We offer an alternative material which satisfies all the characteristics of a paper, while at the same time providing the competencies of plastic, without their structural limitations or drawbacks.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (PRWEB)
May 12, 2020

Around the world, people have been using combinations of fabric, paper, and plastic shields over their faces to avoid contagion. In an effort to do its part to fight the novel COVID-19 virus, Stone Paper®, a mineral paper producer based in B.C. Canada, is offering a durable and eco-friendly material to create masks without plastic or paper.

“We offer an alternative material which satisfies all the characteristics of a paper, while at the same time providing the competencies of plastic, without their structural limitations or drawbacks. Essentially the best of both worlds,” says Sam Farhangi, Chairman and CEO of Stone Paper®.

The material Mr. Farhangi speaks of is naturally impermeable, which satisfies the most important need for the production of masks. Stone Paper® is less expensive, causes a smaller environmental footprint by saving water and energy, and requires less treatment to reduce flammability. Masks made with this material carry the added benefits of being waterproof, washable, anti-bacterial, fire retardant, anti-grease, as well as having no use of trees, water, bleach or any hazardous chemicals in the production process.

The mineral paper has Cradle-2-Cradle certification and is compliant with health regulations. It is currently used as disposable medical examination bed sheets due to its anti-bacterial and antimicrobial, non-stick and non-combustibility (fire retardant) properties. Using a custom-made material from their mineral paper substrate, the company intends to produce N95 masks as well as procedural and surgical masks.

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Research psychologist & author Gail Hornstein, PhD

To have allies who get in that foxhole with you and try to figure out strategies when things are going bad…I’ve waited all my life for something like that.

WILSONVILLE, Ore. (PRWEB)
May 12, 2020

In an article published in the journal Psychosis, Gail Hornstein, PhD, Mount Holyoke College Professor Emerita of Psychology (and her co-authors Emily Robinson Putnam and Alison Branitsky), present the first set of results from their national study of Hearing Voices Groups (HVGs). Their project is the largest and most in-depth examination of such groups ever conducted, and the first to be based in the US. HVGs offer an alternative to traditional mental health interventions focused on stopping or trying to block experiences classified as “hallucinations.” Although these groups have spread to 30 countries on five continents and are rapidly expanding across the US, few studies have analyzed their effectiveness.

The researchers recruited a diverse sample of 113 HVG members from across the US, who completed detailed questionnaires and interviews about whether and how their lives have changed since participating in the group. Results indicated that the egalitarian and non-prescriptive nature of these groups, where support is mutual and power is shared, as well as the openness to a multiplicity of understandings and strategies regarding voice hearing, were crucial to reducing distress and enabling more effective coping. As one participant said, “To have allies who get in that foxhole with you and try to figure out strategies when things are going bad is just invaluable . . . I’ve waited all my life for something like that.” Although the researchers found that no one outcome is sought by all HVG members, thus precluding any single measure of group effectiveness, 79% of participants in this study reported experiencing helpful changes in their voices, their interpersonal relationships, and/or how they understood their voices as a result of attending the group. As one member put it, “I can feel and act more like a person and less like a problem.” Many participants were able to return to work or school, get off disability, and make less use of hospital or crisis services. The availability of both in-person and online groups added flexibility and increased access.

“Our findings significantly strengthen the evidence base for the Hearing Voices approach,” said Dr. Hornstein. “Mental health professionals often wonder whether these groups work, and if so, how. Our 3-phase model explains how the unique elements that distinguish HVGs from other kinds of clinical or support groups work together to enable significant transformation to occur.”

The paper highlights the importance of including people with lived experience as key members of the team in studies like this. “Given the long and distressing history of psychiatric patients being recruited for research studies without their consent or for purposes not fully disclosed to them, we see our intentional inclusion of voice hearers on the team at every stage of the project as an important corrective and encourage other researchers to move toward this goal in their own work,” the authors note.

They emphasize that HVGs can be integrated into traditional mental health settings, at a significant cost savings to providers and insurers as compared with more expensive and less effective approaches currently in widespread use. “We hope this research will encourage adoption of HVGs in a variety of healthcare and social services,” Dr. Hornstein said. “We are way behind the UK and Europe in making this powerful alternative available across the US.”

The research was made possible by a grant from Open Excellence. The mission of Open Excellence is to connect the passion of private philanthropy with the world’s top researchers and innovation to bring recovery–based care and supports to every community. Dr. Hornstein is the advisor to Open Excellence’s Hearing Voices Research and Development Fund.

Contact: Gail A. Hornstein, PhD

ghornste@mtholyoke.edu

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“Dr. Marina Cheng has earned the UroLift Center of Excellence designation for her dedication to improving the lives of men who previously suffered from BPH symptoms and delivering superior patient outcomes with the UroLift System treatment,” said Dave Amerson

PLEASANTON, Calif. (PRWEB)
May 12, 2020

NeoTract, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX) focused on addressing unmet needs in the field of urology, today announced that Marina Cheng M.D., Providence Urology in Olympia, WA, has been designated as a UroLift® Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Cheng has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift® System and demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate.

Recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines, the FDA-cleared Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue.

The UroLift Center of Excellence program is designed to highlight urologists who are committed to educating their patients on BPH and the UroLift System as a treatment option and consistently seek to deliver excellent patient outcomes and experiences.

“Dr. Marina Cheng has earned the UroLift Center of Excellence designation for her dedication to improving the lives of men who previously suffered from BPH symptoms and delivering superior patient outcomes with the UroLift System treatment,” said Dave Amerson, president of the Teleflex Interventional Urology business unit.

Over 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH, a condition that occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life.

Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation.

About the UroLift® System

The FDA-cleared UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function*1,2. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Over 100,000 men have been treated with the UroLift System in the U.S. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com.

About NeoTract | Teleflex Interventional Urology

A wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated, the Interventional Urology Business Unit is dedicated to developing innovative, minimally invasive and clinically effective devices that address unmet needs in the field of urology. Our initial focus is on improving the standard of care for patients with BPH using the UroLift System, a minimally invasive permanent implant system that treats symptoms while preserving normal sexual function*1,2. Learn more at http://www.NeoTract.com.

About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of people’s lives. We apply purpose driven innovation – a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs – to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit http://www.teleflex.com.

Teleflex is the home of Arrow®, Deknatel®, Hudson RCI®, LMA®, Pilling®, Rusch®, UroLift® and Weck® – trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose

For Teleflex Incorporated:

Jake Elguicze, 610.948.2836

Treasurer and Vice President, Investor Relations

Media:

Nicole Osmer, 650.454.0504 nicole@healthandcommerce.com

*No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction

1. Roehrborn, J Urology 2013 LIFT Study

2.McVary, J Sex Med 2016

MAC00968-01 Rev A

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TAMPA, Fla. (PRWEB)
May 12, 2020

The Professional Protector Plan® for Dentists (PPP), a division of Protector Plans, is pleased to announce the promotion of Cornelius Briscoe, an industry professional with 20+ years of experience in handling dental malpractice claims, to the Director of Claims. In his new role, Briscoe will report to Laura Simon, the Protector Plans’ Executive Vice President responsible for Claims Services.

Briscoe joined the dental claims team in 2017 and brought a 21-year career devoted to insurance claim handling with a concentration in professional liability and commercial general liability claims. Briscoe has extensive experience in handling medical malpractice claims, with fourteen (14) years devoted primarily to dental malpractice, including large Dental Service Organizations. Briscoe is also a U.S. Navy Veteran, where he served for twelve (12) years. He holds the Casualty Claims Law Associate (CCLA), Fraud Claims Law Associate (FCLA) and Senior Claim Law Associate (SCLA) designations. He received his undergraduate degree in Business Management and his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

“My goal as Director of the Dental Claims Program is to support the Dental Program’s growth by delivering unmatched claims service to our agents and customers,” said Briscoe. “We will continue to work closely with our internal and external business partners to provide superior customer service and ensure that their claims needs are met on a daily basis.”

“Cornelius has proven himself to be an outstanding claims professional and consummate team player, “ said Simon. “The Dental Claims Team will thrive under his leadership, and our business partners will benefit greatly from the depth of his experience and industry insights.”    

The PPP has been insuring dentists and dental practices for more than 50 years by offering a complete package policy including professional liability, general liability, employment practices liability and property coverage—a unique grouping of coverages that is unmatched in the U.S. marketplace. The foundation of the PPP was based on the philosophy that dentists should not only have complete insurance protection, but they should also have the tools necessary to minimize exposures to claims and unexpected dental incidents.

A trailblazer in the dental market since 1969, the program includes comprehensive insurance solutions, risk management benefits and claims services. Proven to be a recognized leader within the industry, 19 state and local Dental Associations across the country currently recommend the PPP. The program is offered by exclusive agents across the U.S. who specialize in dental malpractice insurance with an average tenure of 21 years with the PPP program.

About Professional Protector Plan for Dentists®

Through their network of specialized agents, the PPP has been serving dentists nationwide since 1969. This comprehensive insurance program was developed specifically for the dental practice. The plan is offered in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and insures approximately 30,000 dentists nationwide.

The Professional Protector Plan for Dentists® is a division of Protector Plans (B&B Protector Plans), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc. For more information on the insurance products for dentists and risk management services the PPP has to offer, visit our website at http://www.protectorplan.com.

Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) is a leading insurance brokerage firm, providing risk management solutions to individuals and businesses. With more than 80 years of proven success and thousands of teammates, we offer knowledge you can trust and strive to deliver superior customer service. For more information, please visit bbinsurance.com.

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BurnAlong Platform Preview

“BurnAlong understands the importance of bringing mental and physical strength front and center, so that no Veteran places boundaries on themselves. The roles are reversed, we have to fight for them now!” – Lynn Coffland, Founder of Catch A Lift Fund

BALTIMORE (PRWEB)
May 12, 2020

Tackling head on the physical and mental health challenges facing the more than 18 million veterans in the US, veterans organization Catch A Lift Fund has partnered with leading technology wellness company BurnAlong to provide free online health, wellness, and fitness video content for veterans and their family members.

Catch A Lift Fund helps combat wounded veterans regain their mental and physical health through gym memberships, in home gym equipment, personalized fitness and nutrition programs and a peer support network. By partnering with BurnAlong, Catch A Lift Fund can for the first time provide on-demand video classes and additional social support to veterans, with newly expanded access.

Through Catch A Lift Fund’s expanded partnership with BurnAlong, more than 7,000 veterans and their family members now have free access to 1000’s of online classes from 100s of instructors spanning 45+ health, wellness, and fitness categories for the next 6 months. They can take group classes in live private sessions with family members, friends, or fellow veterans, where they can see and hear each other.

Catch A Lift Fund veteran instructors are also joining BurnAlong to stream their classes for BurnAlong members. One of the first Catch A Lift Fund classes posted on BurnAlong is from trainer Sarah Rudder, a combat wounded veteran who is an adaptive trainer with a certification in Olympic Lifting. Another new class features Jimmie Blockett, an Army Veteran, who posted a class targeting recovery of the upper extremities. Other veterans are posting classes on BurnAlong, like Christine McBride, a Navy veteran who specializes in meditation and yoga for people suffering from PTSD.

“Since the death of my brother, I have been privileged to work with thousands of combat injured veterans through the Catch A Lift Fund. I have witnessed first-hand how fitness, community and mentorship, have proven to be a driving force for our service members in finding a holistic way to heal both mentally and physically, through the grants we have provided.” Lynn Coffland, Founder of Catch A Lift Fund said, “BurnAlong understands the importance of bringing mental and physical strength front and center, so that no Veteran places boundaries on themselves. The roles are reversed, we have to fight for them now!”

“We are so proud to be supporting Veterans and their families, and are eternally grateful for their service to our country,” said Daniel Freedman, CO-CEO of BurnAlong. “Catch A Lift Fund’s work is so valuable, and we’re proud to be supporting them and their mission. We hope companies and individuals join and support Catch A Lift Fund, to support those who we owe so much to.”

Every Catch A Lift Fund member has additional access to four sub-accounts they can provide – for free – to their spouses and family members. They can take live group classes with their families and other veterans wherever they are in the country in order to get the social support that is so valuable for veterans and their families.

Part of the BurnAlong partnership includes a virtual veteran’s community, where veterans from around the country and their families can share their stories, share advice, and take live group classes together. Volunteers from BurnAlong’s corporate wellness accounts can also join this veteran’s community to help show their support for veterans who are on BurnAlong.

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About Catch A Lift Fund

Want to learn how you can support Catch A Lift Fund’s mission to provide fitness and health support for veterans around the country? Visit https://catchaliftfund.org/ or contact lynn@catchaliftfund.com for more information.

About BurnAlong (http://www.BurnAlong.com):

BurnAlong is an online video health and wellness platform. People can take classes from 100s of instructors across 45 categories, from prenatal to seniors, from cardio and yoga to stress, adaptive workouts, and chronic conditions like arthritis and diabetes. People can take classes alone or live with others where they can see and hear each other for social motivation.

BurnAlong works with leading employers, insurers, municipalities, non-profits, and health systems who provide BurnAlong for their employees, members, and patients. Through the partnership with Catch A Lift Fund, BurnAlong expands its platform to provide personalized health and wellness content and social support to veterans around the country.

Want to learn how you can help provide more Catch A Lift Fund veterans with access to BurnAlong? Contact info@burnalong.com.

Want to bring BurnAlong to your members or employees? Contact info@burnalong.com to learn more.

For press inquiries, contact press@burnalong.com or visit http://www.burnalong.com/press-inquiries.

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