Category Archives: Health

What is new in the field of Health. Trending topics, and cutting edge research in the are of Health. Press Releases that give us updates on Health.

South Carolina Promotes Play and Recreation Statewide Funding and Training Initiative


South Carolina Recreation and Park Association (SCRPA), PlayCore, GameTime, and Cunningham Recreation are aligning resources and strategically partnering to promote best practices in parks and recreation, provide quality education, and arm communities with evidence-based resources.

Parks are essential to creating healthier, happier societies across generations. Complimentary professional development events hosted by PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research & Education (CORE) will be held starting March 24-26 at three locations across South Carolina. These interactive education symposiums will help participants effectively fuel their community’s passion for play and recreation and empower stakeholders to become champions for high quality outdoor play and recreation environments that meet the diverse needs of children, families, and communities in these modern times.

Attendees will be inspired by unique design and program innovations, leadership case examples, and strategies to creatively consider the needs and goals of their community. The content and hands-on learning activities will equip participants in developing strong advocacy messages of how investing in parks and recreation positively impacts the quality of life in communities across South Carolina.

Learning Objectives:

  • Develop advocacy messages describing why play and recreation is essential to a healthier and happier society.
  • Apply research-based design best practices to create high-quality outdoor play and recreation destinations.
  • Discuss model projects, positive community outcomes, and the health and wellness benefits of inclusion, physical activity, and nature.


While CORE provides statewide professional development services, GameTime, a leading playground designer/manufacturer, will provide up to $2M million in matching funds to assist parks and recreation departments who are members of SCRPA create play and recreation destinations. These sites will be thoroughly reviewed to align with research-based best practices. These projects will serve as National Demonstration Sites (NDS) and as national models for promoting physical activity, fitness, nature engagement, and/or inclusion, and opportunities to participate in data collection and demonstrate community outcomes through an on-site sign with a research QR code.

Each of the four symposiums are designed for mid to upper-level professionals in the fields of park and recreation, landscape architecture, and education. The sessions will offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for professionals and promise to be lively, informative, and educational. Lunch and educational resources will be provided by GameTime and Cunningham Recreation.

To learn more about this partnership and ways to attend the events, please visit: https://www.playcore.com/events/scrpa-promotes-play-recreation

About PlayCore:

PlayCore is a purpose driven Company committed to building stronger communities around the world by advancing play and recreation. The company infuses scholarly learning, through its Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, into its comprehensive family of brands. PlayCore combines best-in-class educational programming with the most comprehensive portfolio of play and recreation products and services to create tailored solutions that match the unique needs of each community served. Learn more at https://www.playcore.com.

About GameTime:

GameTime is a leading manufacturer of commercial playgrounds, custom play spaces and outdoor fitness equipment. Headquartered in Fort Payne, Alabama, and with distribution around the world, GameTime has been dedicated to enriching childhood through play since our founding in 1929, and we work with community partners to demonstrate Play Has No Limit®.

Learn more at http://www.gametime.com.

About Cunningham Recreation:

Cunningham Recreation is proud to serve as GameTime’s exclusive representative in South Carolina. Cunningham Recreation has been providing commercial playground equipment and park products since 1966. From neighborhoods to municipal parks, we’ve built thousands of playgrounds for kids of all ages. We build memories that last!

About SCRPA:

The South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional development of its members and advocacy for parks, recreation and tourism opportunities in South Carolina.

Share article on social media or email:

Alera Group Acquires Muench Financial, Inc.


News Image

Muench Financial brings an exciting new element to Alera Group’s wealth management practice. Their expertise will help us continue to provide clients in the Northwest with industry-leading solutions.

Alera Group, a national employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement services and wealth management firm, today announced that it has acquired Muench Financial, Inc., effective December 31, 2019.

Muench Financial, located in Seattle, Washington, works with small and medium-sized businesses throughout the Northwest. The firm works with clients in a variety of capacities, with service offerings including evaluating retirement plan features, plan participant education, monitoring and evaluating plan investments, and implementing effective retirement programs.

“Jon Muench and his team bring an exciting new element to Alera Group’s wealth management practice,” said Alan Levitz, CEO of Alera Group. “We are proud to have them as part of Alera Group working with Jeff Albers, Director of Retirement Plan and Wealth Management. Their expertise will help us continue to provide clients in the Northwest with industry-leading solutions.”

“We are excited to join Alera Group, and we look forward to continued growth with the power of national resources behind us,” said Jon Muench, President of Muench Financial. “Our goal, as always, is to serve our clients with excellence, and as an Alera Group company, we will be even better equipped to do that.”    

Muench Financial, Inc., joins Alera Group through Wilson Albers. The Muench Financial team will operate out of Alera Group’s Seattle office. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Alera Group was formed in early 2017 and is one of the nation’s foremost independent insurance agencies. For more information on partnering with Alera Group, visit Partner With Us at http://www.aleragroup.com.

About Alera Group

Based in Deerfield, IL, Alera Group’s over 1,800 employees serve thousands of clients nationally in employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement services and wealth management. Alera Group is the 15th largest privately held firm in the country. For more information, visit http://www.aleragroup.com or follow Alera Group on Twitter: @AleraGroupUS.

M&A Contact

Rob Lieblein, Chief Development Officer

Email: rob.lieblein@aleragroup.com

Phone: 717-329-2451

Share article on social media or email:

Dr. Miranda Uzoma joins U.S. Dermatology Partners Sugarland


Board Certified Dermatologist, Miranda Uzoma, MD

Miranda Uzoma, MD Dermatologist

U.S. Dermatology Partners is pleased to welcome Board-Certified Dermatologist and Fellowship Trained Dermatopathologist, Dr. Miranda Uzoma, to our Sugarland practice.

Dr. Miranda Uzoma graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University. She earned her medical degree from UTMB School of Medicine in Galveston, Texas. She went on to complete her dermatology residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI, after which she returned to Houston to pursue further advanced fellowship training in dermatopathology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at the Texas Medical Center. Dr. Uzoma is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is a member of the American Society of Dermatopathology, the International Society of Dermatopathology, Skin of Color Society, and Women’s Dermatologic Society. She is a skilled dermatologic surgeon and has a strong interest in complex medical skin diseases like hidradenitis suppurativa, and pigmentary disorders such as vitiligo.

Dr. Uzoma is excited to practice dermatology in her hometown and serve the Houston community. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son and keeping up with the Houston Rockets and Texans.

About U.S. Dermatology Partners

As one of the largest physician-owned dermatology practices in the country, U.S. Dermatology Partners patients not only have access to general medical, surgical, and cosmetic skin treatment through its coordinated care network, but also benefit from the practice’s strong dermatology subspecialty thought leaders and medical advisory board. To be the best partners to its patients, U.S. Dermatology Partners is fervently focused on providing the highest level of patient-first care, and its team, therefore, includes recognized national leaders in areas such as clinical research, psoriasis and Mohs Surgery. To learn more, visit usdermatologypartners.com.

Share article on social media or email:

See One Savvy Girl Introduce Their Products That Empower Women for Outdoor Adventures


Modern Living with kathy ireland® with One Savvy Girl

“Our mission is to empower and motivate women to get outside and spend time outdoors doing the things they love the most.” – Kelly Fedio, CEO of One Savvy Girl

Modern Living with kathy ireland® is pleased to announce an exclusive interview with One Savvy Girl CEO Kelly Fedio to discuss their outdoor lifestyle and leisure brand for women.

One Savvy Girl is a company that has created innovative products that help women enhance their outdoor adventures. A small, family-owned business based in Redondo Beach, California, One Savvy Girl believes that a life truly lived is one that is full of adventure and exploration in the great outdoors. The company is on a mission to create an extraordinary and ever-expanding product line just for women that makes it easy and fun to enjoy the simple pleasures of getting outside, enjoying the fresh air and conquering the day. From hobby hikers and campers to women who simply love exploring around town, One Savvy Girl is passionate about creating female-focused products that help women get outside more often doing the things they love. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a day at the beach, a backyard barbecue, a weekend camping in the mountains or simply enjoying a drink alfresco, One Savvy Girl strives to bring comfort, convenience and style to every outdoor adventure. One Savvy Girl’s product line includes water bottles, backpacks, bags, tote sets, coolers and much more.

Fedio says that One Savvy Girl offers products that are in demand and can’t be found anywhere else. She explains, “Our mission is to empower and motivate women to get outside and spend time outdoors doing the things they love the most. We wanted to create a product line just for women to support that. We really did see a need in the market for women being underserved by traditional outdoor brands. Our products are meant to add a pop of color, fun and excitement to everyday outdoor activities.”

For more information about One Savvy Girl and their innovative outdoor products for women, visit OneSavvyGirl.com and tune in to WE tv as sponsored content on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 7:30am EST.

About Modern Living with kathy ireland®

Modern Living with kathy ireland® is an independently produced television series airing domestically on WE tv as sponsored content and on Bloomberg Internationally. Hosted by lifestyle influencer and business mogul Kathy Ireland, the series features the latest in lifestyle and B2C trends, breakthroughs, and solutions, while highlighting companies from around the globe in a unique and credible format. For more about Modern Living with kathy ireland®, visit modernlivingtv.com and check out the series on social media!

Share article on social media or email:

Nascentia Health Selects HEALTHsuite Advantage™ from RAM Technologies to Streamline Entry into Medicare Advantage Market


At RAM Technologies, our core mission is to provide the industry’s very best platform and services to health plans administering Medicare Advantage and Special Needs Plans (SNP’s).

RAM Technologies, Inc., the perennial leader in the development of enterprise software solutions for Medicare Advantage health plans, is pleased to announce the newest client for their HEALTHsuite Advantage™ and Medicare Advantage-in-a-Box offering; Nascentia Health of Syracuse, New York. Nascentia Health selected RAM and their “Medicare Advantage-in-a-Box” platform to administer their Medicare Advantage and Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP) product offerings from a single comprehensive enterprise software solution.

Nascentia Health, a long-time leader in New York’s Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) program is expanding into the New York Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP) program, an integrated care program designed for individuals who are nursing home certified and Dually Eligible in managed long-term care. This allows an individual to enroll in a single plan while receiving the benefits from multiple products, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid MLTC. As part of this ongoing effort to serve their membership, Nascentia Health has added three (3) new Medicare Advantage / Special Needs based offerings.

“We performed a comprehensive evaluation of solutions, and more importantly vendors, in the market. We found that RAM Technologies not only offered the most complete, end-to-end platform and services to administer our business, they also possessed the subject matter expertise to guide our entry as we move into Medicare Advantage,” said June Castle, Chief Administrative Officer of Nascentia Health. “As a new entrant to the Medicare Advantage market it was imperative that we had the right partner to help us meet our objectives while continuing to serve our membership and RAM has been that partner.”

Christopher P. Minton, Executive Vice President of RAM Technologies had this to add, “At RAM Technologies, our core mission is to provide the industry’s very best platform and services to health plans administering Medicare Advantage and Special Needs Plans (SNP’s). Refining our focus exclusively on MA enabled us to channel all of our energies and resources on our MA offerings, while continuing to elevate the expertise of our staff. We are eager to bring our solutions and our MA expertise to our partnership with Nascentia Health, and we welcome them to our expanding family of clients.”

RAM’s offerings, HEALTHsuite Advantage / Medicare Advantage-in-a-Box and the associated business process services, represent the next evolution in Medicare Advantage administration. HEALTHsuite Advantage comes pre-configured to administer ‘Original’ Medicare, slashing implementation durations, eliminating risk and greatly reducing costs. The RAM offering provides robust features and functions including all of the essential core capabilities and complete integration with CMS, and delivers them in a truly innovative fashion.

In addition to the enterprise capabilities provided by HEALTHsuite Advantage, RAM’s web portal product eHealthsuite™ enables providers and members to interact with the health plan in real time through a secure Internet connection. This self-service functionality, available 24 x 7, lowers administrative costs by reducing the demands on the health plan’s customer service personnel.

About RAM Technologies:

RAM Technologies is the industry leader in helping organizations that are interested in starting a Medicare Advantage plan. Every day more and more people are asking, “How Do I Become a Medicare Advantage Health Plan?” We offer a step-by-step process to succeed. Whether you are a health system looking to transition to Medicare Advantage or a new entity looking for Steps to Succeed as a Medicare Advantage start-up, we can help. To learn more about launching a Medicare Advantage Plan, answering the question, “What do I need to do to start a Medicare Advantage Health Plan?” call (877) 654-8810 x 4 or visit ramtechinc.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Cerebral Launches in Seven States, Aiming to Fill a Gap in Mental Health Care


Cerebral is offering an alternative to a mental health system that many see as broken.

Cerebral has launched publicly in California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

The startup is reimagining the process by which people are treated for anxiety and depression. Clients sign up for a comprehensive subscription, which allows them to schedule an initial visit to be held within days of signing up. If they are prescribed medication during their visit, they are then assigned to a care manager who works closely with them and can respond to any questions or concerns within a day.

All of this happens online, and medication is delivered directly to the person’s home for no extra charge. Dosage and medication adjustments are common in psychiatric care, so clients have regular check-ins to figure out when changes to a treatment regimen are needed.

The founders include Dr. Ho Anh, the former Medical Director at Hims and former Medical Group President at Lemonaid Health, as well as Kyle Robertson, who has deep family and personal connections to mental health.

Cerebral is currently offering a discount for the first month to make care for Seasonal Affective Disorder more accessible, with the price at just $5 for the first month of treatment for those who start before February 1st.

The startup is a new alternative to a broken traditional mental health care system. 18.1% of American adults are suffering from an anxiety disorder at any given time. What’s scary is that only 1 in 5 of them receive treatment consistent with current practice guidelines, and 35% receive no treatment at all. 3 month wait times are average to see a psychiatrist. And they’re often waiting for a consultation that they’ll have to pay $500 for.

For $92 per month, comprehensive care at Cerebral includes:


  • Video visits with a prescribing provider
  • Medication & medication delivery
  • Assigned care manager

For the past 3 months, Cerebral ran a private beta in California & Ohio. Early indicators of clinical efficacy are promising, and the team is excited to continue tracking this over the course of the months and years to come.

This promising new line of treatment is getting interest around the country. Bloomberg ran an exclusive look on what this launch means to the industry.

Clients looking for treatment as well as mental health professionals looking for options for their own clients should learn more about Cerebral on the company’s website.

Share article on social media or email:

Texas-based Empower Brokerage, Inc. teamed up with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. to ease the transition to Medicare after retirement


Oppenheimer New York

Oppenheimer New York

“I can’t thank you enough for your professionalism, teamwork and especially the presentation for Oppenheimer – what a great fit!” Suzanne Hornak Allen, Account Executive – Oppenheimer & Co.

The fourth quarter of 2019 kicked off a new collaboration between Empower Brokerage and Oppenheimer & Company, Inc. in New York. Oppenheimer is a leading global full-service brokerage and investment bank with over a century of tradition. They have a proud reputation of helping individuals, families, corporate executives, foundations and endowments, charities, pension plans, businesses, and institutions achieve their financial goals and aspirations. This reputation extends to their staff as well, with the transition to Medicare in retirement.

DeWayne Long, the National Sales Director at Empower Brokerage, along with John Shinn, the Senior Products Specialist, visited a large group of pre-retirement Financial Advisors in Oppenheimer’s New York City location. Launching their initiative at Oppenheimer’s impressive 30-story tower in the Financial District, Shinn and Long provided education on transitioning to Medicare after retirement.

Empower Brokerage sent their two best representatives to meet with Oppenheimer’s senior employees so that the attendees had the best chance of receiving thorough and quality information. Between the two of them, Shinn and Long have a combined experience of over 60 years helping people make informed insurance decisions.

Suzanne Hornak Allen, Account executive, said the feedback from participants was positive and they were very appreciative of the information Empower provided. “I can’t thank you enough for your professionalism, teamwork and especially the presentation for Oppenheimer – what a great fit!”

Long and Shinn held three presentations designed to inform and educate Oppenheimer’s pre-retirement employees. Seminar topics include Medicare 101 and available options after leaving group health insurance. Representatives were able to define Medicare, MAPD, PDP, and Medigap; as well as Medicare Advantage versus Medicare Supplement. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions throughout and Shinn revealed there were two common questions. First, should one choose Medicare Part A or Part B if they are still employed at or beyond age 65? Second, if one is ready to retire at age 66, but their spouse is only 62 and will lose insurance, what are the options? Shinn recommends contacting a licensed insurance agent, such as the knowledgeable team at Empower Brokerage.

Shinn says, “We are excited to serve the needs of such a professional and recognized organization. All three meetings were a success and we already have members scheduling appointments for follow-up assistance and advice on Medicare needs.”

Oppenheimer Feedback

Based on comments from Oppenheimer and Empower Brokerage, it seems this is a great match. Both organizations seem pleased with the other because they are able to achieve their objectives together as a team. Empower Brokerage is increasingly helping large organizations, hospital systems, and municipalities with a fresh approach to customer service. Empower Brokerage truly believes that proactivity and honest hard work are the two keys to success.

Share article on social media or email:

See ChemoBrain Co.™ Introduce Their Nutritional Supplements for Cancer Patients to Take During and After Chemotherapy


Modern Living with kathy ireland® with ChemoBrain Co.™

Modern Living with kathy ireland® is pleased to announce an exclusive interview with ChemoBrain Co.™ Co-Founder David Salo and Co-Founder Michele Salo to discuss their nutritional supplements that help cancer patients combat the cognitive effects of chemotherapy.

Modern Living with kathy ireland® is pleased to announce an exclusive interview with ChemoBrain Co.™ Co-Founder David Salo and Co-Founder Michele Salo to discuss their nutritional supplements that help cancer patients combat the cognitive effects of chemotherapy.

ChemoBrain Co.™ is a company that’s committed to searching for real solutions for cognitive impairment among people who have undergone cancer treatment. Driven by passion and customer focus, ChemoBrain Co.™ designs and manufactures high-quality products that improve the everyday life of cancer survivors and their loved ones. Inspired by personal experience, ChemoBrain Clear is a symbiotic three-product regimen focused on brain health, gut health and vascular health. It’s inspired by ChemoBrain’s mission to find a real solution for cognitive impairment among individuals who have undergone cancer treatment.

David Salo says that ChemoBrain Co.™ products stand out from other vitamins and supplements. He explains, “One of the things we’ve found is that people think that all supplements are the same. They’re not. It really depends on the quality of the ingredients they’re using and the process in manufacturing. We use pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and we hold our manufacturers to the same standards using quality products. These are not your average products you’d find in a health food store. These were specifically designed for us here at ChemoBrain Co.™.”

For more information about ChemoBrain’s nutritional supplements for cancer patients, visit ChemoBrain.com and tune in to WE tv as sponsored content on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 7:30am EST.

About Modern Living with kathy ireland®

Modern Living with kathy ireland® is an independently produced television series airing domestically on WE tv as sponsored content and on Bloomberg Internationally. Hosted by lifestyle influencer and business mogul Kathy Ireland, the series features the latest in lifestyle and B2C trends, breakthroughs, and solutions, while highlighting companies from around the globe in a unique and credible format. For more about Modern Living with kathy ireland®, visit modernlivingtv.com and check out the series on social media!

Share article on social media or email:

Sunlit Gardens Proudly Receives a Deficiency-Free Survey


Front if building

Sunlit Gardens

Our staff has created an environment that focuses solely on the resident and we are delighted to be recognized for delivering the quality care we strive for daily.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has administered a deficiency-free survey in June 2019 to Sunlit Gardens, a Meridian Senior Living assisted living and memory care community in Alta Loma, CA.

“We are honored to have the achievement of quality and distinction in our resident care that 100% deficiency-free status reflects,” expressed Glen Cummins Regional Director of Operations of Meridian Senior Living. “Our staff has created an environment that focuses solely on the resident and we are delighted to be recognized for delivering the quality care we strive for daily.”

All services delivered at the senior living facility must meet or surpass all state and federal standards to attain a deficiency-free survey. Due to California’s stringent assessment, a deficiency-free survey in this state is rare and reflects a mark of distinction for an assisted living community. Over 17,000 deficiencies were recorded among senior living communities in CDPH’s 2016-17 data report (most currently available).

California assisted living communities are inspected periodically by CDPH to assess that the services and systems in place at the facility fulfill federal and state laws and regulations. Over several days, inspectors arrive unannounced to evaluate the facility. The main areas evaluated include policies and procedures, quality of care and quality of life, staff competencies, resident care, medication administration, medical records, dietary needs, kitchen sanitation, equipment, safety, and overall wellness of the community. In order to be awarded a “deficiency-free” survey, the community must meet all of these state and federal standards.

For senior living residences, achieving a perfect score on the state survey means that their residents can expect the highest level of care in an optimal, secure facility. This factor is weighed heavily by seniors and their families when considering a home in a senior living community. For more information about Sunlit Gardens, visit https://meridiansenior.com/sunlit-gardens or call (909) 329-2422.

About Meridian Senior Living:

Meridian Senior Living, a privately held company based in Bethesda, Maryland, owns and operates seniors housing communities across the country and provides operational consulting to 24 communities in China. With more than 70 communities in 21 states and more in development, Meridian is one of the largest seniors housing operators in the U.S. The company prides itself on providing the highest quality care, exceptional lifestyle programming and a distinctive dining experience for its residents. For more information on Meridian Senior Living, visit meridiansenior.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Free Event for 100 Moms of Children with Autism by Therapy and Beyond


Mom's Mingles

Therapy and Beyond Mom’s Mingles

The Mom’s Mingles aim to share resources, connect mothers with their local communities, and give moms a night off for themselves.

Therapy and Beyond, one of the largest applied behavior analysis providers across Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado is partnering with FEAT-NT to bring Fort Worth’s 3rd Annual Mom’s Mingle for moms of children with autism! This free event for 100+ mothers of children with autism will be held on Sunday, February 9th at The Hurst Conference Center located at 1601 Campus Drive, Hurst, TX. Each year, Therapy and Beyond partners with local organizations to throw annual Mom’s Mingles in multiple cities, where 100+ moms of children on the autism spectrum join together to enjoy a night off from their busy lives. Registration for this popular event is now open and available HERE.

About Therapy and Beyond’s Mom’s Mingles

For this year’s Fort Worth Mingle, Therapy and Beyond has partnered with the nonprofit group FEAT-NT to present the moms with a suave 007 Casino Night! 100+ moms will enjoy free dinner, drinks, and play casino-themed games. Afterward, they can turn in their ‘winnings’ for some amazing prizes from our generous sponsors! Most importantly, they will immerse themselves in their local community and be surrounded by women on the same autism journey as themselves.

According to the CDC, about 1 in 59 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At times, caregivers may find themselves feeling isolated and lost. The Mom’s Mingles aim to share resources, connect mothers with their local communities, and give moms a night off for themselves.

Details about this mingle and other free upcoming events are available at http://www.therapyandbeyond.com/events

The mingles first began in Dallas in 2013, when Dr. Regina Crone, founder of Therapy and Beyond, had the idea to create a community giveback that didn’t focus on learning a new skill or a workshop, but would simply give moms the opportunity to bond and have a fun night out. The event was so successful that Therapy and Beyond began to establish annual Mom’s Mingles in other cities, such as Denver, Oklahoma City and Houston.

About Therapy and Beyond

Therapy and Beyond was founded in 2006 on the principal that there is hope for every child. Today, they provide 1:1 individualized ABA therapy for individuals on the autism spectrum in Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most commonly prescribed treatment for children on the spectrum, and focuses on expanding functional communication skills, executive functioning skills, and advancing each child’s independence. In addition to helping individuals on the spectrum through ABA, one of Therapy and Beyond’s goals is to find ways to give back to the autism community as a whole, through free events like the Mom’s Mingles.

Share article on social media or email: