers, the Boston IVF network has grown to include over 30 reproductive endocrinologists across 30 centers throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, and Utah. A renowned innovator of reproductive technologies, advanced protocols, and cutting-edge research, Boston IVF has achieved numerous “firsts” in reproductive care. Its scientific and research arm continues to pave the way for breakthroughs in fertility care and its accredited REI Fellowship Program has graduated numerous reproductive endocrinologists as part of its mission to train the next generation of fertility experts. Learn more here: Boston IVF’s New York Centers Website.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., ROTTERDAM, Netherlands and SUZHOU, China, Aug. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Harbour BioMed (the”Company”, HKEX: 02142) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the investigational new drug (IND) application to commence clinical trials of its…
Probiotics may be a viable therapeutic avenue for PD patients suffering from prolonged ‘off’ periods, constipation and sleep deficits, according to a multicenter randomized controlled trial released today at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders® in Copenhagen, Denmark.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Probiotics may be a viable therapeutic avenue for PD patients suffering from prolonged ‘off’ periods, constipation and sleep deficits, according to a multicenter randomized controlled trial released today at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders® in Copenhagen, Denmark.
After 12 weeks of probiotic therapy, shallow shotgun sequencing revealed an increased occurrence of beneficial flora, while UPDRS scores demonstrated a significant reduction in motor (i.e., ‘time to on’) and nonmotor (i.e., gastrointestinal, sleep/fatigue) symptoms.
The human body hosts millions of microbes, and many scientists support the idea that the species that populate our bodies matter on a molecular level because of their integration into our metabolic processes. Probiotic therapy is rooted in the idea that the intentional introduction of ‘good’ bacteria could help regulate metabolites that may be intrinsically linked to disease processes.
“Recently, there has been an increasing interest and broadening scope of research investigating the relationship between gut dysbiosis—an imbalance in the composition of gut bacteria—and the intricate interactions of the ‘gut-brain’ axis in the context of Parkinson’s disease (PD),” said Veronica Bruno, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary. “The article by Leta et al. stands out as a significant contribution to this area of study, aiming to understand the impact of a four-strain probiotic on gut dysbiosis, motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms in PD patients with constipation. The authors’ conclusion highlights that the four-strain probiotic effectively enhances gut microbiota, improves ‘time to on’ and alleviates the burden of non-motor symptoms among PD patients with constipation.
“While the implications of the observed changes in gut microbiota remain a captivating realm for further investigation, a particularly noteworthy finding revolves around the reduction in the ‘time to on’ observed within the active treatment group. People living with Parkinson’s disease frequently express their frustration and challenges arising from the delay in the effectiveness of their medication. This delay can result in periods of diminished mobility, tremors and other disruptive symptoms that affect their daily routines. The identification that the four-strain probiotic contributes to shortening this ‘time to on’ phase holds promise for substantial enhancements in patients’ lives by diminishing these difficult ‘off’ intervals and enhancing overall well-being.
“Research efforts like the current study, enabled by a robust multicenter randomized controlled trial design, are pivotal in generating evidence-based solid treatments. This is especially vital for addressing specific PD non-motor symptoms that have historically received less attention. The discoveries arising from this study emphasize the need for further research, including efforts focused on confirming the lasting sustainability of the observed effects and revealing the underlying mechanisms at play.”
About the 2023 MDS International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders®: The MDS International Congress is the premiere annual event to advance the clinical and scientific discipline of Movement Disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. Convening thousands of leading clinicians, scientists and other health professionals from around the globe, the International Congress will introduce more than 1,800 scientific abstracts and provide a forum for education and collaboration on latest research findings and state-of-the-art treatment options.
About the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society® (MDS), an international society of more than 11,000 clinicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For more information about MDS, visit http://www.movementdisorders.org.
The study by Becker and colleagues used a dataset of 63 videos of people with tic disorders to train a Random Forest classifier to identify tic movements. Various predictable features were combined into a single detection tic score and trained using videos from both people with tic disorders and healthy controls. The accuracy of this tic score in classifying patients and healthy controls was 83%.
“The frequency and characteristic cluster aggregation of tics are key determinants of tic severity,” said Dr. Davide Martino, Professor of Neurology at the University of Calgary. “Wearable sensors recording tics in patients’ natural environment are currently under exploration, but the anatomical distribution and diverse phenomenology of tics hinder the routine clinical applicability of these sensors. Tic frequency and phenomenology are also routinely assessed using video recordings usually obtained in a clinical setting, a methodology often used also in clinical trials. Rating these recordings is time- and energy-consuming. This study applies machine learning to train an algorithm that classifies tics from non-tic extra movements and measures several parameters detailing the temporal distribution of tics, ultimately combining these into a single tic detection score. The study reports a very good classification accuracy of the algorithm (83%), although the composition and accuracy of the tic detection score is still in progress.
An algorithm that measures frequency and clustering of tics from video recordings has strong translational value in routine clinical practice and clinical research, as it would likely optimize reliability and efficiency of these measurements. Although limited to facial/head tics, the same approach can be extended to other body regions and phonic tics. It is also important to point out that video recording-based measures will inevitably still need to be integrated with other domains of tic severity, e.g., interference with daily routines and functional impact, in order to achieve a truly comprehensive assessment of tics.”
About the 2023 MDS International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders®: The MDS International Congress is the premiere annual event to advance the clinical and scientific discipline of Movement Disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. Convening thousands of leading clinicians, scientists and other health professionals from around the globe, the International Congress will introduce more than 1,800 scientific abstracts and provide a forum for education and collaboration on latest research findings and state-of-the-art treatment options.
About the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society® (MDS), an international society of more than 11,000 clinicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For more information about MDS, visit http://www.movementdisorders.org.
Media Contact
Shea Higgins, International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, 1 (414) 276-2145, [email protected], mdscongress.org
SOURCE International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
ASHA’s 2023 Media Champion Award recipients are as follows:
The Associated Press (AP): For Fetterman’s Doctor Says He’s Recovering Well From May Stroke (October 19, 2022) and Fetterman Struggles in Senate Debate Against Oz After Stroke (October 26, 2022). For both articles, the AP quoted ASHA staff for context related to U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s recovery of his communication abilities after experiencing a stroke last year.
Forbes: For How Much Do Cochlear Implants Cost? (January 27, 2023); In-The-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids: Features, Costs, and More (April 25, 2023); and The Best Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids That Help You Hear For Less. Forbes quoted ASHA members and staff to provide a comprehensive look at treatments for hearing loss.
CNET: For over-the-counter hearing aid articles from June 7, 2023, June 21, 2023, and July 19, 2023, as well as the July 21, 2023, article Hearing Aids May Help Stave Off Dementia Risk. CNET provided extensive coverage and guidance for the newly available class of over-the-counter hearing aids and provided a look into the importance of addressing hearing loss.
Wall Street Journal: For If Your Toddler Isn’t Talking Yet, the Pandemic Might Be to Blame (by Sarah Toy, published May 19, 2023). The Wall Street Journal highlighted ASHA’s findings that speech-language pathologists have seen an increase in demand for addressing communication problems in children ages birth to 5 following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scripps News Morning Rush: For its June 5 broadcast on pediatric hearing aids. Scripps News interviewed ASHA President-Elect Tena McNamara and member Leisha Eiten to discuss insurance mandates for pediatric hearing aids.
Concord Monitor: For Speech-Language Pathologists Are in High Demand, and Kids Need Them Now More Than Ever (by Jacqueline Cole, published June 19, 2023). The Concord Monitor interviewed an ASHA member and ASHA staff for insight on the national issue of rising demand for speech-language pathologists following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early Learning Nation: For Bilingualism Is a Resource, Not a Disability. Education Professionals Need to Follow the Science (by Mark Swartz, published February 1, 2023). Early Learning Nation spoke to an ASHA member and ASHA staff to help highlight the developmental benefits of bilingualism.
BuzzFeed News: For What Can Babies Hear In The Womb? Rihanna’s Super Bowl Performance Sparks Hilarious Memes (by Katie Camero, published February 13, 2023). BuzzFeed News quoted ASHA staff for their article, which addressed the question of hearing safety for fetuses after the singer Rihanna performed at the Super Bowl while pregnant.
WTOP: For What To Do Before Considering an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid (October 11, 2022) and What To Consider When Choosing Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids (October 17, 2022). WTOP spoke to hearing health experts to provide guidance on over-the-counter hearing aids leading up to and following their availability.
Real Stories ASHA Member Participants: The participants below were featured in videos that were promoted on social media as part of ASHA’s Real Stories campaign. In the videos, they share stories about making a difference in the lives of those who have been in their care.
Gabriel Bargen, PhD, CCC-A—Audiologist, Associate Professor of Pediatric Audiology at Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
Suzanne Coyle, MA, CCC-SLP—Speech-Language Pathologist, Executive Director of Stroke Comeback Center, Vienna, Virginia
Rinki Varindani Desai, MS, CCC-SLP—Speech-Language Pathologist, Founder of The Swallowing Training and Education Portal, Jackson, Mississippi
Ebony Green, CCC-SLP—Speech-Language Pathologist, Founder and Director of Casa Speech Therapy, Chandler, Arizona
Karen McQuaide, AuD, CCC-A—Audiologist, Director of Audiology at Penn Medicine Becker ENT, Freehold, New Jersey
Rebeca Woods, MA, CCC-SLP—Speech-Language Pathologist, IDEA Public Schools, San Antonio, Texas
Darius Thomas, MS, CCC-SLP—Speech-Language Pathologist, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dynamic Therapy, Washington, DC
About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 228,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology assistants; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) identify, assess, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. http://www.asha.org
O aporte ocorre em um ano recorde para o Gympass, que quase dobrou sua base de clientes corporativos para mais de 15.000 e ultrapassou a marca de dois milhões de usuários em sua rede de mais de 50.000 parceiros Gympass oferece a melhor rede de academias, estúdios, aulas, personal trainers…
